Fisher M-Scope M-96 User manual

M-96
Operating Manual
Value, Pedestal and Box Locator
FISHER RESEARCH LABORATORY

CONTENTS
About Your M-96 .....................................................................pg. 1
Condensed Operating Instructions ......................................pg. 2
Factory Preset ‘Turn-On-and-Go’ Marks..........................pg. 2
Start-Up Procedure.............................................................pg. 4
Setting Up.................................................................................pg. 6
Fitting The Detector To the Operator ................................pg. 6
Normal Mode......................................................................pg. 7
High Mode...........................................................................pg. 8
Control Panel ..........................................................................pg. 9
On/Off Grond Knob............................................................pg. 9
Mode Knob .........................................................................pg. 9
Retune Button ...................................................................... pg. 9
Headphone Jack ...............................................................pg. 10
Search Methods .....................................................................pg. 10
Helpful Hints .........................................................................pg. 11
Searching In Water.............................................................pg. 11
Pinpointing...............................................................................pg. 12
Changing Batteries................................................................. pg. 13
Specifications .........................................................................pg. 14

ABOUT YOUR DETECTOR
1
The Fisher M-Scope Model-96 offers the utility industry an
uncomplicated detector for finding paved-over or buried metallic
objects. The waterproof search coil and the rugged electronics
housing make the M-96 an ideal detector for field utility use.
The entire VLF (Very Low Frequency) operation of the M-96
has been reduced to just two control knobs and a pushbutton.
Adjusting these knobs gives the operator maximum depth while
eliminating annoying ground effects, usually caused by
mineralization in the soil.
The M-96 features state-of-the-art, surface-mount electronics
in a sealed control housing.
TheFisherM-96offersaeasy,uncomplicated method of finding
buried metallic objects.

2
FACTORY PRESET ‘TURN-ON-AND-GO’ MARKS
Your Fisher M-96 is fairly simple to operate, especially when
compared to other metal detectors. Even so, we strongly
recommend that you read this entire manual. You’ll be able to tune
your M-96 to your specific needs and conditions.
Butifyoujustcan’t wait any longer, and you’re an experienced
detector user, here’s some quick instructions to get you going:
1. Unpack your M-96 carefully, and save the box. It
maycomeinhandyifyouneedtoshiptheinstrument.
2. Take a look inside the lock nut on the upper
handle to see if the yellow locking pad is on the
left-hand side for a lower handle with a flat on one
side. Loosen the locking nut by rotating it fully
counterclockwise. This is the configuration for all
M-96’s up to Serial #62230. Units with Serial #62231
and after have a locking pad at the top and a
round lower stem with a stem lock button fitting in
one of the holes at two (2) inch intervals on the
back side of the upper handle.
3. Slip the lower stem into the upper handle, making
sure the flat side of the stem is aligned with the
locking pad inside the lock nut, (Serial No. 62230
and before).
4. Adjust the stem length and coil angle so that the
search coil rests flat on the ground about 6-12
inches in front of and slightly to the right of your
rightfoot(totheleftofyour left foot for left handers).
Your arm should be straight and relaxed, the grip
held loosely. The stem length is adjusted by
loosening the nylon wing nut on the search coil.
NOTE: Remember, the longer the shaft, the more you’ll
have to bend your elbow to keep the coil off the ground
and the sooner your arm will get tired. The M-96 is balanced
for comfortable searching in a tight semicircle around
the front of the operator.
CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

3
5. With the stem length properly adjusted, wrap the
search coil cable snugly around the lower stem
and the upper handle. Leave just enough slack
near the coil to allow it to be tilted completely
backward and forward.
NOTE: A loose cable near the search coil may cause false
signals, but don’t wrap it so tightly that it pulls against
the housing or the coil.
6. Reconnect the coil cable to the control housing.
Be careful not to cross thread it and make sure it’s
snug - but hand tighten only!
CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Foam hand grip
Headphone
socket
Battery
Compartment
(both sides)
8-inch Search Coil
Search Coil
Adjustment
Nylon Wing nut
Lower Stem
Stem Lock Nut
Speaker
Retune Button
On/Off Ground
Reject Knob
Mode Knob Upper Handle
Padded Arm Rest
Stem Lock Button

4
7. With the shaft length and coil angle properly
adjusted, you should be able to move into your
search position by leaning forward very slightly and
raising your arm.
8. If the arm rest is too wide or narrow, you may
bend it slightly inward or outward to your exact
requirements.
9. Plug your headphones (an accessory) into the
headphonejack(ifyoudon’tuseheadphones,you
can use the built-in speaker.)
Remove protective
plug and insert the
headphone plug to
hear target signals.
Watch the meter (and listen
to the speaker) for
indications of a target.
Press the
RETUNE button
.
Set GROUND
control to 5.
Set Mode Knob
to NORMAL
Turn-on-and-go factory preset control markers are colored red. The Mode Knob is set
to Normal and the Ground Knob is set to 5.
START-UP PROCEDURE
CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

5
10. Thetwoknobscanbe adjusted with your thumb
without removing your hand from the grip,
particularly if you’re right handed. Set the controls
of the MODE and GROUND switches to the red
preset marks: NORMAL for the MODE control and
5 for the Ground control. You should hear a tone.
11. Press the RETUNE button.
12. Begin searching. Walk slowly, sweeping the M-96
searchcoilinfrontofyouinatightsemicircle.Remember,
the M-96 is a no-motion detector, meaning the search
coil doesn’t have to be moving to detect a target.
13. Keep the search coil parallel to the ground.
14. Whenyougetagood,repeatablesignalinyour
headphones and on the M-96 meter, pinpoint the
target by passing the search coil over it both side-
to-side and top-to-bottom (at 90 degree angles).
15. Watch the meter and listen to the target signal.
The target will lie directly beneath the center of
the coil when the meter and audio signal peak.
16. Although the M-96 is one of the easiest-to-
operate metal detectors available today, skill with
a metal detector takes practice. If you’re having
problems with your search, refer to the detailed
operating instructions contained in this manual,
beginning on the next page.
CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

6
FITTING THE DETECTOR TO THE OPERATOR
1. Start by gripping the foam hand grip and letting
your arm hang comfortably by your side.
2. Thelength of thehandleshaftand theangleofthe
searchcoilarebothadjustable.Adjustthesearch coil
angle so that it is parallel to the ground.
3. Loosenthelocknut found midway down the shaft,
andextendthelowershaftslightly.If theserialnumber
is 62231 or later, there is a stem lock button on the
lower shaft that fits at 2 inch intervals in the backside
oftheupperhandletomakeit adouble lockingstem.
Besure thatthe buttonengagesintheholeclosestfor
yourbest operating length.Afteradjustingthe length
oftheshaft,tightenthelocknutwithyourhand.(Refer
to the photo on page 4.) Never use pliers or other
mechanical force to tighten this nut.
4. Again,completelygraspthefoamhandle and let
yourarmhangatyoursidewiththesearchcoilparallel
to the ground. Bring your arm forward and try a few
side-to-sidemotionswiththedetector.Thesearchcoil
should be about 1 inch above and parallel to the
ground without strain to the operator. If the position
feels strained to you, your hand holding the detector
istoofarin front of you or theshaftlengthadjustment
is too short. Readjust the shaft length as necessary.
SETTING UP
Your search position should be
comfortable and relaxed, with the
detector grasped loosely in your
hand.

7
NORMAL MODE
The NORMAL MODE of operation is generally used when
searching for larger objects, such as manhole covers, telephone
pedestals in the snow and valve boxes. The NORMAL MODE,
which is marked in red, is also used for locating smaller, shallower
objects. No adjustments are required in most search areas, and
most small pieces of metallic trash – such as bottle caps, pull tabs
and nails – will be ignored.
1. Hold the search coil 3 feet off the ground and
away from any metal objects.
2. To test the batteries, turn the MODE knob to BAT
and turn the GROUND knob to 5. The meter should
read at least 80. If not, replace the batteries.
3. Turn the MODE knob to NORMAL.
4. Push and release the RETUNE button. You should
now hear a faint hum from the speaker, and the
meter reading about 10. The faint hum you hear is
called the “threshold sound.” You are now ready
to begin your search.
Make sure the
search coil is
always parallel to
the ground while
searching.
SETTING UP

8
HIGH MODE
1. Rest the search coil on the ground in an area
you are reasonably sure is free of metal objects.
2. After going through BAT test in the NORMAL
MODE, turn the MODE knob to HIGH.
3. Turn the GROUND knob to 5.
4. Push and releases the RETUNE button. The meter
readingshouldbeabout10andthe speaker should
have a slight hum, or “threshold sound.”
5. Raise the coil straight up about 12 inches and
note any changes in the meter indication and
speaker volume.
6. If there is little or no change in the meter reading
and volume, the M-96 is properly ground adjusted
and you are ready to search. If there is a change,
proceed to step A or B.
A. If the needle and sound level drop when you
raise the coil, set the search coil flat on the
ground, turn the GROUND knob to 4 and push
and release the RETUNE button. Now raise the
coil 12 inches from the ground and repeat steps
4 and 5, making minor adjustments to the
GROUND knob until the meter reading and
sound remain the same whether the search coil
is flat on the ground or 12 inches in the air.
B. If the needle and sound level increase when
you raise the coil, set the coil flat on the ground
and turn the GROUND knob to 6, push and
release the RETUNE button. Raise the coil 12
inches from the ground and repeat steps 4 and
5, making minor adjustments with the GROUND
knob until the meter reading and sound remain
the same whether the search coil is flat on the
ground or 12 inches in the air.
The rule of thumb is this: if the volume increases
when the coil is raised, turn the GROUND knob
up. If the volume decreases, turn the GROUND
knob down.
SETTING UP