THE MINELAB EXPLORER II 5 Quickstart However experienced you are at using a metal detector, it is important that you read this chapter to understand how to 5 QUICKSTART use the Explorer II in Quickstart mode.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com GETTING STARTED Now that your detector is assembled, batteries inserted and you are familiar with the control panel, you should be ready to start detecting. This chapter on Quickstart is designed to be the starting point for all users of the Explorer II. Introducing Quickstart Figure 5.1 POWER P0400-B P0400b Figure 5.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II BEGINNER USE Trying out the detector CORRECT Figure 5.2 INCORRECT P0265-A Figure 5.2 Sweeping the coil Sometimes it is possible that a large object close to the search coil will overload the detector’s electronics. When this happens, the Explorer II emits a low ‘warble’ which will repeat until the coil is moved away from the source of the Sweeping the coil The Explorer II will perform at its best when the coil is kept in close proximity to the ground.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com QUICKSTART DISPLAY easy reference The Quickstart display visually represents everything from target details to the Explorer II’s operating settings. Quickstart’s Smartfind display (pictured below) and alternate Digital display share many common elements.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II QUICKSTART DISPLAY easy reference 1 2 4 Threshold level. The threshold setting controls the audible level of threshold ‘hum’ during detecting. When the shift button next to the adjustment arrow is pressed, the threshold hum increases or decreases. See page 50 for details. Depth indicator. The clear portion of the depth indicator represents the approximate distance of a target below the coil.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com QUICKSTART’S SMARTFIND DISPLAY When first using the detector, you will see the Smartfind screen. Smartfind displays an object's characteristics using a two-dimensional scale of target discrimination. Two-dimensional discrimination Figure 5.3 Figure 5.3 Smartfind display with preset Coins discrimination pattern When an object is detected, Smartfind indicates what kind of object you have found with a target crosshair.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II Discrimination Discrimination is the ability of a • The horizontal dimension (or axis) rates the extent of the object’s resemblance to ferrous characteristics. • The object’s cross-referenced rating is represented by a ‘target crosshair’ inside the rectangular display area. metal detector to identify the user’s desired target (e.g. jewelry) and eliminate signals from unwanted material (e.g. nails).
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com Introducing Discrim Discrim (an abbreviation of Discrimination) instructs the detector to accept some types of targets and reject others. It uses Smartfind's two-dimensional discrimination, allowing you to specify one or more target patterns for detection. Figure 5.4 Smartfind’s preset Discrim function Smartfind Discrimination pattern Figure 5.4 When you begin in Quickstart, you will see a Smartfind display resembling Figure 5.4.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II THE IRON MASK Adjusting the Iron Mask Figure 5.5 Pressing the IRON MASK shortcut button on the control panel will display the Iron Mask adjustment screen. Figure 5.5 Adjusting the Iron Mask Iron Mask Shortcut The Iron Mask shortcut button on the control panel allows you to Discrimination.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com Operating in Iron Mask Figure 5.6 Figure 5.6 Smartfind in Iron Mask Pressing the IRON MASK shortcut button again will display a Smartfind screen resembling Figure 5.6. This display shows that the detector is ready to operate in Iron Mask. This function is programmed to reject ferrous targets and make it easier for you to find more desirable (non-ferrous) objects like coins and jewelry.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II QUICKSTART’S DIGITAL DISPLAY Digital display Figure 5.7, 5.8 P0611-A When the Smartfind screen is displayed, pressing the DETECT shortcut button on the control panel switches to the Explorer II’s alternative Digital display. Figure 5.7 Quickstart’s Digital Display P0612-A Figure 5.8 Digital as full screen display Preferred Display The Explorer II remembers which detecting.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com MODIFYING THE DISPLAY Full screen display Figure 5.9, 5.10 Figure 5.9 Quickstart’s standard screen If you wish to enlarge the Smartfind or Digital display during detecting, it is possible to instruct the detector to remove the display border and other screen elements leaving only the target details displayed on the full screen. STEP 1 Press the shift button next to the full screen icon at the right of the control panel.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II ADJUSTING SENSITIVITY Sensitivity control The sensitivity bar indicates how responsive the detector is to a target in the presence of ground noise and/or electromagnetic interference. Noise Cancel So that you can detect in best conditions, we would advise you to always choose the channel with least interference before beginning If the detector becomes noisy and you suspect electromagnetic interference, change to a better channel before adjusting sensitivity.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com ADJUSTING THRESHOLD Threshold control The Explorer II usually emits a constant tone or threshold ‘hum’ in the absence of a target. The threshold setting controls the audible level of this sound during detecting. Minelab recommends setting the threshold to a comfortable audible level in the early stages of your detecting session, as this feature is designed to highlight the variations in signal response which often indicate detection of a target.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II AUDIO RESPONSE The Explorer II emits a target audio response that varies in pitch and volume depending on what type of object it detects. Pitch of response Figure 5.13 Figure 5.13 Target sounding response Generally, a target that is highly conductive (e.g. a large silver coin) emits a high pitched signal. A low pitch is sounded for less conductive targets. Large targets or targets close to the ground surface emit a louder signal.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com AUDIO MENU Features accessed through the Audio menu allow you to define the various audio properties of your Explorer II. Introduction to the Audio menu Figure 5.14 Main Menu > AUDIO Figure 5.14 The Audio menu Headphones Use of the Explorer II with headphones will allow you to discern subtle variations in audio 5 response and lessen exposure to QUICKSTART adverse conditions (i.e. wind) which may distort sound from the speaker.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II AUDIO: ADJUSTING THE VOLUME Introducing Volume Figure 5.15 Main Menu > Audio > VOLUME The VOLUME screen of the Audio menu displays two slider controls: MAX LIMIT and GAIN (Figure 5.15). Figure 5.15 Volume adjustment screen NOTE To test sounds upon selection it is necessary to move the coil across the target. Max limit Main Menu > Audio > Volume > MAX LIMIT (adjustment) This setting is the detector’s overriding volume control.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com Normal alisasing 5 Figure 5.16 Volume gain settings Figure 5.17 Volume gain preset Gain Figure 5.16, 5.17 Main Menu > Audio > Volume > GAIN (adjustment) Volume gain affects the way the detector amplifies target audio responses in respect to the strength of the original signal. 5 QUICKSTART Looking at figure 5.16, it is clear that with a setting of 1 the sound produced will be proportional to the strength of the signal for the whole range of signals.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II AUDIO: ADJUSTING THE TONE Introducing Tone Figure 5.18 Main Menu > Audio > TONE Figure 5.18 Tone menu Tone is the frequency of sound emitted on target detection. It is important to experiment with tone settings and listen carefully to tone variations during your detecting. To test variation in tones upon selection it will be helpful to move the coil across a few different targets spaced apart. Threshold tone Threshold Tone allows you to adjust the tone of the threshold ‘hum’.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com AUDIO: ADJUSTING THE SOUNDS Introducing Sounds Figure 5.19 Main Menu > Audio > SOUNDS Figure 5.19 Sounds menu The SOUNDS menu allows you to define how the pitch varies with target characteristics. This can be a very useful feature in identifying targets in close proximity to one another. It is possible to instruct the detector to emit a distinct sound responding to an object’s ferrous characteristics, rather than its conductive properties.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II Ferrous Main Menu > Audio > Sounds > FERROUS Selecting FERROUS adjusts the tone according to the target’s ferrous content (the horizontal axis of the Smartfind screen or the first number in the Digital display). A low ‘blaat’ tone denotes a highly ferrous object, displayed on the left of the screen and having a high ‘Fer’ number. A high pitched ‘squeak’ tone denotes a non-ferrous target, displayed on the right of the Smartfind screen and having a low ‘Fer’ number.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com TESTING TARGET AUDIO RESPONSES tutorial! Take some time to become familiar with how the Explorer II responds to various metal objects. This tutorial is designed for Smartfind’s Iron Mask and Discrimination functions. Repeat the procedure to familiarize yourself with both. Gather a collection of different metal objects like a rusted nail, pull-tab, brass button, aluminium foil, various coins, and some gold and silver jewelry.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II PINPOINTING THE OBJECT Introducing Pinpoint Figure 5.20. See also Pinpoint overview in Chapter 4: Control Panel, page 34. Figure 5.20 Pinpoint shortcut button During normal operation the Explorer II operates with discrimination settings like Iron Mask or targets chosen from the Select target list. When the approximate location of a target has been determined, it is necessary to identify the object’s exact position. This is done using the Explorer II’s Pinpoint function.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com Using Pinpoint Figure 5.21 Once the Explorer II has found the approximate position of a target it is necessary to locate its exact position using Pinpoint. STEP 1 Move the search coil to one side of the approximate target location and press the PINPOINT shortcut button. If this step is not taken the Explorer II will sound when moved away from the object. STEP 2 Slowly sweep the search coil over the target a couple of times.
" THE MINELAB EXPLORER II RECOVERING THE OBJECT For this procedure you’ll need: a knife or trowel, a small spade and a sheet of plastic. Once the object has been pinpointed, clear the surface of loose material and check again for the signal. If there is no signal then the object is amongst the surface material. In this case, search the surface material until the object is located. STEP 2 If the object is still in the ground, check again using Pinpoint.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com SELECTING TARGETS This section of the chapter and the following tutorial will help you to effectively use the targeting features of the Explorer II. Select targets list Figure 5.22, 5.23 Figure 5.22 Quickstart’s Main Menu As outlined earlier in this chapter, Quickstart provides the option of identifying targets based upon Smartfind’s two-dimensional discrimination.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II SELECTING TARGETS easy reference Quickstart’s SELECT menu lists eight object types typically encountered during treasure hunting. It is up to you to select one or more to modify the Explorer II’s discrimination pattern. 1 5 2 4 3 Smartfind thumbnail. Discrimination pattern for current selection(s) from target list. 2 Arrows for moving up or down target list. 3 Target icon as shown in Digital display mode. Displays most recent selection from target list. 4 Target list.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.com ACCEPTING AND REJECTING TARGETS tutorial! This tutorial outlines how to instruct the Explorer II to accept JEWELRY and reject bottle CROWNCAPS as targets. Figure 5.24 Cleared SELECT menu Figure 5.25 Accepting jewelry STEP 1 Switch to Smartfind’s Discrim function using the IRON MASK shortcut button. STEP 2 Choose SELECT from the MAIN MENU. This displays a target list and the discrimination pattern for COINS, the Explorer’s II Discrim factory setting.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II ADVANCED MODE OPTION Once you have experimented with target options and the other features of Quickstart, it may be time to investigate the features of the Explorer II available to the advanced user. Moving to Advanced mode Figure 5.28, 5.29 Main Menu > Options > ADVANCED Press the MENU shortcut button, select OPTIONS from the displayed list and then select ADVANCED mode. Figure 5.28 Options screen in Quickstart Figure 5.
THE MINELAB EXPLORER II www.minelab.
