subject: Metal Detector Tips [print this page] If you find you have purchased a used metal detector at a garage sale and the owner's manual is missing, don't worry. The majority of metal detectors have the same functions, and we'll be explaining all of that throughout this page. What's most important to start with is you know what the various knobs are used for, and how to use them so you are getting everything you want from your metal detector.
On and Off Volume
The most basic knob is the power switch. Many detectors feature an on-off knob that also controls the volume. Turning the knob clockwise will turn the detector on and increase the volume. As the knob is turned counter clockwise, the volume will decrease and then the detector will turn off.
The sensitivity knob will adjust how sensitive your machine is to picking up metal objects. When this knob is turned fully in the clockwise direction, the machine will search a deeper range and will pick up smaller objects. This is not always a good thing, however, as there are minerals in the ground that the machine can pick up and you will wind up digging for nothing.
The key is to adjust the detector to the point where it will be more stable, picking up treasures without detecting every metal. The key is understanding the environment you are searching in. When you are searching at a beach, the salt in the sand will have more minerals so the sensitivity level should be reduced. When you are searching on basic dirt the sensitivity should be increased. The main thing is to be will to try the machine at different levels. Starting with the setting at the middle point will be a great place to start.
Discrimination and Rejection
You may also see this referred to as DISC. This is the machine that will help you decide what metals you are searching for and would like to be notified of. You can specifically decide what metals you would like to be alerted of or, alternatively, what metals you would like the machine to completely ignore. Your machine may use numbers or it may actually name the different metals.
Don't be too quick to have aluminum or nickel items rejected. Keep in mind that aluminum or nickel is commonly mixed in with gold items and the machine may pick up these metals. Setting your machine on a "nickel" setting will help you find the valuable gold pieces while avoiding nails, bottlecaps and other pieces of junk. Increasing this setting can help you avoid the frustration of constantly digging for items that turn out to be nothing more than some body's discarded trash.
However, if you are searching and the machine is not picking up anything, then the discrimination setting might be set too high. Reduce the discrimination to find more items, and increase it if you are finding too much trash.
