Garrett CSI 250 User manual

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING
GARRETT METAL DETECTORS!
Thank you for choosing Garrett Metal Detectors’
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) 250 metal detector.
This enhanced metal detector incorporates Garrett’s
exclusive Target ID to help selectively locate all
types of metallic evidence. All of our products are
backed by 40 years of extensive research and
development that ensures your CSI 250 detector is
the most advanced of its kind in the industry.
In order to take full advantage of the special features
and functions of the CSI 250 metal detector, please
carefully read this instruction manual in its entirety.
1
CSI 250

GARRETT CSI 250
CSI 250
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Illustration 3
Parts 4
Assembly 6
Features 10
Pushbuttons / Controls 16
Searching with the CSI 250 22
Making Adjustments 26
Bench Tests 29
Test Plot Construction 31
Troubleshooting Guide 32
Caring for your CSI 250 33
Warranty & Service 35
Accessories 38
2
Garrett Metal Detectors
Control
Housing
S-shaped
Ramrod Stem
Upper
Stem
Lower
Stem
Searchcoil
Threaded
Bolt
Handle
Grip
Padded
Arm Cuff
LCD
Screen
Detector
Stand
Pushbutton
Controls
Washer
Knob
Spring
Clip
3

If any part is missing, please contact your local
dealer.
5
CSI 250
4
Garrett Metal Detectors
PARTS
No tools are required to assemble the CSI 250. Four
(4) AA batteries are included with the detector.
Before assembling your CSI metal detector make
certain you have the complete set of parts, which
include:
A. Control Housing with S-shaped Ramrod
Stem and Arm Cuff
B. Upper Stem and Lower Stem
C. One (1) Wing Nut
D. Two (2) Mounting Washers
E. One (1) Threaded Bolt
F. Searchcoil with Cable
G. CSI Carrying Case
H. Headphones
I. Warranty Card
J. Instruction Manual
A
BE
D
CF
G
H
I
J

3. Insert the Threaded Bolt through the holes of
the Lower Stem and Searchcoil. Hand-tighten the
searchcoil assembly with the remaining Wing Nut.
Figure 1-3.
4. Depress the Spring Clip and insert the Control
Housing into the Upper Stem. Figure 1-4.
7
CSI 250
ASSEMBLY
1. Press the two Mounting Washers into the Lower
Stem. Figure 1-1.
2. Slide the Searchcoil onto the Stem. Figure 1-2.
6
Garrett Metal Detectors
Figure 1-3
Figure 1-4
Figure 1-1
Figure 1-2

7. Insert the Cable into the Connector of the Control
Housing and hand-tighten.
8. The location of the Arm Cuff may be adjusted by
removing the screw on the bottom and rotating the
Arm Cuff 180°. Figure 1-8.
9
CSI 250
5. Depress the Spring Clip in the Lower Stem to
adjust to the most comfortable operating length.
Figure 1-5.
6.Wrap the Searchcoil cable snugly about the stem
with the first turn of the cable over the stem.
Figure 1-6.
8
Garrett Metal Detectors
Figure 1-7
Figure 1-5
Figure 1-6 Figure 1-8

1. Mode - Indicates which detection mode is
selected by highlighting the corresponding word on
the LCD.
2. Target ID Legend - A Target ID Legend is
located directly above the LCD screen and indicates
commonly found crime scene targets and metals.
When a target is detected, the Target ID cursor will
appear below the word that most likely indicates the
type of target found, based on its conductivity.
3. Target ID Cursor - The Target ID cursor
is illuminated in the Upper Scale and indicates the
probable identity of a detected target.
4. Lower Scale - The lower horizontal scale,
or Notch Discrimination Scale, indicates the
discrimination pattern where the CSI 250 will or
will not produce an audible signal when a target
is located. This scale can be modified in both
detection modes.
11
CSI 250
FEATURES
The CSI 250 is designed with Garrett’s exclusive
Graphic Target ID technology, which indicates the
probable identification of a target along a horizontal
scale that reads from low conductive metals (e.g.
iron) on the left to high conductive metals (e.g.
silver) on the right.
10
Garrett Metal Detectors

Note: For best performance, replace old batteries
with quality alkalineAAbatteries. NiMH rechargeable
batteries may be used, but will have a shorter life per
charge. You can expect 20 to 40 hours of operation
depending on battery type.
Access and replace the batteries by gently sliding
the cover off the control housing. Remove batteries
from the CSI 250 when the unit will be stored for
longer than 30 days.
7. Headphone Jack - Headphones with a
1/4” plug can be inserted into the jack found on the
reverse side of the Control Housing. Headphones
13
CSI 250
No audible signal will be produced when a target is
located where a notch is present (those regions of
the Lower Scale where no segments are visible).
5. Depth - The depth of an .38 caliber bullet,
or similar sized target, will be shown on the LCD
screen. Depth is indicated when the LCD scale is
illuminated at 2”, 4” or 6” or 8+ inches. Sweep over
the target with the searchcoil 1” from the soil to get
the most accurate reading.
Note: Targets larger than a .38 caliber shell
cartridge may display shallower than actual depth
while targets smaller than a .38 caliber cartridge may
display deeper than actual depth.
6. Battery Condition Indicator - An LCD
battery graphic is continuously illuminated to indicate
battery level.
12
Garrett Metal Detectors

Be sure to listen carefully to the tone of each target
during your bench tests. With experience, you will
begin to recognize the different tones the CSI 250
makes when hunting as well as the type of targets
they identify.
NOTE: Virtually every U.S. coin will be identified
with the belltone feature.
10. Numeric Reference Scale - The numbers
1 - 12 are shown on the Lower Scale of the LCD
and serve as a visual reference guide for detected
targets based on the target’s conductivity. You can
use this guide as an additional way to determine
where similar targets appear on the LCD.
15
CSI 250
mask external noise, such as traffic, and may enable
you to better identify a target based on its audible
signal.
8. Tone ID - The CSI 250 makes three (Low,
Standard, Bell) audible tones when a target is
detected. These tones, which are determined by the
metal’s conductivity, provide additional information
about your target.
For example, a steel-core projectile may be indicated
with a Low Tone; a .22-casing may produce a
standard tone and 9mm copper projectile may be
identified with a belltone.
14
Garrett Metal Detectors

beeps twice.
2. MODE - Press the MODE pushbutton to select
one of two desired detection modes:
•ALL-METAL Mode - This is the CSI 250’s factory
default mode and is designed to detect every type
of metal (i.e. no discrimination or type of metals
eliminated). It is the most effective mode when the
exact materials of a desired object are unknown.
• CUSTOM Mode - This Mode can be programmed
solely by the operator. The CUSTOM mode is
factory preset with the same settings as the ALL-
METAL Mode. Using the DISCRIM and ELIM
push buttons, an operator can modify the Notch
Discrimination settings to individual specifications.
These modifications will be retained in the CUSTOM
Mode when the CSI 250 is turned OFF.
The CUSTOM Mode can be used to find specific
17
CSI 250
PUSHBUTTONS / CONTROLS
1. PWR - Press and release the PWR (Power)
pushbutton to turn the detector ON and OFF.
Note: After turning detector OFF, wait 3 to 5
seconds before turning the unit ON again.
The PWR (Power) pushbutton can also be used
to reset all settings to factory preset by pressing
and holding for 5 - 10 seconds, or until the detector
16
Garrett Metal Detectors

button to create a notch where the Target ID cursor
signaled the presence of the trash. The next time
the CSI 250 encounters the same trash item, it will
not produce an audible signal.
NOTE: Make certain that you do not create an
elimination notch that would correspond to the
target you are seeking.
3. PINPOINT - Press and hold the Pinpoint
pushbutton to determine the exact location of a
target that is still hidden in the ground, wall or other
structure. This allows the searchcoil to remain
stationary in order to pinpoint the location of the
target.
4. DISCRIM - Use the (+) or (-) on the DISCRIM
(Discrimination) pushbutton to move the Target
ID cursor to the left or right. Next, use the ELIM
Pushbutton to modify the discrimination pattern on
the Lower Scale.
19
CSI 250
metal items and ignore other types of metals. For
example, if an earring has been lost, scan the
matching earring with the CSI 250 while in the
CUSTOM mode. Note where the target ID cursor
appears on the Upper Scale when the earring is
scanned.
Next, use the (+) and (-) on the DISCRIM pushbutton
to move the Target ID cursor to the left and right.
Press the ELIM button to delete the segments on
the Lower Scale where the target was not detected.
Leave only the segment where the Target ID cursor
is illuminated when the earring was scanned. The
CSI 250 is now programmed to find only the missing
earring based on the conductivity of its matching
pair.
ELIM can also be used to modify the Notch
Discrimination Scale to reject a specific type of trash
while detecting all other metal. When a trash metal
is detected while searching, simply push the ELIM
18
Garrett Metal Detectors

Discrimination scale using the ELIM pushbutton
while in the ALL-METAL mode will not be saved.
The detector will resume hunting in the factory
preset ALL-METAL Mode when turned back ON.
6. SENSITIVITY - Press the SENSITIVITY
button to step through the eight (8) sensitivity levels,
which are continuously shown on the LCD screen.
Always use higher sensitivity levels, especially when
searching for very small or deep targets.
Use lower sensitivity levels only in locations where
the detector is behaving erratically due to excessive
metallic trash interference, high mineral soils,
saltwater beaches, the presence of other metal
detectors, or there is nearby electrical interference
such as power lines.
21
CSI 250
5. ELIM - Press the ELIM (Eliminate) pushbutton
to eliminate or activate the LCD segment located
on the Lower Scale, directly below the Target ID
cursor.
The ELIM function can be used to modify each
Mode’s discrimination patterns. For example, when
an unwanted target is located while searching, press
the ELIM pushbutton to create a Notch (delete the
segment) on the Lower Scale. This will eliminate
the audible signal when that specific target is
encountered again.
Note: All Notch Discrimination modifications
made while in the CUSTOM mode using the ELIM
pushbutton will be retained when the detector is
turned OFF. The detector will resume searching with
the changes made in the CUSTOM mode when the
detector is turned back ON.
However, all changes made to the Notch
20
Garrett Metal Detectors

23
CSI 250
SEARCHING WITH THE CSI 250
Your CSI 250 is a highly sophisticated, yet easy
to operate metal detector. To search a crime
scene, simply press the PWR pushbutton and begin
searching in the factory preset ALL-METAL mode.
This mode will allow you to detect every type of
metal object. Using this preset ALL-METAL mode
is particularly beneficial especially when you are
unsure of the exact type of weapon or metallic
evidence you are seeking.
Proper Scanning Techniques
Swing the searchcoil back and forth in front of you
in a straight line with a sweep speed of about 3 to
5 feet per second while walking forward at a rate
of about 1/2 to 1 foot per second. Maintain your
searchcoil at a constant height of about 1 to 2 inches
above the ground. When a target is detected it will
be audibly and visually indicated by the detector.
22
Garrett Metal Detectors

searchcoil is directly over the target with the depth
of the target shown on the depth scale.
Manually Pinpointing a Target
As an alternative to electronic pinpointing, as just
described, you can also manually pinpoint targets
by not depressing the Pinpoint pushbutton . Simply
draw an imaginary “X” on the ground with the
searchcoil where maximum sound occurs. You’ll
notice that the searchcoil must be moving and
that you cannot maintain detection sound with the
searchcoil held completely still above the target.
25
CSI 250
Electronically Pinpointing a Target
When you have detected a target, place the coil
on the ground to the side of the target’s suspected
location, then press and hold the Pinpoint pushbutton.
Move the coil left and right, then front to back; the
maximum sound will be heard when the target is
directly beneath the center of the searchcoil.
Also, when electronically pinpointing, the Upper Scale
on the LCD Screen indicates signal strength. When
the greatest number of LCD segments (increasing
left to right on the scale) is shown, the center of the
Garrett Metal Detectors
24

Method 1 - Pass the searchcoil over an object to
be accepted or rejected as a target. Or, pass the
particular target across the face of the searchcoil
about two inches from its surface. If the segment is
displayed on the Lower Scale, that particular target
will be detected. If you want to reject that type of
target, press the ELIM pushbutton. The segment
on the Lower Scale will disappear, creating a “reject
notch”. If the Lower Scale segment is not displayed,
press the ELIM pushbutton to illuminate it, creating
an “accept notch” and your CSI 250 will begin
signaling targets represented by that segment.
27
CSI 250
MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
Discrimination
When your CSI 250 is turned ON for the first time,
it will begin operating in the ALL-METAL mode.
This means that you will be searching using no
discrimination adjustments. Many investigators
may never require any discrimination adjustments.
However, you can make adjustments by using
the ELIM and DISCRIM pushbuttons for specific
requirements.
The Lower Scale on the graphic display contains
12 segments. The illuminated segments represent
conductivities of the targets that will be detected
with an audible signal. Likewise, the absence of an
illuminated segment (i.e. notch) on this Lower Scale
will suppress an audible signal when a target with
this conductivity is detected.
26
Garrett Metal Detectors

BENCH TESTS
As you operate the CSI 250 you will quickly grow
more efficient in its use. You can also conduct
bench tests to become more familiar with your
detector’s operation. To conduct a bench test:
1. Place the searchcoil on a flat, non-metallic surface
that’s several feet from other metallic objects.
29
CSI 250
28
Garrett Metal Detectors
Method 2 - Press the + or - DISCRIM pushbutton
to position the Upper Scale cursor above the
Lower Scale segment corresponding to the target
to be detected or ignored. Determine the target you
would like to accept or reject and press the ELIM
pushbutton.
Sensitivity
The CSI 250 has 8 sensitivity settings for achieving
maximum depth. However, you many not always be
able to operate at full sensitivity. Electromagnetic
interference, irregular ground mineralization and
other environmental conditions may sometimes
require that you operate at reduced detection
sensitivity.
Use the + and - Sensitivity pushbuttons to adjust
sensitivity to the appropriate level, usually as high as
possible while maintaining stable operation.

31
CSI 250
2. Select theALL-METALMode as well as experiment
with various discrimination patterns.
3. Pass various sought-after metal objects (bullets,
casings, knives, etc.) across the searchcoil at a
distance of one to two inches. Your metal detector
will audibly and visually identify the target. When
conducting bench tests you will notice that the
CSI 250 will create one of three tones for each
target. These differences in tone are related to
the conductivity of the detected target. Low tones
indicate low conductivity targets such as iron;
standard tones indicate targets like a .22-casing;
and a belltone indicates high conductivity targets
such as silver coins, etc.
30
Garrett Metal Detectors
TEST PLOT CONSTRUCTION
Also, it is suggested that you develop a “test plot” to
see how various targets appear on the LCD. This
test plot will also prove invaluable in training others
to use the metal detector. After you select an area
for your test plot, scan it thoroughly and remove all
metal from the ground.
Next, select targets such as .22 caliber bullets,
.38 caliber shell casings, a dummy pistol, knife,
bottlecap, nail and pulltab or other targets. Place
the targets at varying depths. Be sure to listen
carefully to the tone of each target during your test
plot. With experience, you will begin to recognize
the different tones the CSI 250 makes when hunting
as well as the type of targets they identify.

CARING FOR YOUR CSI 250
Your Garrett detector is a rugged machine, designed
for outdoor use. However, as with all electronic
equipment there are simple ways you can care for
your detector to maintain its high performance.
• Avoid extreme temperatures as much as possible,
such as storing the detector in an automobile trunk
during the summer or outdoors in sub-freezing
weather.
• Keep your detector clean. Wipe the control
housing with a damp cloth when necessary.
• Remember your searchcoil is submersible, but
your control housing is not. Never submerge the
control housing in water.
33
CSI 250
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
32
Garrett Metal Detectors
SYMPTOM SOLUTION
No power 1. Ensure batteries are installed in the correct position.
2. Replace all old batteries with all new batteries
Erratic sounds or
target ID cursor
movement
1. Ensure your searchcoil is securely connected and
the coil cable is tightly wound around the stem
2. Ensure you are not using the detector indoors
where excessive amounts of metal are found
3. Reduce your sensitivity setting
4. Determine if you are close to other metal
detectors or other metal structures such as
electrical power lines, wire fences, benches, etc.
(NOTE: Iron targets may cause erratic sounds or Target ID Cursor
movement. You can identify iron targets in an All-Metal Mode)
Intermittent
Signals
Intermittent signals typically mean you’ve found a deeply buried
target or one that is positioned at a difficult angle for your detector
to read. Increase the sensitivity on your detector and scan from
different directions until the signal becomes more definite. In the
case of multiple targets switch to the All-Metal Mode or press
PINPOINT to precisely locate all targets.
(NOTE: Iron targets may cause Intermittent Signals. You can
identify iron targets in an All-Metal Mode).
I’m not finding
specific targets
Ensure you are using the correct mode for the type of searching you
are doing. Use the All-Metal mode, which detects all metal targets
to ensure desired targets are detected.
Target ID Cursor
bounces
If your Target ID Cursor bounces erratically, chances are you’ve
found a trash target. However, a Target ID Cursor may bounce if a
good target (such as a knife) is not parallel to the searchcoil (e.g. on
edge). It may also bounce if there is one or multiple “junk” targets
laying next to the good target. Scan from different directions until
your Target ID Cursor becomes more stable.

35
CSI 250
• Protect your control housing from heavy mist, rain
and blowing surf.
• Disassemble the stem, and wipe it and the
searchcoil clean with a damp cloth. Be sure not
to submerge the connector.
• When storing for longer than one month, remove
the batteries from the detector and from their holders
as well.
• Always use high quality alkaline batteries. When
changing old batteries be sure to replace with all
new batteries for optimum performance.
34
Garrett Metal Detectors
WARRANTY & SERVICE
Your CSI 250 detector is warranted for 24 months,
limited parts and labor, but does not cover damage
caused by alteration, modification, neglect, accident
or misuse.
In the event you encounter problems with the CSI
250 detector please read through this Instructor’s
Manual carefully to ensure the detector is not
inoperable due to manual adjustments. On the
CSI 250, press and hold the POWER Pushbutton
for 5 seconds to return the recommended factory
settings. Before you return your CSI 250 detector
to the factory make certain you have:
1. Checked your batteries, switches and connectors.
Weak batteries are the most common cause of
detector “failure.”

You can call Garrett’s Customer Service Department
at 1-800-234-6151 (U.S.A.) or 1-972-494-6151
(Outside U.S.A.) if you have further questions.
Please allow approximately one week for Garrett
technicians to examine and repair your detector
after they receive it; plus another week for return
shipping. All equipment will be returned via UPS or
parcel post, unless written authorization is given by
you to ship collect by air parcel post, UPS Blue (air)
or air freight.
International Customers
It is recommended that international customers
contact their local dealer for repairs and warranty
service to avoid the high costs of international
shipping rates. If you do not know where to locate
your local dealer please contact the Garrett factory
by calling 1-972-494-6151 or e-mail us at security@
garrett.com.
37
CSI 250
2. Contacted your dealer, particularly if you are not
familiar with the CSI 250 detector.
3. Included a letter that fully describes the problem
and conditions under which they occur.
4. Included your name, agency, address and a
phone number where you can be reached between
8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., C.S.T.
5. Carefully packed the detector in its original
shipping box or other suitable box. Make certain
that proper insulation or packing material is used to
secure all parts. Do not ship stems or headphones,
unless they are a part of the problem. Be certain to
return all coils. Ship to:
Garrett Metal Detectors
Repair Department
1881 W. State Street
Garland, Texas 75042
36
Garrett Metal Detectors