First Texas Products Teknetics T2 User manual

Teknetics T2™
Professional Metal Detector
Comprehensive Operating Manual and Guide to Metal Detecting
The Teknetics T2 is a new high-performance multi-purpose professional grade metal
detector. It utilizes the latest advances in electronic technology, and its functional design
represents the leading edge of the metal detector engineering art. The T2 is easier to learn
to use properly than other comparable metal detectors. Its combination of light weight and
balance provides comfort unmatched by any other detector in its price range. Its most
popular uses include coinshooting, relic hunting, and gold prospecting.
PRODUCT FEATURES
* Simple, easy-to-use controls
* Large LCD screen with target identification and operating control displays
* Straightforward menu-driven user interface
* Bar graph readout of ground mineral concentration
* Trigger-actuated FASTGRAB™ground canceling with manual override
* Waterproof 11-inch open-frame BiAxial™ searchcoil
* Single-Filter All Metal mode for maximum detection depth
* Double-Filter Discrimination modes for searching in trashy areas
* Trigger-actuated target pinpointing with variable audio pitch
If you have any questions, or need assistance with your metal detector,
Call 1-800-413-4131, and ask for Teknetics Customer Service.
Revision Level 6.0
Copyright First Texas Product, L.P. March 28, 2006

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Quick-Start ……………………………………… 3
Mechanicals
Assembly Instructions ………………………….. 4
Mechanicals………………………………………5
Arm Rest adjustment …………………………… 5
Using Headphones (not included) ……………… 5
Introduction to the Teknetics T2
General information ……..………………………6
Controls…………………..………………………7
Menu System..…………………………………... 8
Ground Cancellation …………………………..9-11
All Metal Mode ………………………….….… 12
Discrimination Mode…………………………13, 14
PinPoint Feature …………………………………15
LCD Visual Display…………………………16 –18
Numeric Target Identification ……………...16
Probable Target Identification……………... 16
Target Depth ………………………………..17
G.C. Phase ………………………………….17
Settings …………………………………......17
Messages ……………………………….......17
Bar Graph ………………………………......18
Battery Indicator ……………………………18
Frequency Shifting ……………………………….18
Capabilities & Limitations…………………...19 - 21
Tips & Techniques
Search Techniques
How to sweep the searchcoil ……………..22
Pinpointing targets ……………………….22
Estimating target size and depth…………. 23
False signals and chatter….……………. 24
Adjusting Sensitivity …………….……….26
Tips on ground canceling …………………27
Detecting Activities
Coinshooting………………………………28
Relic Hunting ….....................................28-29
Gold Prospecting…………………….…29-30
Cache Hunting……………………………..31
Shallow Water Hunting……………………31
How metal detectors work……………………….32
First Texas Products Warranty …………………. 32

3
QUICK START
Start using your T2right out of the box
1. Assemble the detector (see instructions beginning page 4).
2 Install four AA alkaline batteries. All positive terminals point up.
3. Turn the knob, located under the armrest, fully clockwise.
This turns the machine on and sets audio volume to maximum.
4. When first turned on, the T2starts out in the Discrimination mode, with:
Sensitivity preset to 60
Discrimination Level preset to 10
Number of Tones preset to method-1
Sweep the searchcoil from side to side, parallel to the ground. Keep the searchcoil
moving over the ground. If you stop moving the search coil, the sound will also
stop. Probable target type will be indicated at the top of the LCD screen.
5. If the searchcoil is not in motion and not close to metal, the detector should be
silent.
6. If you experience false signals from electrical interference, from the soil itself, or
from lots of trash metal, press the Menu button.
Sensitivity will be highlighted.
Rotate the Settings knob to the left (counterclockwise),
Reduce the sensitivity setting until the false signals go away.
After 5 seconds, the machine will exit the menu and return to
normal operation.
7. Toss a coin on the ground and sweep back and forth over it a few times to get a
feel for how the machine responds.
8. You are now ready to search.
9. Pull the trigger switch with your index finger to pinpoint the exact location of
targets, making them easier to unearth.
When the trigger is pulled, PinPoint is engaged ….
The searchcoil need not be in motion to detect an object.
The 2-digit numeric display indicates approximate target depth, in inches.

4
ASSEMBLY
1. Remove all components from box.
2. Attach searchcoil to lower rod by lining up the holes.
Push coil knob through hole and tighten knob gently.
You will tighten up the coil knob later.
3. Insert smallest rod into upper rod (upper rod holds detector body).
Turntop locking collar counter-clockwise to open up.
Pushinpin on small rod.
Slide small rod into upper rod.
Click pin into hole and tighten locking collar firmly clockwise.
4. Push lower rod into small rod as follows:
Turn locking collar counterclockwise to open up
Push in pin to allow rod to slide in.
Slide lower rod in.
Click pin into any hole.
5. Remove velcro strip from lower rod.
6. Wrap cable around stem as follows:
Leave some slack in cable at base of lower rod.
Secure cable at base of rod with velcro strip.
Wrap cable loosely around entire stem up to bent part of upper rod.
You will re-wrap the cable later after sizing the rods to your height.
7. Push cable into connector on back of housing.
Do not twist the cable or plug. Turn knurled cap nut only.
8. Tighten knurled cap nut by hand to secure cable connection to housing.
Do not twist the cable or plug.
9. Adjust to your height:
Hold detector, standing up, with your arm in the armrest.
Place searchcoil flat on the ground with back edge of coil 6” in front of your
toes.
Click pin on lower rod into nearest hole.
Firmly tighten bottom locking collar to secure lower stem.
10. Attach cable to top of rod with upper Velcro strip
11. Tighten up coil knob to keep searchcoil from flopping.
12. Insert batteries.
The batteries are all installed with the positive terminals pointed upward.
After establishing a comfortable length, firmly tighten the locking collars on the rods to
prevent the tubes from rattling. Rotate the collars a full 270° to engage and lock in place. If
you are unable to rotate a full 270°, use gloves for a better grip.
If the searchcoil appears crooked with respect to the pole, loosen both locking collars and
re-adjust. Hold each of the lower poles in the counterclockwise position as you tighten the
locking collars.

5
MECHANICALS
BATTERIES
The T2uses four AA batteries. Use ALKALINE batteries for best performance.
Rechargeable batteries may be used. Expect 40 hours of service in the field with one set of
ALKALINE batteries.
If you use rechargeable batteries, good-quality NiMH (nickel-metal–hydride) batteries are
recommended. They will usually deliver over 25 hours of service without recharging, but
when they start running low, they die suddenly with little warning.
Always install batteries which are of the same type and the same state of charge.
Otherwise battery life will be determined by the weakest battery, because the good batteries
cannot deliver their power with a dead battery blocking the current.
All 4 batteries are installed with the positive terminals facing upward.
The LCD screen shows battery condition on the right.
ARM REST
The arm rest WIDTH and POSITION are both adjustable.
Arm Rest Width: The sides of the arm rest can be bent inward and outward.
To best stabilize the detector to your arm and body movement, squeeze the sides of
the arm rest around your forearm. For a very secure fit, some users prefer to bend
the arm rest in tightly against the forearm such that you pry the sides loose each
time you place your arm into the arm rest.
Arm Rest Position on Pole: Remove the two bolts to position the arm rest farther forward
or back, to adapt to your arm’s length.
-- To reinsert the bolts, spin and twist them into place. Be careful not to damage
the power cable that runs through the aluminum tube.
-- Insert both bolts completely through both sides of the bracket before attaching
the nut to the opposite side.
-- For maximum stability, the bolts fit very tightly into the holes; you may
have to wiggle each one a bit to push it through the holes.
-- After reinserting the bolts, tighten them very securely. As you swing the
detector from side-to-side, you want the bolts tight enough so that you do not
feel any movement between the pole and arm rest mounting bracket.
If you notice unwanted movement while swinging detector, check the tightness
of the locking collars. The locking collars must be rotated a full 270° to reach the
locking position.
HEADPHONES (not included)
The T2is equipped with a standard ¼-inch stereo headphone jack at the rear of the unit,
located under the elbow as you hold the detector for use. Any headphone with a ¼” stereo
jack should work. Mono headphones will not work.
Using headphones improves battery life, and prevents the sounds from annoying
bystanders. It also allows you to hear subtle changes in the sound more clearly, particularly
if searching in a noisy location.
For safety reasons, do not use headphones near traffic or where other dangers, like
rattlesnakes, are present.

6
Introduction to the Teknetics T2
HIGH PERFORMANCE The Teknetics T2is a multi-purpose high-performance
computerized metal detector. It has the high sensitivity and ground cancellation features
needed for professional gold prospecting, the discrimination responsiveness needed for
serious relic hunting under difficult conditions, and visual target ID considered essential in
searching for coins. The ground cancellation system can be adjusted to allow searching salt
water beaches. The T2operates at 13 kHz for good sensitivity to gold nuggets and jewelry
as well as to coins. The T2 comes with an 11-inch elliptical Bi-Axial searchcoil for
maximum detection depth in mineralized soils.
USER COMFORT The T2is among the lightest and best balanced of all high-
performance metal detectors, so you can hold and swing it almost effortlessly. The arm
rest position is adjustable to fit your arm. The grip is durable high-friction foam elastomer,
comfortable in any kind of weather. The controls are conveniently located and easy to
learn how to use. Locking collars on the tubes eliminate rattling.
EASY-TO-USE & INFORMATIVE INTERFACE The entire menu is always visible on
the LCD display. The LCD display indicates the electrical signature (target I.D.) of the
detected metal object. The display provides continuous information on battery condition
and on ground mineralization, which affects detection depth. Help messages are
automatically displayed on the lower right corner of the display when necessary.
LOW OPERATING COST The T2is powered by four AA alkaline batteries, which will
typically last for more than 40 hours of use before needing replacement.
DESIGNED BY EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS The lead engineers on the T2 design team
were John Gardiner, firmware engineer, and David Johnson, whose expertise is behind
many of the best-known high-performance metal detectors offered by major U.S.
manufacturers for the last 24 years.

7
CONTROLS
ON-OFF & VOLUME Knob (Under the elbow)
This knob turns the machine on or off, and controls speaker volume and headphone
volume. Knob position has no effect on detector’s sensitivity or susceptibility to noise
from electrical interference
The T2has two controls on the front panel, MENU and SETTINGS.
MENU Pushbutton (On right of the front panel)
Push the MENU button to:
1. Step through the menu selections on the display.
With each push of the button, the next menu selection will be highlighted.
The SETTINGS knob allows you to change values for the highlighted selection.
2. Recall the last setting which you adjusted.
After you have adjusted a setting, an arrow will remain highlighted next to this
menu selection. One push of the button will recall that selection and display the
stored value.
This recall function is useful for a value you want to adjust frequently, such as the
ground cancellation value.
SETTINGS Knob (On the left of the front panel)
Rotate the SETTINGS knob to:
1. Change the setting (or value) of the highlighted menu selection you have chosen.
2. Select operating MODE when the top line of the menu is highlighted.
When used to switch back and forth between the All Metal mode and
Discrimination mode, the detector changes modes as soon as the corresponding
selection is highlighted. The All Metal mode is used to detect all metal objects,
including small or deep objects. Use the Discrimination mode to ignore trash metal
such as nails, foil, or pull-tabs.
3. Recall the last setting which you adjusted.
When you rotate the knob, you are also changing the value. If using this knob to
recall a setting, it is best to rotate just one indent.
TRIGGER SWITCH (Under the display in front of your hand)
While the trigger is pulled back, metal objects are temporarily detected without the need
for searchcoil motion. This aids in pinpointing the exact location of objects which were
found while searching in the All Metal or Discrimination Mode.
When the trigger is pushed forward, FASTGRAB automatic ground cancellation is
activated. The internal computer measures the magnetic properties of the soil in order to
cancel interference from naturally-occurring minerals in the ground. After the detector
measures the soil in this manner, the detector then uses this information to control
operation in both the All Metal and Discrimination search modes.

8
THE MENU SYSTEM
The entire menu is printed on the LCD display. The display highlights the mode and
settings which are in use.
There are two search modes, All Metal and Discrimination. To change between search
modes, the top line of the menu system must be highlighted. Press the MENU button until
the top line of the menu is highlighted. When either All Metal or Discrimination is
highlighted, rotate the SETTINGS knob to change between the two modes.
Each search mode has three adjustable function settings:
ALL METAL: Sensitivity, Hum Level, and Manual Ground Cancellation.
See page 12.
DISCRIMINATION: Sensitivity, Discrimination Level, and Number of Tones.
See page 13.
To select a function, push the MENU button and continue pushing to move to the function
you want. The word SETTING will pop up on the display above the menu, and the
present setting of that function will be displayed as a number.
To change a setting, rotate the knob.
To increase a value, rotate to the right (clockwise)
To decrease a value, rotate to the left (counterclockwise)
If you select a function and do not make a change to that function after 5 seconds, the
detector will exit the menu system automatically, and resume normal operation.
If you press the MENU button or rotate the SETTINGS knob while the machine is in
normal operation, the user interface will return to the last menu feature setting. This
feature allows you to have quick access to a function that you want to adjust frequently.

9
GROUND CANCELLATION
What is Ground Cancellation?
All soils contain minerals. Signals from ground minerals are often tens or hundreds of
times as strong as the signal from 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.
Ground Cancellation is the process by which the metal detector cancels the unwanted
ground signals while leaving signals from buried metal objects intact. This is accomplished
by establishing the detector’s internal Ground Phase setting; this setting is calibrated to the
soil and eliminates the ground minerals’ signal.
When the detector is calibrated to the actual soil condition, the result will be deeper target
detection, quieter operation, and more accurate target identification. This calibration, or
Ground Cancellation, can be accomplished automatically with the detector’s internal
computer, by pushing the Trigger Switch forward, or manually in the All Metal menu.
The ground cancellation setting carries through into both All Metal and Discrimination
modes. In Discrimination mode, the ground signal is generally inaudible unless the
discrimination setting is 0.
AUTOMATIC GROUND CANCELLATION PROCEDURE (FASTGRABTM)
1. Find a spot of ground where there is no metal present.
2. Hold the detector with the searchcoil about one foot above the ground.
3. Push the TRIGGER SWITCH forward with your index finger.
4. Physically pump the searchcoil and detector up and down over the ground.
Lift it about 6 inches above the ground and lower it to within 1 inch of the
ground, about once or twice a second.
5. A 2-digit value will appear on the display. This is the Ground Phase setting.
If the detector’s internal computer is unable to cancel the ground signal, the
message CAN’T GC will appear; find another spot of ground and try again.
MANUAL GROUND CANCELLATION
In most situations, it is preferable to push the trigger switch to activate FASTGRAB
automatic ground cancellation. Generally, it is best to first let the computer automatically
cancel interference from ground minerals. However, for gold prospecting, searching on a
wet saltwater beach, or searching in an area with so much metal trash that there is no clean
ground for the computer to sample, we recommended that you cancel ground manually.
Manual ground cancellation requires a bit of skill, acquired with some practice.
The range of ground cancellation settings indicated on the display range from 0 to 99;
however, each displayed number spans 5 detent steps on the settings knob. The actual
internal ground cancellation setting changes with each step; there are a total of 500
different settings. Under some ground conditions you may be able to hear the individual
steps in the setting.

10
GROUND CANCELLATION (continued)
MANUAL GROUND CANCELLATION (continued)
The Fe3O4bar graph on the LCD display indicates the amount of magnetic mineralization.
The searchcoil must be in motion to measure Fe3O4. The most accurate measurement is
obtained by pumping the searchcoil, as in the Ground Cancellation procedure.
The two-digit G.C. Phase number displayed on the LCD indicates the type of ground
mineralization.
Some typical ground mineralization types are:
0 – 10 Wet salt and alkali
5 – 25 Metallic iron
26 – 39 Very few soils in this range -- occasionally some saltwater beaches
40 – 75 Red, yellow, and brown iron-bearing clay minerals
75 – 95 Magnetite and other black iron minerals
When manually ground canceling, try to “feel out” a spot on the ground to make sure there
is no metal present. In order to avoid locking onto metal, the computer will not cancel
ground where the numbers are less than 40. Where the ground reads less than 40, manual
ground cancellation is required.
To perform the Manual Ground Cancellation operation, do the following:
1. Select the MANUAL G.C. function
The legend G.C. PHASE appears.
The present ground cancellation setting is displayed (0-99).
The message PUMP COIL TO G.C. will appear.
2. Physically pump the searchcoil and detector up and down over the ground.
Lift it about 6 inches above the ground and lower it to within 1 inch
of the ground, about once or twice a second.
3. Turn the SETTINGS KNOB to adjust the level.
The goal is to eliminate the sound as the coil is being pumped over the
ground. In some soils, the sound is not completely eliminated; rather, the
audio feedback is the same both when lowering the searchcoil to the ground,
and when lifting the searchcoil off of the ground.
If the ground cancellation 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
cancellation setting.
-If the sound is louder as you lower the searchcoil, reduce the ground
cancellation setting.
-NOTE: Experienced users often prefer to adjust the ground cancellation to
get a weak but audible response when lowering the searchcoil. This is
called adjusting for positive response.