BOUNTY HUNTER Discovery 2200 Metal Detector Owner’s Manual

BOUNTY HUNTER Discovery 2200 Metal Detector Owner’s Manual

TERMINOLOGY

The following terms are used throughout the manual, and are standard terminology among detectorists.

ELIMINATION
Reference to a metal being “eliminated” means that the detector will not emit a tone, nor light up an indicator, when a specified object passes through the coil’s detection field.

DISCRIMINATION
When the detector emits different tones for different types of metals, and when the detector “eliminates” certain metals, we refer to this as the detector “discriminating” among different types of metals. Discrimination is an important feature of professional metal detectors. Discrimination allows the user to ignore trash and otherwise undesirable objects.

RELIC
A relic is an object of interest by reason of its age or its association with the past. Many relics are made of iron, but can also be made of bronze or precious metals.

IRON
Iron is a common, low-grade metal that is an undesirable target in certain metal detecting applications. Examples of undesirable iron objects are old cans, pipes, bolts, and nails. Sometimes, the desired target is made of iron. Property markers, for instance, contain iron. Valuable relics can also be composed of iron; cannon balls, old armaments, and parts of old structures and vehicles can also be composed of iron.

FERROUS
Metals which are made of, or contain, iron.

PINPOINTING
Pinpointing is the process of finding the exact location of a buried object. Long-buried metals can appear exactly like the surrounding soil, and can therefore be very hard to isolate from the soil.

PULL-TABS
Discarded pull-tabs from beverage containers are the most bothersome trash items for treasure hunters. They come in many different shapes and sizes. Pull-tabs can be eliminated from detection, but some other valuable objects can have a magnetic signature similar to pull-tabs, and will also be eliminated when discriminating out pull-tabs.

GROUND BALANCE
Ground Balancing is the ability of the detector to ignore, or “see through,” the earth’s naturally occurring minerals, and only sound a tone when a metal object is detected. The Discovery 2200 incorporates proprietary Squelch-Tech® circuitry to eliminate false signals from severe ground conditions

ASSEMBLY

Assembly is easy and requires no tools.

1. Position detector upright.
2. Rotate the LOCKING COLLAR fully in a counterclockwise direction.
3. Insert your finger inside the tube and make sure the INTERNAL CAM LOCK is flush with the inside of the tube.
4. Insert the LOWER STEM into the S-ROD.
5. Rotate the LOWER STEM until the SILVER BUTTON locates in the hole.
6. Twist the LOCKING COLLAR fully in the clockwise direction until it locks.
7. If your detector has 3 tubes and 2 locking collars, repeat thisprocesson the Middle Stem.
8. Position the Lower Stem (the straight tube) with the Silver Button toward the back. Using the Bolt and Knurled Knob, attach the Searchcoil to the plastic extension protruding from the Lower Stem.
9. Press the button on the upper end of the Lower Stem, and slide the Lower Stem into the S-Rod. Adjust the Stem to a length that lets you maintain a comfortable upright posture, with your arm relaxed at your side, and the Searchcoil parallel to the ground in front of you.
10. Wind the Cable securely around the Stem.
11. Insert the Plug into the matching Connector on the right underside of the Detector Body. Be sure that the keyway and pins line up correctly.

Caution: Do not force the plug in. Excess force will cause damage. To disconnect the cable, pull on the plug. Do not pull on the cable.

IN THE FIELD TECHNIQUES

Swing the searchcoil slowly, overlapping each sweep as you move forward. It is important to sweep the coil at a consistent speed over the ground as you search. After identifying a target, your sweep technique can help in identifying both the location and the nature of the target. If you encounter a weak signal, try moving the coil in short, rapid sweeps over the target zone; such a short rapid sweep may provide a more consistent target identification. Most worthwhile objects will respond with a repeatable tone. If the signal does not repeat after sweeping the coil directly over the suspected target a few times, it is more than likely trash metal. Crossing the target zone with multiple intersecting sweeps at multiple angles is another way to verify the repeatability of the signal, and the potential of the buried target. To use this method, walk around the target area in a circle, sweeping the coil across the target repeatedly,every 30 to 40 degrees of the circle, about ten different angles as you walk completely around the target. If a high-tone target completely disappears from detection at a given angle, chances are that you are detecting oxidized ferrous metals, rather than a silver or copper object.
If the tone changes at different angles, you may have encountered multiple objects. If you are new to the hobby, you may want to dig all targets at first. With practice in the field, you will learn to better discern the nature of buried objects by the nature of the detector’s response.
You may encounter some false signals as you proceed. False signals occur when the detector beeps, but no metal target is present. False signals can be induced by electromagnetic interference, oxidation, or highly mineralized ground soils. If the detector beeps once, but does not repeat the signal with several additional sweeps over the same spot, there is probably no target present.
When searching very trashy ground, it is best to scan small areas with slow, short sweeps. You will be surprised just how much trash metal and foil you will find in some areas.
The trashiest areas have been frequented by the most people, and frequently hold the most promise for finding the most lost valuables.
Also maintain the searchcoil positioned just above the surface of the ground, without making contact with the ground. Making contact with the ground can cause false signals.

IN THE FIELD TECHNIQUES

PINPOINTING

Accurate pinpointing takes practice and is best accomplished by “X-ing” the target area.

1. Once a buried target is indicated by a good tone response, continue sweeping the coil over the target in a narrowing side-to-side pattern.
2. Take visual note of the place on the ground where the “beep” sounds.
3. Stop the coil directly over this spot on the ground.
4. Now move the coil straight forward and straight back towards you a couple of times.
5. Again make visual note of the spot on the ground at which the “beep” sounds.
6. If needed, “X” the target at different angles to “zero in” on the exact spot on the ground at which the “beep” sounds.

COIL MOVEMENT

When swinging the coil, be careful to keep it level with the ground about one inch from the surface. Never swing the coil like a pendulum.

Adjusting the Arm Rest

Most people will find the standard position of the arm rest very comfortable. Very large forearms and short forearms (particularly children’s arms), can be accommodated by moving the arm rest forward.

The arm rest is adjustable to three positions.

To adjust, remove the screw from the underside, then press the silver button and move the arm rest to one of the alternate positions. If you cannot fully depress the button with your finger, use a narrow object, such as the blunt end of a ballpoint pen. The arm rest must be twisted with moderate force to move it to an alternate position; this adjustment is usually made infrequently

If desired for added stability, re-install the screw. The screw is not re- installed in the furthest forward position.
If the button becomes disengaged inside of the tube, remove the plastic cap at the end of the tube to access the clip inside. With a pair of needle-nose pliers, reengage the button. Then replace the plastic cap.

BATTERIES

To install the batteries:

1. Remove the battery cover by disengaging the clip at the back.
2. Align the polarity of the batteries correctly, with the positive “+” toward the coil plug connection, as indicated by the + and – indicators on the housing.
3. Insert (2) 9-Volt ALKALINE batteries, with the contacts pointed inward, and press down on the back of the batteries to snap them into place. Some brands of batteries will require moderate force to clear the retaining tabs.
4. Replace the battery door. Most metal detector problems are due to improperly installed batteries, or the use of non-alkaline or discharged batteries. If the detector does not turn on, please check the batteries.

SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT

ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE
The principle use for the Sensitivity Control is to eliminate Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). A hobby metal detector is an extremely sensitive device; the searchcoil creates its own magnetic field and acts like an antenna. If your detector beeps erraticallywhen the searchcoil is motionless, the unit is probably detecting another electromagnetic field.

Common sources of EMI are electric power lines, both suspended and buried, motors, and household appliances like computers and microwave ovens. Some indoor electronic devices, such as dimmer switches used on household lighting, produce severe EMI and can cause the detector to beep erratically. Other metal detectors also produce their own electromagnetic fields; so if detecting with a friend, keep two metal detectors at least 20 feet apart.
If the detector beeps erratically, REDUCE THE SENSITIVITY by pressing the Sensitivity ▼ Pad on the left of the control panel.

SEVERE GROUND CONDITIONS
A secondary use for the Sensitivity Control is to reduce false detection signals caused by severe ground conditions. While your Discovery 2200 contains circuitry to eliminate the signals caused by most naturally occurring ground minerals, 100% of all ground conditions cannot be anticipated. Highly magnetic soils found in mountainous and goldprospecting locations can cause the detector to emit tones when metal objects are not present. High saline content soils and sands can sometimes cause the detector to false.
If the detector emits false, non-repeatable, signals, REDUCE THE ENSITIVITY.

MULTIPLE TARGETS
If you suspect the presence of deeper targets beneath a shallower target, reduce the sensitivity to eliminate the detection of the deeper targets, in order to properly locate and identify the shallower target.

DEPTH AND TARGET DISPLAY (motion modes only)

Please refer to the display on your detector and reference the TARGET I.D. categories below applicable to your model (not all detectors include all of these categories).

READING THE DISPLAY
The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) shows the PROBABLE identification of the targeted metal, as well as the PROBABLE depth of the target.
The detector will register a consistent target identification, upon each sweep of the coil, when a buried target has been located and identified. If, upon repeated passes over the same spot, the target identification reads inconsistently, the target is probably a trash item, or oxidized metal. With practice, you will learn to unearth only the repeatable signals.
The segment identifications are highly accurate, when detecting the objects described on the label. However, if an object registers in a given category for an unknown buried object, you could be detecting a metallic object other than the object  described on the label, but with the same metallic signature. Also, the greater the distance between the target and the coil, the less accurate the target identification.

GOLD TARGETS Gold objects will register towad the middle or left-of- center on the LCD scale. Gold flakes may register under iron. Small gold items may register under foil or 5¢. Large gold items will register toward the center of the scale.

SILVER TARGETS: Silver objects will register to the right of the scale, under dime or higher.

IRON: All sizes of iron objects will register on the far-left side of the scale. This could indicate a worthless item such as a nail, or a more valuable historic iron relic.

FOIL: Aluminum foil, such as a gum wrapper, will register as foil. A small broken piece of pull tab may also register here.

5¢: Most newer pull-tabs from beverage cans, the type intended to stay attached to the can, will register here. Many gold rings will also register here.

ALUM: Older pull tabs, which always detached completely from the can, register here. Many medium size gold ring alsoregister here.

PT(pull-tabs): Pull-tabs from older beverage cans will register here. Few newer pull-tabs will also register here. Many gold rings will also register here.

S-CAP: Older screw caps from glass bottles will register here. Large gold rings, like a class ring, could also register here. Some non-U.S. coins of recent vintage will also register here.

Zinc: Medium conductivity objects and many non-U.S. coins of recent vintage are classified here.
The Target Identification Categories to the right of the display, such as copper coins, 10¢, DIME, 25¢, Quarter, 50¢, $1 accurately identify these U.S. coins. When used in areas outside the U.S., these categories identify coins or metal objects of high relative conductivity (such as silver coins or relics), or large objects made of any type of metal.

Caution: The target indications are visual references. Many other types of metal can fall under any one of these categories. While the detector will eliminate or indicate the presence of most common trash items, it is impossible to accurately classify ALL buried objects.

DEPTH INDICATOR:
The Depth Indicator is accurate for coin-sized objects. It indicates the depth of the target, in inches. Large and irregularly-shaped objects will yield less reliable depth readings When passing over an object, the depth indicator will light up and stay illuminated until another object is scanned. Repeated indication at the same depth level indicates an accurate target detector. If the depth indication varies with each sweep, try sweeping at different angles; there may be more than one target present. With practice, you will learn the difference between accurate readings, multiple targets, and highly erratic readings which evidence trash or irregularly shaped objects.

QUICK-START DEMONSTRATION

1. Supplies Needed

   • A Nail • A Quarter
   • A Pull-Tab from a beverage can
   • A Zinc Penny (dated after 1982)

2. Position the Detector
   
   a. Place the detector on a table, with the searchcoil hanging over the edge. (or better, have a friend hold the detector, with the coil off the ground)
   b. Keep the searchcoil away from walls, floors, and metal objects.
   c. Remove watches, rings and other jewelry or metal objects from hands and wrists.
   d. Turn off appliances or lights that cause electromagnetic interference.
   e. Pivot the searchcoil back toward the detector body.

3. Power Up
   
   Press the POWER touchpad.

4. Wave each Object over the Searchcoil
   a. Notice a different tone for each object.
   Bass Tone: Nail
   Low Tone: Pull-Tab
   Medium Tone: Zinc Penny
   High Tone: Quarter
   b. Motion is required. Objects must be in motion over the searchcoil to be detected.

5. Press the DISC A-M touchpad
   
   The detector will beep twice and an “R” will appear under the iron indicator.
   QUICK-START DEMONSTRATION

6. Wave the Nail over the Searchcoil
   a. The Nail will not be detected.
   b. The Nail has been “Discriminated Out.”

7. Press the “DISCRIMINATION-▲” touchpad twice.
   
   Three “R”s are now displayed.

8. Wave all objects over the Searchcoil
   The Nail and Pull-Tab will not be detected. The other objects will be detected with their own distinctive tones.

9. Press the NOTCH touchpad.
   A flashing “R” will appear under the 5¢/PT segment.

10. Press the DISCRIMINATION ▲
    touchpad three times. The flashing “R” will move to the ZINC segment.

11. Press the NOTCH touchpad again.
    The “R” will appear under zinc.

12. Wave the zinc penny over the searchcoil.
    The penny is discriminated out.

13. Press the DISC A-M touchpad
    The detector returns to ALL-METAL mode. No “R”s are displayed. All types of metals will be detected.

14. Wave the pull-tab over the coil.

15. Press the ZAP touchpad.
    An “R” will appear.

16. Wave the pull-tab over the searchcoil again.
    The pull-tab (the most recently detected item) is eliminated from detection.

AUDIO TARGET IDENTIFICATION (motion modes only)

While the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is very accurate in identifying buried objects, the user in the field does not always maintain the display screen in his field of vision. Therefore, we have incorporated an audio feedback mechanism to alert the user to the nature of buried objects. This audio feedback system first alerts the user to the presence and classification of objects, whose nature and location can be confirmed using the LCD display.
The detector can sound four different tones, depending on the object detected.

BASS TONE
Ferrous objects, such as iron and steel, will induce a bass tone. The smallest gold objects can also induce a bass tone.

LOW TONE
Pull-Tabs, nickels & smaller gold

MEDIUM TONE
Newer pennies (post-1982), larger gold objects, zinc, small brass objects, and most bottle screw caps will induce medium tones. Many recent vintage foreign currencies will induce medium tones.

HIGH TONE
Silver and copper coins, larger brass objects, older pennies (pre1982), and highly oxidized metals will induce high tones. Quarters, dimes and other precious coins fall into this category.

BASS TONE

Nails, Iron Objects, & Smallest Gold Objects

LOW TONE

Pull Tabs, Nickels, & Smaller Gold

MEDIUM TONE

Zinc Pennies (Post 1982), Larger Gold Objects, Many screw caps

HIGH TONE

Copper, Silver & Brass Copper Pennies (Pre 1982)

BASIC OPERATION

ZAP
The ZAP control is a convenient way to eliminate a known undesirable
metal object from detection.

To demonstrate the ZAP control:

1. Set the detector in All-Metal Mode
   Note: ZAP functions in all modes, but is best demonstrated first from the All-Metal Mode.

2. Pass the searchcoil over an undesirable object.

3. Notice the Target Indication Note: You can only ZAP objects that register under the five left-most segments (from Iron to Zinc).

4. Press ZAP. An “R” appears under the segment to be eliminated.

5. Pass the searchcoil over the same object again. The undesirable object is eliminated from detection

The ZAP control is easy to use in the field. As you are detecting, and encounter an object which you wish to eliminate from detection, simply press the ZAP touch pad after detecting the object.
The ZAP control eliminates the most-recently detected object category from detection. The category eliminated is indicated with an “R”.

HEADPHONE JACK
Using headphones (not included) with your metal detector makes it easier to identify subtle changes in the threshold levels for better detection results, and also reduces drain on the batteries. The Discovery 2200 Metal Detector has a stereo headphone jack located at the rear of the case. This device is to be used with interconnecting cables/headphone cables shorter than three meters.

BASIC OPERATION

POWERING UP

Press the POWER touch pad.

• The detector will beep 4 times
• All display segments will illuminate momentarily
• The SENSITIVITY (left) and BATTERY (right) indicators will stay illuminated

SENSITIVITY
The detector’s default sensitivity will be indicated with two segments. At this setting, the detector will detect a coin-sized object, such as a quarter, buried approximately seven inches deep. To change the sensitivity level, and thus the detection depth, press the SENSITIVITY ▲ or ▼ keys.

CAUTION:
At higher sensitivity levels, the detector is susceptible to electromagnetic interference from electronic devices. Reduce sensitivity if demonstrating indoors or if using near power lines or electrical equipment. Reduce sensitivity if detector emits false signals

DEFAULT OPERATION
The detector defaults to ALL METAL mode after powering on. In this mode, all types of metals will be detected. An object’s probable identification is indicated by the arrows at the top of the display. In addition, the probable depth of coin-sized objects is indicated by the large numeric indicator in the center of the display. All detected objects will cause the depth indicator to illuminate. The depth indication is not accurate for larger objects; however, it will provide accurate relative depth indications. The greater the distance an object is from the searchcoil, the greater its depth value.

DISC/ A-M Touch Pad
Pressing this touch pad will cause the detector to toggle between two operating modes, DISCRIMINATION and ALL-METAL. If the detector is in the ALL- METAL mode (the default mode), pressing the touch pad will change the detector into DISCRIMINATION mode. If the detector is in the DISCRIMINATION mode, pressing the touch pad will change the detector into ALL-METAL mode.

DISCRIMINATION MODE
Discrimination is used to eliminate unwanted objects from detection. To enter this mode, from ALL-METAL mode, press the DISC/A-M touch pad. After pressing DISC/A-M, the detector will:

• Beep twice
• Display an “R” under the left-most segment, Iron
  Ferrous objects will not be detected in DISCRIMINATION mode. Heavily oxidized ferrous objects will sometimes, however, be detected, usually with a high tone and an indication to the right of the target identification scale.

To increase the level of discrimination, press the DISCRIMINATION ▲ touch pad. Each time the ▲ pad is depressed, an additional “R” will appear, thus eliminating from detection the objects which fall into the corresponding categories.
To decrease the level of discrimination, press the DISCRIMINATION ▼ touch pad. Each time the ▼ pad is depressed, an illuminated “R” will disappear, thus returning to detection the objects which fall into the corresponding categories.
Discrimination Mode is a fixed-start-point elimination system. Objects are cumulatively eliminated as the level of discrimination increases.

NOTCH MODE
To selectively eliminate a category from detection within the metallic spectrum, use the NOTCH Mode.

Technical Note:
The NOTCH touch pad causes the status of an “R” segment to toggle between ON and OFF.

To use the NOTCH Mode:
The NOTCH touch pad can be depressed at any time. But for first-time use, place the detector in ALL-METAL mode.

A first demonstration is best accomplished as follows:

1. Turn the power OFF.
2. Turn the power ON.
3. Press NOTCH. A flashing “R” will appear under the IRON segment.
4. Press the DISCRIMINATION ▲ touch pad several times Notice that the “R” moves upon each press of the DISCRIMINATION ▲ touch pad.
5. Press NOTCH again.
   The flashing “R” will become permanently illuminated.

If an object has been “notched-out”, you can return it to detection status. To “un-notch” a category:

1. Press NOTCH.
2. Move the flashing “R” over the permanently illuminated “R”.
3. Press NOTCH again.

References

• BHPL – First Texas Products

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