Fisher Research Labs Gold Bug Pro User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
If you do not have prior experience with a metal
detector, we strongly recommend that you:
1) Adjust the Gain to a low
setting in the event
of false signals.
Always begin use at
a reduced Gain level;
increase Gain only after
you have become
familiar with the detector.
2) Do not use indoors. This detector is for
outdoor use only. Many household
appliances emit electromagnetic energy,
which can interfere with the detector. If
conducting an indoor demonstration, turn
the Gain down and keep the searchcoil
away from appliances such as computers,
televisions and microwave ovens. If your
detector beeps erratically, turn off
appliances and lights.
Also keep the searchcoil away from
objects containing metal, such as
floors and walls.
3) Use a 9-volt ALKALINE battery.
Do not use Heavy Duty Batteries.

2

3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7
Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Quick-Start Demo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10
Headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Basics Of Metal Detecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-12
Ground Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Trash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Identifying Buried Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Size and Depth of Buried Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
lectromagnetic Interference ( MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Operation and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Control Knobs
Off / On / Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Disc / All Metal / Threshold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Touchpad Controls
Ground Grab®Computerized Ground Balancing / Pinpoint . . .15
+and - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Operating in All Metal Mode
Ground Grab®(Computerized Ground Balancing) . . . . . . . .16
Setting the Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Unwanted Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Sweeping the Searchcoil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Reading the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Target Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Operating in Discrimination Mode
Ground Grab®(Computerized Ground Balancing) . . . . . . . .18
Setting the Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Disc Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Unwanted Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Sweeping the Searchcoil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Using Pinpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Reading the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-21
Ground Balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-24
Ground Balancing Technical Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Target Display & Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Gold Prospecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27-28
Hot Rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
lectromagnetic Interference ( MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30-31
Search Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Target Pinpointing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Optional 11”DD Searchcoil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Treasure Hunter’s Code of thics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Device Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover

4
Intro uction to the Gol Bug
®
Pro
The new Gold Bug®Pro is unique among gold prospecting metal detectors for
its combination of high sensitivity to small gold nuggets and its versatile
function as an all-purpose treasure detector.
The controls and features are tailored to gold prospecting, 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 relic-hunting detector, especially when the Gold Bug®Pro is
outfitted with the optional 11” DD searchcoil. While the Gold Bug®Pro makes
for a highly competent coin-shooting detector, its user interface and features
are not specifically designed for this purpose. As a coin-shooter, you will
notice that the Gold Bug®Pro 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 small, low conductivity metals like gold nuggets.
The Gold Bug®Pro is outfitted with a small 5” searchcoil as standard
equipment since this searchcoil construction is best-suited to finding gold
nuggets. You may be familiar with other metal detectors which have larger
searchcoils, generally in the range of 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Large coils
are designed to cover the maximum amount of ground efficiently and for the
deepest ground penetration. Small searchcoils, intended for gold prospecting,
are designed for precision. The Gold Bug®Pro’s small DD searchcoil makes
pinpointing easier, fits into small spaces where gold is often hidden, is better
suited to penetrate highly mineralized soils where gold is frequently found, and
has the highest possible sensitivity to tiny gold nuggets.
Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of the new Gold Bug®Pro metal detector. The newly
designed Gold Bug®Pro has been custom designed to find the smallest gold nuggets,
but unlike other specialized gold prospecting detectors, it can also be used for relic-
hunting and coin-shooting.
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
uncovered treasures and give you hours and years of outdoor enjoyment. Out on your
own or with a group, places to use your Gold Bug®Pro are unlimited as buried
treasures can be as near as your doorstep or as far as you wish to travel.
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 fr m Fisher Research Labs!

5
TERMINOLOGY
The following terms are used throughout the manual, and are standard
terminology among treasure hunters.
ELIMINATION
Reference to a metal being "eliminated" means that the detector will not
emit a tone, nor light up an indicator, when a specified 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 essential feature of professional metal detectors.
Discrimination allows the user to ignore trash and other undesirable objects.
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. xamples 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.
PINPOINTING
Pinpointing is the process of finding the exact location of a buried object.
Long-buried metals can appear to the eye 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 BALANCE
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. The Gold Bug®Pro incorporates proprietary
circuitry and programming to eliminate false signals from severe ground
conditions.

6
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
(optional accessory)
The armrest Strap accessory can
be purchased separately. 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.
Handgrip
Nut
Screw
Searchcoil
Cable
Cable
Plug
Searchcoil
S-Rod
Armrest
Velcro
Strap
Middle
Stem
Velcro
Strap
Locking
Collar
Locking
Collar
1/4”HeadphoneJack
Knurled
Knob
Optional Armstrap

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
INT RNAL CAM LOCK is flush with the inside of the tube.
●
4 Insert the MIDDL ST M into the S-ROD,
with the SILV R BUTTON pointed upward
●
5Rotate the MIDDL ST M until the SILV R BUTTON
locates in the hole.
●
6Twist the LOCKING COLLAR fully in the clockwise
direction until it locks.
●
7Repeat this process on the LOW R ST M.
●
8Using the BOLT and KNURL D KNOB, attach the
S ARCHCOIL to the LOW R ST M.
●
9 Adjust the LOW R ST M to a length that lets you maintain a
comfortable upright posture, with your arm relaxed at your
side, and the S ARCHCOIL parallel to the ground in front of
you.
●
10 Wind the CABL securely around the ST MS, leaving slack at
the bottom.
●
11 Connect CABL 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 that it
is very tight. When the Locking Ring is fully engaged over
the threaded connector, it may not cover all of the threads.
●
12 Tighten both LOCKING COLLARS.
S-ROD
LOCKING
COLLAR
INTERNAL
CAM LOCK
SILVE R BUTTON
MIDDLE
STEM
S-ROD MIDDLE STEM
S-ROD MIDDLE STEM
●
2
●
3
●
4
●
4
●
5
*Note: Very tall users can purchase the optional xtended
Lower Stem (TUB 5X), for extended reach.
Caution: Forcing in MIDDL ST M with CAM
LOCK raised may form a burr on
camlock. If this happens, remove
burr with knife to allow insertion.
Locking
Collar
Locking
Collar
S-RodVelcro
Strap
Velcro
Strap
Knurled
Knob
Bolt
Searchcoil
Handgrip
Searchcoil
Cable
Lower
Stem
Middle
Stem
Cable
Plug
7

8
A 3-segment battery indicator at the bottom 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.
Rechargeable 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
xpect about 15 to 20 hours of life from a 9-volt alkaline battery.
Rechargeable 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

9
QUICK-START DEMONSTRATION
I. Supplies Needed
• a Nail • a Zinc Penny (dated after 1982)
• a Nickel • a Quarter
II. osition 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. Remove watches, rings and
jewelry.
d. Turn off lights or appliances,
whose electromagnetic emissions may cause interference.
e. Pivot the searchcoil back.
III. Click on detector with the left knob. Set the Gain at the
12:00 position for this demonstration.
IV. Click the right knob to the left to the DISC setting.
V. a. Wave the nail over the searchcoil.
b. Press +repeatedly, while continuing to wave the nail.
• Notice the change in sound.
• Sound changes from a HIGH tone to V.C.O. tones (see
page 25).
VI. Wave each object over the searchcoil.
Sweep coin flat and parallel to the searchcoil. This is how
you will usually find them buried.
a. Notice the tones and 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.
VII. Press the +button several more times until the Disc value on the
display =60.
VIII. Wave the nail over the searchcoil.
a. The nail will not be detected
b. The nail has been “discriminated out.”
Quick-Start Dem c ntinued n next page

10
X. Click the MODE knob to the right.
The detector is now in the ALL M TAL Mode
a. Keep GAIN set at the 12:00 position
b. Rotate the THR SHOLD knob slowly from the far counterclockwise
position to the full clockwise position.
Notice these attributes of the THR SHOLD 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 electromag-
netic interference emitted from other electrical devices.
Use with hea phones (not inclu e )
The Gold Bug®Pro is equipped with a 1/4” headphone jack. Any headphones
with a 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. 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, like rattlesnakes, are present. This device is to be used
with interconnecting cables/headphone cables shorter than three meters.
IX. ress-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