Tesoro TEJON Operator's Instruction Manual

TEJÓN OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

CONGRATULATIONS!

Your new Tesoro Tejón metal detector is part of a new series of detectors designed to provide
you with many happy hours of enjoyment in the most rewarding hobby I can think of—treasure
hunting. Ahead of you lie fascinating and exciting experiences as you step into the past—
uncovering artifacts lost by past generations, or as you take pleasure in the great outdoors with
family and friends searching for precious metals. I wish we could share these experiences with
you, and all of us at Tesoro wish you the best of success.

Your Tesoro detector is capable of meeting your needs in a wide range of treasure hunting
situations. As with any other metal detector, familiarity with this instrument is probably the
limiting factor in determining how successful you can be. I recommend that you read this manual
and fully understand how to operate this detector before attempting to use it in the field. As you
become more familiar with your detector through practice, your rate of success will increase
dramatically.

The Tejón is a precision electronic instrument that will last for years if properly cared for. Treat
it right and it won’t let you down.

Good Hunting! Jack Gifford

GETTING STARTED - UNPACKING THE BOX

Your Tejón was shipped with these parts:

1 Upper Pole Assembly

Fully assembled, including upper pole stem with handle grip, padded arm bracket and control
housing.

1 Middle Pole Assembly With Pole Lock

1 ABS Lower Pole Assembly

Fully assembled, complete with two friction washers, mounting screw, and thumb nut.

1 9 x 8 Monolithic Searchcoil With 42” Cable and Scuff Cover

2 Battery Packs, Each With 4 AA Batteries

1 Operator Instruction Manual

1 Warranty Card

If any of these items are missing, contact the Tesoro Authorized Dealer where you purchased
your detector immediately.

Assembling the Tejón is simple and requires no special tools. Just install the battery packs,
mount the searchcoil on the lower pole assembly, connect the pole assemblies together, wrap the
excess cable around the pole, and plug the cable into the control housing. Finally, adjust the pole
length and searchcoil angle and you're ready!

INSTALLING THE BATTERY

The Tejón is powered by 8 AA batteries divided into 2 compartments, which are located in the
armrest housing.

Open the battery compartment under the armrest by gently grasping the bottom edge of the door
and pulling outward and upward. (The door is hinged at the top.)

Remove the batteries by pressing down on the right side of the 4-pack battery holder so that the
left side of the holder will pop up. Pull out the holder and replace the batteries as needed.

When returning the holder, note the position of the spring clips inside the armrest housing and
make sure that the battery pack contacts fit snugly against the springs. Insert the side with the
contacts first and then press down on the left edge of the battery holder to reseat the holder.

Snap compartment cover to close.

ASSEMBLING YOUR DETECTOR

1. On the lower pole assembly, remove the mounting screw and thumb nut from the pole

tip.

2. Insert the pole tip between the mounting ears of the searchcoil and align the holes of the

pole tip and washers with those of the mounting ears.
Note: The pole tip should fit very snugly into the mounting ears.

3. Insert the mounting screw through the holes in the mounting ears and pole tip—entering

from the side opposite the cable connection.

4. Install the thumb nut on the mounting screw and tighten by hand.

Note: Do not overtighten the thumb nut. It should be snug but not too difficult to
loosen up.

5. On the middle pole assembly, depress the two spring buttons and slide the middle pole

assembly into the upper pole assembly until the spring buttons click into the holes,
locking the two assemblies into place. Tighten the pole lock to secure the two assemblies
together.

6. Slide the lower pole into the middle pole until the spring buttons click into the first set of

adjustment holes. Turn pole lock to tighten the assemblies into place.

7. Wrap the cable around the pole leaving enough slack near the searchcoil to permit

searchcoil adjustment. Note: Do not allow the cable to flop loosely over the searchcoil.

Since the detector is sensitive enough to "see" the tiny wires in the cable, a floppy
cable can cause false signals as the searchcoil senses the moving wires.

8. Plug the male cable end into the female connector on the control housing and tighten the

cable thumb nut. You are finished!

Note: You will want to adjust the pole length and the searchcoil angle to your
preference.

ADJUSTING THE POLE & SEARCHCOIL

The pole length should be adjusted so that the detector does not become uncomfortable or
tiring after long periods of use. The detector grip should rest in your hand with your arm
relaxed, your elbow straight but not locked, with the pole extending out in front of you at the
approximate angle shown in the photo.

You should be able to swing the detector back and forth in front of you—using relaxed shoulder

movement—while keeping the searchcoil as close to the ground as possible. This swinging
movement is often called a “sweep.”

The searchcoil should not touch the ground during your sweep. The pole length should be
adjusted to allow this without having to lift the detector with your elbow or shoulder. The
searchcoil should rest about one inch above the ground while you are standing erect. The angle
of the searchcoil should allow the bottom to be parallel to the ground.

The pole length is adjusted by loosening the pole lock, then depressing the spring buttons and
extending or shortening the pole until the spring buttons click into the set of holes that give you
the most comfortable pole length.

To adjust the searchcoil angle, simply loosen the searchcoil thumb nut slightly and move the
searchcoil into the desired position. Tighten the searchcoil thumb nut by hand so that the
searchcoil will hold in place.

QUICKSTART - SELF-GUIDED TUTORIAL

The Quickstart is designed to teach you how to use your new Tejón. It provides a quick and easy
means of learning your detector and the concepts behind all of the functions.

You will need the following items:

1. Your fully assembled Tejón

2. AAn iron target (a small nail or screw will do), a nickel, a zinc penny (1982 or later), a

quarter, and a couple of different pulltabs

3. A nonmetal table top or counter.

Here’s what you will do:

1. Prepare for the Quickstart

2. Perform Audio Battery Test

3. Adjust THRESHOLD

4. Adjust Ground Balance for Air Test

5. Perform Air Test in All Metal Mode

6. Adjust TONE Control for All Metal Mode

7. Adjust TONE Control for Disc Mode

8. Adjust SENSITIVITY

9. Perform Air Test in Disc Mode

10. Activate TRIGGER SWITCH Mode

11. Perform Air Test in ALT DISC LEVEL Mode

12. Perform Air Test in Pinpoint Mode

Prepare for the Quickstart

Place your assembled Tejón on the nonmetal surface. Make sure that there are no metal objects
near the coil and remove any jewelry from your hands and wrists.

Start with the controls like this:

1. SENSITIVITY, DISC LEVEL and TONE turned completely counterclockwise past the

click.

2. THRESHOLD and ALT DISC LEVEL turned completely counterclockwise.

3. GROUND ADJUST turned to the 12 o’clock position.

4. TRIGGER SWITCH Mode in the center position (underneath housing).

Perform Audio Battery Test

Turn the SENSITIVITY knob clockwise just past the click to about 3 or 4. You should hear 6 to
7 quick beeps. This indicates that your batteries are fully charged and ready to go. As the
batteries drain, you will hear fewer beeps. When you only hear 1 or 2 beeps, it will be time to
replace your batteries. This test should be performed once or twice during your detecting outing.
This will ensure that your machine has the correct battery power to maintain optimum detector
performance.

Adjust THRESHOLD

To adjust the threshold tone, turn the THRESHOLD knob clockwise until you hear a slight but

steady tone. You may have to turn the knob to somewhere between the 1 o’clock and 3 o’clock

position to get the best hum. Please remember that the threshold only affects the all metal mode.

The purpose of the threshold tone is to give a reference to judge targets for pinpointing and to
adjust the ground balance. (For more information on ground balancing, see the “Adjust Ground
Balance for Air Test” section on the next page and the “Ground Balancing in the Field”
section.)

In the field, some targets may be small enough or deep enough that they will not be able to
generate an audio signal by themselves. By monitoring a threshold tone, you already have a
slight audio tone so changes are easier to hear. However, if your threshold tone is set too soft or
too loud, small changes in the signal will be hard to hear. Take some time and find a threshold
level that is right for you.

Adjust THRESHOLD

The ground balance function for your Tejón is a form of discrimination that allows you to tune

out the mineralization in the ground that may mask targets or decrease the detector’s depth and

sensitivity. The GROUND ADJUST knob is on a 3 and ¾-turn potentiometer. While the knob
will turn endlessly in either direction, when the potentiometer is at the end of its range, a slight
drag may be felt.

Note: The following procedure is for the air test only. For directions on ground balancing

your Tejón in the field, see the “Ground Balancing in the Field” section on page 16. For the

best performance of your Tejón in the field, the machine must be ground balanced to the
location in which you will be working.

To set the GROUND ADJUST knob for the air test, turn the knob four turns clockwise and then
turn the knob one half turn counterclockwise. No further turns will be needed for the air test.

Perform Air Test in All Metal Mode

Once you have set the correct threshold tone and adjusted the ground balance, you are ready to
perform the air test in the all metal mode. Your Tejón is currently in the VCO-style of all metal
mode. You will find that as targets get closer to the coil, the threshold tone will get louder and
higher in pitch.

Try waving your targets in front of the coil. Start from a distance of 10 to 12 inches away from
the coil and slowly work your way closer to the coil. Then try starting from 6 inches from the left
or right of the coil and work your way into the center of the coil. Notice the changes of the audio
signal. Your strongest signal will always be closest to the center of the coil. Additional target
information can also be learned by the signal strength and pitch. A smaller or deeper target will
give a less noticeable change in the threshold tone than a larger or shallower target will give.

Take some time and try all of your targets at different depths to find out how your detector
sounds.

Adjust Ground Balance for Air Test

The ground balance function for your Tejón is a form of discrimination that allows you to tune

out the mineralization in the ground that may mask targets or decrease the detector’s depth and

sensitivity. The GROUND ADJUST knob is on a 3 and ¾-turn potentiometer. While the knob
will turn endlessly in either direction, when the potentiometer is at the end of its range, a slight
drag may be felt.

Note: The following procedure is for the air test only. For directions on ground balancing your

Tejón in the field, see the “Ground Balancing in the Field” section on page 16. For the best

performance of your Tejón in the field, the machine must be ground balanced to the location in
which you will be working.

To set the GROUND ADJUST knob for the air test, turn the knob four turns clockwise and then
turn the knob one half turn counterclockwise. No further turns will be needed for the air test.

Perform Air Test in All Metal Mode

Once you have set the correct threshold tone and adjusted the ground balance, you are ready to
perform the air test in the all metal mode. Your Tejón is currently in the VCO-style of all metal
mode. You will find that as targets get closer to the coil, the threshold tone will get louder and
higher in pitch.

Try waving your targets in front of the coil. Start from a distance of 10 to 12 inches away from
the coil and slowly work your way closer to the coil. Then try starting from 6 inches from the left
or right of the coil and work your way into the center of the coil. Notice the changes of the audio
signal. Your strongest signal will always be closest to the center of the coil. Additional target
information can also be learned by the signal strength and pitch. A smaller or deeper target will
give a less noticeable change in the threshold tone than a larger or shallower target will give.
Take some time and try all of your targets at different depths to find out how your detector
sounds.

Adjust TONE Control for All Metal Mode

The Tejón has the ability to adjust the pitch of the all metal and discriminate audio signals to suit
your audio tone preferences. Turn the TONE knob clockwise just past the click. Your Tejón will
no longer operate in the VCO mode. The all metal will now only respond with a single tone for
threshold tone and any target. Wave a target in front of the coil and notice the pitch of the audio
tone. Continue waving the target as you slowly turn the TONE knob. You will find that the
farther the TONE knob is turned clockwise, the higher in pitch the audio tone becomes. Take
some time to try different tone settings.

Adjust TONE Control for Disc Mode

To adjust the tone for the discriminate mode, turn the DISC LEVEL knob clockwise just past the
click. You are now in the discriminate mode. The first thing that you will notice is that the
threshold has gone away. The Tejón works in a silent search discriminate mode. You will only
hear a signal when there is a target beneath the coil. The TONE knob works the same way in
discriminate as it does in the all metal mode. You may want to switch back and forth between the
discriminate and all metal modes. You will notice that once the pitch has been set with the
TONE knob, it remains the same in both modes. If you set the TONE knob back into the VCO
setting, the discriminate will operate on a preset audio 10 TEJÓN OPERATOR INSTRUCTION
MANUAL pitch. Take some time to try your targets with various settings and find the tone
setting that is most comfortable for you.

Adjust SENSITIVITY

The most common use of the detector is to hunt in the disc mode and switch to the all metal to
pinpoint a target. This will give you the advantage of ignoring unwanted targets and not having
to listen to the threshold hum until you are ready to pinpoint and dig a target.

The all metal circuit uses a single channel to detect various metals. The discriminate circuit uses
two different channels, then amplifies and filters them. The detector will then compare the
signals and determine whether or not to beep at the target. While there is a great advantage to
ignoring unwanted targets, it can make the circuitry more susceptible to interference. A number
of outside conditions such as power lines, highly mineralized soil, and wet salt sand can cause
interference.

The SENSITIVITY knob is used to raise or lower the power to the operational amplifiers, which
changes the gain. Gain is a measurement of how much a signal is amplified. The higher the gain
the more depth and sensitivity to small objects a detector has. Unfortunately, any small
interference that is amplified can cause the detector to become erratic. The SENSITIVITY
control is used to find the best gain setting in any location without letting the detector become
unstable.

The SENSITIVITY knob is numbered from 1 to 10 with an orange area called the Max Boost
Zone. For normal hunting, anywhere in the numbered zone will work very well. However, the
Max Boost will allow you to increase the power to the operational amplifiers to the point of
overload. This may cause your detector to become unstable and force you to turn the
SENSITIVITY knob to a lower setting. An overload situation will not hurt your detector, but it
will maximize the gain that is used by your detector. This can, in certain conditions such as low
mineralization in the soil, cause your detector to penetrate deeper into the ground and become
more sensitive to small targets.

Take some time to wave targets in front of the coil with different sensitivity settings. If you are
indoors, you may find that you are unable to turn the SENSITIVITY knob as high as you would
if you were outdoors. Notice that the higher the sensitivity setting, the farther away from the coil
that a target can be and still respond with an audio signal.

Perform Air Test in Disc Mode

As discussed before, the discriminate mode is used to filter unwanted targets from good targets.
The principle behind this is pretty simple. The detector sends out a signal and then receives it
back creating a small electronic field. As metal passes through the field that the detector
generates, it causes a change in the received signal. The amount of change that each type of

metal causes is fairly constant; therefore, we can tune our detectors to miss targets that we don’t

want to find. The change is based on the amount of conductivity of each target type. The general
list of conductive targets is as follows: iron, foil, nickels, gold jewelry, pulltabs, screw tabs,
pennies, and silver coins starting with dimes and working up to silver dollars. This list is meant
to be a guide only. There is a point that some pulltabs, nickels, and gold jewelry overlap. Also,
the depth of the target and its orientation in the ground can change the received signal. A coin
that is flat to the coil will produce a better signal than a coin that is on edge. Take some time to
try different combinations of depths and orientations of your targets to find out how your
detector responds.

We are now ready to discriminate targets from each other. We will start with the DISC LEVEL
at ALL METAL. Please notice that the DISC LEVEL knob has words that correspond to the
items that are discriminated out. All of your targets will respond with a good audio signal at the
ALL METAL setting. Next, we will turn the DISC LEVEL up to the 5¢ setting. This level is
typically high enough to knock out the nickel. At this time, the iron target and the nickel should
give no response, while most of the pulltabs, the zinc penny, and the quarter will give a solid
response. Next, turn the DISC LEVEL knob just past the TAB marking. At this time, most or all
of the pulltabs should not give any audio signal. The zinc penny and the quarter should give a
strong signal. Now, roll the DISC LEVEL all the way to SCAP. Notice that the penny has
stopped responding and only the quarter is still responding. The discrimination will not go high
enough to lose most of the silver coins. When you are done with your air test, turn the DISC
LEVEL knob counterclockwise to the IRON position.

This air test is designed to quickly show you how your discriminate mode works. Each machine
may be a little different from all of the others, so you may want to take some time and try
different targets to find responses of your machine. At a later date, you may want to build a test
garden to test your detector in the field.

Activate TRIGGER SWITCH Mode

Your Tejón uses a TRIGGER SWITCH to change the operating mode. The TRIGGER SWITCH
is a three-position switch that is springloaded on both ends and will always return to the center
position when released (switch is located underneath housing).

The center position is the regular discriminate and is controlled by the lower discriminate knob
marked DISC LEVEL. The knob is used to set the amount of discrimination that you would like
to hunt with or to place the Tejón in a slow retune all metal mode.

Pulling the TRIGGER SWITCH toward the handle will place your Tejón into the pinpointing
mode. This is a fast retune all metal mode. While the switch is pulled, you will hear a threshold
tone.

Pushing the TRIGGER SWITCH forward away from the handle will place your Tejón into the
alternate discriminate mode. The upper discriminate knob marked ALT DISC LEVEL controls
this mode.

Flip the TRIGGER SWITCH back and forth and let it return to the center position.

Perform Air Test in ALT DISC LEVEL Mode

Leave the TRIGGER SWITCH in the center position and check all of your targets. The iron
target should be knocked out, but all other targets should generate an audio response. If you are
getting a target response from the iron, turn the DISC LEVEL knob high enough to discriminate
it out.

Push the TRIGGER SWITCH forward and check the iron target again. At this time, you should
get a target response. Take a moment or two flipping from the DISC LEVEL to the ALT DISC
LEVEL using only the iron target. Notice how easy it is to discriminate out the target.

Set the ALT DISC LEVEL to the SCAP (screw cap) position. Leave the TRIGGER SWITCH in
the center position. Check all of your targets. They should all sound off except the iron target.
Push the TRIGGER SWITCH forward and check the targets again. The only target response
should be from the quarter. With this particular DISC/ALT DISC setting, you will hunt for
targets in the regular discriminate and check any targets that you find to see if they are silver
coins or jewelry using the ALT DISC LEVEL mode.

Take some time to try other combinations of DISC LEVEL and ALT DISC LEVEL settings to
find the ones that match your detecting style.

Perform Air Test in ALT DISC LEVEL Mode

Turn the DISC LEVEL knob all the way counterclockwise until it clicks. This will put you into
the slow retune all metal mode. Hold a target over the center of the coil. After eight to ten
seconds, the target signal will fade to the normal threshold signal. Move the target very slightly
from left to right and forward and backward. As you move the target away from the center of the
coil, the signal will fade into silence. Bringing the target back over the coil will result in a target
signal. Take some time to find the strongest all metal signal over your coil.

Hold your target over the center of the coil and pull the TRIGGER SWITCH toward the handle
of your Tejón. This will put you into the fast retune all metal or pinpointing mode. You will
notice that the threshold hum will fade down to normal within three to four seconds. Move your
target from right to left and forward and backward. Due to the fast retune, you will be able to
move your target in shorter, faster arcs for fast pinpointing. When in the field, pulling the
TRIGGER SWITCH into the pinpointing mode will allow you to tighten your coil sweeps to just
a few inches and quickly pinpoint your target. Take some time to try the slow vs. fast retune
features for the all metal mode.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have just finished the Quickstart for your new Tejón detector and in the
process have learned quite a lot about your detector. But experience is the best teacher. I
recommend that you get out and practice with your detector as much as possible. Any time spent
using your detector will give you valuable experience.

OPERATING TECHNIQUES

Ground Balancing in the Field

Ground balancing is not a difficult procedure, but it is critical if you desire maximum depth and
stability. It is especially important if you plan to find deep relics or prospect for gold nuggets.

To ground balance in the field, we will start by assuming your detector is turned off. This will be
the normal condition of your detector when you start hunting. Ground balancing can be done at
any time while you are using the detector. It is not necessary to turn the machine off each time
that you ground balance.

Start with the controls in the following positions:

1. SENSITIVITY on OFF.

2. Mode in the ALL METAL position. Your Tejón can be set into ALL METAL by turning

the DISC LEVEL knob counterclockwise until it clicks and leaving the TRIGGER
SWITCH in the center position or by simply pulling the TRIGGER SWITCH back
toward the handle and holding it in place.

3. All other controls will be set during the ground balancing procedure or are not applicable

at this time.

Turn the detector on by rolling the SENSITIVITY knob clockwise to about 9 or 10 on the dial.
You will hear the battery test to let you know the detector is operating. Next, adjust the
THRESHOLD knob until a slight, steady hum is heard. The machine is now ready to be ground
balanced. Next, find an area that has no metal targets in the ground, as this may give false
readings while in the ground balancing procedure.

As shown in the photos, raise your searchcoil about 6 to 8 inches off the ground. This is high
enough so that the detector will no longer read the minerals in the ground. While listening to the
threshold sound, lower the searchcoil to about 1 inch off the ground. As the coil is dropped. This
is the balanced response. When you get a balanced response, the detector is telling you that it is
ready to hunt.

The positive and negative responses are easy to adjust. If you get a positive response, turn the
GROUND ADJUST knob toward the minus sign on the face or in a counterclockwise direction.
Getting a negative response means turning the GROUND ADJUST knob toward the plus sign on
the faceplate or in a clockwise direction.

Here is an example of balancing: After setting up the detector, you raise the coil and then push it
to the ground. As the coil drops, the threshold hum gets louder. You then turn the GROUND
ADJUST knob counterclockwise toward the minus sign. You pick up the coil and push down
again. This time you get a slightly negative response. Turn the GROUND ADJUST knob a little
bit toward the positive or in a clockwise direction. When raising and lowering the coil, the
threshold makes no change as the coil is dropped. At this point, the detector is balanced for the
area and is ready to hunt.

Ground balancing is a learned skill, one that you should practice often. It is easy to practice
almost anywhere— your front or backyard, a local park, or a fair-sized flower garden. When you
are practicing, make sure that there are no pieces of metal underneath your coil that may cause a
target sound.

NOTE: Please remember that the coil must be lifted straight off the ground. Swinging the coil
in an arc, like a pendulum, will cause false readings and will result in an improper ground
balance.

Handling Your Detector

The detector should be held in a position that is comfortable for you as shown in the “Adjusting
The Pole & Searchcoil” section in GETTING STARTED. Swing the detector from side to side

in about a three foot arc, overlapping succeeding strokes well. This motion is called a “sweep.”
The Tejón is designed to get maximum depth without the frantic pace required of earlier motion
detectors, so go at a pace that is comfortable for you. In fact, trying to hunt too fast may even
cause a loss of depth in heavily mineralized locations.

Regardless of which mode you are using, try to keep your searchcoil height constant and close to
the ground. Most people tend to raise the coil at the end of a sweep—much like a pendulum—
especially if they are in a hurry. Try to avoid this as any increase in height from the ground will
cause a corresponding loss of depth.

In areas with well-kept lawns, the easiest way to maintain a constant searchcoil height is to allow
the coil to rest on the grass as you sweep from side to side. In rough and rocky areas, it is best

not to “scrub” the coil on the ground, as the rocks will act like abrasives and wear away the coil

bottom (a coil scuff cover will protect against this). Sweep the coil as close to the ground as
possible without touching. Hitting the ground or rocks may cause a false signal. Sweeping the
coil too high above the ground results in a loss of depth.

Pinpointing a Target

When pinpointing a target, the all metal mode can offer advantages over the discriminate mode,
such as no false signals and no need to move the searchcoil to get a target response.

Agood method for pinpointing in the all metal mode is “X-ing” the target with the searchcoil.
Remember that the target's response sound is always greatest when the target is directly under

the center of the searchcoil. To “X” a target, sweep the searchcoil over the target from side to

side and then from front to back until you can identify the center of the X—the spot on the
ground where the target response sound is the greatest.

Pinpointing a target in the discriminate mode is probably best done by “X-ing” as well.
Remember that the detector will beep just as the target passes under the center of the searchcoil.
Slowing the sweep speed down will help you pick out the center of the X because the target
response is reduced at very slow speeds making it easier to correlate the sound with the coil
center.

Another easy method is to sweep the coil from side to side across the target in very short sweeps
as you slowly move forward and backward across the target. Slow down the sweep rate and
shorten the sweeps until you just barely get a response at one spot. The target will be directly
below the coil center at this response time.

Another method of pinpointing in the discriminate mode is to quickly change to the all metal
mode to check the target response. Remember that the all metal mode is not susceptible to the
false signals of the discriminate mode and can sometimes give a clearer and more consistent
response to difficult targets such as a dime buried next to a pulltab. By switching back and forth
between modes and comparing the target response sound in all metal to the target response sound
in discriminate, you can often better identify the likely location of the target.

Finally, raising the searchcoil during pinpointing can also help by narrowing the response to the
target. Practice pinpointing often, and you will soon become more accurate and faster.

Planting a Test Garden

To better learn how your detector performs in the field, it is helpful to bury some coins and trash
metal junk items in an area that you know is clear of other metal objects, and then try the Tejón
in the all metal & discriminate modes. Check the area in the all metal mode to be sure it's clear of
trash. Then bury the targets at least 1 foot apart and from 2 to 4 inches deep to start. Make a map
of the area to be sure you know what each target is and how deep it is. Practice on these targets

to familiarize yourself with your detector’s target response. This will also help you learn the
proper sweep speed for best operation. This type of practice area is often called a “test garden” or
“test bed” and is one of the best tools to help you develop your metal detecting skills.

RECOMMENDED RECOVERY METHODS

CARE AND USE

Basic Care

The Tejón is a sturdy instrument, but it is not designed to withstand abuse. In caring for your

Tejón, there are several important “DO NOTs” to remember. DO NOT use it to pry rocks loose

or to beat bushes out of the way. DO NOT drop the machine into water. DO NOT use it
unprotected in the rain. DO NOT leave it exposed at night where dew can form on it. DO NOT
store it in places that can get extremely hot (next to a woodstove, in an attic). DO NOT leave it in
the trunk of a car or in the back of a hatchback- style car where high temperatures can build up.
DO NOT store it with the batteries installed as batteries may leak. DO NOT spray lubricants
such as WD-40, or any type of cleaners, solvents, sealants or other chemicals into or onto the
electronic parts, switches, or controls. And finally, DO NOT attempt to modify or repair the
detector’s electronics as this will void your detector's warranty.

THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER DAMAGE RESULTING FROM AN
ACCIDENT, NEGLECT OR ABUSE.

Protecting Your Investment

Often detectorists are disappointed when their new detector slowly becomes less and less
responsive and seems to have lost some of its original peak performance. You can help avoid this
from happening to your detector by following these basic care and protection guidelines:

 Operate your detector exactly as recommended in this Operator Instruction Manual.
 Use only high-quality alkaline batteries of the correct voltage. Never substitute a different

voltage. When using a Ni-Cad battery, always use a separate convertible pack with the
proper voltage output for the detector’s design.

 Remove the battery from the detector after each use. This will prevent damage to the

detector if the battery leaks.

 The searchcoil cable is hard-wired to the searchcoil and protected by a strain relief.

Inspect the strain relief frequently to make sure it is firmly attached and intact.

 Keep cables properly wound around the pole stems and protect them during use. Floppy,

pinched, or cables that become snagged during use may short, causing erratic noises or
unnecessary replacement of the searchcoil.

 Sweep the searchcoil carefully, especially when using around rocks and building

foundations. Avoid hitting the searchcoil against hard, solid objects and surfaces.

 Keep your searchcoil slightly off of the ground during the sweep, especially when using

in gravel or hard, rocky dirt.

 Always use a properly designed protective scuff cover on the searchcoil. (See "Optional

Accessories" in the next section.)

 Remove and clean out scuff covers periodically to avoid buildup of mineralized dirt

particles which will affect performance.

 The searchcoil is waterproof and can be submerged in either fresh or salt water. After the

searchcoil is used in salt water, rinse it and the lower stem assembly well with fresh water
to prevent corrosion of the metal parts.

 The searchcoil is waterproof but the electronics are not, so always prevent any moisture

or water from entering the control housing and never allow the cable connectors to
become submerged in water.

 If working in or near water, or if there is a possibility of rain, use a protective weather

resistant pouch or plastic bag to cover the control housing. Make sure it can "breathe" in
order to ensure against condensation buildup inside.

 After each use, clean the detector with a soft cloth to remove dust, moisture, or other

contaminants.

 When transporting the detector in a car during hot weather, store it on the floor of the

passenger compartment if possible. Using a carry bag gives additional protection. In any
case, never allow the detector to roll around unprotected in the trunk or back of a pickup
truck.

 Protect your detector from dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures during storage.
 When shipping, use the original factory carton or similar heavy-duty container and

provide a minimum one inch of padding around all parts.

 Treat your detector as you would any sensitive electronic instrument. Though ruggedly

constructed and designed to withstand the demands of normal treasure hunting, proper
care is essential.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Tesoro metal detectors and genuine Tesoro accessories are sold only through independent Tesoro
Authorized Dealers, who are almost always metal detectorists themselves. They can answer your
questions about your Tesoro detector, what accessories may be helpful, and about metal
detecting in general.

See your Tesoro Authorized Dealer for more information and prices on optional accessories.

Scuff Covers

We highly recommend using a scuff cover to protect your searchcoil at all times. The scuff cover
for the Tejón, fitted with the 9 x 8 monolithic searchcoil, is Tesoro part # SCUF-9x8.

Searchcoils

The 9 x 8 monolithic searchcoil provided with the Tejón is designed for the best all-around
performance. Optional searchcoils may add to your detector's performance.

Smaller searchcoils give better “target separation”—that is, more distinct target response for
metal objects buried closely together—which is very useful when hunting trashy sites. Very
small searchcoils can deliver the best response and depth to small targets such as fine gold chains
with some sacrifice in depth on larger objects. Larger searchcoils give a wider sweep, covering
more ground, and provide greater depth especially on larger objects; however, they may not
detect some very small objects such as half dimes and will have difficulty in very trashy areas.

Widescan searchcoils ignore ground mineralization better than concentric searchcoils and may
offer improved performance in extreme ground conditions.

Selecting the right optional searchcoil depends on factors such as what you are searching for and

Tesoro Part #

Description

COIL-7EC-G

7” elliptical concentric

COIL-8RC-G

8” round concentric

COIL-8.5RW-G

8.5” round widescan

COIL-10EW-G

10” elliptical widescan

COIL-11RW-G

11” round widescan

Operating Frequency

17.2 to 17.6 kHz

Searchcoil Type

Monolithic (Carbon Fiber)

Searchcoil Size

9 x 8

Cable Length

Approx. 42 inches

Audio Frequency

Approx. 215 to 830 Hz

Audio Output

2¼" speaker and headphone jack

Headphone Compatibility

¼” stereo plug

Weight (may vary slightly)

2.98 lbs.

Battery Requirement

Eight AA (alkaline)

Battery Life (typical)

20 to 30 hours

Optimum Temperature Range

30° to 100° F

Optimum Humidity

0 to 75% R.H.

Operating Modes
Slow Auto-Tune All Metal

Silent Search Discriminate

search site conditions. No one searchcoil is better than all the rest. Several optional
interchangeable searchcoils are available for the Tejón. They are all easy to mount and require no
special tools. See the next page for a list of these searchcoils with the Tesoro part # and
description.

Tesoro Searchcoils

Optional scuff covers are also available for any Tesoro searchcoil.

Headphones

Most metal detectorists prefer to use headphones instead of the detector's built-in speaker.
Headphones help block out background noise (such as wind) and make it easier to hear faint
signals. Headphones with a builtin volume control will allow you to adjust the sound volume to
your preference.

SPECIFICATIONS

Alternate Silent Search Discriminate

Pinpoint Mode

All Metal Fast Auto-Tune

Metal Detectorist's Code of Ethics

1. Always check federal, state, county and local laws before searching. It is your

responsibility to "know the law."

2. Abide by all laws, ordinances or regulations that may govern your search and the area

you will be in.

3. Never trespass. Always obtain permission prior to entering private property, mineral

claims, or underwater salvage leases.

4. Do not damage, deface, destroy, or vandalize any property, including ghost towns and

deserted structures, and never tamper with any equipment at the site.

5. Never litter. Always pack out what you take in and remove all trash dug in your search.

6. Fill all holes, regardless how remote the location. Never dig in a way that will damage, be

damaging to, or kill any vegetation.

7. Do not build fires, camp at or park in non-designated or restricted areas.

8. Leave all gates and other accesses to land as found.

9. Never contaminate wells, creeks, or any other water supplies.

10. Be courteous, considerate, and thoughtful at all times.

11. Report the discovery of any items of historic significance to the local historical society or

proper authorities.

12. Uphold all finders, search and salvage agreements.

13. Promote responsible historical research and artifact recovery and the sharing of

knowledge with others.

WARRANTY SERVICE

Your Tesoro metal detector is covered by a Lifetime Warranty, the terms of which are listed
below. If your metal detector should require service, you may return it to the Tesoro factory at
the address below.

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from
state to state.

This instrument is warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship as long as it is
owned by the original consumer purchaser. This warranty is not transferable and is valid only if
the warranty registration card has been completed and mailed within 10 days of purchase.

TESORO will, at its option, repair or replace any instrument covered by this warranty, without
charge, except for transportation charges, at its factory in Prescott, Arizona.

This warranty excludes batteries, damage caused by leaky batteries, cable breakage due to
flexing on body mount units, and wear of the searchcoil housing. Also excluded are instruments
which have been abused, altered, or repaired by an unauthorized party.

Under the copyright laws this documentation may not be copied, photocopied, reproduced,
translated or reduced to any electronic or machine-readable form, in whole or in part,
without the prior written consent of Tesoro Electronics Incorporated, except in the manner
described in this documentation.
© 2001 Tesoro Electronics Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States.