280-X Aquanaut QUALITY Automatic Metal Detector for Sea, Surf or Shore Fisher detectors are renowned for their quality. Each detector is hand crafted in the USA with pride PERFORMANCE The worldwide underground utility industry relys on Fisher. Our instruments are durable, dependable, and locate deeper. REPUTATION Fisher produced the first patented metal detector in 1931. For over 70 years, the Fisher logo has been a mark of excellence.
CONTENTS About Your 1280-X .................................................................. pg. 3 Assembly .................................................................................. pg. 4 Setting Up ................................................................................. pg. 5 Hipmounting............................................................................. pg. 6 Control Panel ........................................................................... pg. 7 Discrimination Points ..
TREASURE HUNTER’S CODE OF ETHICS LETS PRESERVE OUR TREASURED SPORT! Laws governing the use of metal detectors are becoming more and more common. In many countries, the use of metal detectors is illegal or severely restricted. Don’t let this happen in your area. • 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 try not to leave any damage.
ASSEMBLY Where To Use Your Metal Detector In The U.S. Battery Access Panel 8-inch Spider Coil Control Panel LED (Light Emitting Diode) Upper Stem Adjustable Arm Rest Derlin Screw and Nylon Wing Nut Lower Stem Search Coil Cable Waterproof Headphones Arm Rest Screws Spring Lock (Not visible) The 1280-X requires very little assembly. Unpack it carefully and save the carton which may come in handy for future storage or shipment. 1.
USING HEADPHONES SETTING UP Using headphones (not supplied) improves battery life, and prevents the sounds from annoying bystanders. It also allows you to hear subtle changes in the sound more clearly, particularly if searching in a noisy location. For safety reasons, do not use headphones near traffic or where other dangers are present. This device is to be used with interconnecting cables/headphone cables shorter than three meters.
HIPMOUNTING SEARCH COILS For almost effortless treasure hunting, the control housing is easily removed from the handle and attached to a belt clip. “Hipmounting” the 1280-X in this manner takes half the weight off the handle and allows the land or shallow water Treasure Hunter to search much longer without arm fatigue. The 1280-X is available with either the standard 8 inch “Spider” coil or the 10.5 inch “Spider” coil.
BATTERY DOOR GASKET: ORIENTATION CROSS SECTION A B CASE BATTERY DOOR A = Small side to case B = Large side to battery door Figure 16. Battery door gasket installation The rubber gasket, which fits into the battery door, must be installed with the larger protrusion (B), toward the battery door. CONTROL PANEL 1. POWER/VOLUME CONTROL: Turns the power on and off. Also controls the target response volume in the headphones.
DISCRIMINATION POINTS By adjusting the DISCRIMINATION control you will be able to ignore (or “reject”) small pieces of metallic trash and ground minerals while detecting valuable targets. The lowest setting at which an object is rejected is referred to as the object’s “discrimination point”. Discrimination points are determined by such factors as size, shape, depth, type of metal and ground mineralization. 1.
BATTERY RECHARGING eventually only hold a three-hour charge. 3. Nicads may reverse polarity if discharged too far and will not recharge. Don’t leave your detector on and don’t continue to operate it more than an hour after the battery check tone goes silent. The optional 1280-X recharge kit includes (1) battery pack, (8) nicad batteries, (1) 110v, 60 cycle home recharger and (1 ) 12v negative-ground auto cigarette lighter recharger. 110-VOLT RECHARGER 1.
SEARCHING Good search techniques remain the same whether you’re using your 1280-X in the desert or on the bottom of the ocean. 1. Decide how much discrimination you want to use. a. In relatively non-trashy areas you may wish to search at zero discrimination. In this manner, your 1280-X is at its most sensitive and will detect all metal targets within its range. Once an object is detected, you can increase the discrimination level for further target identification. b.
BATTERY REPLACEMENT SEARCHING Eight 1.5V size AA batteries are located in the rear section of the Control Housing. The batteries are sealed off from the electronics so that accidental water leakage into the battery compartment will not damage the circuitry. 1. Remove the battery cover by partially unscrewing the two knurled thumb screws with a coin. (The knurled knobs are “captive screws” and do not have to be completely removed from the battery cover.) 2.
PINPOINTING Pinpointing takes practice. The more time you spend with your 1280-X, the faster and more accurate you’ll become. 1. Once a buried target is indicated by the tell-tale “Beep” of the 1280-X, continue moving the search coil from side-to-side across the target in a narrower and narrower search pattern. 2. When you have narrowed your search pattern as much as you can and still hear the target, stop the search coil. 3.
OPERATING TIPS 16 1. Keep the search coil cable wound snugly around the stem when diving around coral or jagged rocks to keep it from snagging. 2. Divers should make sure the drain holes in the headset are unobstructed. Better yet, wait until you’re on the bottom before putting them on and take them off before surfacing. 3. Divers should also keep the search coil at least two feet away from their body. Metal gear (weights, gauges, tanks, etc.) will be detected by the 1280-X if held too close. 4.
TARGET RECOVERY by inserting the screwdriver into the ground next to the hole and pulling in towards the center. Do this 4 to 5 times around the edge of the hole until it is no longer visible. PLUGGING METHOD This method of recovery is not allowed in many areas and should never be used in dry lawns or in very hot weather. A good rule of thumb is... “When in doubt, don’t plug”. It’s a good way to recover deep targets however in moist soil where plugging is allowed and when done properly. 1.
TARGET RECOVERY by inserting the screwdriver into the ground next to the hole and pulling in towards the center. Do this 4 to 5 times around the edge of the hole until it is no longer visible. PLUGGING METHOD This method of recovery is not allowed in many areas and should never be used in dry lawns or in very hot weather. A good rule of thumb is... “When in doubt, don’t plug”. It’s a good way to recover deep targets however in moist soil where plugging is allowed and when done properly. 1.
OPERATING TIPS 16 1. Keep the search coil cable wound snugly around the stem when diving around coral or jagged rocks to keep it from snagging. 2. Divers should make sure the drain holes in the headset are unobstructed. Better yet, wait until you’re on the bottom before putting them on and take them off before surfacing. 3. Divers should also keep the search coil at least two feet away from their body. Metal gear (weights, gauges, tanks, etc.) will be detected by the 1280-X if held too close. 4.
PINPOINTING Pinpointing takes practice. The more time you spend with your 1280-X, the faster and more accurate you’ll become. 1. Once a buried target is indicated by the tell-tale “Beep” of the 1280-X, continue moving the search coil from side-to-side across the target in a narrower and narrower search pattern. 2. When you have narrowed your search pattern as much as you can and still hear the target, stop the search coil. 3.
BATTERY REPLACEMENT Eight 1.5V size AA batteries are located in the rear section of the Control Housing. The batteries are sealed off from the electronics so that accidental water leakage into the battery compartment will not damage the circuitry. 1. Remove the battery cover by partially unscrewing the two knurled thumb screws with a coin. (The knurled knobs are “captive screws” and do not have to be completely removed from the battery cover.) 2.
BATTERY REPLACEMENT VERY IMPORTANT Follow these instructions carefully to avoid getting water in the battery compartment. 1. Tuck in the wires. Do not pinch them in the seal when closing. 2. The battery door will capture the battery holder and self-center it as you install the door. 3. Tighten the knobs SECURELY. a. Use a coin. b. Tighten by hand FIRMLY. Use maximum MANUAL force. c. Do Not use a tool. d. Do Not use a screwdriver. Torque Specific is 8 in-pounds. 4.
BATTERY RECHARGING Rechargeable nicad batteries may take as many as 1,000 recharges, however they do have some limitations you should be aware of: 1. Nicads will last only about half as long as standard carbon-zinc batteries before recharging is required. 2. Nicads may develop a “memory” if you give them repeated “booster” charges. In other words, if you charge your batteries over and over again for only three hours at a time, the batteries will eventually only hold a three-hour charge. 3.
BATTERY RECHARGING 12-VOLT AUTO RECHARGER (Use only with 12v negative ground system.) 1. Install the nicad batteries. 2. Plug the charger into your auto cigarette lighter socket and the small cable into the 1280-X RECHARGE JACK. 3. The batteries will begin charging immediately. 5. An overnight charge with the engine off may give only 6-8 hours of battery life. A full charge may take as long as 48 hours (less with the engine running).
MAINTENANCE CLEANING Hose down your 1280-X with clean fresh water whenever you’ve had it on the beach or in the water. Pay particular attention to the following areas: 1. Stem adapter. Sand or dirt between the coil “ears” and stem adapter will literally grind away the ears and adapter. 2. Headphone. The ear pads may be removed, rinsed and squeezed out to remove any seawater salt build up. Rinse out the cups to keep the vent holes clear.
BATTERY DOOR GASKET: ORIENTATION CROSS SECTION A B CASE BATTERY DOOR A = Small side to case B = Large side to battery door Figure 16. Battery door gasket installation The rubber gasket, which fits into the battery door, must be installed with the larger protrusion (B), toward the battery door. If you remove the gasket for cleaning, re-install correctly. Improper installation will result in leakage.
SEARCH COILS The 1280-X is available with either the standard 8 inch “Spider” coil or the 10.5 inch “Spider” coil. As a general rule, the 8 inch coil is preferred for tight spots, fast moving surf and high density trash areas. For normal conditions however, the 10.5 inch coil will cover a little more ground with each sweep and will give slightly more depth 5 to 20 percent in air, less in soil, depending on target size and mineralization.
ASSEMBLY Where To Use Your Metal Detector In The U.S. Battery Access Panel 8-inch Spider Coil Control Panel LED (Light Emitting Diode) Upper Stem Adjustable Arm Rest Derlin Screw and Nylon Wing Nut Lower Stem Search Coil Cable Waterproof Headphones Arm Rest Screws Spring Lock (Not visible) The 1280-X requires very little assembly. Unpack it carefully and save the carton which may come in handy for future storage or shipment. 1.
TREASURE HUNTER’S CODE OF ETHICS LETS PRESERVE OUR TREASURED SPORT! Laws governing the use of metal detectors are becoming more and more common. In many countries, the use of metal detectors is illegal or severely restricted. Don’t let this happen in your area. • 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 try not to leave any damage.
CONTENTS SPECIFICATIONS About Your 1280-X................................................................... pg. 3 Length Collapsed.......................................................... 33” 8” Coil 10.5” Coill Weight Complete (with headset)................................................Lbs. 5.4 Lbs. Search Coil................................................................................ 2.6 Lbs. Control Housing........................................................................ 2.3 Lbs.
1280-X Aquanaut QUALITY Automatic Metal Detector for Sea, Surf or Shore Fisher detectors are renowned for their quality. Each detector is hand crafted in the USA with pride PERFORMANCE The worldwide underground utility industry relys on Fisher. Our instruments are durable, dependable, and locate deeper. REPUTATION Fisher produced the first patented metal detector in 1931. For over 70 years, the Fisher logo has been a mark of excellence.
