Minelab E-Trac User Manual

28
29
A Simple Detecting ExerciseDetecting Basics
Sweeping the Coil
You will obtain the best performance
when the coil is swept close and parallel
to the ground at all times. This will increase
detection depth and improve the response to
small objects. Avoid excessive brushing of the
coil on the ground. Though the coil assembly
is rigid and durable, sudden jolts or bangs
can cause random signals and inaccurate
target IDs. Careful sweeping will ensure the
coil performs to an optimum level at all times.
Targets
Metal objects are referred to as targets.
Targets are comprised of ferrous and
nonferrous metals. Ferrous metals are those
containing iron; such as steel, nails and some
types of coins.
Nonferrous metals are those which are not
magnetic, such as gold, silver, copper, bronze
and aluminium.
You may wish to find a range of both ferrous
and nonferrous targets.
Examples of common targets:
Desired high ferrous target – war relic
Undesired high ferrous target – iron nail
Desired nonferrous target – gold coin
Undesired nonferrous target – pull-tab
Practise sweeping the coil over the ground
in a side-to-side motion while slowly walking
forward at the end of each sweep. Slightly
overlap the previous sweep to ensure full
ground coverage. An average sweep speed is
four seconds from left to right to left.
Before attempting to recover real targets, it is
important to understand how to interpret the
audio and visual signals of the detector.
Gather a collection of different metal objects,
e.g. various coins, gold and silver jewellery, a
nail, pull-tab, brass button and aluminium foil.
Take the detector outdoors, away from known
sources of EMI and metal objects.
Lay objects in a line, sufficiently spaced apart
to allow the coil to pass between them, as
shown below.
Detector Sounds
Turn the detector On.
The constant background ‘hum’ produced
by the detector is called the Threshold (pp.
58–9). Variations in the Threshold allow you
to hear very small and deep targets. It is also
used to help distinguish between desired and
undesired targets.
The detector may also produce False Signals
(Noise) when not over the ground or with the
coil held motionless. These may not be target
signals, but surrounding electromagnetic
interference (EMI). You can minimise these
False Signals by performing a Noise Cancel
(p. 31), or by reducing the Sensitivity (pp.
54–6) of the detector. It is generally better to
try to reduce False Signals by adjusting Noise
Cancel before resorting to reducing
the Sensitivity.
Sweep the coil across the targets one at
a time. Observe the LCD and listen to the
sounds of the detector as it passes over
each object. Although the LCD will give you
detailed information about the target ID, it is
important to pay attention to the difference
in audio response between each of
the objects.
Note: If you are getting signals from a
visibly clear patch of ground, there could be
buried metal objects. Try finding another
area to practise.
CAUTION: Incorrect coil sweeping can
generate false signals or miss targets.
Nail Pull-Tab Foil Coins Jewellery

Minelab E-Trac Specifications

General

Transmission Technology	Full Band Spectrum (FBS) Multifrequency Technology
Microprocessor	32bit, 48MHz microprocessor – fast and powerful
Coil	Ultra-lightweight 11” Double D (DD) waterproof coil
Connectivity	USB connector for communication with Personal Computer
Software	Intuitive User Interface; Fast Target processing; Multi-language functionality
QuickMask™	Fast and Easy adjustment of Ferrous and Conductivity Discrimination
User Modes	4 Minelab Modes and 4 My Modes
Depth Gauge	Accurate Gauge active in Normal detecting and Pinpoint mode
Pinpoint	Non-motion with modulated audio and visual Crosshair on LCD, 2 Modes – Normal and Sizing
Discrimination	2 Dimensional Smartfind™ Discrimination
Target Identification	2 Dimensional Smartfind™ Size / Conductivity and Ferrous characteristics Conductivity 1-50, Ferrous 1-35
Sensitivity Adjustment	Fully Automatic; adjustable to be more aggressive or conservative, Manual Setting 1-30
Sensitivity Gauge	Auto Level, Manual Level, Suggested Level
Threshold	Fine adjustment level from 1-50
Recovery Speed	Selectable Fast & Deep
Trash Density	Low for areas with isolated targets or High, for areas with more trash
Noise Cancel	Automatic & Manual selection of 11 channels
Audio Response	4 Settings: Normal, Long, Smooth, Pitch Hold
Tone ID Number of Tones	1, 2, 4 and Multi-tone; customizable for Conductivity or Ferrous response
Tone ID Variability	30 adjustable steps for better Target Identification
Headphone	Input ¼” 100Ω Stereo Jack
Ground Balance Modes	Auto Ground Compensation - Advanced Digital Filtering
Ground Settings	Neutral for most ground conditions, Difficult for more mineralized soils
Batteries	1600 mAh NiMH or Alkaline batteries
Low Battery Audio Alarm	Audio and visual indication
Visual Display	Large 3.4” (8.65cm) greyscale LCD panel with Contrast adjustment and Backlight
Patents	US 4890064; US 5537041; US 5506506