Time Ranger ™ Metal Detector Owner’s Manual The new improved Time Ranger™ is a top-of-the-line professional metal detector with the kind of depth performance and sophisticated features demanded by the serious metal detector enthusiast. A large LCD screen displays the current operating status at all times, and displays probable target type and depth when metal is detected. All features are either named on the touchpads or displayed on the screen, making it easy for you to program it the way you want.
CONTENTS Quick Start (if you're really impatient) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 THE BASICS OF METAL DETECTING Types of metal detecting -"coinshooting" . . . . . . . . . . . -relic hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . -gold prospecting . . . . . . . . . . -cache hunting . . . . . . . . . . . -shallow water hunting . . . . . How metal detectors work . Capabilities and limitations -depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -target identification . . . . . . . -requirement for motion . . . .
DISCRIMINATION MODES Preset Program #1 (low discrimination) . . . . . . . . Preset Program #2 (medium discrimination) . . . . . Preset Program #3 (high discrimination) . . . . . . . Discrimination/Target Mode (fully programmable) Blanker ("zap") . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sniff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 .17 .17 .17 .18 .
QUICK START (if you're really impatient) If you want to get started quickly, do the following. 1. Assemble the detector (see instructions on page 10). 2. Install two alkaline 9-volt batteries (see instructions on page 11). 3. Press the Power ON/OFF button. The machine should turn on, giving several beeps and turning on the LCD screen. 4. When first turned on, the Time Ranger™ starts out in preset Program #1. This is a "motion discrimination & target ID mode" with iron and foil rejected.
THE BASICS OF METAL DETECTING TYPES OF METAL DETECTING The Time Ranger™ is suitable for all five of the main types of metal detecting: 1. "Coinshooting" -- searching for coins, usually in places like parks and people's yards. Usually there is a lot of aluminum trash like pulltabs and bottle caps, so ability to distinguish between metal trash and coins is important. Since coinshooting is usually done in places where you're not permitted to dig holes with a shovel, extreme depth capability is not essential.
5. Shallow Water Hunting-- All First Texas Products searchcoils are waterproof, allowing you to search in shallow water. However, if you're searching around water, please be careful not to get the electronics housing wet. Because water is electrically conductive, mimicking the effects of metal, searching in the wet zone of beaches usually requires sensitivity to be reduced. If it's salt water, discrimination is usually necessary to avoid false signals.
CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS DEPTH The Time Ranger™ can detect U.S. coins to a depth of about 9-11 inches under good conditions. Large objects (55 gallon drums, manhole covers, etc.) can be detected to a depth of several feet. Electrical interference from power lines and from electrical appliances and electronic equipment can reduce detection depth, or cause audible interference making it necessary for the user to reduce the sensitivity setting.
REQUIREMENT FOR MOTION Like other modern metal detectors, the Time Ranger™ searchcoil must be kept in motion in order to both detect and identify targets. The All Metal Pinpoint mode continues to detect metal if searchcoil motion stops over the target. This mode is used primarily to pinpoint the exact location of a target so that it can be retrieved with a minimum of digging, and does not provide target identification. The Time Ranger™ also features a Self-Tuning All Metal mode in Program #4.
AIR TESTING There may be times when you want to test or demonstrate the metal detector without sweeping it over the ground, for instance if it's not fully assembled, or if you're indoors. Place the searchcoil in a spot where it's stable and more than two feet away from any large masses of metal, including the reinforcing steel which is usually present in concrete. If you're wearing a wristwatch or jewelry on your hand or arm, remove it.
Getting Started Assembly Knurled Knob Bolt Assembling your Time Ranger™ is easy and does not require any tools. Using the following diagram as your guide, just follow these easy steps. ▲ To assemble the Time Ranger™ 1. Using the supplied bolt and knurled knob, attach the search coil to the lower stem. Twist stem locking nut counter clockwise. Search Coil 2. Press the button on the upper end of the lower stem and slide the lower stem into the upper stem.
Batteries IMPORTANT: Always use ALKALINE batteries only. Do not use so-called heavy duty batteries. Always remove the batteries for prolonged storage. Release Clip of Battery Door Release Clip Alkaline Batteries CHECK THE BATTERIES if your detector exhibits any of the following symptoms: 1. The unit does not turn on. 2. Low speaker volume. 3. Unit beeps continuously or erratically. The LCD screen shows battery condition on the lower left. If the dial indicates "R", replace the batteries.
HEADPHONES The Time Ranger™ is equipped with a standard 1/4 inch headphone jack for use with any stereo headphone that has a 1/4 inch plug. Use headphones with built-in volume controls, because without volume controls the sound may be too loud for you. Using headphones improves battery life, and prevents the sounds from annoying bystanders. It also allows you to hear more clearly subtle changes in the sound when in the All Metal modes, particularly if you're searching in a noisy location.
Touch pads The detector control panel includes several touch pads as shown and described in the following table. These touch pads are used to set detector operation. Detector Touch Pads POWER ON/OFF PROGRAM SELECT SNIFF ALL METAL SMART TRAC POWER ON/OFF DISC TARGET BLANKER POWER ON/OFF is used to turn the detector on. HIGH (+) and LOW (-) are used to increase or decrease the detector's sensitivity. PROGRAM SELECT PROGRAM SELECT is used to select one of four predefined search programs.
Numeric Target I.D. Readout This table shows the numbers typically associated with certain commonly encountered nonferrous metal targets. Older silver US coins usually read about the same as their modern clad equivalents. Modern quarter-sized dollar coins like the Susan B. Anthony and the Sacajawea read about the same as a quarter. Most Canadian coins which are somewhat similar in appearance to U.S. coinage are minted from a magnetic alloy which gives very inconsistent readings and may register as iron.
PROBABLE TARGET ID Fields Probable Target ID Description GOLD RANGE SILVER RANGE Located on the top portion of the control panel. The GOLD RANGE is located on the left and the SILVER RANGE is on the right. Other metal types can appear in this range: for example, iron, foil and nickel appear under GOLD RANGE and copper pennies appear under SILVER RANGE. IRON / FOIL Indicates that the target is probably iron or foil. Time Ranger™ has four levels of progressive iron discrimination—from small to large.
OPERATION OF THE METAL DETECTOR Introduction: Selecting operating modes The Time Ranger offers three basic types of operation: 1. Discrimination with visual target identification. This type of operation requires the searchcoil to be in motion over the target for the target to be detected.
DISCRIMINATION & TARGET ID MODES Preset Program #1 (low discrimination) When the machine is first turned on, it goes to Program #1. This is a motion discrimination & target ID mode which rejects iron and foil, as indicated by the R's under those categories on the display screen. Preset Program #2 (medium discrimination) If you're in Program #1 and tap the PROGRAM SELECT button, it'll step you to Program #2. This program is like Program #1, but it also rejects pulltabs. Nickels are still accepted.
arrow in the category it's waiting for you to decide. If you want to accept that category, press ACCEPT and the machine will step to the next category. It will also erase an R if there had previously been one. If you want to reject that category, press REJECT and the machine will place an R under that category to remind you that that category is now rejected, and the arrow will step to the next category.
▲ To use the SNIFF Feature The SNIFF feature allows you instantly reprogram the DISC/TARGET mode to detect only targets of a type which the detector has just “seen”. Here’s how to use it. 1. If you’re not already in DISC/TARGET mode, tap the DISC/TARGET button. 2. Sweep the searchcoil over a target of the type you wish to detect, excluding all other targets. Note the numerical target readout. 3. Tap the SNIFF button. the word SNIFF will appear on the screen.
All Metal Modes All Metal Pinpoint mode When the ALL METAL-SMART TRAC button is pushed, the detector switches to the All Metals Pinpoint Mode. This mode detects all metals and unlike the other modes, does not require to the searchcoil to remain in motion to detect a target. However, because this mode tends to drift, you may frequently have to tap the button again in order to retune (reset) the signals to zero in order to restore sensitivity. For instructions on how to pinpoint targets, see page 23.
3. HIGH “SUCCESS” BEEP A high tone after you ground balance means that the attempt to ground balance was successful. 4. LOW “FAILED ATTEMPT” BEEP A low tone after you’ve attempted to ground balance means that the attempt failed. The computer will decide not to ground balance if there is a large piece of metal under the searchcoil, if the ground is of a type which cannot be balanced (for instance salt water), or if you lifted rather than lowered the searchcoil.
Search Technique How to sweep the searchcoil ▲ Coil Movement ◆ When sweeping the coil, be careful to keep it level with the ground about 1” from the surface—never swing the coil like a pendulum The following diagrams illustrate incorrect and correct coil movement. ◆ Make sure you keep your search coil consistently about 1” above the ground as you sweep. Raising the coil during the sweep or at the end of the sweep will cause false readings. ◆ Move slowly—hurried movement will only cause you to miss targets.
▲ How to pinpoint targets When you've discovered a target you wish to dig, do the following: 1. Hold the searchcoil about half an inch above the ground, off to the side of where you think the target probably is. 2. Tap the ALL METALS/SmartTrac touchpad button. This will put you into the All Metal Pinpoint mode. NOTE: unlike the other modes, this mode does not require the searchcoil to be in motion to detect a target. 3. Lift the searchcoil slightly, and pass it over the target.
TIP: If “X-ing” the target does not yield one point, try finding the perimeter of the object by “circling” the object. Many large objects will seem irregular in size and shape. ▲ Retrieving Targets - Some Tips Targets which have been buried a while usually develop an oxide and clay coating so they look almost like dirt. You can be looking right at it and not know it. If you're in a situation where you can dig a hole without damaging turfgrass etc.
▲ False signals and chatter; using the Sensitivity control At times the machine may "beep" when there's nothing there, or at least it seems like there's nothing there. There are three main causes of this: electrical interference, nuisance buried metal objects, and electrically conductive ground minerals. Usually, reducing the sensitivity by tapping the Sensitivity Low (minus) button will help, but sometimes other corrective measures will also be needed.
In some areas, electrically conductive industrial minerals such as coke, slag, and charcoal have been dumped or used as landfill. Individual lumps of these materials can usually be quieted by reducing sensitivity and discriminating out iron and foil; however when the ground consists primarily of such materials, you may not be able to search quietly.
Objects which are ring-shaped, or flat and round like coins, tend to give a narrower, crisper response than an object of similar size but bulkier shape. The easiest way to demonstrate this is with an aluminum screwcap from a soda pop bottle. In its normal shape, it occupies a volume, and gives a somewhat broader response than that of a coin. But if you flatten it, the response will be crisper and coinlike. Again, these differences are most readily noticed in All Metals operation.
In most areas, once you've ground balanced, the ground balance setting will remain satisfactory for a long time. However, if the soil has been disturbed by digging or bringing in fill dirt, or if it's in a geologically complex setting such as is commonly encountered in gold prospecting areas, you may have to frequently rebalance to accommodate changing soil conditions. When you ground balance, the numerical value of the ground balance setting will momentarily appear on the LCD screen.
Types of metal detecting: descriptions and tips ▲ "Coinshooting" "Coinshooting" is searching for coins, usually in places like parks, schoolyards, church lawns, and people's residential yards. In most places where coins are likely to be found, there's a lot of aluminum trash like pulltabs and bottle caps, as well as steel bottle caps and often nails. Sometimes there's jewelry.
▲ Relic hunting "Relic hunting" is searching for historical artifacts. The most common desired objects are battlefield relics such as bullets and weapons, coins, jewelry, harness hardware, metal buttons, trade tokens, metal toys, household items, and tools used by workmen and tradespeople. The most common unwanted metal is iron (nails, fence wire, rusted cans, etc.), but some iron and steel objects may also be valuable. If you're on a site where you may encounter unexploded ordinance, use caution.
To find promising sites to hunt, do some research in your local library, look for clues in old newspapers, and see what information you may be able to find on the Internet. Where did buildings used to be, which have since been torn down? Where did people gather for public events like dances and county fairs? Where did train and stage lines run? Where were the swimming holes? In almost every town there is a historical society and museum of local history.
Because most gold nuggets are tiny, and are usually found in soil which is high in iron oxide minerals, serious gold prospecting requires a detector with high sensitivity and true ground balanced motion all metal operation. The 4" accessory searchcoil is preferred for gold prospecting because it detects tinier stuff and handles the ground minerals better. Run the machine with the sensitivity high enough to hear some noise from ground minerals, and "learn the language" of the sounds you hear.
▲ Cache Hunting A "cache" (pronounced "cash") is an accumulation of money, jewelry, gold, or other valuables, which someone has hidden. When people bury a cache, they usually put it in a strongbox or in a jar. To search for a cache, first you need a reason to believe the cache may exist. This means doing research. Some caches have been the subject of many stories you can read about in print, but you need to be able to sort fact from fiction.
Shallow water hunting All First Texas Products searchcoils are waterproof, allowing you to search in shallow water up to a foot or so deep. However, if you're searching around water, be careful not to get the electronics housing wet. Avoid salt spray, as it will work its way into the control housing and damage the electronics-- such damage is not covered under warranty. Both fresh and salt water beaches are popular places for metal detecting.
Troubleshooting Common Problems The following table lists common problems that you may encounter when using your metal detector. Problem Probable Cause(s) Solution(s) Detector is emitting false signals in the field. • SENSITIVITY may be set too high. • Improper coil movement. • Highly oxidized metal. • Reduce SENSITIVITY per instructions in this manual for your mode of operation. • Swing the coil more slowly.
Learning more Any hobby is a lot more rewarding if you take the trouble to learn more about it. Here is a list of organizations, magazines, and vendors to help you advance in the metal detecting hobby. Organizations Federation of Metal Detector & Archeological Clubs, Inc. www.fmdac.com/sitemap.htm The FMDAC is probably the largest organization of its type, with affiliated clubs all over the nation. Their website offers many resources, including information on legal issues relating to metal detecting.
Specifications Battery requirements: two 9-volt rectangular alkaline batteries Power consumption: 20 milliamperes quiescent Battery life: typically 20 + hours Operating frequency: 6.9 kHz Weight (with batteries): 2.
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Treasure Hunter’s Code of Ethics 1. 2. 3. 4. Respect the rights, property, and privacy of others. Do not enter private property without permission. Do not damage property, buildings, or vegetation. Make yourself aware of federal, state, and local laws which may govern the use of metal detectors in certain areas. 5. Do not damage historical or archeological treasures. 6. If you find something the rightful owner of which can be identified, make the effort to return it. 7.
