Minelab EXPLORER II User Manual

Quickstart

However experienced you are at using a metal detector, it is important that you read this chapter to understand how to use the Explorer II in Quickstart mode.

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II

QUICKSTART

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QUICKSTART

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II

GETTING STARTED

Now that your detector is assembled, batteries inserted and you are familiar with the control panel, you should be ready to start detecting. This chapter on Quickstart is designed to be the starting point for all users of the Explorer II.

Introducing Quickstart

POWER

P0400-B

P0400b

Figure 5.1 Quickstart’s opening screen

Display memory

The Explorer II’s factory setting is

to start in Smartfind for your first

detecting session.

If the alternative Digital display is the last used, the Explorer II opens with this screen next time you turn

on the detector. It also retains all

adjustments to

settings made in the previous

session (including those

made in Smartfind).

Figure 5.1

When you first turn on the Explorer II, the Quickstart Smartfind display will appear and you are able to begin detecting. The detector is prepared to respond to non-ferrous targets while filtering out ground signals.

The following pages in this chapter outline the basics of metal detecting and use of the Explorer II. Y ou will learn how to interpret its responses to targets and make your own adjustments to the settings.

Regardless of your level of experience with metal detecting, Minelab recommends you begin in Quickstart mode to familiarize yourself with basic features and operation before experimenting with the detector’s advanced features (detailed in Chapter 6: Advanced Use).

A number of additional functions and features that are likely to be accessed frequently while detecting are also explained.

These include:

• Target SENSITIVITY and THRESHOLD levels, adjusted with shift buttons

• IRON MASK and PINPOINT, activated by shortcut buttons.

• MENU functions, accessed from the control panel shift buttons. These enable you to adjust the display and audio, define targets and move into Advanced mode.

GETTING STARTED

BEGINNER USE

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II

CORRECT

INCORRECT

Figure 5.2 Sweeping the coil

Audio Overload

Sometimes it is possible that a large object close to the search coil will overload the detector’s

electronics. When this happens,

the Explorer II emits a low ‘warble’

which will repeat until the coil is

moved away from the source of the

overload.

Trying out the detector

Figure 5.2

Don’t try this at home!

If you attempt to begin detecting while you are inside your home, you will quickly find that there are many metallic objects (such as nails or reinforcing in the floor) which will result in almost continuous detection. There will also be interference from TV sets and other household appliances. Placing the sensitive detector coil near large metallic objects can result in temporary saturation of the sensor, meaning that it then cannot detect small objects. Therefore it is best to turn your detector off and head outside, as far away as

P0265-A

you can from sources of electromagnetic disturbance.

Sweeping the coil

The Explorer II will perform at its best when the coil is kept in close proximity to the ground. This will increase detection depth and response to small objects. Becoming practised at sweeping the coil is very important, as variation in coil height at the end of each swing can cause confusing sounds and reduce detection depth. Each sweep of the coil should overlap the last one (Figure 5.2). This will ensure good ground coverage.

You think you’ve found something?

When an object is detected, the Explorer II emits an audio response and visually displays a target classification on the control panel’s screen.

Before you attempt to pinpoint or recover the object – which is explained later in this chapter – it is vital you understand how to interpret these audio and visual responses.

This is explained over the next few pages.

QUICKSTART

BEGINNER USE

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THE MINELAB EXPLORER II

QUICKSTART DISPLAY

easy reference

The Quickstart display visually represents everything from target details to the Explorer II’s operating settings. Quickstart’s Smartfind display (pictured below) and alternate Digital display share many common elements.

QUICKSTART

8 8

QUICKSTART DISPLAY

easy reference

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II

Sensitivity level. The sensitivity bar and

numbers indicate how responsive the detector is to a target in the presence of ground noise and/or electromagnetic interference. Numbers range between 1 and 32. When the shift button next to the number is pressed the detector moves between semi-auto and manual sensitivity. See page 49 for details.

Threshold level. The threshold setting controls

the audible level of threshold ‘hum’ during detecting. When the shift button next to the adjustment arrow is pressed, the threshold hum increases or decreases. See page 50 for details.

Depth indicator. The clear portion of the depth

indicator represents the approximate distance of a target below the coil. The top of the indicator represents the position of the coil and the bottom represents 300mm (12 inches) from the coil. The bar will be clear if the target is too far from the coil or its depth cannot be accurately gauged.

Iron Mask. This shaded block indicates whether

IRON MASK function is ON or OFF. See page 45.

Smartfind display. The shaded and unshaded

areas of the screen are Smartfind’s preset Discrimination setting. Smartfind also has an alternative Iron Mask setting. See pages 42-43.

Pinpoint. This shaded block indicates whether

PINPOINT is ON or OFF. See page 59.

Battery life. This icon indicates the charge remaining

in the installed batteries. See page 27.

Adjustment arrows. Pressing shift buttons next to

these arrows increases or decreases preset settings.

Full screen icon. Selection enlarges display to fill

screen. See page 48. This icon temporarily changes to show the threshold level setting when threshold is being adjusted.

Target crosshair. Represents the detected

object’s properties on a two-dimensional scale of discrimination. See page 42-43.

QUICKSTART

QUICKSTART DISPLAY

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THE MINELAB EXPLORER II

QUICKSTART’S SMARTFIND DISPLAY

When first using the detector, you will see the Smartfind screen. Smartfind displays an object's characteristics using a two-dimensional scale of target discrimination.

Two-dimensional discrimination

Figure 5.3

When an object is detected, Smartfind indicates what kind of object you have found with a target crosshair. The location of this crosshair on the Smartfind screen is based on Minelab's unique

Figure 5.3 Smartfind display with preset

Coins discrimination pattern

two-dimensional scale of discrimination. An understanding of this will be helpful before Smartfind's Iron Mask and Discrimination functions are explained in the next few pages.

Two-dimensional discrimination explained

QUICKSTART

The Explorer II rates detected objects according to their conductivity (like most traditional detectors). What makes two-dimensional discrimination unique is a rating of the same object's ferrous content. Smartfind graphically represents both of these target properties on the same display.

• The vertical dimension (or axis) rates the object on size/ conductivity.

QUICKSTART’S SMARTFIND DISPLAY

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II

Discrimination

Discrimination is the ability of a

metal detector to identify the user’s

desired target (e.g. jewelry) and

eliminate signals from unwanted

material (e.g. nails).

The Explorer II can be programmed in a number of ways to discriminate

against unwanted targets in different

types of ground.

• The horizontal dimension (or axis) rates the extent of the object’s resemblance to ferrous characteristics.

• The object’s cross-referenced rating is represented by a ‘target crosshair’ inside the rectangular display area.

Interpreting target responses

Conductivity

• Objects with high conductivity (e.g. large silver coins, copper items) will cause the target crosshair to appear at the top of the Smartfind screen.

• Objects with low conductivity (e.g. small alloy coins, foil) will cause the target crosshair to appear at the bottom of the Smartfind screen.

Along with the type of metal, the size of objects will have some effect on the conductivity rating for targets. Generally , the larger the target, the higher the corresponding conductivity rating (and proximity of the target crosshair to the top of the screen).

Ferrous content

• Objects with high ferrous content cause the target crosshair to appear on the left of the screen unless its rating would situate the object in the dark area of the discrimination pattern (see page 44).

QUICKSTART

• Objects with low ferrous content (e.g. jewelry, coins) cause the target crosshair to appear on the right of the screen.

The preset discrimination setting is designed to search for Coins.

NOTE Both ferrous and non-ferrous objects have varying

degrees of inductive response to electromagnetic waves. This characteristic – in addition to conductivity – allows for more accurate identification of targets.

QUICKSTART’S SMARTFIND DISPLAY

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THE MINELAB EXPLORER II

Introducing Discrim

Discrim (an abbreviation of Discrimination) instructs the detector to accept some types of targets and reject others. It uses Smartfind's two-dimensional discrimination, allowing you to specify one or more target patterns for detection.

QUICKSTART

Figure 5.4 Smartfind’s preset Discrim

function

Smartfind Discrimination pattern

Figure 5.4

When you begin in Quickstart, you will see a Smartfind display resembling Figure 5.4. This display shows that the detector is ready to operate in its preset Coins Discrim function.

The discrimination pattern represents the typical characteristics of non-ferrous coins (actually a composite of hundreds of coins from around the world). When the search coil passes over an object matching the conductive and ferrous characteristics of coins, the target crosshair will appear in the clear area and a target response will sound. Objects outside of the accepted (clear) area are not displayed and the threshold ‘hum’ is temporarily silenced. The target crosshair will remain locked in the position of the last accepted target.

The discrimination pattern 'maps' the specific ferrous and conductive properties of coins, providing excellent accuracy in detection of this particular type of target.

NOTE Quickstart offers a range of discrimination patterns

which may be used on their own or in combination. This is detailed in Selecting Targets, page 62.

QUICKSTART’S SMARTFIND DISPLAY

THE IRON MASK

THE MINELAB EXPLORER II

Adjusting the Iron Mask

Figure 5.5

Pressing the IRON MASK shortcut button on the control panel will display the Iron Mask adjustment screen.

Figure 5.5 Adjusting the Iron Mask

Iron Mask Shortcut

The Iron Mask shortcut button on

the control panel allows you to

switch between Iron Mask and

Discrimination.

Before you experiment with this, an understanding of the features

of these functions will greatly

assist in deciding which will

locate the kind of targets you want

and how to adjust the Explorer II

to suit your preferences.

Preset Level

The Explorer II's Iron Mask is set at a rating of -6. This is suitable when detecting non-ferrous metals.

Detecting more ferrous objects

If you want target responses from more ferrous objects (e.g. war relics) it is necessary to reduce the level of ferrous rejection. This is done by pressing the bottom left shift button next to the slider control, reducing the extent of the Iron Mask. You may need to experiment a little with the settings.

Detecting all ferrous objects

If you wanted to detect all objects, regardless of ferrous content, ferrous rejection can be reduced to a minimum level of -16. The screen will be completely clear and all objects will sound a target response.

Rejecting all ferrous objects

If you want target responses to be suppressed for all ferrous objects, the Iron Mask may be increased to a level of 0. This is represented by the mask extending to half way across the Smartfind screen (as depicted in the section explaining two-dimensional discrimination, see page 42).

QUICKSTART

The tutorials featured later in this

chapter also assume a basic

understanding of Iron Mask and

Discrimination functions.

THE IRON MASK

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