Minelab SDC 2300 User manual

Instruction Manual
Manual de instrucciones
Manual de instruções
Manuel d’instruction
Руководство по эксплуатации
 

WARNING
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, TECHNICAL AND
PROPRIETARY DATA AND INFORMATION AND OTHER MATERIAL OWNED SOLELY
BY MINELAB ELECTRONICS PTY LIMITED.
THIS MATERIAL MUST NOT BE USED WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION
OF MINELAB ELECTRONICS PTY LTD.
© MINELAB ELECTRONICS PTY LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This document is protected by copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Australian
Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) or other applicable laws, any unauthorised use, appropriation or
reproduction of this document or any part of it is strictly prohibited. No part of this document
may be used or reproduced by any means or by any process, in any form, without the prior
written permission of the copyright owner Minelab Electronics Pty
Ltd of 118 Hayward Avenue, Torrensville, SA 5031, Australia. Part Number 4901-0172 | Revision 2

1
Congratulations on
purchasing your
Metal Detector!
Gold detecting is a fascinating and rewarding activity
enjoyed by people all over the world. By getting to
know your SDC 2300 detector you can become one of
the many who find gold on a regular basis.
The SDC 2300 is a compact waterproof gold detector
incorporating Minelab’s MPF (Multi Period Fast) pulse
induction technology. With the assistance of this
Instruction Manual, and the accompanying Quick Start
Guide, you will quickly learn how to assemble and set
up your detector for the best results.
Minelab wishes you every success in your
quest for gold!
English

2List of Parts
NiMH C-Cell Batteries
(Charger included)
Instruction Manual
and Quick Start Guide
Headphones
(Not waterproof)
Battery
Compartment
Headphone
Connector
Main Body
Controls
Armrest Strap
Armrest
Handle Assembly
LED Display and Controls
Shaft Hinge
Upper Shaft
Middle Shaft
Upper Camlock
Lower Camlock
Lower Shaft
Coil Pivot Assembly
Coil
Skidplate

3
Setting Up
1. Release armrest strap
Loosen the armrest strap and slide off of the
coil pivot to release the shaft assembly.
2. Fold out coil/shafts
Fold the coil/shaft assembly out until it clicks
into place.
3. Slide up handle assembly
Slide the handle assembly forwards and
upwards until it clicks into position. This will
also lock the shafts.
4. Extend and open armrest
Slide the armrest backwards until it stops.
Open the armrest wings outwards.
5. Rotate coil into position
Rotate the coil forwards 180° in line with the
shafts. Turn the coil 90° so that it is horizontal.
6. Extend shafts
Unlock the upper and lower camlocks and
extend the middle and lower shafts to a
comfortable detecting length. Lock the upper
and lower camlocks.

4
7. Adjust coil angle
Adjust the angle of the coil so that it is parallel
to the ground when the detector is held in the
operational position.
Packing Up
To pack up the detector and return it to its
compact state, perform the following steps:
1. Retract the armrest wings and the armrest.
2. Hold the bottom of the detector with one
hand, and use base of the palm of the
other hand to firmly impact the top of the
handle behind the LED display. This will
collapse the handle assembly.
BE CAREFUL!
Keep your fingers clear of
the handle and armrest area
when collapsing the handle
assembly.
3. Retract the shafts using the cam-locks
and rotate the shaft and coil back into the
compact position.
Setting Up
Continued…

5
Close the battery door and twist the knob
clockwise as shown.
The waterproof seal on the battery
door must be free of contamination
prior to submerging the detector.
Always clean the seal and its mating
surface and check for damage prior
to underwater use otherwise serious damage can
be caused to your detector.
Inserting Batteries
The SDC 2300 requires four C cell batteries for
operation. Only use high quality alkaline or
rechargeable batteries. Minelab recommends
that only rechargeable batteries with a
capacity of 4000 mAh or greater be used.
Rechargeable batteries have specific charge/
discharge maintenance requirements, which
should be strictly followed to ensure maximum
battery life.
Tips:
tAlways ensure that your rechargeable
batteries are at full charge.
tOnly use high quality batteries.
The battery compartment is located at the rear
of the detector. To open the compartment,
twist the knob in a counter-clockwise
direction, and then pull the door back as
shown.
Insert the batteries. Refer to the battery
orientation diagram on the side of the
detector to ensure that the batteries are
inserted correctly.
Batteries

6
Connecting Headphones
The detector may be used with the built-in
speaker or the headphones supplied.
To attach the headphones, remove the
dust caps from the headphone plug and
headphone socket. Hold the headphone by
the rubber collar using thumb and index
finger, the raised double arrow should
be uppermost. Align the plug with the
headphone socket and squeezing firmly, slide
the collar onto the socket.
The detector’s built-in speaker will be
automatically muted when headphones are
connected.
DO NOT submerge the
headphones!
The headphone earpieces are NOT
waterproof. Only the headphone
cable and connector is waterproof.
If submerging the unit beyond wading depth,
the headphones must be removed and the LED
indicators used to indicate a detection.
Quick Start
The following steps are a good general
procedure to get you detecting quickly.
1. Ensure detector is set to Normal mode 2
(green).
2. Turn on (see ‘Turning the Detector On’)
3. Perform Noise Cancel (if required) (page
8)
4. Set Threshold (if required) (page 8)
5. Perform Fast Ground Balance (page 9)
6. Start detecting
NOTE: Settings may need to be further
adjusted depending on individual ground
conditions.
Turning the Detector On
Before you turn the detector on, hold the coil
away from any metallic objects.
To turn on the detector, lift and rotate the
power switch clockwise, then release.
The SDC 2300 will emit a series of four or five
rising tones and then the LEDs will illuminate.
The detector is ready to use.
Getting Started

7
LED Display
The SDC 2300 is equipped with an LED display
which provides a visual indication of target size
and proximity. When detecting, the first LED
is always illuminated. Small or deep targets
may only cause the first two to three LEDs to
illuminate. Very large or shallow targets may
cause all LEDs to illuminate.
Strong target response
e.g. Large or shallow targets
Weak target response
e.g. Small or deep targets
There is also a single low battery alarm LED,
which will flash when the batteries are nearly
depleted.
Low battery alarm
Battery Status
The battery status can be checked at anytime.
To check your battery level, follow the steps
below:
1. Press and hold the Noise Cancel button.
2. Press and release the Threshold button.
The Noise Cancel button can now be
released.
3. An indication of battery charge will be
displayed by the LEDs for approximately
three seconds.
NOTE:
Fully charged rechargeable batteries will only
indicate half charge:
Fully charged
rechargeable 1.2V
Fresh Alkaline 1.5V
LED Display

8
Noise Cancel
Minimizing electrical interference.
Noise Cancel is a function which
reduces the effects of some types
of electrical interference, such as
power lines, or other nearby
metal detectors. During Noise Cancel, the
detector automatically searches for and selects
the quietest operating channel.
If the detector is noisy when held stationary,
use Noise Cancel to reduce interference.
To operate Noise Cancel, follow the steps
below:
1. Hold the coil stationary and away from the
ground.
2. Press and release the Noise Cancel button.
3. Wait for the Noise Cancel process to finish.
4. Commence detecting.
The Noise Cancel process will take
approximately 50 seconds to complete.
A series of beeps will be emitted during
the process, followed by 4 single beeps at
completion.
Threshold
Adjusting the background audio level.
Threshold is the constant audible
background tone produced by
the detector. When a target is
detected the threshold changes
in both volume and pitch. The Threshold level
could be considered an audio reference point.
Small targets or large deep targets may not
produce a distinct target signal, but may cause
only a small variation in the Threshold.
Therefore it is important to set the Threshold
so it can be heard. If the Threshold level is set
too high or too low, these small variations may
not be heard.
There are nine Threshold levels available on
your SDC 2300. Each press of the Threshold
button will increase the Threshold by one
setting as indicated by the LEDs. If the
Threshold is already at the maximum setting,
then pressing the button will cycle back to the
quietest setting.
Adjusting Settings

9
Ground Balance
Compensating for ground mineralization.
Most ground contains many different
chemicals, minerals and salts. These
extra materials are referred to as ground
mineralization, which may produce erratic
sounds known as ‘ground noise’. Ground noise
can make it more difficult for you to hear
target signals; particularly faint target signals
from small or deep targets.
The SDC 2300 utilizes Minelab’s Automatic
Ground Tracking (AGT) to measure the ground
mineralization while searching, and any
changes in mineralization are automatically
compensated for.
The SDC 2300 features a momentary Fast
Ground Balance , which should be used
to initially set the ground balance prior to
searching.
To perform a Fast Ground Balance, follow the
steps below:
1. Find a clear area of ground without any
targets and hold the coil parallel to the
ground at a height of 100mm (4").
100mm (4")
2. Press and hold the green Ground Balance
button to activate the Fast Ground
Balance.
3. Smoothly lower and raise the coil from
100mm (4") towards the ground, without
touching the ground.
100mm (4")
4. Continue to lower and raise the coil until
the audio has stabilised and any ground
noise has stopped. The Threshold tone
should now be even.
5. Release the green Ground Balance button.
Tips:
tIf ground noise continues to be a problem
after carrying out Ground Balance, you may
need to reduce your Sensitivity.
tIf detecting in areas of extremely variable
mineralization, detecting with the contours
rather than across the changes will often
reduce ground noise.
tDo not continuously sweep over or Ground
Balance over a faint target response because
you may ‘balance out’ a target instead of
detecting it. Ground Balance near the target,
then sweep over the target to pinpoint its
location.

10
Detecting Mode (and Sensitivity)
Optimizing performance for various
conditions.
The detecting mode and sensitivity of the
detector is set by the 8-position rotary switch
on the side of the detector.
Normal mode (orange 1-5): Ideal for a wide
range of ground conditions. A good default
mode to detect in the majority of areas.
Salt mode (blue 1-3): Suitable for salt
saturated mineralized soil conditions and is
ideal for detecting on salt lakes and beaches.
Adjust the setting by lifting and rotating the
control:
A higher sensitivity setting will allow the
detector to detect smaller or deeper targets,
however it may also increase the effects
of interference and ground noise. Higher
sensitivity settings are only recommended
for mild soil conditions and areas of low
interference.
In highly mineralized soils or high interference
areas, a lower sensitivity setting can provide
better performance by reducing false signals,
allowing gold to be heard.
Minelab recommends starting the detector
with normal mode 2 (green), and then
adjusting based on local conditions and user
preference.
Audio Pitch (Tone)
Adjusting the pitch of the audio.
There are two Audio Pitch settings available
to suit your hearing preference. The detector
can be configured to have either a Low
Pitch setting or a High Pitch setting. The Low
Pitch setting makes both the Threshold and
detection tones have a lower pitched sound,
and the High Pitch setting makes them have a
higher pitched sound. The High Pitch setting is
the default.
To change the Audio Pitch setting, press and
hold the Threshold button whilst turning the
detector on.
If Threshold button is not held down whilst the
detector is turned on, then it will remember
the previous setting.
Adjusting Settings
Continued…
Tip:
Using the ‘highest stable’ Sensitivity setting in each
Detecting mode will achieve the best performance.
Start detecting and turn up the Sensitivity control
until false signals begin to occur. Then reduce the
Sensitivity level by one number.

11
Where to Find Gold
Many nugget-bearing areas are the result of
broken-down gold reefs containing quartz
and ironstone. Experienced prospectors learn
to ‘read the ground’ and look for tell-tale signs
indicating potential gold-bearing fields. If you
are new to prospecting, visit known gold fields,
ideally ones that produce gold nuggets 0.1
grams or larger. Pay attention to the soil colour,
rock types and vegetation, as this knowledge
may help you to find gold elsewhere. Be aware
that gold dust will not be detected by your
SDC 2300.
A typical problem encountered while using
some metal detectors in the goldfields is the
presence of heavy concentrations of ironstone
causing many false signals. The SDC 2300 is
designed to perform well in these conditions,
ignoring most ironstone and allowing gold to
be discovered.
The SDC 2300 is an ideal detector for patch
hunting. The ground can be rapidly scanned
until a first piece of gold is found, and then a
slower systematic search of the area can be
made to see if other gold nuggets are located
nearby. This can be achieved by detecting the
area very slowly, with significant coil overlap of
each sweep and by approaching the location
from three different directions.
Identifying Target Signals
tMetallic targets (including gold) will
usually give a consistent response when
the coil is swept from different directions.
tVery sudden changes in mineralization
may produce a signal (ground noise) from
the detector. Usually this signal is very
broad and uneven when the coil is swept
from different directions and may only give
a signal from one direction.
tLarge deep gold can give a broader target
response than smaller shallower gold.
tIf you are not sure if the sound is ground
noise or a target signal, scrape off about
40mm of soil and re-check. If the signal
becomes weaker it is probably ground
noise. If the signal remains the same or
becomes stronger, it is likely a metallic
target signal. If you are still not sure, make
the hole deeper and repeat the process.
tCharcoal can sound loud and like a
metallic target when close to the surface.
The target response from charcoal is often
broader and becomes patchier as the
ground is dug.
tIt is possible that gold can be completely
encased in certain rocks.
tIf in doubt, you should always continue
to dig until the reason for the signal is
determined.
Optimizing Your Detecting

12 Maximizing Gold Recovery
These hints and techniques will help you
find more gold with your SDC 2300.
Keep the coil moving
The SDC 2300 is a ‘motion’ detector. This means
the coil must be moving over the target (or
the target moving over the coil), to detect it.
Sweep close and parallel to the ground
The SDC 2300 detector will perform at its best
when the coil is kept close and parallel to
the ground at all times. Lightly skidding the
coil across the ground is also acceptable. This
will increase the detection depth and target
response to small objects.
Do not raise the coil at the ends of each sweep
as this will reduce the detection depth and
may cause false signals.
Overlap your sweep
Overlapping the previous sweep ensures
thorough ground coverage to maximize your
gold recovery.
Remember that covering a small section of
ground thoroughly will be more productive
than randomly searching a larger area.
Sweep speed
SLOW DOWN! Do not rush, take your time.
Practise sweeping the coil over the ground in
a side-to-side motion, while walking forward
slowly at the end of each sweep.
A recommended average sweep speed is four
seconds from left to right to left. Sweeping the
coil very fast will reduce detection depth.
Keep metal away from the coil
Make sure you keep other metal well away
from the coil while detecting, e.g. steel toe
boots, digging tools, and jewelry, otherwise
false signals may occur.
Optimize the Sensitivity setting
Having the sensitivity too high will make the
detector noisy and will miss gold. Use the
highest stable Sensitivity setting to achieve
maximum depth.
Dig all target signals
Digging all target signals will ensure that no
gold is missed.
Listen to your detector
Listen very carefully. This is more important
than looking.
Stay Positive
Have a positive mind set, and imagine a
nugget at every sweep!!

13
Maintain the condition of your detector
and accessories by following these
recommendations.
tPrior to submersing in water, ensure the
battery seal (O-ring), and the mating face
are undamaged and kept clean.
To achieve this:
tRemove the battery seal with a soft tool
tWipe over the battery seal using a
clean, moistened cloth. Damaged seals
must be replaced prior to submersing
your detector
tGently brush or wipe over the mating
face (avoiding damage to the surfaces)
to remove any contamination
tVisually inspect the areas to ensure all
sand, grit or other contaminants have
been removed
tRefit the battery seal ensuring that it is
seated correctly and is not twisted
tFit the batteries into the detector
tEnsure the battery door is fully closed
tThe headphones supplied are not entirely
waterproof. The headphone cable and
connector may be submersed in water,
however the earpieces must not.
tBe careful not to place excessive tension
on the headphone cables.
tO-ring lubricant or grease is not required
on the waterproof seal.
tUse of petroleum based O-ring grease is
likely to damage the waterproof seal.
tNever allow the detector to come into
contact with gasoline or other petroleum-
based liquids.
tDo not leave the detector in excessive cold
or heat longer than necessary. Covering it
when not in use will help protect it. Avoid
leaving it in a closed car trunk or in a car
exposed to sunlight.
tAvoid leaving sand and grit in the shafts,
hinges or cam locks.
tDo not use solvents to clean the detector.
Use a damp cloth with mild soap
detergent. Wash connectors with distilled
water.
tHose the detector with clean water after
use, especially after using in water.
tAttempting to disassemble or repair the
detector will void your warranty.
tTake precautions when transporting
or storing the detector. Although the
detector is constructed from the highest
quality materials and has undergone
rigorous durability tests, serious damage
could occur if not treated with due care.
tReplace the coil skidplate when it is worn
through, otherwise the coil could become
damaged.
tDo not leave batteries in the SDC 2300
when the detector is not in use for
extended periods. Damage caused by
leaking batteries could be severe and
would void the warranty.
Detector Maintenance

14
Detector Technical Specifications
Coil 8" Round Monoloop
Audio Output
Built-in speaker
Koss 100 Ohm headphones (standard accessory - supplied)
Koss waterproof headphones (optional accessory - not supplied)
Display 9 LEDs indicate detection, battery status and Threshold level
1 Low battery warning LED
Length Extended: 1500mm (59.1")
Collapsed: 400mm (15.7")
Weight (Excluding Batteries and Headphones) 2.3kg (5.1lbs)
Operating Temperature Range 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F)
Storage Temperature Range –33°C to 70°C (–27°F to 158°F)
Batteries C-Cell 4 x 1.2V NiMH (supplied), 1.5V Alkaline, 1.2V Ni-Cad
(Charger Included)
Detecting Mode Normal Mode (1-5 Sensitivity)
Salt Mode (1-3 Sensitivity)
Noise Cancel Automatic scanning
Ground Balance Automatic Ground Tracking (AGT)
Fast Ground Balance
Threshold 9 audio levels
Audio Pitch (Tone) Low
High
Transmission Pulse Induction
Technology Multi Period Fast (MPF)
Optional Accessories Waterproof Headphones, Carry Bag
COMPLIANCE
THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
DISCLAIMER
The Minelab metal detector discussed in this instruction manual has been expressly designed and manufactured as a
quality metal detector and is recommended for gold detecting in non-hazardous environments. This metal detector has
not been designed for use as a mine detector or as a live munitions detection tool.
PLEASE NOTE
Since there may be a variety of options available for this detector, equipment may vary according to the Model or items
ordered with your detector. Certain descriptions and illustrations may also differ (in this manual) from the exact Model that
you purchased. In addition, Minelab reserves the right to respond to ongoing technical progress by introducing changes
in design, equipment and technical features at any time.
Technical Specifications

15
Felicitaciones por la
compra de su Detector de
Metales
La detección de oro es una actividad fascinante
y gratificante disfrutada por muchas personas en
todo el mundo. Al conocer a su detector SDC 2300,
usted puede convertirse en uno de los muchos que
encontrarán oro con regularidad.
El detector SDC 2300 es un detector de oro compacto
y resistente al agua que incorpora la tecnología de
inducción de pulsos MPF (Multi Period Fast) de Minelab.
Con la ayuda de este manual de instrucciones y la Guía
de Inicio Rápido de acompañamiento, usted aprenderá
rápidamente cómo ensamblar y cómo configurar el
detector para obtener los mejores resultados.
¡Minelab le desea mucho éxito en su
búsqueda por el oro!
Español

16 Lista de Piezas
NiMH Baterías C-Cell
(Cargador suministrada)
Manual de Instrucciones
y Guía de Inicio Rápido
Auriculares
(No son a prueba de agua)
Compartimiento
de la batería
Conector de
auriculares
Componentes
electrónicos del detector
Controles
Correa del apoya brazo
Apoya brazo
Montaje de la manija
Pantalla y Controles LED
Traba del eje
Eje superior
Eje Intermedio
Traba superior
Traba inferior
Eje Inferior
Montaje de la traba
de la bobina
Bobina
Tapa protectora
de la bobina

17
Configuración
1. Suelte la correa del apoya brazo
Afloje la correa del apoya brazo y deslice fuera
de la traba de la bobina para liberar el eje.
2. Doble la bobina / el eje
Doble la bobina / el eje hacia afuera hasta que
encaje en su lugar.
3. Deslice la manija hacia arriba
Deslice la manija hacia adelante y hacia arriba,
hasta que encaje en su posición. Esto también
bloqueará los ejes.
4. Amplíe y abra el apoya brazo
Deslice el apoya brazo hacia atrás hasta que se
detenga. Abra las alas del apoya brazo hacia el
exterior.
5. Gire la bobina en su posición
Gire la bobina hacia adelante en 180 grados y
en línea con los ejes. Gire la bobina en 90
grados, de modo que quede horizontal.
6. Extienda los ejes
Desbloquee la traba superior y la traba inferior
y también extienda el eje intermedio y el eje
inferior a una longitud cómoda para su
detección. Bloquee la traba superior y la traba
inferior.

18
7. Ajuste el ángulo de la bobina
Ajuste el ángulo de la bobina de modo que
esté paralelo al suelo con el detector en la
posición de funcionamiento.
Empaquetar el detector
Para empaquetar el detector y devolverlo a su
estado compacto, realice los siguientes pasos:
1. Retraiga las alas del apoya brazo y el apoya
brazo.
2. Mantenga la parte inferior del detector
con una mano y haga el uso de la base de
la palma de la otra mano para impactar
firmemente la parte superior de la manija
detrás de la pantalla LED. Esto cerrará el
conjunto de la manija.
¡TENGA CUIDADO!
Mantenga sus dedos lejos del
área de la manija y del apoya
brazo al cerrar el conjunto de
la manija.
3. Retraiga los ejes utilizando las trabas y gire
el eje y la bobina de nuevo en la posición
compacta.
Configuración
Continuación …