Owner`s manual

27
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.
Long skinny iron or steel objects such as nails usually give a double
response when scanned lengthwise, and a weaker single response
when scanned crossways. This is most noticeable in the Self-Tuning
All Metals mode (Preset Program #4). However, a coin on edge can
give a similar response, so rely on both target ID data as well as
"target feel" to distinguish between different kinds of objects.
▲ Tips on ground balancing
When the Time Ranger™ first turns on, the ground balance is
preset to give a positive response on all soils. This means that if
you are in either of the All Metal modes, the audio tone will get
louder as you lower the searchcoil to the ground.
Many soils are low enough in iron minerals that the All Metal Pinpoint
mode normally used for pinpointing does not need to be ground
balanced. If you don't ground balance, when you pinpoint, tap the
ALL METAL button with the searchcoil almost touching the ground,
and then raise the searchcoil slightly to sweep back and forth. This
way the machine will be silent except over the metal target.
The Self-Tuning All Metal mode (Preset Program #4) nearly always
requires ground balancing to be usable. The discrimination modes
are not affected by ground balance.
To properly ground balance, it is necessary to find a spot without
metal. Before you attempt to ground balance, sweep back and forth to
see if it seems like a metal target is present. If so, first locate what
seems to be a clear area and then ground balance. After you've
ground balanced, sweep back and forth to see if there is little if any
response to the soil. If so, you've successfully ground balanced. If not,
there may have been metal present where you attempted to ground
balance, so find another promising spot and try again. If you can't
find a spot to successfully ground balance, it's time to give up. Turn
the machine off, turn it on again so the ground balance preset will be
restored, and then use the machine without ground balancing.