Turn on (pg. 12) Choose a detecting mode (pg. 12) Coin & Treasure Mode (pg. 18) Prospecting Mode (pg. 19) Choose a Discrimination Pattern (pg. 22, 24) Set the Iron Mask Level (pg. 22, 24) Set Noise Cancel (Auto or Manual) (pg. 34) Set Ground Balance (Auto, Manual or Track) (pg. 42) Begin detecting! These quick start instructions allow you to begin detecting straight away and find important reference information for setting up your X-Terra 70.
CONGRATULATIONS ON PURCHASING YOUR X-TERRA 70! The World Leader in Metal Sensing Technology From our origins in 1985, Minelab have specialised in advanced electronics Metal detecting is a fascinating and rewarding activity enjoyed by people all over the world. By getting to know your X-Terra 70 you can become one of the many who find valuable coins, relics, gold and jewellery on a regular basis. technologies.
CONTENTS How Detectors Work VFLEX Technology 2 2 Menu Operation Adjusting Menu Settings 28 29 Assembling Your X-Terra 70 List of Parts Connecting the Coil Shaft Assembly Armrest Assembly Connecting the Control Box Disconnecting the Control Box Coil Cable Assembly Inserting Batteries 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 Sensitivity Adjusting Sensitivity 30 31 Volume Adjusting Volume 32 33 Keypad Layout LCD Layout 8 10 Turning the Detector On Detecting Modes Holding the Detector Sweeping the Coil A Simple Detecting
2 HOW DETECTORS WORK Metal detectors create an electromagnetic field, which penetrates the ground. Because metal is conductive it causes a change in this field. The detector senses this change and sends a signal back to the control box, alerting the operator. Metal detectors can determine the size, shape and composition of metallic objects beneath the coil. Typically, the larger the object, the easier it is to detect.
4 ASSEMBLING YOUR X-TERRA 70 List of Parts Connecting the Coil Before assembling your X-Terra 70, please check that the package includes these parts: Coil Skidplate (fitted to coil) Lower shaft Middle shaft Upper shaft Plug the two rubber washers into the holes on either side of the lower shaft yoke. Slide the yoke into the yoke bracket on top of the coil. Ensure that the spring loaded pin in the lower shaft is underneath the coil shaft, pointing downwards.
ASSEMBLING YOUR X-TERRA 70 7 Armrest Assembly Coil Cable Assembly Place the armrest onto the top of the upper shaft, lining up the central hole in the armrest with one of the holes in the aluminium shaft. Position the armrest to suit your arm length Wind the coil cable around the lower and middle shaft enough times to take up the slack. (Holding the Detector, pg. 14). Insert the screw up through the stand, upper shaft and armrest.
8 KEYPAD LAYOUT 9 POWER Turns the detector on/off. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) area ACCEPT REJECT Accepts or rejects certain metals by turning on/off individual discrimination segments (Coin & Treasure Mode only). PATTERNS Scrolls through the different Discrimination Patterns (Coin & Treasure Mode only). This button has three functions. TRACK (MODE) toggles between Coin & Treasure Mode and Prospecting Mode. Activates Target ID Stabiliser.
10 LCD LAYOUT 11 All Metal (AM) Battery Indicates that the All Metal Pattern has been selected. This pattern has no discrimination and will allow signals from all types of metals, both ferrous and nonferrous (Preset Discrimination Headphones This icon indicates Stability that headphones indicates that are connected and Target ID Stability has that the headphone been selected (Target Volume and Threshold ID Stability, pg. 20).
12 TURNING THE DETECTOR ON 13 It is best to only turn the detector on, when outdoors, away from sources of electromagnetic disturbance. Press POWER. There are many metallic objects inside a house (e.g. nails in the floor, reinforcing in the walls) that might overload the electronics of the detector. Once on, the detector will be in the factory default Coin & Treasure Mode. There will be no numeric reading until a metal object is detected.
SWEEPING THE COIL 15 14 HOLDING THE DETECTOR To hold the detector, thread your arm through the armrest and strap. Grasp the handle of the detector and rest your forearm in the armrest. Your elbow should sit just above the top of the armrest. Lightly tighten the velcro strap and secure it around your arm. The correct position of armrest and length of shaft should allow you to swing the coil in front of your body without any uncomfortable stretching or stooping.
DETECTOR AUDIO 17 16 A SIMPLE DETECTING EXERCISE Buried metal objects are referred to as targets. Before attempting to pinpoint or recover real targets, it is important to understand how to interpret the audio and visual signals of the detector. A good way to become familiar with detecting is to test the detector with a range of metal objects. This exercise is a simple lesson on how the detector interprets metal objects. Gather a collection of different metal objects, e.g.
PROSPECTING MODE 19 18 COIN & TREASURE MODE Coin & Treasure Mode is used for detecting Prospecting Mode is used to find metal such as gold valuable objects, including old and modern coins, jewellery and artifacts. Undesired objects such as pull-tabs and bottle caps may be rejected. This mode can be used in a variety of environments, such as parks and salt water beaches. nuggets and relics, in highly mineralised, ‘difficult’ areas.
PATTERN DISCRIMINATION SCALE 21 20 TARGET ID Buried metal objects are referred to as targets. Target signals contain ferrous and conductivity information. As the coil is passed over a target, the detector digitally processes the target signal and displays this as a number. Target Identification (ID) is used to distinguish one type of metal target from another. Target ID numbers range from -8 to 48. Negative numbers represent ferrous targets and positive numbers represent non-ferrous targets.
22 PRESET DISCRIMINATION PATTERNS The X-Terra 70 has an All Metal Pattern, three preset Discrimination Patterns and Iron Mask. The combinations of accepted and rejected segments are referred to as Discrimination Patterns. The X-Terra 70 has preset Discrimination Patterns that have been customised to detect general desired targets, such as coins and jewellery. Patterns 1, 2 and 3 can be edited by you, to create your own custom Discrimination Patterns.
24 CHOOSING A DISCRIMINATION PATTERN Pattern Discrimination In Coin & Treasure Mode use PATTERNS to toggle between Pattern 1, Pattern 2 and Pattern 3. All Metal Shortcut The X-Terra 70 has an All Metal shortcut available in both modes. In Coin & Treasure Mode, press ALL METAL to toggle between the selected Pattern and All Metal. EDITING DISCRIMINATION PATTERNS 25 The Preset Discrimination Patterns may be edited to create custom patterns.
RECOVERING THE TARGET 27 26 PINPOINTING When a signal is heard, it is an advantage to identify the exact position of the target. This is determined by using PINPOINT. high this target will produce a loud, high tone sound this target will produce a quiet, low tone sound low In Pinpoint, the detector gives a continuous audio response. This continuous response indicates the strength of the target signal directly below the coil.
ADJUSTING MENU SETTINGS 29 28 MENU OPERATION The X-Terra 70 operates in two display states – Detection and Settings. Detection (display state) Settings (display state) In Coin & Treasure Mode, the Target ID, discrimination segments and depth automatically translate target signals. The last detected Target ID stays on the display until another is detected. If the detector passes over a target that it rejects, the display will return to a detection screen represented by two dashes.
ADJUSTING SENSITIVITY 31 30 SENSITIVITY The X-Terra 70 is highly sensitive and has a wide Sensitivity adjustment range. It is important to set the correct Sensitivity level for your detecting conditions. Sensitivity is the detector’s level of response to a target and its environment. Real targets are indicated by distinct beeps. Interference or false targets are interpreted as crackling or popping sounds. Press MENU SELECT and choose Sensitivity. Use the + and – buttons to adjust the Sensitivity level.
ADJUSTING VOLUME 33 32 VOLUME Volume is the level of sound emitted by the detector when a target is detected. The Volume control limits the maximum volume of target signals. The sound produced by a distant target starts softly. As you get closer, the volume level increases rapidly until it reaches the maximum level that has been set. The sound produced by the detector in Pinpoint or Ground Balance will vary in volume and tone depending on the signal strength (from a target or ground mineralisation).
34 NOISE CANCEL The detector may become noisy or erratic due to electrical interference from powerlines, electrical equipment or other detectors operating close by. This interference is interpreted as a crackling or popping noise. Noise Cancel allows you to change the noise cancel channel so that you experience less interference. Five channels are available, represented by the numbers -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, and are also indicated on the menu scale.
ADJUSTING THRESHOLD 37 36 THRESHOLD Threshold is the constant background sound produced by the detector to help distinguish between desirable and undesirable targets. When a rejected target is detected, the Threshold sound ‘blanks’ (becomes silent) to indicate that a rejected target is underneath the coil. Normal Signal The Threshold volume should be set to the preferred level.
ADJUSTING TONES 39 38 TONES Target Tones Press MENU SELECT and choose Tones. The number of Target Tones may be selected from the Tones menu. There are five different options listed in the table below. Use the + and – to select either 1, 2, 3, 4, or Multiple Target Tones (99). Adjusting Target Tones in Coin & Treasure Mode Press PINPOINT DETECT, to return to detection.
40 GROUND BALANCE The X-terra 70 is capable of operating in two different types of grounds, magnetic (ie. inland parks) and conductive (wet areas of salt water beaches). Ground mineralisation may cause false target signals in all environments. Ground Balancing the detector reduces these ground signals and enables good targets to be displayed and/or heard correctly. Ground Balance (Normal) Ground Balance (Normal) is suitable for inland use and is operating when the beach icon is off.
42 ADJUSTING GROUND BALANCE Auto Auto Using the detector in All Metal, find a clear area of ground without any targets. Hold the coil parallel and 4” (10 cm) above the ground. Select Ground Balance. A constant hum known as the Ground Balance tone will sound when the coil is held steady. 43 Press MODE AUTO to activate Automatic Ground Balance, and begin to continuously lower and raise the coil over the ground. The letters AU will appear and the menu scale segments will be animated as a progress bar.
44 FACTORY PRESETS 45 Factory Preset Mode Factory Preset Mode Specific, General and Mode Dependent settings are all saved when the X-Terra 70 is switched off (pg. 12). The X-Terra 70 allows the user to reset settings for the current detect mode only. To return to all of the preset menu values: Select the detect mode which needs to be reset. Turn the detector off. Turn the detector off. While pressing and holding MENU SELECT, turn the detector back on, by pressing POWER once.
46 SOUNDS BATTERY BEHAVIOUR 47 Threshold Start Up Sequence This is the background ‘buzz’ given by the detector, to help distinguish between accepted and rejected targets. When the detector is turned on, there is a short three-note tune during its startup sequence. Blanking Positive Acknowledgement When a rejected target is detected, the Threshold sound ‘blanks’ (becomes silent) to indicate that a rejected target is underneath the coil. The detector emits a short beep for every valid key press.
ERROR MESSAGES 49 48 COIL IDENTIFICATION The X-Terra 70 is capable of operating at three different transmission frequencies set by VFLEX compatible coils. Coil Unplugged The coil is not connected to the detector. Standard (7.5kHz) This frequency is most suitable for general detecting for most ground conditions. These coils have a black serial number label starting with the letter M. Press and hold Coil Error The coil is not communicating with the control box.
50 ACCESSORIES 51 The use of headphones while detecting, has many advantages. They block out external noise such as wind and traffic, allowing you to listen more closely to target signals. Headphones also minimise disturbance to other people in the area and they extend battery life. Short Shaft A short shaft is available to decrease the length of the detector. Skid Plate A skid plate comes as standard with the detector.
X-TERRA 70 SPECIFICATIONS 53 52 CARE OF YOUR X-TERRA 70 The X-Terra 70 is a high quality electronic instrument, finely engineered and packaged in a durable housing. Taking proper care of your X-Terra 70 is common sense. The storage temperature of the X-Terra 70 is -4˚F to 149˚F (-20˚C to +65˚C) and the operating temperature is 32˚F to 113˚F (0˚C to 45˚C). Do not leave the detector in excessive heat or cold for longer than necessary. The coil can be submerged in water up to 20” (0.
54 USER PREFERENCES USER NOTES 55
SERVICE REPAIR FORM Today’s Date Detector / Model Serial Number Purchased From Purchase Date Faulty Part(s) Owner’s Name Address Telephone ( Fax ( ) Day Home ) Email cut out or photocopy DESCRIPTION OF FAULT
