Metal Detector
DMPE
Instruction Manual
DMPE=PROSPECTOR 100
INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to metal detecting the PROSPECTOR 100 way. You now own one of the most sensitive metal detectors in its class.
The PROSPECTOR 100:
Take a few moments to read this manual so that you will obtain the best possible results from your new metal detector.
MAIN PARTS:
The PROSPECTOR 100 consists of four main parts that are shown on the facing page. The CONTROL BOX is the main body of the metal detector. Its controls adjust the Sensitivity and Discrimination of the metal detector, the Volume, or loudness of the speaker, the Foam Handgrip. The Reset Button, The VU Meter and the LED Meter Display and its Sun Shade. Each of these parts and their functions will be discussed in this manual.
- easily detects objects made of ail metals.
- can be used to hunt for coins, jewelry, historic relics and gold.
- discriminates (tells the difference) between small iron and steel (ferrous metals) and all others (non-ferrous metals).
- displays results on a VU meter and an LED display.
- uses three audible tones to indicate signal strength.
- features a Ground Cancellation circuit that ignores traces of minerals in the ground.
- has a Reset Button that instantly returns all settings to user adjusted levels
ASSEMBLY:
Assembly of the MQP PROSPECTOR Metal Detector is easy and requires only a Phillips (+) head screwdriver.
1. Remove the two attachment bolts on the control box attachment bracket. (see Figure 4)
2. Loosen the clamping bolt. (see Figure 4).
3. Slide the upper stem into the control box attachment bracket and align the holes. (see Figure 4A)
4. Re-install the attachment bolts and tighten them and the clamping boit. (see Figure 4B)
5. Loosen the stem length adjustment lock and slide the lower stem into the upper stem. (see Figure 4C)
6. Wind the signal wire around the stem five or six times. Leave the wire slack. Do not twist it too tightly around the stem. (see Figure 4D)
7. Remove one of the knurled plastic knobs from the search coil attachment boit by turning it counterclockwise. This bolt is found fastened to the end of the lower
stem. (see Figure 4E)
8. Slide the plastic end of the lower stem into the search coil attachment bracket and align the holes. (see Figure 4F)
9. Slide the search coil attachment bolt through the hole and fasten the knurled plastic knob onto the threaded end. (see Figure 4F)
10. Extend the lower stem and tighten the stem length adjustment lock (Figure 1) when the unit
is held in a comfortable position and the search coil is 2 to 3 cm. (1 inch) off the ground.
BATTERY INSTALLATION:
The PROSPECTOR 100 uses four 9V batteries. Use fresh alkaline batteries. Do not use rechargeable batteries. There are two battery compartments. They are located underneath the control box. (see Figure 5)
1. Remove the small chrome Phillips head (+) screw from each battery compartment cover.
2. Insert two batteries into each compartment, ensuring that the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals are
correctly positioned in the small snap fit connectors. (see Figure 6)
3. Replace the battery compartment covers and re-insert the screws. Do not over tighten these screws.
NOTE: The PROSPECTOR 100 has been designed to operate at peak efficiency with four batteries installed. It will also operate with only two batteries installed in Battery Compartment A, however battery life will be greatly shortened.
The PROSPECTOR 100 has a battery test switch located underneath the control box and marked BATT. TEST/ OPERATE. (see Figure 7)
When set to the BATT. TEST position the needle on the VU meter will move into the solid red area to indicate the batteries are good. (see Figure 8) If the needle stays in the CHANGE BATTERY area you need to replace the batteries. (see Figure 8)
NOTE: Most metal detector problems are caused by weak, dead, or improperly installed batteries. If you experience any problem such as weak volume, tuning problems or erratic operation, please CHECK THE BATTERIES. Remember to always remove the batteries before prolonged storage.
OPERATION:
The PROSPECTOR 100 is a "no motion" type detector. This means that the search coil can either be still or moving to detect the presence of metal. Pinpointing of the target is easy with this system.
VU METER: The VU meter gives a visual indication when an object is detected with a needle movement to either the left for small ferrous (iron or steel) objects or the right for small objects made of non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, silver or gold and for larger objects made of any metal.
LED DISPLAY: The LED DISPLAY (see Figure 10) is fitted with a sun shade that makes it easier to see the display in bright light. When using the PROSPECTOR 100 you should set this sun shade in the up or open position. The LED DISPLAY will indicate the strength of the returned detection signal. A stronger signal will cause more of the green LEDs to light up, indicatiog either a small object that is very close or a larger object at a greater distance. The LEDs only light up when the needle on the VU meter moves to the right. (see Figure 10)
AUDIBLE TONES: Signal strength is also indicated with three audible tones when the VU meter needle moves to the right.. As signal strength increases the audible tones will advance from low to medium and finally to a high tone to indicate a strong signal. The loudness of the tones can be controlled with the VOLUME ADJUSTMENT.
GROUND CANCELLATION: This feature allows correct operation in areas where the soil contains heavy traces of mineralisation, which would otherwise cause false readings. The ground cancellation feature is automatically activated whenever the small RESET button is pressed. You should
also press and release the RESET button after any metal object has been detected. (see Figure 11)
EARPHONE JACK: The earphone jack is located on the underside the control box. Earphones are useful to mask interference from local noise, and allow you to hear faint signais from small or deep targets that might otherwise be missed. (see Figure 12)
SETTING THE DIALS:
1) Set the BATT. TEST / OPERATE switch under the control box to the OPERATE, position. Turn the VOLUME ADJUSTMENT control to ON and rotate the knob to the right. You will probably hear a tone. Hold the detector so that the search coil is up in the air and away from ail metal objects. Press and hold the RESET button.
2) While keeping the search coil up in the air turn the SENSITIVITY CONTROL points to the first'T' in the word SENSITIVITY. Now turn the DISCRIMINATION control slowly until the needle in the VU meter is pointing exactly to the middle position of the dial. Release the RESET button.
3) The minerai content of soil or sand will vary from area to area. Usually this variance in minerai content will cause a metal detector to give false signais as it is moved
about. This detector can be adjusted to the actual soil
condition while staying properly tuned. If you think you are experiencing false signais just press and release the RESET button to set the GROUND CANCELLATION circuits.
4) To increase the sensitivity depress the RESET button and turn the SENSITIVITY CONTROL clockwise. Then release the RESET button.
You are now ready to begin detecting.
METAL DETECTION:
When a metal object is detected the PROSPECTOR 100 will inform you in three different ways:
1) The VU Meter will move. If it moves to the left of center the unit has detected a small object made of iron or steel ( a ferrous object). If it moves to the right of center it indicates that the detector has found a small object made of some other metal (non-ferrrous), or a large object that could be made of any metal.
2) The LED Display will light up. As the signal gets stronger more LEDs light up. Note: With a small ferrous object the LEDs will not light up.
3) A low, middle or high pitched tone will sound. The higher tones indicate a stronger detection signal. Note: With the detection of a small ferrous object the tones will not sound.
NOTE: When we speak of a "small" object we are referring to something not much larger than a coin, a ring, or a key. This Ferrous-Non-Ferrous discrimination must be used with care. For example, if you are looking for a lost gold ring you
should investigate every signal return, even though the VU meter indicates a ferrous item. This is because small pieces of jewelry often mimic the signal from common objects such as bottle caps.
STANCE: Stand with your arm slightly extended in front of your body. Do not bend or stoop, but stand in an upright position that is comfortable. Hold the unit by the foam grip so that the search coil is about 2.5cm (1") above the ground. Adjust the search coil so that it is parallel to the ground. You will find that the "Perfect Balance" design of the PROSPECTOR 100 evenly distributes the unit's weight and greatly reduces fatigue and strain.
SWEEP: With the detector in the search position swing the search coil gently from side to side, slightly overlapping each sweep as you move forward. Raising the coil during the sweep or at the end of the sweep may cause false or missed readings. Move slowly. Hurrying will only cause you to miss targets. (see Figure 14)
Most favourable objects will respond with a good repeatable signal tone. False signals can be caused by black sand, areas full of trash, electrical interference, or by large irregular trash objects. These signals can be recognised by their
often broken or unrepeatable nature.
the coil in short quick sweeps closer to the ground.
IMPORTANT NOTE: After a metal object has been detected you should press the RESET button to reestablish the unit's detection settings.
Note: The detector is normally silent during operation until the search coil passes over a non-ferrous (not iron or steel) metallic object.
PINPOINTING: Accurate pinpointing takes practice and is best accomplished by "X-ing" the suspected target area.
1. Once a buried target is indicated by a good tone response, continue sweeping over the target in a narrowing side to side pattern. (see Figure 15)
The PROSPECTOR 100 is equipped with an Auto Target Identification (ATI) system that automatically classifies detected small metal objects into two categories, ferrous (iron and steel) and non-ferrous (all other metals).
WATER RESISTANCE: The PROSPECTOR 100's search coil is water resistant for use in shallow water or in wet and muddy areas. However the control box must be kept dry.
After use in salt water, rinse the search coil and stem in fresh water.
TIP: If your metal detector fails to operate, first check the batteries' strength and installation. You might also turn the power switch on and off a few times.
2. Take visual note of the place on the ground where the "beep" happens as the coil is slowly moved from side to side.
WHERE TO USE YOUR DETECTOR:
3. Stop the coil at this spot. Now move the coil straight for ward and straight back toward you a couple of times. Again, make a visual note of where the tone occurs.
Your PROSPECTOR 100 metal detector is a very versatile instrument. It can be used to search for lost coins, jewellery or other metal items. It is also useful for hunting historic relics.
REMEMBER: The detector will beep just as the center of the search coil passes over a small non ferrous buried target or over a larger target made of any metal. If you have difficulty pinpointing very strong signals try lifting the coil higher from the ground until a weaker, but more definite signal is heard. For very weak signals try moving
Hunting for lost coins is a common use for a metal detector. This hobby is often called "coin shooting." Lost coins can be found wherever people have lived, played or traveled.
Here are some places you might try searching:
- around old houses, especially near large trees where people may have sat to rest.
TIPS TO REMEMBER:
- playgrounds in parks or around schools.
- along the grassy areas next to sidewalks.
- under grandstands.
1) Always ask permission of the property owner before searching. Found objects are usually the property of the land owner unless you corne to a différent agreement. It is a good idea to check current local, provincial, state or federal laws.
- sites where annual fairs, carnivals or circuses set up.
- along beaches, or in grassy or sandy areas near swimming pools.
- deserted homes or settlements.
- local areas where historic events such as battles occurred, or where troops may have traveled or camped.
2) Metal detecting is usually forbidden at historic sites, national and provincial or state parks. Check before detecting.
3) Some municipalities may require you to obtain a metal detecting license and to display it while detecting. These are usually very inexpensive. Call your local town hall, city hall or municipal office.
4) Properly dispose of any trash you find when detecting. Do not leave it for other coin hunters to find.
- your own front and back yards.
5) When recovering lost items always make the smallest hole possible and return the ground surface appearance to the way it was before you started to dig.
6) Do not use a shovel to dig! Many coin hunters use a small garden trowel and a flat bladed screwdriver. Probe gently to locate your target item. A brass rod with a smooth tip is useful to probe for coins because it will not usually scratch them.
7) When searching in sand you will find it easier to use a scoop with small holes. You can make your own with a well-rinsed empty plastic bleach jug into which you have carefully drilled a series of 1/2" diameter holes. Use sharp scissors to cut off the bottom of the jug and shape the scoop.