Fisher 1212-X User manual

1212-X
Operating Manual
One Knob Metal Detector
FISHER RESEARCH LABORATORY

CONTENTS
About Your 1212-X ................................................................... pg. 1
Setting Up .................................................................................. pg. 2
Control Functions ...................................................................... pg. 4
Discrimination Points ................................................................ pg. 5
Searching .................................................................................. pg. 7
Pinpointing ................................................................................ pg. 9
Recovery Tools .......................................................................... pg. 11
Target Recovery ....................................................................... pg. 11
Operating Tips .......................................................................... pg. 12
False Signals .............................................................................. pg. 13
Battery Replacement ............................................................... pg. 14
Maintenance ............................................................................ pg. 15
Treasure Hunter’s Code Of Ethics ............................................ pg. 15
Where To Use Your Metal Detector In The U.S. ...................... pg. 16
Specifications ........................................................................... pg. 17

ABOUT YOUR DETECTOR
Your 1212-X is more proof from Fisher Research Laboratory that
a good metal detector doesn’t have to be complicated and
expensive. No frills but a lot of performance features that really
count: automatic VLF- ground rejection, automatic tuning,
variable trash rejection, headphone jack, built-in speaker and a
deep-seeking lightweight 8 inch search coil. Best of all it does what
a metal detector is supposed to do—it ignores ground minerals
and trash as it detects valuable buried targets.
One knob operation. Just pick it up, set your trash rejection level
and start searching. No tuning, no meter, no gimmicks.
Performance. If you’ve tested other detectors in this price range,
you’re in for a pleasant surprise. In fact you may find that your
1212-X goes deeper and ignores trash better than some detectors
costing much more.
State of the art. Engineered by the world’s oldest and proudest
name in metal detectors. Patented double derivative electronics
provide up to 30 hours of silent, no drift operation on a single 9
volt transistor battery.
Read this instruction manual from cover to cover and treat your
1212-X as you would any high quality precision instrument. Drop
us a line if you have any questions, comments, or exciting 1212-X
stories. In the meantime . . .
Happy Hunting!
Fisher Research Laboratory
1

2
SETTING UP
The 1212-X comes to you just about ready to use. The only
adjustment required is the angle of the stem. Take a look at
page 3 and familiarize yourself with the parts of the 1212-X
before proceeding.
1. Unpack your new 1212-X carefully. Save the
carton and inserts—they may come in handy for
future storage or shipment.
2. Note that the search coil cable is permanently
attached to the control housing. Be careful not to
put any undue strain on it.
3. Take a look inside the locknut on the upper
stem. Note the clear locking pad on the left-hand
side and loosen the locknut by rotating it fully
counterclockwise.
4. Slip the lower stem into the upper stem, tighten
and loosen the fit by turning the locknut.
5. Adjust the stem length (using the locknut) and
the coil angle (using the nylon wing nut) so that the
search coil rests flat on the ground about 6 inches
in front of, and slightly to the right of, your right foot
(to the left of your left foot for left handers.) Your
arm should be straight and relaxed with your grip
held loosely.
REMEMBER: THE LONGER THE SHAFT, THE MORE
YOU WILL HAVE TO BEND YOUR ELBOW AND THE
SOONER YOUR ARM WILL GET TIRED. THE 1212-X
IS BALANCED FOR COMFORTABLE SEARCHING IN
A TIGHT SEMICIRCLE AROUND THE FRONT OF THE
OPERATOR.
6. With the stem length properly adjusted, remove
the search coil from the lower stem (by removing
the Delrin bolt and wing nut). Wind the cable loosely
around the upper and lower stems and reinstall the
search coil.
CAUTION: MAKE SURE THE CABLE IS NOT PULLED
TIGHT AT THE CONTROL HOUSING AND THAT YOU
HAVE ENOUGH SLACK AT THE SEARCH COIL TO
ADJUST IT TO ANY ANGLE.

7. With the shaft length and coil angle
properly adjusted, you should be able
to move into your “search” position (as
shown on page 3) by leaning forward
very slightly and raising your arm (still
straight) until the search coil is about 2
inches above the ground and 12 inches
in front of your foot. The search coil
should be parallel to the ground and
may have to be slightly readjusted at
this point.
3
SETTING UP
Padded Arm Rest
Hand Grip
Control Housing
Battery Access
Panel (in rear) Search Coil Cable
Upper Stem
Lock Nut
Lower Stem
Search Coil Cable
Strain Relief
Derlin Bolt,
Nylon Wing Nut
8-inch Waterproof ESI
Sheilded Search Coil
Figure 1. Fisher M-Scope 1212-X
Figure 2. Search Position

4
1. ON/OFF - TRASH REJECTION CONTROL: Power
is Turned off at the full counter clockwise “OFF”
position. All metals are detected when turned
on to zero. Most small pieces of metal trash are
rejected at the maximum level of ten. Most
ground minerals are ignored at all settings.
2. STEREO HEADPHONE JACK: Located on the right
side of the control panel, this jack accepts most
stereo and mono headphones with 1/4” diameter
plugs. When used, the speaker is automatically
disconnected. A headphone can be very helpful
when hunting in noisy areas or detecting faint
signal on small, deep targets. CAUTION: Since the
1212-X has a fixed volume setting (loud), always
use headphones with individual volume controls
adjusted to a comfortable level. Also, If you use a
stereo headphone, make sure the stereo/mono
switch is in the “stereo” position.
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
SPEAKER
GRILL 21
Figure 3. Control Panel. One knob does it all!

5
DISCRIMINATION POINTS
By adjusting the TRASH REJECTION control you will be able
to reject (or “discriminate”) small pieces of metallic trash
and ground minerals while detecting valuable targets. The
lowest setting at which an object is rejected is referred to as
the object’s “discrimination point.” Discrimination points are
determined by such factors as size, shape, depth, type of metal
and ground mineralization.
Typical 1212-X audio responses over 1 inch deep targets with
search coil sweeping 2 to 3 inches above ground.
Note that the terms “discrimination” and “trash rejection” are
used interchangeably.
1. Scatter some sample targets such as coins, pull
tabs and small pieces of foil on the ground 1 to 2
feet apart.
2. Turn the TRASH REJECTION control to zero.
3. Hold the search coil about 2 inches above and
parallel to the ground. Move it slowly over the
samples and note the sharp loud response as you
pass over each one. Keep in mind that the 1212-X
is a motion detector and responds only when the
search coil (or the target) is moving.
4. Increase the TRASH REJECTION control to a
setting of 3 and again pass over the targets.
Repeat this process at settings 4, 5, 6 and so on
to 10. You will note that as you increase the level
of trash rejection, the 1212-X will reject some
targets and continue to respond to others. You
have now determined the discrimination points for
the rejected objects. For example, the small nail
discrimination point may be at 4 and the pull tab
discrimination at 6.
5. The 1212-X will remain silent when some objects
are rejected, however, other objects may “snap,
crackle and pop” as they are rejected. This is a
perfectly normal response indicating that the
powerful discrimination circuitry is doing its job.
6. Large pieces of trash such as beer cans or jar
lids may sound like a good target no matter what

6
you do. With a little practice, however, you will be
able to tell the difference between a large target
and a small coin-sized object.
7. Figure 4 shows some different responses you
may expect at different levels of discrimination.
Note that as you increase the discrimination level,
you progressively eliminate more targets including
some good ones, such as nickels and gold rings.
NOTE:
The discriination levels shown are typical values only and may
vary from detector to detector.
Figure 4. Typical 1212-X audio responses over 1-inch deep targets with search coil
sweeping 2 to 3 inches above ground.
DISCRIMINATION POINTS

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1. Decide how much trash rejection you want to
use.
a. In relatively non-trashy soil you may wish to search
at zero trash rejection. In this manner, your 1212-X is
at its most sensitive and will detect all metal targets
within its range. Once an object is detected, you
can increase the trash rejection level for further
identification.
b. In trashy areas, it is generally easier to search
at a higher level of trash rejection (at the pull tab
discrimination point for example). This way you will
detect mostly good targets and can lower the
rejection level for pinpointing (zero trash rejection
will produce the strongest signal over small or deep
targets).
2. Search slowly and systematically, sweeping in a
tight semicircle.
3. Keep the coil parallel to, and as close to the
ground as practical. If you’re hunting on a lawn, you
can set the coil right on the grass and search.
4. Overlap your sweeps at least 50%.
5. Search in a methodical manner. Pay close
attention to where you’re going and where you’ve
been.
6. Keep the search coil moving at a comfortable
rate.
SEARCHING
Figure 5. Search Pattern.
When the stem is properly
adjusted, the 1212-X is balanced
for sweeping in a tight semi-circle.
Always overlap your sweeps at
least 50%.

8
SEARCHING
NOTE:
Other motion detectors may require a fast sweep speed for
maximum sensitivity. If you try that with your
1212-X, you’ll actually lose sensitivity.
When the stem length is properly adjusted, the 1212-X is balanced
for sweeping in a tight semicircle. Always overlap your sweeps at
least 50%.
Figure 6. Keep the search
coil parallel and close to
the ground at all times.