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F19MD User Manual HTML Version

Users Manual

FOR COMPLETE DETAILS VISIT WWW.FISHERLAB.COM • 1-800-685-5050

ACCESSORIES

FOR COMPLETE DETAILS VISIT WWW.FISHERLAB.COM • 1-800-685-5050

Fisher

Padded Carry Bag

Rugged double stitched construction. Includes handy exterior

pocket for extra batteries or small accessories.

– 103693000C

Fisher

Camo Backpack

Large camouflage and black with

Fisher

logo. –

FCBACKPACK

Fisher

Camo Pouch

Camo pouch with two inside pockets, belt included. –

PCH-F

Fisher

Stereo Deluxe Headphones

Adjustable single-volume control, 1/4 jack” jack, aluminum cones and coiled cord. 9720971000

Stereo Headphones

Use with Fisher

metal detectors. Lightweight and adjustable with true stereo sound, adjustable

volume, 1/4 jack with 1/8 adaptor, 4’ cable.

– 9720950000

Metal Sand Scoop

Large galvanized metal scoop with filtering holes. Strong Rubberized grip.

– SAND SCOOP

Gold Pick

Tempered steel head is 10” long, edge is 3-1/4” wide, overall length 19”. Durable fiberglass

handle, rubberized grip and super magnet attached to the head.

– GOLDPICK

Lesche Knife

Made from high quality heat-treated tempered steel. The ultimate digging tool.

Comes with a durable sheath. 12" in length with a 7" serrated blade.

– LESCHE KNIFE

Fisher

Baseball Cap

One-size-fits-all. – FCAP

Fisher

Camo Baseball Cap

One-size-fits-all. Velcro closure, camouflage with Fisher

logo. – FCCAP

Fisher

Coffee Mug

16oz, stainless steel and plastic

– FMUG

Fisher

T-Shirt

100% cotton with Fisher

Logo. Sizes: S, M, LG, XL & XXL – FTSHIRT

Replacement/Accessory Searchcoils

11” DD Elliptical, Open Accessory Coil – 11COIL-GB

*10” DD Elliptical, Closed Accessory Coil – 10COILDD-FRL

5” DD Round, Closed Replacement Coil – 5COIL-GBUG

Coil Covers*

Specially made to protect your coil from abrasion and damage.

11” DD Coil Cover – COVER-11DD

10” Biaxial Accessory Coil Cover – 202319000

5” DD Coil Cover – 5COVER-BLK

Rain Cover

Specially designed to protect your detector from dirt and water

– RAINCOV-GB

Gold

Prospecting Kits

*Image not shown.

OWNER’S MANUAL

MF19 r ev 1 012915

Use 9-volt

ALKALINE batteries.

Do not use

“Heavy Duty” batteries.

Do not use

ordinary “Zinc Carbon” batteries.

F19-MANUAL-printer_F19 MANUAL-printer 1/29/15 3:16 PM Page 1

239

Published by Fisher Research Labs, Inc.

Fisher®is a registered trademark of Fisher Research Labs, Inc.

www.fisherlab.com

1465 Henry Brennan Dr., El Paso, TX 79936 • (915) 225-0333

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6

Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Quick-Start Demo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9

Headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Basics Of Metal Detecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11

Ground Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Trash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Identifying Buried Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Size and Depth of Buried Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

electromagnetic Interference (e MI)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Operation and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Control Knobs

Off / On / Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Disc / All Metal / Threshold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Touchpad Controls

Menu/

Ground Grab®(Computerized Ground Balancing)

. . . .14

+and - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Pinpoint

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Operating in All Metal Mode

Ground Grab

(Computerized Ground Balancing) . . . . . . . .15

Setting the Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Unwanted Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Sweeping the Searchcoil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

r eading the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Target Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Operating in Discrimination Mode

Ground Grab

(Computerized Ground Balancing) . . . . . . . .17

Setting the Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

MeNU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17-19

Unwanted Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Sweeping the Searchcoil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Using Pinpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

r eading the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-22

Ground Balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23-25

Ground Balancing Technical Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Target Display & Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Gold Prospecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

r elic Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Hot r ocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

electromagnetic Interference (e MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31-32

Search Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Target Pinpointing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Optional 5”DD Searchcoil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Device Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Treasure Hunter’s Code of ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover

F19-MANUAL-printer_F19 MANUAL-printer 1/29/15 3:16 PM Page 2

5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

FREE DETECTOR.

For details, visit www.fisherlab.com

The F19™ metal detector is warranted against defects in materials

and workmanship under normal use for 5 years from the date of

purchase to the original owner.

Damage due to neglect, accidental damage, or misuse of this

product is not covered under this Warranty. Decisions regarding

abuse or misuse of the detector are made solely at the discretion

of the manufacturer.

Proof of Purchase is required to make a claim under this

warranty.

Liability under this Warranty is limited to replacing or repairing, at

our option, the metal detector returned, shipping cost prepaid to

Fisher Labs. Shipping cost to Fisher Labs is the responsibility of the

consumer.

To return your detector for service, please first contact Fisher Labs

for a r eturn Authorization (r A) Number. r eference the r A

number on your package and return the detector within 15 days of

calling to:

Fisher Research Labs, Inc.

1465 Henry Brennan Dr.

El Paso, TX 79936

Phone: 915-225-0333 ext.118

NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE THE U.S.A.

This Warranty may vary in other countries; check with your distributor

for details.

Warranty does not cover shipping costs.

Warranty coverage does not include the cost of transporting

the detector back to an owner who is located outside of the

United States of America.

F19-MANUAL-printer_F19 MANUAL-printer 1/29/15 3:16 PM Page 3

Introduction to the F19TM

The new F19™ is unique among relic hunting detectors for its versatile

function as an all-purpose treasure detector and also its high sensitivity to

small gold nuggets.

The controls, menu options and features are tailored to relic-hunting, including

a sophisticated ground balancing system, separate control over

signal gain and threshold and a unique discrimination control

system. These features also make for a great gold prospecting detector,

especially when the F19 is outfitted with the optional 5” DD

searchcoil. While the F19 makes for a highly competent coinshooting

detector, its user interface and features are not specifically

designed for this purpose. As a coin-shooter, you will notice that the

F19 exhibits slightly lower sensitivity to high-conductivity coins,

like a U.S. quarter; this is a result of its specialized design to

emphasize sensitivity to smaller, lower conductivity metals like relics and

gold nuggets.

The F19 is outfitted with a 10”DD closed elliptical searchcoil as standard

equipment since this searchcoil construction is best-suited to relic-hunting.

At the trashiest sites, you may find the smaller optional 5”DD searchcoil makes

pinpointing easier, is better suited to penetrate highly mineralized soils and

improves target separation.

Congratulations!

Congratulations on your purchase of the new F19™ metal detector. The F19™

has been custom designed to find the smallest targets, provide superior target

separation and features advanced discrimination control.

Whether you use your Detector in the backyard, at the shoreline, in the

mountains or fields afar, your investment will let you experience the excitement

of searching for yet to be discovered treasures and give you years of outdoor

enjoyment. Buried treasure can be as near as your own door step and stretch

from horizon to horizon. On your own or with friends, you’ll never run out of

places to use your F19.

This manual has been written to help you get optimal use of your detector, so we

hope you will read it thoroughly before your first outing and will also refer back to

this manual from time to time to reinforce features and methods as you become

more proficient in the field.

Happy Hunting from Fisher Research Labs!

TERMINOLOGY

The following terms are used throughout the manual, and are standard

terminology among detectorists.

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.

ELIMINATION

r eference to a metal being "eliminated" means that the detector will not

emit a tone, nor display a Target-ID, when a metal object passes through

the searchcoil'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.

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.

V.C.O.

Meaning “voltage controlled oscillator,” the v.C.O. audio method causes

both the audio pitch and the volume to rise as signal strength increases.

v.C.O. improves the user's ability to interpret a target's size and depth.

very weak signals (for small or very deeply buried objects) have the

faintest volume and the lowest pitch. Larger objects, and those closer to

the searchcoil, will induce a higher volume and higher pitch sound.

GROUND BALANCING

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. This detector incorporates proprietary circuitry to

eliminate false signals from many mineralized soils.

According to FCC part 15.21 Changes or Modifications made to this device not expressly approved by

the party responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate this equipment.

This device complies with FCC Part 15 Subpart B Section 15.109 Class B.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,

pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC r ules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection

against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can

radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,

may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that

interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful

interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off

and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following

measures:

-- r eorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

-- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

-- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is

connected.

-- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/Tv technician for help

This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt r SS standard(s). Operation is subject

to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must

accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

This radio transmitter 8188A-F19MD has been approved by Industry Canada to operate with the

antenna types listed below with the maximum permissible gain and required antenna impedance

for each antenna type indicated. Antenna types not included in this list, having a gain greater than

the maximum gain indicated for that type, are strictly prohibited for use with this device.

Antennas:

1. 5” DD Coil, Part Number 5COIL-GBUG

2. 10” DD Coil,Part Number 10COILDD-Fr L

3. 11” DD Coil, Part Number 11COIL-GBUG

Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio transmitter may only operate using an antenna of a

type and maximum (or lesser) gain approved for the transmitter by Industry Canada. To reduce

potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that

the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that necessary for successful

communication.

Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNr d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio

exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l’appareil ne

doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l’utilisateur de l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage

radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement.

Le présent émetteur radio 8188A-F19MD a été approuvé par Industrie Canada pour fonctionner

avec les types d’antenne énumérés ci-dessous et ayant un gain admissible maximal et l’impédance

requise pour chaque type d’antenne. Les types d’antenne non inclus dans cette liste, ou dont le

gain est supérieur au gain maximal indiqué, sont strictement interdits pour l’exploitation de

l’émetteur.

Conformément à la réglementation d’Industrie Canada, le présent émetteur radio peut fonctionner

avec une antenne d’un type et d’un gain maximal (ou inférieur) approuvé pour l’émetteur par

Industrie Canada. Dans le but de réduire les risques de brouillage radioélectrique à l’intention des

autres utilisateurs, il faut choisir le type d’antenne et son gain de sorte que la puissance isotrope

rayonnée équivalente (p.i.r.e.) ne dépasse pas l’intensité nécessaire à l’établissement d’une

communication satisfaisante.

F19-MANUAL-printer_F19 MANUAL-printer 1/29/15 3:16 PM Page 4

ASSEMBLY

Adjusting the Armrest

The armrest may be moved

forward or backward by removing

the single screw and nut, and then

repositioning the 2-piece armrest.

Users with shorter arms may find

the armrest more comfortable in

the forward position. In order to

move the armrest backward, the

plastic plug must be removed from

the aluminum tube.

Armrest Strap

Some users prefer to use the strap

when swinging the detector

vigorously, in order to hold the

detector securely against the arm.

The detector can always be used

without the strap, with no

compromise to detector balance

and stability under most conditions.

Hand-grip

Nut

Screw

Searchcoil

Cable

Plug

Searchcoil

S-Rod

Armrest

Arm Strap

Velcro

Strap

Middle

Stem

Velcro

Strap

Locking

Collar

Locking

Collar

1/4” Headphone Jack

VOLUME

V-BREAK

NOTCH WIDTH

DISCGND BAL

VOLUME

V-BREAK

NOTCH WIDTH

DISCGND BAL

DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS

Mechanical: S-rod with electronics housing on rod, 3-piece breakdown

construction, nonmetallic telescoping lower rod, adjustable position Armrest

Weight: 2 lbs. 12 oz. (1.25 kg) with battery installed

Standard searchcoil: 10 inch (25.4 cm) closed-frame elliptical biaxial,

waterproof

Batteries: Single 9 volt rectangular alkaline

Operating principle: v LF induction balance

Operating frequency: 19.2 kHz, crystal controlled

Reactive overload: 10,000 micro-cgs (with standard searchcoil)

Resistive overload: 1,200 micro-cgs (with standard searchcoil)

Ground balance range: From ferrite to salt water inclusive

Discrimination ground suppression: Combination of 2nd and 3rd

order methods

Target-ID ground suppression: 3rd order

Battery life: 15+ hours on good quality alkaline (less using backlight)

Operating temp range: 14 to 122 degrees F (-10 to +50 C)

Operating humidity range: 0 - 90% noncondensing

Immediately after powering on, your detector's unique 10-digit serial

number is displayed once on the LCD. Two digits are displayed at a

time; five 2-digit numbers are displayed in sequence. This 10-digit

serial number is the same serial number imprinted on the label inside

the battery compartment and on the box.

TREASURE HUNTER’S CODE OF ETHICS

• Always check Federal, State, County and local laws before searching.

• Respect private property and do not enter private property without the

owner’s permission.

• Take care to refill all holes and leave no damage.

• Remove and dispose of any and all trash and litter found.

• Appreciate and protect our inheritance of natural resources, wildlife and

private property.

• Act as an ambassador for the hobby; use thoughtfulness, consideration and

courtesy at all times.

• Never destroy historical or archaeological treasures.

• All treasure hunters may be judged by the example you set; always conduct

yourself with courtesy and consideration of others.

F19-MANUAL-printer_F19 MANUAL-printer 1/29/15 3:16 PM Page 5

F19-MANUAL-printer_F19 MANUAL-printer 1/29/15 3:16 PM Page 6

ASSEMBLY

Assembly is easy and

requires no tools.

●

1Position S-Rod upright.

●

2Rotate the

LOCKING COLLAR

fully in the

counterclockwise

direction.

●

3Insert your finger

inside the tube and

make sure the INTERNAL CAM LOCK is flush with the

inside of the tube.

●

Insert the MIDDLE STEM into the S-ROD,

with the SILVER BUTTON pointed upward

●

5Rotate the MIDDLE STEM until the SILVER BUTTON

snaps into the hole.

●

6Twist the LOCKING COLLAR fully in the clockwise direction

until it locks.

●

7Repeat this process on the LOWER STEM.

●

8Using the BOLT and KNURLED KNOB, attach the

SEARCHCOIL to the LOWER STEM.

●

Adjust the LOWER 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.

●

Wind the CABLE securely around the STEMS, leaving slack

at the bottom.

●

Connect CABLE PLUG to housing.

Do not twist the Cable or Plug. Turn Locking Ring only. Use

minimal finger pressure to start the threads. Do not cross-

thread. When the Locking Ring is fully engaged over the

threaded connector, give it a firm turn to make sure it is very

tight. When the Locking Ring is fully engaged over the

threaded connector, it may not cover all of the threads.

●

Tighten both LOCKING COLLARS.

S-ROD

LOCKING

COLLAR

INTERNAL

CAM LOCK

SILVE

R BUTTON

MIDDLE

STEM

S-ROD MIDDLE STEM

●

*Note: Very tall users can purchase the optional Extended

Lower Stem (TUBE5X), for extended reach.

Caution:

Forcing in MIDDLE STEM with CAM

LOCK raised may form a burr on

cam lock. If this happens, remove

burr with knife to allow insertion.

Locking

Collar

Locking

Collar

S-Rod Velcro

Strap

Velcro

Strap

Knurled

Knob

Hand-

grip

Searchcoil

Cable

Lower

Stem

Middle

Stem

Cable

Plug

Bolt

Searchcoil

S-ROD MIDDLE STEM

●

Relic-Hunting and Coin-Shooting

with the Optional 5” DD Searchcoil

While the F19™ is a high performance, specialized relic hunting metal detector,

it is also a good multi-purpose detector. With the purchase of a 5” DD searchcoil,

you can bring more precision to your coin-shooting and gold prospecting

searches.

The standard 10” elliptical F19™ searchcoil is engineered for target separation

and a wide sweep. This searchoil is ideal for searching field stubble and forest

debris often associated with relic hunting sites.

If you want a smaller sweep area, the 5” DD should be considered.

Advantages of the 5” DD searchcoil over the standard 10” searchcoil are:

1. More separation between adjacent buried targets.

Better at extremely trashy sites.

2. More sensitivity to the tiniest targets and gold pieces.

3. Fits into tight spaces.

For information about

the 5” DD searchcoil

(Part# 5COIL-GBUG,

MSRP=$159.99),

Please call

800-685-5050.

The Gold Bug Coil operates with the Fisher® F19

●

Secure cable with velcro straps as shown.

34 7

A 3-segment battery indicator at the top-left of the display indicates the

battery condition.

The detector requires a single 9-volt ALKALINE battery.

Do not use ordinary zinc carbon batteries.

Do not use “Heavy Duty” batteries.

Such low quality batteries may work in the detector but have a short life and

are prone to leakage.

r echargeable batteries can also be used.

If you wish to use rechargeable batteries, we recommend using a

Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable battery.

The battery compartment is located on the back side of the housing.

Slide the battery door to the side and remove it to expose the battery

compartment.

BATTERY LIFE

expect about 15 to 20 hours of life from a 9-volt alkaline battery, without use

of backlight.

Backlight increases power consumption and decreases battery life, with

significant power drain at maximum brightness.

r echargeable batteries can provide up to 8 hours of usage per charge.

SPEAKER VOLUME AND BATTERY CHARGE

You may notice the speaker volume drop when only one battery segment is

illuminated.

With one segment flashing, low speaker volume will be very apparent.

BATTERY INDICATOR

The 3-segment battery indicator has 4 stages of indication.

These indications are accurate for a 9-volt alkaline battery.

Segments Illuminated Battery Voltage

3 -segments more than 8.4 volts

2 -segments more than 7.5 volts

1 -segment more than 6.8 volts

1 -segment flashing less than 6.8 volts

After the 1st segment begins flashing, expect the detector to shut off within 10

minutes.

A rechargeable battery will usually illuminate two to three segments

throughout most of its useful charge. But as soon as it drains to the 1-segment

level, it will then lose its charge very rapidly.

BATTERY DISPOSAL & RECYCLING

Alkaline batteries may be disposed of in a normal waste receptacle or

recycled. Non-Alkaline batteries should be recycled. In the state of California

all battery types must be recycled. Please refer to local municipalities for

detailed disposal and recycling requirements.

BATTERIES

TARGET PINPOINTING

After you have identified a target using Discrimination Mode,

press-and-hold the PINPOINT button to identify the target’s exact

location. This technique can yield more information about the target’s

shape and size and also find its exact location to facilitate extraction.

Pinpoint as follows:

1. Position the searchcoil just barely off the ground, and to the side of

the target.

2. Now move the searchcoil slowly across the target; you can locate

it by the sound. The target is located directly under where the

sound is loudest.

Narrow It Down:

1. To narrow the response further, position the center of the searchcoil

near the center of the response pattern, but not directly over the

center.

2. r elease the PINPOINT button.

3. Press-and-hold PINPOINT button again.

4. r epeat this narrowing procedure to narrow the field of detection

further.

Note: Depth indication is less accurate

after narrowing.

SeAr CHCOIL Dr IFT

If you plan to use the

PINPOINT Mode for

continuous searching,

realize that drift will occur

over time, causing the

detector to gain or lose

sensitivity. Periodic retuning

of the detector is required to

minimize drift; release and

press PINPOINT again to

retune.

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833

SEARCH TECHNIQUES

Target Verification

After detecting a target, do the

following:

1. Walk around the target in a circle.

2. While circling the target, continue

sweeping the searchcoil across the

target.

3. Sweep once every 30° or 40° of

the circle.

If the tone does not change and

the Target-ID value is consistent as

you circle the target, you can be

highly confident of the target’s

identification.

If the tone or Target-ID changes

as you circle the target, you may

have multiple targets or an

irregularly shaped object.

If the tone completely

disappears at different angles, the

target may be trash or a low-value

metal.

If you are new to the hobby, dig all targets. With practice in the field, you

will soon be able to correlate audible and visual target feedback with

certain types of metal objects.

Pinpointing in Discrimination Mode:

1. Sweep over target in narrowing side-to-side pattern.

2. Take visual note of spot on ground where “beep” occurs.

3. Step 90° to the side of the target.

4. Sweep searchcoil over same area, at 90° to 1st sweep pattern.

5. This pinpoints the target location with an “X.”

SEARCHCOIL MOVEMENT

When swing ing the searchcoil,

be care ful to keep it level with the

ground about 1/2 inch from the sur -

face. Nev er swing the searchcoil

like a pen du lum.

Wr ONG

COr r eCT

I. Supplies Needed

• a Nail • a Zinc Penny (dated after 1982)

• a Nickel • a Quarter

II. 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

searchcoil off the ground.

b. Keep the searchcoil away from

walls, floors and metal objects.

c. r emove watches, rings and

jewelry.

d. Turn off fluorescent lights,

appliances and cell phones

whose electromagnetic emissions may

cause interference.

e. Pivot the searchcoil back.

III. Click on power with the left knob. Set the Gain at the 12:00

position for this demonstration.

IV. Click the right knob to the left to enter DISC setting.

V. Press until “v OLUMe” is highlighted on display.

a. Press or until number on display is 12.

b. Wave the nail over the searchcoil. Notice volume.

c. Wave a coin over the searchcoil. Notice louder volume.

d. enter the menu/volume control again.

Use and to change volume as you wave nail over

searchcoil. Notice the volume changing.

VI. a. Set volume at 20. Wave the nail over the searchcoil.

b. Press until DISC is highlighted on display.

c. Press repeatedly, while continuing to wave the nail.

The nail will be discriminated out. The Target-ID at which it is eliminated

depends on the size of the nail.

VII. Wave each object over the searchcoil.

Sweep coins flat and parallel to the searchcoil. This is how

you will usually find them buried.

a. Notice the 2-digit Target-IDs for each object.

b. Motion is required.

Objects must be in motion over the searchcoil to be

detected in this mode.

QUICK-START DEMONSTRATION

Quick-Start Demo continued on next page

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eMI is usually easier to control in the All Metals Mode than in the Discrimination

Mode.

On the F19™, setting the discrimination level between 20 and 30 will usually

reduce interference. In the Discrimination Mode, the detector may chatter if the

searchcoil is not in motion, but once you start sweeping it over the ground, the

signal from the ground will usually suppress the eMI chatter, except for an

occasional pop or click which will not sound like a real target.

If you are conducting an indoor demonstration, you may find that changing the

orientation of the searchcoil will reduce the pickup of eMI.

If you carry a cell phone or other high-tech electronic equipment while metal

detecting and you encounter eMI, try turning the device off and see if that solves

the problem. Turn such devices completely off, not just into standby mode.

When working near overhead power lines, you may get the best results right under

the power line and the worst results when standing at a 30° to 45° angle to the

power line.

Many sources of e MI are intermittent. You may find that an area which is difficult

to search at one time of day may be easier after 5 PM, or on weekends. Power

lines are usually quietest late at night, and on weekend mornings.

Small searchcoils usually pick up less eMI than larger searchcoils. On a site with

severe electrical interference, a small searchcoil is often a better choice than a

large one.

Distinguishing Electromagnetic Interference from other problems

eMI will often vary as you walk around from place to place, and it will also vary with

changes in the orientation of the searchcoil. This is almost never the case if there

is a functional problem with the metal detector itself.

The most common cause of a noisy metal detector, where the problem is not eMI,

is a defective searchcoil. If striking the searchcoil with your hand causes the noise

to start or stop, the problem could be a defective searchcoil. Also, a defective

searchcoil often causes noise of a more intermittent nature than electrical

interference.

The second most common cause is a loose searchcoil connector. The noise from

a loose connector will usually be very erratic or intermittent in nature. Try

unplugging the searchcoil and then reconnecting it to ensure the connector is firmly

installed.

If you use a searchcoil cover, dirt or water can accumulate inside it, and movement

of those materials can cause false signals while sweeping the searchcoil.

Searchcoil covers must be periodically removed and cleaned.

ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE (EMI)

IX. Click the MODE knob to the right.

The detector is now in the ALL MeTAL Mode

a. Keep GAIN set at the 12:00 position

b. r otate the THr eSHOLD knob slowly from the far counterclockwise

position to the full clockwise position.

Notice these attributes of the THr eSHOLD control, with no metal

over the searchcoil.

i. at low settings you will hear no sound

ii. at mid-scale, there will be a transition point from no sound to

a barely audible, choppy sound.

iii. at full scale you will hear a loud, constant tone. It may also have

an irregular or choppy sound, as a result of electromagnetic

interference emitted from other electrical devices.

USE WITH HEADPHONES (not included)

The F19™ is equipped with a 1/4” headphone jack. Any headphones with a 1/4”

stereo plug will work; headphones with a mono plug will not work. Using

headphones extends battery life, and also prevents the sounds from bothering

bystanders. It also allows you to hear subtle changes in the sound more clearly,

particularly if searching in a noisy location. If gold prospecting, gold nuggets are

often very small, so closely monitoring changes in sound using headphones will

improve your gold prospecting results. For safety reasons, do not use headphones

near traffic or where other dangers are present. This device is to be used with

interconnecting cables/headphone cables shorter than three meters (ten feet).

VIII. Press-and-hold and hold the nickel over the searchcoil

a. Notice that motion is not required.

A motionless object induces a hum.

b. Notice the variable pitch & volume hum.

c. Move the nickel closer to and farther away from the searchcoil.

Notice the changing “depth” values.

QUICK-START DEMONSTRATION

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10 31

ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (EMI)

You are likely to encounter electromagnetic interference (eMI) when using your F19™

metal detector. It is important that you recognize e MI and take appropriate measures

to deal with it. This will prevent you from giving up on a worthwhile search site, or from

returning a properly functioning detector for repair.

Symptoms of Electromagnetic Interference

eMI can cause a metal detector to chatter spontaneously, to lose sensitivity for no apparent

reason, or to cause a periodic wobbly audio sound. What you hear will depend on what

operating mode you are using, the detector’s settings, and the source of the electrical

interference. The most common manifestation is spontaneous chatter.

All metal detectors are susceptible to e MI, but they vary in what kinds of interference

affect them. In a given environment some metal detectors may be affected by eMI

whereas others may not.

Common sources of Electromagnetic Interference

Common sources of eMI include: overhead electric power lines, underground power lines,

other metal detectors, telephone lines carrying electronic data, computer systems, electric

fences, old Cr T-based televisions, cell phones, CB and emergency communication

radios, thunderstorms, fluorescent lights, metal vapor lamps, military aircraft with electronic

warfare countermeasures turned on, electric motors, v LF military communications systems

and automobile ignition systems. At home, in a store, or in an urban environment, there

may be several different sources of interference present simultaneously.

All metal detectors generate a certain amount of internal electronic noise. The F19™ is

specifically designed to enable you to work into the noise. experienced users, striving

for maximum depth, often adjust the machine to search with a constant audible

background sound, and then listen through that noise for the sound of real targets.

Stricter regulations in recent years have cut down on interference from electric light

dimmers and auto ignition systems. However there has also been a proliferation of

v LF-UHF wireless communication systems (cell phones, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.), which

often affect metal detectors. Overall, the potential for electromagnetic interference is

greater than it was just a few years ago.

Modern high-end metal detectors are a lot more sensitive than older units; this also

increases your detector’s vulnerability to eMI beyond what you may be accustomed to

with an older detector. Metal detectors are by their nature designed to detect magnetic

fields, and electric current always produces magnetic fields.

Coping with Electromagnetic Interference

The primary reason metal detectors provide a sensitivity (gain and/or threshold) control,

is so that users can reduce sensitivity in order to eliminate response to electrical

interference. Some users are reluctant to reduce sensitivity out of fear of losing depth.

At reduced sensitivity settings, you may lose some depth, but at least you can still

search. The Gain and Threshold knobs control the sensitivity and are your first

line of defense against EMI. The Threshold control only applies to the All Metal Mode.

THE BASICS OF METAL DETECTING

A hobby metal detector is intended for locating buried metal objects. When

searching for metals, underground or on the surface, you have the following

challenges and objectives:

1. Ignoring signals caused by ground minerals.

Ignoring signals caused by metal objects that you do not want to find,

such as pull-tabs.

3. Identifying a buried metal object before you dig it up.

4. e stimating the size and depth of objects to facilitate digging them up.

5. e liminating the effects of electromagnetic interference from other

electronic devices.

Your F19™ metal detector is designed with these points in mind.

1. Ground Minerals

All soils contain minerals. Signals from ground minerals can interfere with

the signals from metal objects you want to find. All soils differ, and can

differ greatly, in the type and amount of ground minerals present. You

therefore want to calibrate the detector to the specific ground conditions

where you are hunting. The detector incorporates both automated and

manual ground balancing features which will eliminate false signals from

most types of soils. To maximize the detector’s target identification

accuracy and depth of detection, use the Gr OUND Gr AB®

COMPUTer IZe D Gr OUND BALANCING function to calibrate the

detector to the ground where you are searching. See the section on

Gr OUND BALANCING for details.

The Basics continued on next page

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1130

HOT ROCKS

A hot rock is a rock which causes the metal detector to sound off because the

rock contains iron minerals. They come in two basic types.

Negative hot rocks (also called cold rocks) are usually magnetite or

contain magnetite, and give a negative response because their ground

balance value is a higher number than the soil they are found in. They

tend to be dark in color, usually black, and usually heavy. In some cases

they will have rust stains. They are usually attracted to a magnet, and for

this reason gold prospectors always carry a magnet -- the ultimate

ferrous/nonferrous discriminator. In All Metal Mode, negative hot rocks

produce a boing sound rather than the zip sound of a metallic target;

recognize the difference and you will learn to ignore them. As the

searchcoil passes over a hot rock, this boing sound, or negative response,

is quite distinctive. To hear this response, you must be properly Ground

Balanced and in All Metal Mode with an audible threshold hum. First, as

the center of the searchcoil passes over the negative hot rock, the

detector will go quite; the threshold hum momentarily silences. Then,

passing beyond the negative hot rock, you hear the boing sound. As you

pass the searchcoil back and forth over a negative hot rock, it will be

impossible to pinpoint and will seem as if it moves around.

Positive hot rocks are iron-bearing rocks which have been oxidized by

natural weathering processes so that their GND BAL value is a number

lower than the soil they are found in. They are often small, right on the

surface, sound just like a gold nugget, and are common in many gold

prospecting areas. They are usually, but not always, drawn to a magnet.

They are most often reddish in color but are often black, brown, or yellow.

On relic hunting sites, red clay bricks and rocks which have lined a fireplace

or a campfire will often be hot rocks. The discriminator will usually eliminate

them without difficulty if widely scattered, but if there is a large concentration

of them, the discriminator may not quiet them all. In that case, you can

revert to the rule of thumb -- “don’t dig non-repeatable signals.”

r emember to always carry a magnet to help discriminate gold from hot rocks

and iron.

• Gold will not be attracted to a magnet.

• Pieces of iron will always be attracted to a magnet.

• Negative hot rocks will almost always be attracted to a magnet.

• Positive hot rocks will usually be attracted to a magnet.

2. Trash

If searching for coins, you want to ignore items like aluminum foil, nails and

pull-tabs. These undesirable items are generally identified toward the lower

end of the 1-99 scale. You can listen to the sounds of all objects detected,

and decide on what you want to dig up. Or you can eliminate unwanted

metals from detection by using the DISCr IMINATION feature.

3. Identifying Buried Objects

Different types of metals are classified along the arc at the top of the screen

on a 1-99 scale from left to right. A 2-digit numerical reading is also

provided in the middle of the display for more precise target identification in

Discrimination Mode.

4. Size and Depth of Buried Objects

When using the detector in the motion DISC Mode, the relative depth of an

object is displayed to the left of the display over the SIGNAL strength

indicator. A more accurate depth reading is available using PINPOINT.

Pinpoint displays estimated target depth, in inches. Pinpoint does not

require the searchcoil to be in motion to detect metals. The ability to hold

the searchcoil motionless over the target also aids in tracing an outline of

the buried object, or in pinpointing the exact location of the object using

techniques described in the pinpointing section of this manual.

5. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

electromagnetic interference (eMI) can cause a metal detector to chatter

spontaneously, to lose sensitivity for no apparent reason, or to cause a

periodic wobbly audio sound. Common sources of eMI include power

lines, electronic communication equipment such as cellphones, fluorescent

lamps, military electronics such as radar, other metal detectors and

computer equipment.

Your first line of defense against eMI is to reduce the Gain and/or

Threshold. In areas with heavy eMI, operating at reduced sensitivity levels

will result in the loss of some depth, but at least the metal detector will be

usable.

See the section on eLeCTr OMAGNeTIC INTe r Fer e NCe for a more

thorough explanation of eMI and how to manage it.

THE BASICS OF METAL DETECTING

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12 29

OPERATION & CONTROLS

VOLUME

V-BREAK

NOTCH WIDTH

DISCGND BAL

ON/OFF/GAIN:

• Click ON/OFF

• In DISC Mode rotate

to change GAIN

(sensitivity) from

1 to 100

• In ALL METAL Mode

rotate to change

GAIN from 5 to 100

in steps of 5

• In DISC Mode press

to cycle through

menu options

• In ALL METAL Mode

press-and-hold

while bobbing coil

to set ground balance

Press-and-hold to

activate PINPOINT feature

In DISC Mode:

Change setting of active menu option

In ALL METAL Mode:

Change Ground Balance setting from 0 to 99.9

MODE SELECTION/

THRESHOLD CONTROL

• Click left to operate

in Discrimination

Mode

• Click to right to

operate in ALL METAL

Mode.

• Rotate knob in

ALL METAL Mode to

change THRESHOLD from

-40 to 40

POWERING UP

NOTE: Immediately after powering on, your detector's unique 10-digit serial

number is displayed once on the LCD. Two digits are displayed at a time; five

2-digit numbers are displayed in sequence. This 10-digit serial number is the

same serial number imprinted on the label inside the battery compartment.

• Click the left knob clockwise to turn the detector ON.

• After clicking the knob on, continued clockwise rotation will increase the

“sensitivity” in DISC Mode or the “GAIN” in ALL Me TAL Mode.

• We suggest keeping the GAIN below 70 until you become familiar with

the detector’s operation.

Searching for coins and relics at Civil War or ghost town sites often

means detecting in heavy concentrations of iron and dealing with crop-stubble

or forest ground clutter.

The F19 can handle the toughest ground mineralization, capable of

ground balancing all the way to salt. With its fast retune speed and biaxial

searchcoil, the F19 creates superb target separation with impressive depth.

The 10” elliptical coil is ideal for working between brush, rocks and debris

commonly found at old abandoned sites. An expanded 40-point iron ID range

helps differentiate between larger iron objects and smaller nails and pieces.

With FeTone™adjustable iron audio, the volume level of ferrous targets can

be lowered separate from the volume level of non-ferrous targets, allowing

desired targets to be heard much easier.

The fine-tune adjustable Notch Width can be used to target specific

unwanted items, such as shell casings or bottle caps, and the enhanced

v-Break®, our variable Tone Breakpoint, allows the user to further customize

the detector’s settings to get unique audio on specific Target-ID ranges.

Combined, the Notch Width and v -Break features create endless variations

for fine tuning the detector to meet exact hunting needs.

An adjustable back-light on the display allows for hunting in low-light

conditions.

RELIC HUNTING

F19-MANUAL-printer_F19 MANUAL-printer 1/29/15 3:16 PM Page 12

GOLD PROSPECTING

Gold Prospecting continued on next page

In the United States, gold is commonly found in the western

states, Alaska and in a few localities in the Appalachians.

Hillsides are the best areas for gold prospecting

using a metal detector, because hillsides cannot

be cleaned out by panning and dredging the

way streams can. Also, gold on hillsides,

not far from its source vein, tends to be

larger and more readily detected, than

alluvial (placer) gold, which tends to

get pounded to pieces and worn

away as it rolls along the

streambed. even in a good

gold producing area,

detectorists often spend an

entire day without finding any

gold, but will dig bits and

pieces of other metal such as

birdshot, bullets and rusted tin

cans, etc. Another nuisance can be “Hot r ocks” - rocks containing

concentrations of iron oxides that sound like metal when passed over with the

detector. Discrimination is usually ineffective because the loss of sensitivity

resulting from discrimination is enough to make the little nuggets invisible.

Because most gold nuggets are tiny, and are usually found in soil which is

high in iron oxide minerals, serious gold prospecting requires a detector with

high sensitivity and true ground balanced All Metal operation. Set the detector

with the sensitivity high enough to hear some noise from ground minerals, and

learn the language of the sounds you hear. Headphones are recommended

unless there are safety issues (for instance rattlesnakes). Move the searchcoil

slowly and deliberately, carefully controlling its height above the ground to

minimize noise from iron minerals in the soil. If you hear ground noise, the

Ground Balance setting could be off, so perform the ground balancing

procedure again. The ground geology typically associated with the presence

of gold will tend to change over very short distances.

The Fe3O4 bar graph indicates the amount of iron mineralization in the soil. In

most gold fields, especially alluvial deposits, gold tends to be associated with

iron minerals, especially magnetite black sand. Therefore, to maximize gold

recovery, concentrate on areas where the bar graph indicates higher amounts

of iron mineralization.

CONTROL PANEL

DISCGND BAL

CONTROL KNOBS:

1. ON/OFF/GAIN

a. Click right to turn on. Click left to turn off.

b. Turning the knob clockwise increases the detector’s sensitivity; the

higher the sensitivity, the deeper targets will be detected, and the more

likely the detector will be to detect very small targets.

c. As you turn the knob, notice the GAIN value at the bottom-right of the

screen displays your current sensitivity setting.

Sensitivity in DISC Mode

The left knob is labeled “GAIN” and in DISCr IMINATION Mode it alone

controls the sensitivity of the detector.

GAIN in ALL METAL Mode

In All Metal Mode, GAIN increases as you rotate the knob clockwise.

THr e SHOLD is controlled independently using the right knob.

2. DISC / ALL METAL / THRESHOLD

a. Click knob to the far-left “DISC” position and the detector enters

DISCr IMINATION Mode.

b. Click on clockwise to operate in ALL MeTAL Mode.

c. In ALL MeTAL Mode, rotate knob to change the threshold.

Threshold values range from -40 to +40.

In ALL Me TAL Mode, the Threshold control can be used in two ways.

Control knobs continued on next page

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14 27

TARGET DISPLAY and AUDIO

SIGNAL Indicator

The lower-left bargraph designates

SIGNAL strength only when operating in

Discrimination Mode.

The signal strength indicator at the bottom-

left of the screen indicates how large or

close the buried metal target is.

If all bars are illuminated, the target is

large or close to the searchcoil.

If one or two bars are illuminated, the

target is far away or small, or both.

DEPTH Indicator

A target’s location and size can be verified

using the PINPOINT control.

Press PinPoint to temporarily detect metal

without searchcoil motion, and a

monotone hum.

While holding the PinPoint button, the

DePTH indicator will appear. The

number beneath DePTH represents the

distance of the object, in inches, from the

searchcoil. The Depth scale is calibrated

to coin-sized objects. For objects other

than a coin, the numeric value is a relative

measure of the target’s depth.

AUDIO FEEDBACK

When a target is detected, the F19 will

respond with two types of sound:

1. v.C.O. (voltage Controlled

Oscillator): an audio response with

variable pitch and volume.

2. A LOW tone beep.

In Discrimination Mode, targets which fall

into the zone along the arc whose

segments are shaded will be identified

with a LOW tone beep and those whose

segments are solid with v.C.O.

As the user sets the discrimination level

with the and buttons, he is

determining which targets will be

eliminated.

All targets’ audio responses in All Metal

Mode will be v.C.O.

V.C.O. (voltage Controlled Oscillator) is

an audio response which provides a good

feel for the target.

The stronger the target signal, the higher

the volume and the higher the audio pitch.

very weak signals will have the faintest

volume and lowest pitch.

For this reason, the use of headphones

is always recommended for detecting the

smaller and deeper targets.

2-DIGIT TARGET INDICATOR

In Discrimination Mode the 2-digit target

indicator, in the middle of the screen,

provides a specific target value to help

identify buried targets more accurately.

With practice in the field, you will learn to

associate target values with the probable

identification of buried objects. The target

value can vary each time the searchcoil

passes over the target, depending upon

the orientation of the object and its

distance from the searchcoil.

As a starting point, refer to the table below.

TARGET Readout

The table below lists some common

approximate target values. With

experience in the field, you will recognize

many types of metal objects by their

numeric value.

OBJECT

TARGET-ID

foil from gum wrapper 47 - 48

U.S. nickel (5¢ coin) typically 58

aluminum pull-tab 60 - 75

aluminum screw cap 70 - 80

zinc penny (dated after 1982) typically 78

aluminum soda pop can 75 - 85

copper penny, clad dime typically 83

U.S. quarter (25¢ coin), clad typically 85

50¢ coin, modern clad typically 87

old silver dollar coin typically 89

US silver eagle $1 coin typically 91

Caution: The target indications are

visual references. Many other types of

metal can also be represented by a given

Target-ID

CONTROL PANEL

GAIN versus THRESHOLD

“Gain” increases, or multiplies, the strength of signals from buried metal objects.

For maximum detection of the smallest or most deeply buried objects, increase

the Gain. To minimize the weakest signals, reduce the Gain.

“Threshold” controls the detector’s audio level. Positive threshold values

increases the audio response of weak target signals. Negative threshold

values suppress sensitivity.

For searching at maximum sensitivity, first set the Gain at a low level. Then

set threshold into the positive region, with a comfortable background-hum

volume level. Then increase Gain to a comfortable level, free of chatter.

Increase Gain to a slight amount of chatter if you can tolerate the chatter

while searching.

For silent searching, set threshold to a negative number, and also reduce

Gain if necessary. Silent searching will result in the loss of some sensitivity.

TOUCHPAD CONTROLS

1. MENU / GG

This button has a dual function, depending on the detection mode.

a. In DISC Mode, this control cycles through menu options. The active menu

option appears in bold on the display.

The menu times-out after 3 seconds.

In ALL Me TAL Mode, press-and-hold the button to activate Gr OUND Gr AB®.

Ground Grab®allows you to set the detector’s internal ground setting equal

to the phase of the ground you are searching over. See the section on

Ground Balancing for a more thorough explanation of this feature and the

reason for using it.

2. and

a. In Discrimination Mode, and change the setting of the active menu

option.

b. In All Metal Mode, and provide a manual override to the Ground

Balance Setting.

3. PINPOINT

Press-and-hold to activate the Pinpoint feature.

Pinpoint temporarily engages a no-motion detection mode. Searchcoil

motion is not necessary to detect metal. Any metal within the searchcoil’s

detection field will induce a sound. Pinpoint is generally used to determine

the exact location of a target previously detected in Discrimination Mode.

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26 15

GROUND BALANCING -Technical Info

Fe3O4BARGRAPH

The Fe3O47-segment bar graph indicates the amount of ground mineralization,

independent of type, expressed as an equivalent volume concentration of

magnetite (Fe3O4). It updates every second. It is sensitive to motion and will give

the most accurate readings if you pump the searchcoil up and down several times

over the ground. The presence of metal or “hot rocks” will cause the readings to be

inaccurate. If you stop moving the searchcoil, the bar graph will go blank.

INDICATION RELATIVE % Fe3O4SUSCEPTIBILITY

MINERALIZATION

7 Bars High over 1 over 2,500

2 to 6 Bars Medium .026 - 1.0 61 - 2,500

1 Bar very Low 0.006 - .025 15 - 60

None -- less than .006 less than 15

Magnetic susceptibility is expressed in micro-cgs units. In a saltwater environment

in the absence of iron minerals, the bar graph indicates relative electrical conductivity.

In soils with greater than 10,000 micro-cgs units of magnetic susceptibility, the

signal from the soil may saturate, or overload, the circuitry. This will not harm

the detector but the machine will not be usable in that condition. The solution

is to hold the searchcoil several inches above the soil surface so it is not “seeing

as much dirt.” By listening and watching you will know how high you need to

hold the searchcoil in order to avoid overload.

The highest magnetic susceptibilities are usually found in soils developed over

igneous rocks, in alluvial black sand streaks on beaches and in red clay soils of

humid climates.

The lowest magnetic susceptibilities are usually found in white beach sands of

tropical and subtropical regions, and soils developed over limestone.

OPERATING IN ALL METAL MODE

The All Metal Mode is more sensitive than the Discrimination Mode, and is used to

find all types of metal objects in the ground. The searchcoil must be in motion for

objects to be detected.

Ground Grab®COMPUTERIZED GROUND BALANCING

Naturally occurring minerals in soil look like metal to a metal detector, so you want to

cancel out this mineral signal coming from the ground, and only detect the signal from

metal objects in the ground.

So before using your detector, set it in All Metal Mode and perform the automatic

ground balancing procedure. Press-and-hold the GG®COMPUTERIZED GROUND

BALANCING button while pumping the searchcoil up and down over the ground.

r elease the button when the sound evens out. The GND BAL number on the bottom

right of the screen is the detector’s internal setting which cancels out the minerals in

the ground. Different soils in different areas will require different GND BAL settings,

so balance to ground before you search.

Refer to the Ground Balancing section of this manual for a more in-depth explanation.

Setting the Controls

As you adjust any of the controls, notice that the values on the bottom-right of the

display indicate the settings of the value you are changing.

If you are new to metal detecting, start with the GAIN and THr eSHOLD controls at a

low enough setting that you do not hear too many unwanted sounds, like warble or a

loud hum. Set the GAIN at the 12:00 position, or less. Then set the THr eSHOLD to a

position where you hear a very slight background hum, or if you prefer, position the

knob just left of that position to a setting where the detector is silent.

Unwanted Noise

r ead the section on electromagnetic Interference.

The F19™ is a highly sensitive device.

It is intended for use outdoors. Indoor operation will subject it to interference from a

wide variety of devices in the home or office.

Sweeping the Searchcoil

As you sweep the searchcoil over the ground, try to keep the searchcoil parallel to the

ground.

Avoid lifting the searchcoil at the end of your sweeps.

Operating in All Metal Mode continued on next page

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16 25

The goal of the Ground Balancing procedure is to eliminate the sound as the

searchcoil is being pumped over the ground. In some soils, the sound is not

completely eliminated.

After balancing to ground with Ground Grab®COMPUTer IZeD Gr OUND

BALANCING (GG) some users may want to further adjust the ground balance

setting manually.

To manually adjust ground balance:

1. Operate in ALL MeTAL Mode.

2. Pump searchcoil up and down over the ground as in the COMPUTer IZeD

Gr OUND BALANCING procedure.

3. Press or while pumping

If the ground balance adjustment is incorrect, there will be a difference in the

sound as the searchcoil is either moving toward or away from the ground. It

sounds like you are either pulling the sound out of the ground, or pushing the

sound into the ground.

•If the sound is louder as you raise the searchcoil, increase the ground

balance setting.

•If the sound is louder as you lower the searchcoil, reduce the ground balance

setting.

NOTe: e xperienced users often prefer to adjust the ground balance to get a weak

but audible response when lowering the searchcoil. This is called adjusting for

positive response.

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE RESPONSE

The purpose of ground balancing is to adjust the metal detector to ignore ground

minerals. If the setting is incorrect, ground minerals will give either a positive or a

negative response, depending on which direction the adjustment is off.

Positive Response

If the GND BAL setting is too high a number, the response of minerals will be

positive. This means that when the searchcoil is lowered to the ground in

PinPoint or All Metal Mode, the sound will get louder as the searchcoil

approaches the ground. The sound will grow quieter as the searchcoil is raised.

What, if anything, you will hear in Discrimination Mode depends on the

discrimination setting.

When searching in an All Metal Mode, if ground balance is properly set to cancel

the ground, and you sweep over a positive hot rock, the rock will give a “zip”

sound similar to that of a metal object.

Negative Response

If the GND BAL setting is too low a number, the response of minerals will be

negative. When the searchcoil is lowered to the ground in PinPoint or All Metal

Mode, the machine will be silent. The machine will sound off as the searchcoil is

lifted away from the ground. What, if anything, you hear in Discrimination Mode

depends on the Discrimination setting.

When searching in All Metal Mode a negative hot rock will produce a “boing”

sound after passing over it, making it difficult to know where it is located. It will

not have the sound and “feel” of a metal object.

GROUND BALANCING

Reading the Display

Most gold prospecting and relic hunting is done by ear. Listen for the louder sounds,

riding on top of the constant background hum.

As you sweep the searchcoil, notice the Fe3O4(iron oxide) scale to the left of the

display.

This indicates the amount of ground mineralization.

Most black sand is made of magnetite.

Gold nuggets are often found in concentrated black sand deposits.

For the best depth detection in highly mineralized soils, use the All Metal Mode.

For the most accurate Fe3O4reading, pump the searchcoil over the ground.

While sweeping the searchcoil, also notice the GND PHASE value in the middle of the

screen.

GND PHASe is the ground phase; this indicates the type of minerals in the soil.

Within an area, the ground phase may change.

After ground balancing, periodically compare GND PHASe to GND BAL. If these two

numbers differ by a great deal, you may want to ground balance the detector again.

When not adjusting the knobs, the GND BAL setting will always appear on the

bottom-right of the display.

GND BAL is the detector’s internal ground balance setting. The detector’s default

ground balance setting is 82.9, which is the best starting point for achieving the

correct setting.

After you perform the Ground Grab®procedure, the GND BAL number will change

to match your soil.

You can change the current GND BAL setting by pressing the or buttons.

See section on Ground Balancing for a more detailed explanation.

experienced users often prefer to adjust the ground balance to get a weak

audible response when lowering the searchcoil to the ground. This is called

adjusting for positive response and is achieved by increasing the GND BAL

number with the key.

Target Scale

The arc across the top classifies metal objects.

each time a target is detected, three segments will illuminate above the arc.

The segments will remain illuminated for three seconds.

This indication shows the approximate classification of the buried metal object.

See the section on Target Display for a more detailed explanation.

Iron is on the left. U.S. dimes and quarters are to the far right.

When relic hunting, any Target-ID greater than 40 is a potential non-ferrous relic.

In an air test, gold indicates right of center -- the larger the gold piece, the

farther to the right.

In the ground, the ID of gold may jump around with each pass of the searchcoil.

If searching in All Metal Mode, you may want to switch back into Discrimination Mode,

after finding a target. r eview the 2-digit Target-ID provided in the Discrimination Mode

for a more precise target identification.

OPERATING IN ALL METAL MODE

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24 17

Understanding ground conditions assists the user in setting up the machine,

knowing when to readjust ground balance, and in understanding the responses

of the machine while searching.

This detector displays two kinds of ground data:

1. The type of mineralization (which affects where the ground phase should

be set). This is GND PHASE

2. The amount of mineralization (the greater the amount of mineralization,

the greater the loss of detection depth & ID accuracy; this loss is more

pronounced in Discrimination Mode). This is Fe3O4.

The goal of ground balancing is to equate the GND BAL number to the

PHASe number.

PHASe is the measurement of the ground.

GND BAL is the detector’s internal setting which calibrates the detector

to the ground’s phase.

Notice that the GND BAL number is three digits, with a decimal point.

PHASe has only two digits.

GND BAL is a higher resolution number, so may differ a bit from PHASe

in a perfectly balanced scenario.

After pumping and releasing Ground Grab®COMPUTer IZeD Gr OUND

BALANCING (GG), the exact measurement of the ground will be

transferred to the GND BAL setting.

The two-digit PHASe number displayed on the screen indicates the type of

ground mineralization.

Some typical ground mineralization types are:

0 – 10 Wet salt and alkali

5 – 25

Metallic iron. very few soils in this range. You are probably over metal.

26–39 v ery few soils in this range -- occasionally some saltwater beaches

40–75 r ed, yellow and brown iron-bearing clay minerals

75–95 Magnetite and other black iron minerals

96–99 values over 95 are generally an indication of a searchcoil or

electronics defect or out-of-calibration condition.

Ground Balancing continued on next page

GROUND BALANCING

OPERATING IN DISCRIMINATION MODE

Discrimination is used to eliminate trash metal objects (e.g. nails, foil, pull-tabs) from

detection. The searchcoil must be in motion to detect metal. The Discrimination Mode

is less sensitive to small and deep objects than the All Metal Mode.

Ground Grab®COMPUTERIZED GROUND BALANCING

This feature is not available in Discrimination Mode.

Your best results will be achieved by first performing the COMPUTer IZeD Gr OUND

BALANCING procedure in All Metal Mode.

The ground balance setting achieved using COMPUTer IZeD Gr OUND BALANCING

will carry over into this mode.

Setting the Controls

As you adjust any of the controls, notice that the values on the bottom-right of the

display indicate the settings of the value you are changing.

GAIN

If you are new to metal detecting, start with the GAIN at a low enough setting that you do not

hear any sounds when the searchcoil is sweeping across the ground, with no metal present.

Start with GAIN at the 12:00 position, or less.

In this mode, Gain refers to the detector’s sensitivity. The higher the setting, the deeper

objects can be found, and the more sensitive the detector is to very small metal objects.

MODE

The right knob is not used in the Discrimination Mode.

Click the right knob 100% counterclockwise.

If you turn the knob to the right, you will leave Discrimination Mode, entering All Metal Mode.

The Menu is located on the right side of the screen. During Discrimination

operation the Menu is inactive; during All Metal operation, Menu is not available.

Use to select a Menu option.

Use and to modify the setting of the selected Menu option.

and change the menu settings. When the menu is not visible,

and change the DISC setting; it is not necessary to access the menu to

change DISC during operation.

Menu options are:

Backlight

Available setting from 0 to 5. This option controls the brightness of the

display backlight. When the backlight is on, is illuminated. In daylight,

the backlight can be turned on but will not be visible, draining the batteries.

So be sure is not illuminated if backlight illumination is not required.

Operating in Discrimination Mode continued on next page

F19-MANUAL-printer_F19 MANUAL-printer 1/29/15 3:16 PM Page 17

Table describes ferrous and nonferrous volume at each setting

Volume Volume

Setting Nonferrous Ferrous Setting Nonferrous Ferrous

11 1 11 10 1

22 2 12 10 2

33 3 13 10 3

44 4 14 10 4

55 5 15 10 5

66 6 16 10 6

77 7 17 10 7

88 8 18 10 8

99 9 19 10 9

10 10 0 20 10 10

GROUND BALANCING

What is Ground Balancing?

Why do I need to Ground Balance?

All soils contain minerals. Signals from ground minerals are

often tens or hundreds of times stronger than a buried metal object.

The magnetism of iron minerals, found in nearly all soils, causes one

type of interfering signal. Dissolved mineral salts, found in some soils

are electrically conductive, causing another type of interfering signal.

The mathematical term for describing these differences is Phase.

Phase varies with the types of minerals present in the

soil.

Ground Balancing is the process by which the metal

detector cancels the unwanted signals coming from the

ground minerals while still detecting the signals from

buried metal objects. This is accomplished by

matching the detector’s ground balance setting to

the phase of the ground signal.

When the detector is calibrated to the soil, the

result will be deeper target detection, quieter

operation, and more accurate target identification.

How to Ground Balance your detector:

Ground Balancing procedure with the Ground Grab®COMPUTer IZeD Gr OUND

BALANCING (GG) touchpad.

1. Turn the detector on and set GAIN at the 12:00 position.

2. Click on the right knob to the ALL MeTAL Mode.

3. r otate the THr eSHOLD control knob to the point where you hear a slight

background hum.

4. Sweep searchcoil across the ground to find a clear patch of ground with no

metal present.

5. Press and hold the Ground Grab®COMPUTer IZe D Gr OUND BALANCING

(GG) touch pad, and pump searchcoil over the clean ground. See illustration

above.

Pump searchcoil from within 1” of ground to 6”- 8” above ground.

6. When the GND PHASe settles down to only 1 or 2 numbers in variation,

release the GND Gr AB button while still pumping the searchcoil. Note that

the audio response to the ground changed and “evened Out” when you

released the button. Also note that the GND BAL value changed. After

balancing, you can hunt in ALL MeTAL... or return to Disc Mode.

The most accurate GND PHASe value is the value displayed when “pumping” the

searchcoil over the ground in an area free of metal.

Ground Balancing continued on next page

Pumping coil

to ground

balance with

COMPUTER-

IZED

GROUND

BALANCING

button.

OPERATING IN DISCRIMINATION MODE

Volume

Use or to adjust the volume setting when the v OLUMe menu

option is highlighted. The default volume setting is 7.

Press to increase speaker volume. Maximum volume is at setting 20.

Press to lower speaker volume. The minimum volume setting is 0, no sound.

With volume set to 0, the Target-ID and Depth Bar Graph will function as

normal, but the detector will not emit a sound when targets are detected.

The overload volume signal will always sound off in the event of signal

overload, even with the volume set to 0.

Because the F19™ is so sensitive to even the smallest iron targets, the

detector incorporates FeTone™, Adjustable Iron Audio, a feature to reduce

the volume of iron targets to minimize user fatigue.

volume settings 10 - 20 are available to control the volume level of iron

targets.

As you increase volume from 10 to 20, iron-volume changes from silent

to maximum. Note that, depending on the v-Br e AK®setting, iron targets

may induce v.C.O. tones; in this case, the v.C.O. tones in the iron range

(ID 1 - 39) will also have the same reduced volume.

At each of the 10 - 20 volume settings, nonferrous target response is

maximum volume.

volume control applies only to motion target detection.

volume changes do not affect Pinpoint volume.

Setting Memory:

When detector is powered OFF settings are saved, except for the ground setting and backlight

level.

When detector powers ON, ground is preset to 82.9 and backlight is always OFF.

How to preset to factory default settings (if desired).

• Power detector OFF.

• Set right knob to DISC.

• Press-and-hold .

• Turn ON while holding .

• The menu options will flash.

• r elease ; detector turns on and all settings are restored to the factory defaults.

Operating in Discrimination Mode continued on next page

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1922

When a target is detected, the rectangular segments representing the target

category are illuminated.

Here is an example of one possible discrimination setting:

DISC = 20

v-Br eAK = 50

NOTCH not set

This discrimination interface for the F19™ was designed especially for relic-

hunting.

r elic hunters want control over what sizes of iron are detected, and also control

over which targets are detected with a low-tone. Target values of 39 or less are

ferrous.

This value

and lower

will not be

detected

alues less

than 21 will

NOT BE

DETECTED

Values from 21 to 50

will induce a LOW tone

Values from 51 to 99

will induce V.C.O. tones

OPERATING IN DISCRIMINATION MODE

Suggestion: Try changing the

settings, watch the screen, and

pass objects over the searchcoil at

each setting. It will quickly become

obvious how these controls work.

OPERATING IN DISCRIMINATION MODE

Operating in Discrimination Mode continued on next page

V-Break (Change audio for certain targets)

v-Break is a feature that allows the user to change the audio response of

certain targets. v-Break allows the user to program the detector so that any

target with an ID in the range of 0 - 80 can induce a LOW tone.

examples:

The user sets v-Break to a desired setting (e.g. 42).

every target with ID less than or equal to 42 induces a low tone.

The audio response of targets with IDs greater than 42 are not changed.v-

Break can be set only for Target-IDs that have not previously been rejected

using the discrimination or notch functions.

Notch Width

As you press or when adjusting the Notch Width setting, the blank

area you see across the Conductivity Arc represents targets that will not be

detected. This blank area is the “notch-window.”

Notch Width allows you to set the size (or width) of this notch-window, which

can be used to “notch out” or “notch in” targets from detection; the

maximum width of the notch-window is 20.

Notch

After setting the width of the notch-window, it can be moved around using

NOTCH. The setting you adjust corresponds to the left-most edge of the

notch-window.

Disc

Available settings from 0-80. All targets with ID's less than or equal to the

Disc setting are eliminated from detection. For example, if Disc is set to 39,

all targets with an ID of 39 or less will not be detected. By design, the

detector does not allow highly conductive targets (like silver) to be

discriminated out.

Press to eliminate unwanted metals from detection.

each time you press the Disc value at the bottom-right of the display will

increment by one.

Press-and-hold to increase the Discrimination level rapidly.

See the Target Identification section of the manual for a detailed description of

this function.

Sections of the arc with no indication represent metals completely eliminated

from detection.

Press to detect metals which were previously eliminated from

detection

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2120

In Discrimination Mode, when menu is not displayed, pressing or will

change the discrimination setting.

As the level of discrimination changes, the target segments along the arc on the

screen will be displayed in one of two states:

1. Blank (no segments displayed)

2. Black (segments are solid black)

The segments along the arc will remain illuminated in this state as you are

pressing

or . This displays your chosen target discrimination parameter.

At any time during operation, you can view the discrimination settings in one of

two ways:

1. On the bottom-right of the screen the DISC value is always illuminated.

All Target-IDs less than or equal to the value displayed will not be

detected.

2. Whenever you press or , the arc will illuminate and show your

current detection parameters.

The first press of or will change the discrimination level by one

value.

Discrimination Control continued on next page

OPERATING IN DISCRIMINATION MODEOPERATING IN DISCRIMINATION MODE

Unwanted Noise

r ead the section on electromagnetic Interference.

This is a highly sensitive device.

It is intended for use outdoors. Indoor operation will subject it to electrical interference

from a wide variety of devices in the home or office.

In Discrimination Mode, when you sweep the coil over the ground it will usually be quieter

than when holding the detector still.

Sweeping the Searchcoil

As you sweep the searchcoil over the ground, try to keep the coil parallel to the ground.

Avoid lifting the searchcoil at the end of your sweeps.

Using PINPOINT

Press-and-Hold the Pinpoint button to narrow down the location of a buried metal object.

Pinpoint does not require the searchcoil to be in motion.

A motionless searchcoil held over a metal object will induce a hum; volume and

pitch of the hum increase with target strength.

The approximate target depth, in inches, will be indicated in the center of the screen.

The depth scale is calibrated to coin-sized objects.

r elative depth is indicated for larger or smaller objects.

Upon releasing the button, you will return to a motion detection mode.

If you keep the Pinpoint button depressed for a long time, the audio tone may begin to drift.

If you plan to search like this, release and re-press the button periodically to avoid

drift. Drift may result in a loudening sound or a reduced sensitivity with no sound.

See the manual section on Target Pinpointing for how to narrow down a target’s location.

This technique is indispensable as long-buried metals can look exactly like the

surrounding soil to the naked eye. If you are not adept at pinpointing, digging up and

retrieving a small metal object can be very frustrating. So learn how to narrow-it-down.

READING THE DISPLAY

TARGET-ID

each time you pass the searchcoil over a metal object, a 2-digit value will appear in

the center of the display. See the manual section on Target Identification for a better

understanding of these values.

Three segments will simultaneously appear above the arc at the top of the screen.

This represents the same Target Identification, but displayed graphically on the scale.

Target Scale

This display works as in the All Metal Mode.

The arc across the top classifies metal objects.

each time a target is detected three segments will illuminate above the arc.

The segments will remain illuminated for three seconds.

This indication shows the approximate classification of the buried metal object.

See the section on Target Display for a more detailed explanation.

Iron is on the left. U.S. dimes and quarters are to the far right.

In an air test, gold indicates right of center -- the larger the gold piece, the

farther to the right.

In the ground, the ID of gold may jump around with each pass of the coil

because of interference from iron minerals in the ground.

SIGNAL

each time a target is detected, bars will illuminate on the bottom left showing

the strength of the target’s signal.

If all 7 bars illuminate, the target signal is strong.

This may be a large metal object.

Or it may be a coin-sized metal object close to the surface.

If only a few bars illuminate, the target signal is weak.

This may be a deeply buried object, even a big one.

Or it may be a very, very small metal object, close to the surface.

The depth of a coin-sized object can be confirmed using Pinpoint.

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