velleman CS990XD Professional Metal Detector User Manual
- June 12, 2024
- Velleman
Table of Contents
velleman CS990XD Professional Metal Detector User Manual
CS990XD – PROFESSIONAL METAL DETECTOR
Introduction
To all residents of the European Union
Important environmental information about this product
This symbol on the device or the package indicates that disposal of the device
after its lifecycle could harm the environment. Do not dispose of the unit (or
batteries) as unsorted municipal waste; it should be taken to a specialized
company for recycling. This device should be returned to your distributor or
to a local recycling service.
Respect the local environmental rules.
If in doubt, contact your local waste disposal authorities.
Thank you for choosing Velleman! Please read the manual thoroughly before bringing this device into service. If the device was damaged in transit, do not install or use it and contact your dealer.
C.SCOPE® detectors are recognised as the finest detectors available. They are
designed with lasting quality, high technology, and above all, value for
money. The only way to realise this value is to carefully study and understand
the instruction manual. You will then be able to obtain all the advantages
designed into your detector. It is also strongly
recommended that you experiment with the detector’s operation in air using
various test samples, in order to learn to identify and understand the
detector’s capabilities and responses. Always remember that becoming a good
metal detectorist is like becoming a good photographer of fisherman, that is,
although it is an advantage to buy the best equipment, having bought it,
patience and hours of practice are needed to become proficient.
Description
Assembly
Insert the lower stem into the upper stem. Tuck the cable into the cable slots in the lower stem to prevent it trailing over the search head. Rotate the lower stem to wrap the cable around the stems and take up any slack and twist the stem lock to hold the lower stem in position.
Batteries
H. charger socket
I. headphones socket
J. battery compartment
The CS990XD is powered by eight AA batteries (not supplied). It is advisable to use standard alkaline batteries to start with. You can then evaluate the sort of use you give the detector and decide whether the investment in rechargeable batteries is justified.
The batteries should be fitted in the holder which is located in the battery compartment. To fit new batteries first check if the power switch on the unit is switched off. Then loosen the two captive screws located in the battery cover (do not fully remove these from the cover) and remove the cover. Inside is the battery holder. Lift out the battery holder and detach the plug on the connector. Load the holder with eight batteries ensuring that each battery is inserted the correct way round (direction of the batteries alternating as shown on the holder). Roll each individual battery to ensure it is located correctly and making proper contact. Replace the connector making sure that it is well-seated, and put the loaded holder in the housing. Fit the cover and tighten the two captive screws finger tight.
Note: Zinc-carbon batteries should not be left in the detector for long periods where they could leak. Remember to remove them at the end of the day’s searching.
How It Works
Inside the CS990XD are two separate detectors operating simultaneously. An “inland” detector which is factory set to ignore mineralised inland ground and gives a positive response to all metals, and a “beach/disc” detector operating at the (adjustable) wet salt sand exclude level, which gives a negative response to iron. By using the switches on the front of the CS990XD to combine the signals from the above two detectors, it is possible for the operator to detect all targets whilst eliminating the effects of the ground, and at the same time distinguishing between the good and the reject targets.
Detection is indicated by the loudspeaker sounding off (the loudspeaker is located in the rear of the battery compartment), and by the moving meter needle (in the facia panel).
The Controls and What They Do
K. signal meter
L. on/off switch and tune control
M. level control and battery check
P. disc mode switch
N. ground exclusion switch
O. retune push button
P. disc mode switch
♦ On/Off Switch and Tune Control
This control is a combined on/off switch and rotary tune control. Fully anticlockwise to the clicked position is power off.
To turn the detector on, rotate the control clockwise from its indented off position. To tune the detector, adjust the control to give the preferred level of audio (from the internal loudspeaker or headphones). For best performance, the audio should be adjusted to threshold, when the sound is just beginning to break through, since this is when the ear is most sensitive to small changes, and it is important to maintain this threshold when searching to achieve the maximum depth.
The meter gives a visual indication of the audio level (unless battery check or meter disc is selected) and will read midscale when tuned at threshold.
The tune control is used in conjunction with the retune button which should be depressed when making adjustments to the controls.
♦ Retune Push Button
Should the audio level change during searching other than resulting from a target, such as from drift occurring from warming up, press (and release) the retune button to recover the threshold sound as set on the tune control. The retune button should also be held down when making adjustments to any of the detector’s controls.
♦ Ground Exclusion Switch and Disc Mode Switch
Firstly, what is ground exclusion?
On some sites mineralization caused by iron oxides makes it difficult to
operate a detector successfully. The effect of these minerals is termed ground
effect. In practice, if the detector is not correctly adjusted, the signal
alters if the search head is not swept at a constant height above the ground.
However, by operating the detector at the correct exclude point this ground
signal can be eliminated. The elimination of this signal is known as ground
effect exclusion or simply ground exclusion. When operated at the inland
ground exclude point, all metals give a positive response so this is sometimes
called all-metal mode.
What is discrimination (disc)?
Like mineralised ground, metals and wet salt sand too, have a characteristic
exclude point. By operating the detector at the beach exclude point, iron and
small ferrous items produce a negative response, but valuable targets still
produce a positive signal. By operating at a higher exclude point, still small
pieces of silver (aluminium) paper will also produce a negative (reject)
signal.
♦ Level Control
The discrimination level of the beach/disc detector in the CS990XD is centred at about that of wet salt sand but can be varied from iron reject through aluminium foil reject by adjusting the level control. (The level control also adjusts the exclude point of the meter disc and meter + audio disc.)
♦ Inland and Disc Mode Switch
With inland selected the CS990XD operates at a fixed level of ground
discrimination. This inland ground exclude point is
factory set on the CS990XD. All metal targets will produce an increase in
audio volume in this mode regardless of the level
control setting. The beach/disc detector remains operating and can be selected
to drive the meter or control the audio pitch
by selection on the disc mode switch. The level of discrimination of the
beach/disc detector can be adjusted by the level
control.
The inland mode is used on mineralized inland sites and can be used in conjunction with any one of the disc modes described below.
By selecting the meter disc mode the meter needle moves to the right for good targets and to the left for reject targets.
By selecting the meter + audio disc mode the meter moves to the right for good targets and to the left for reject targets and the audio pitch increases for good targets and decreases for reject targets.
By selecting none the meter needle moves to the right for all targets and the pitch remains constant.
♦ Beach and Disc Mode Switch and Level Control
Due to the varying nature of beach soils (the salinity and wetness) the CS990XD is equipped with an adjustable level of ground exclude in beach mode. It is the mode best suited to beach detecting where fine adjustment of the level control is required to exclude wet sand.
By selecting the meter disc mode the meter needle moves to the right for good targets and to the left for reject targets.
By selecting none the meter needle moves to the right for good targets and to the left for reject targets (same as meter disc since it is ion beach mode).
Selecting meter + audio disc gives a pitch increase to good targets, reject targets are ignored.
The inland detector plays no part when beach mode is selected and is switched off.
Only use the beach mode on the beach or at inland sites where there is no mineralisation and where you do not wish the detector to sound off over iron.
It should be apparent from the above that the level control acts primarily as ground exclude control in beach mode, and secondly varies the discrimination point when operating in meter disc or meter + audio disc mode.
♦ Battery Check
A battery condition indicator is provided on the detector. To do this for the first time prior to reading the remainder of the operating instructions proceed as follows: turn the power on/off, tune control on. Turn the level control fully anticlockwise to the battery check position. The meter will indicate in the green battery symbol area if the batteries are good. Rechargeable batteries will not read as high into the green as standard batteries even when fully charged. They also give less indication of discharge in the meter during use. Remember to switch out the battery check function when you have checked the batteries.
General Hints
♦ Detection Range
Your CS990XD is a top performance detector but adverse soil conditions can significantly reduce the depth of detection. Detection ranges will vary depending on the size of the object, the length of time an object has been buried, and the type of ground the object is buried in.
The best ground conditions are well compacted soils and coins can be found at the greatest depth if the object has been buried for some time and the coin has interacted with the salts in the ground, thereby appearing larger to the detector. Worst conditions for detecting are on loosely compacted or freshly dug ground or when the object has only recently been buried. In these conditions detection range will be reduced. Ninety percent of all artefacts are found within 15cm of the surface.
♦ Anomalies
Iron, unlike a coin, occurs in a multitude of shapes and sizes and as result it is possible that large pieces of iron may give a positive reading. Confusing signals can occur in the first few centimetres below the search head, and are typically characterised by a double signal from the same object, usually iron, which often ranges from a strong positive to a strong negative signal. To overcome these problems simply raise the search head, retuning if necessary, and rescan until a clear signal of rejection or acceptance is obtained.
♦ Headphones
Use stereo headphones or mono but not stereo switched to mono. Use of headphones is recommended as it eliminates extraneous noises and will extend battery life. Insertion of headphones automatically mutes the loudspeaker. The 6.35mm (¼”) headphones socket is located on the front of the battery compartment.
The Importance of the Right Approach
Treasure hunting can be a profitable and rewarding hobby, if approached in a patient and diligent manner. Time spent researching to locate a worthwhile site for a search can be time-wasting if your search is hasty and erratic. To achieve maximum results is important to decide on your approach to any particular site in advance of the actual search.
Tactics will be decided by the type of the site – it is more profitable to scan a small area thoroughly than to conduct a haphazard search of the total site. However, when the site is too far away for you to make several return visits, a plan should be adopted which gives maximum coverage, at the same time as indicating the most likely area for detailed search.
Your detector alone is not a guarantee of successful treasure hunting. Any detector needs an operator and for the best results the operator needs the right approach, attitude and technique. Many a beginner neglects the importance for pre- planning and research before using his detector in the field, and patience and technique during the actual search.
A successful search should begin with research some time before the day of the actual search. The extent and thoroughness of your research will be one of the major factors in the success of your detecting. You should aim to get as complete an understanding as possible of the local history and geography.
The key of the choice of site is to think of people. Where have people congregated over the past few hundred years? What were their customs and pursuits? Where did they spend money? Where did they carry money? The answers are not Roman sites, nor are they associated with mystical treasure stories of crocks of gold. Rather, they are assuming places like footpaths and ancient rights-of-way, old houses and so on.
When you have chosen your site, allocate a whole day from early in the morning to early evening for the search. Make sure you have all the equipment you are likely to need. Your detector should be checked before starting out, and you should always carry a spare set of batteries. You will also need a strong, sharp trowel. It is also a good idea to have a set of lines and pins so that you can lay out your search area scientifically.
Most beginners make the mistake of rushing about hoping to chance upon a rare find. If, for example, there happened to be a valuable ring that was buried 10cm deep on the site you were searching, if you rushed about haphazardly and quickly on the site, the odds would be very much against you finding it. On the other hand, if you pegged out the area scientifically and searched slowly and thoroughly, the odds of finding the ring would be very much in your favour.
Remember, BE PATIENT and WORK SLOWLY. Do not try to cover too large an area, restrict yourself to a small area and work through it thoroughly. Make a note of the position and the extent of the area, and the when you return you can start again further on without missing any ground or covering the same area twice.
It is also important to keep the detector as close to the ground as possible. Ideally, you should “iron” the ground with the search head of the detector, so that you do not lose any detection range. Similarly, if you work slowly and carefully you should be able to distinguish the faint signals as well as the clear-cut signals and further increase your finds.
The technique of getting the best out of your detector is not learnt overnight. You need to get as much experience as possible so that you can recognise every kind of signal. Indeed, a good detector operator can often tell you what is being detected before it is unearthed.
Search head position:
It is essential that the search head is kept as close and parallel to the ground as in B. Do not hold the search head too high above the ground, or at an angle as in A, C and D as you may miss out on finds.
Code of Conduct
- Do not trespass. Ask permission before venturing on to any private land.
- Respect the Country Code. Do not leave gates open when crossing the fields, and do not damage crops or frighten animals.
- Do not leave a mess. It is simple to extract a coin or other small objects buried a few inches under the ground without digging a great hole. Use a sharpened trowel or knife to cut a neat circle or triangle (do not remove the plug of earth entirely from the ground): extract the object, replace the soil and grass carefully and evenly.
- Help to keep your country tidy. Bottle tops, silver paper and tin cans are the last thing you should throw away. You could well be digging them up again next year. Do yourself and the community a favour by taking the rusty iron and junk you find to the nearest litter bin.
- If you discover any live ammunition or any lethal objects such as an unexploded bomb or mine, do not touch it. Mark the site carefully and report the find to the local police.
- Report any unusual historical finds to the landowner.
- Familiarise yourself with the law relating to the archaeological sites. Remember it is illegal for anyone to use a metal detector on a scheduled ancient monument unless permission has been obtained from the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monument Commission for England or the Secretary of State for the Environment in Scotland and Wales.
- Remember that when you are out with your metal detector, you are an ambassador for your hobby. Do nothing that may give it a bad name.
- The law relating to treasure finds must be followed. Contact the authorities and inform yourself.
Care for Your Detector
When not in use your detector should be stored in a dry and warm environment. If it is not to be used for a certain length of time it is advisable to remove the batteries to avoid leakage which could cause serious damage. The working life of your detector will be shortened by careless use or neglect of the unit. Think of your detector as a scientific instrument. Your detector is designed to withstand rugged handling on any terrain, but misuse or lack of due attention will tell in the end. After using your detector in a hostile environment (salt water, sand, etc.) the exterior parts should be rinsed with clean fresh water, paying particular attention to the head and stems, then carefully wipe dry.
Troubleshooting
Use this device with original accessories only. Velleman nv cannot be held responsible in the event of damage or injury resulted from (incorrect) use of this device.
For more info concerning this product, please visit our website
www.velleman.eu.
The information in this manual is subject to change without prior notice.