OWNER’S MANUAL The Discovery 3300 is a professional metal detector. While the most difficult aspects of metal detecting have been automated, it is a sophisticated electronic device which requires an understanding of some basic features and metal detecting concepts. If you do not have prior experience with a metal detector, we strongly recommend that you: 1) Adjust the Sensitivity to a low setting in the event of false signals.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5 Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Quick-Start Demo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-8 Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-12 All Metal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Discrimination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Notch . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TERMINOLOGY The following terms are used throughout the manual, and are standard terminology among detectorists. ELIMINATION - Reference to a metal being "eliminated" means that the detector will not emit a tone, nor light up an indicator, when a specified object passes through the coil’s detection field.
ASSEMBLY Assembly is easy and requires no tools. 1 Position detector upright. ● 2 Rotate the LOCKING ● LOCKING COLLAR INTERNAL CAM LOCK COLLAR fully in a counter clockwise direction. SILVER BUTTON 3 Insert your finger inside the ● tube and make sure the INTERNAL CAM LOCK is flush with the inside of the tube. MIDDLE STEM S-ROD S-ROD MIDDLE STEM 4 Insert the LOWER STEM into ● the S-ROD. 5 Rotate the LOWER STEM until the SILVER BUTTON locates in the hole.
ASSEMBLY Adjusting the Armrest Most people will find the standard position of the armrest very comfortable. Very large forearms and short forearms (particularly children’s arms), can be accommodated by moving the armrest forward. The armrest may be moved forward or backwards by removing the single screw and nut, and then repositioning the 2-piece armrest. Users with shorter arms may find the armrest more comfortable in the forward position.
BATTERIES Use ALKALINE batteries only. To install the batteries: 1 Remove ● the battery cover by disengaging the clip at the back. 2 Align the polarity ● of the batteries correctly, with the positive "+" toward the coil plug connection, as indicated by the + and – indicators on the housing. 3 Insert (2) 9-Volt ALKALINE batteries, with the contacts pointed inward, ● and press down on the back of the batteries to snap them into place.
QUICK-START DEMONSTRATION I. Supplies Needed • A Nail • A Quarter • A Pull-Tab from a beverage can • A Zinc Penny (dated after 1982) • A Nickel II. Position the Detector a. Place the detector on a table, with the searchcoil hanging over the edge. (or better, have a friend hold the detector, with the coil off the ground) b. Keep the searchcoil away from walls, floors, and metal objects. c. Remove watches, rings and other jewelry or metal objects from hands and wrists. d.
QUICK-START DEMONSTRATION VI. Wave the Nail over the Searchcoil a. The Nail will not be detected. b. The Nail has been "Discriminated Out." VII. Press the “DISCRIMINATION▲” touch pad twice. Five “R”s are now displayed. VIII. Wave all objects over the Searchcoil The Nail and Pull-Tab will not be detected. The other objects will be detected with their own distinctive tones. IX. Press the NOTCH touch pad. A flashing “R” will appear under the 5¢/PT segment. X. Press the DISCRIMINATION ▲ touch pad three times.
BASIC OPERATION POWERING UP Press the POWER touch pad. • The detector will beep 4 times • All display segments will illuminate momentarily • The SENSITIVITY (left) and BATTERY (right) indicators will stay illuminated MOTION and NO-MOTION MODES Depending on the operation mode selected, the Discovery 3300 detects metal both with the coil in motion, or with the coil motionless. In the PINPOINT mode of operation, metal is detected with the coil motionless over the ground.
BASIC OPERATION ALL METAL MODE (Default Operation) The detector defaults to ALL METAL mode after powering on. In this mode, all types of metals will be detected. An object’s PROBABLE identification is indicated by the arrows at the top of the display. In addition, the PROBABLE depth of coin-sized objects is indicated by the rectangular segment indicators on the left side of the display. All detected objects will cause the depth indicator to illuminate.
BASIC OPERATION disappear, thus returning to detection the objects which fall into the corresponding categories. Discrimination Mode is a fixed-start-point elimination system. Objects are cumulatively eliminated as the level of discrimination increases. NOTCH MODE To selectively eliminate a category from detection within the metallic spectrum, use the NOTCH Mode. Technical Note: The NOTCH touch pad causes the status of an "R" segment to toggle between ON and OFF.
BASIC OPERATION 4) Press ZAP. An "R" appears under the segment to be eliminated. 5) Pass the searchcoil over the same object again. The undesirable object is eliminated from detection The ZAP control is easy to use in the field. As you are detecting, and encounter an object which you wish to eliminate from detection, simply press the ZAP touch pad after detecting the object. The ZAP control eliminates the most-recently detected object category from detection.
AUDIO TARGET IDENTIFICATION (motion modes only) While the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is very accurate in identifying buried objects, the user in the field does not always maintain the display screen in his field of vision. Therefore, we have incorporated an audio feedback mechanism to alert the user to the nature of buried objects. This audio feedback system first alerts the user to the presence and classification of objects, whose nature and location can be confirmed using the LCD display.
DEPTH AND TARGET DISPLAY (motion modes only) Please refer to the display on your detector and reference the TARGET I.D. categories below applicable to your model (not all detectors include all of these categories). such as a nail, or a more valuable historic iron relic. READING THE DISPLAY FOIL: Aluminum foil, such as a gum wrapper, will register as foil. A small broken piece of pull tab may also register here.
DEPTH AND TARGET DISPLAY (motion modes only) DEPTH INDICATOR: The Depth Indicator is accurate for coin-sized objects. It indicates the depth of the target, in inches. Large and irregularly-shaped objects will yield less reliable depth readings When passing over an object, the depth indicator will light up and stay illuminated until another object is scanned. Repeated indication at the same depth level indicates an accurate target detector.
SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT (motion modes only) ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE The principle use for the Sensitivity Control is to eliminate Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). A hobby metal detector is an extremely sensitive device; the searchcoil creates its own magnetic field and acts like an antenna. If your detector beeps erratically when the searchcoil is motionless, the unit is probably detecting another electromagnetic field.
IN THE FIELD TECHNIQUES (motion modes only) PINPOINTING IN MOTION MODES COIL MOVEMENT Accurate pinpointing takes practice and is best accomplished by “X-ing” the target area. When swinging the coil, careful to keep it level with ground about 1/2 inch from surface. Never swing the coil a pendulum. 1. Once a buried target is indicated by a good tone response, continue sweeping the coil over the target in a narrowing side-to-side pattern. 2.
IN THE FIELD TECHNIQUES (motion modes only) Swing the searchcoil slowly, overlapping each sweep as you move forward. It is important to sweep the coil at a consistent speed over the ground as you search. After identifying a target, your sweep technique can help in identifying both the location and the nature of the target. If you encounter a weak signal, try moving the coil in short, rapid sweeps over the target zone; such a short rapid sweep may provide a more consistent target identification.
IN THE FIELD TECHNIQUES (motion modes only) You may encounter some false signals as you proceed. False signals occur when the detector beeps, but no metal target is present. False signals can be induced by electromagnetic interference, oxidation, or highly mineralized ground soils. If the detector beeps once, but does not repeat the signal with several additional sweeps over the same spot, there is probably no target present.
IN THE FIELD TECHNIQUES - Pinpoint Mode GROUND BALANCING Before using the PINPOINT mode, it is necessary to ‘Ground Balance” your detector, this ground balancing adjustment offsets the effects of minerals and slats in the ground. To GROUND BALANCE your detector: 1. Using the ALL-METAL mode, find a patch of ground which is free of metal objects. You will use this section of ground to test the detector. The presence of any metal objects in this area will interfere with this procedure. 2.
IN THE FIELD TECHNIQUES - Pinpoint Mode As your search takes you to different areas, verify the ground balance setting periodically using the above procedure. Within a geographical area, ground conditions can change. Varying elevation, proximity to water, and concentration of rock, sand or clay can all affect ground condition and sometimes require recalibrating with the ground balance knob.
TROUBLESHOOTING TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE SYMPTOM CAUSE Detector chatters • Using detector or beeps erratically indoors • Using detector near power lines • Using 2 detectors in close proximity • Highly oxidized buried object • Environmental electromagnetic interference SOLUTION • Use detector outdoors only • Move away from power lines • Keep 2 detectors at least 20’ apart • Only dig up repeatable signals • Reduce sensitivity until erratic signals cease Constant low tone • Discharged batteries • Replace batt
TREASURE HUNTER’S CODE OF ETHICS: • Always check Federal, State, County and local laws before searching. • Respect private property and do not enter private property without the owner’s permission. • Take care to refill all holes and leave no damage. • Remove and dispose of any and all trash and litter found. • Appreciate and protect our inheritance of natural resources, wildlife and private property. • Act as an ambassador for the hobby, use thoughtfulness, consideration and courtesy at all times.
MDISC33 Rev.
