Minelab X-Terra 305 User manual

Instruction Manual
Field Guide
Turn on (p. 20)
Choose a Discrimination Pattern (pp. 30–35)
Adjust Sensitivity (p. 46) and Volume (p. 52)
Choose a Noise Cancel channel (p. 48)
Adjust Ground Balance (p. 56)
Begin detecting!
These quick start instructions allow you
to begin detecting straight away and nd
important reference information for setting
up your X‑TERRA.
Minelab encourages all users to read the entire
manual to ensure a complete understanding
of all the X‑TERRA features and functions.
Power
Turns the detector On/Off.
Patterns
Scrolls through the different
Discrimination Patterns.
All Metal
Toggles between the
selected discrimination
pattern and the All Metal
pattern.
Minus
Adjusts settings, and scrolls
to the left through the
discrimination segments.
Menu
Enters the Menu.
Accesses and scrolls through
the detecting settings.
Plus
Adjusts settings, and scrolls
to the right through the
discrimination segments.
Pinpoint/Detect
Pinpoint assists in locating
the exact position of a target
prior to recovery.
Detect exits menu settings
and returns to detection.
Accept/Reject
Accepts or rejects
discrimination segments.
Ground Balance
Accesses the Ground Balance
Menu.

1
CONGRATULATIONS ON
PURCHASING YOUR XTERRA!
Metal detecting is a fascinating and rewarding
activity enjoyed by people all over the world.
By getting to know your X-TERRA you can
become one of the many who find valuable
coins, relics and jewellery on a regular basis.
The X-TERRA is a high-precision instrument
incorporating Minelab’s proven single
frequency technology, VFLEX.
VFLEX processes a pure single frequency,
ensuring that you can enjoy the hobby at all
times, confident that you are using a highly-
tuned and dependable detector. In other
words, a SERIOUS detector.
This pocket sized manual is designed to help
both the beginner and expert treasure hunter
get the best performance out of the X-TERRA
305 and X-TERRA 505.
This asterisk will appear
throughout the manual,
indicating features only
available on the X‑TERRA
505 model.

2
CONTENTS
4 VFLEX Technology
6 Assembling Your X‑TERRA
8 Connecting the Coil
9 Shaft Assembly
10 Armrest Assembly
11 Connecting the Control Box
12 Permanently Connecting the
Control Box
13 Coil Cable Assembly
14 Inserting Batteries
Quick Start Reference Back Cover
Detecting Basics
15 Holding the Detector
17 Sweeping the Coil
18 Introducing the Control Panel
19 Keypad Layout
20 Turning on the Detector
21 LCD Layout
22 Detecting Exercise
24 Example Detections
26 How Detectors Work
27 Target ID
28 Discrimination Scale
30 Preset Discrimination Patterns
34 Choosing a Discrimination Pattern
36 Pinpointing
38 Recovering the Target
Part Number: 4901-0071-4

3
Detailed Detector Operation
40 LCD Icons
44 Operation
45 Selecting Menu Settings
46 Sensitivity
47 Adjusting Sensitivity
48 Noise Cancel
49 Choosing a Noise Cancel Channel
50 Threshold
51 Adjusting Threshold
52 Volume
53 Adjusting Volume
54 Tones
55 Adjusting Tones
56 Ground Balance
58 Adjusting Ground Balance
60 Editing Discrimination Patterns
60 Method 1
61 Method 2
62 Erasing Patterns
63 Factory Presets
Reference Information
64 Sounds
66 Error Messages
67 Coil Identification
68 Battery Behaviour
70 Care of your X-TERRA
72 Accessories
74 X-TERRA Specifications
75 X-TERRA Model Features
76 Service and Repair Form

PRIMARY MICRO
IN CONTROL BOX
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING DSP
CODEC SIGNAL CONVERSION
The 2nd generation X-TERRA Series incorporate
Minelab’s proven VFLEX Technology.
VFLEX uses state of the art digital and mixed-signal
components to enhance standard single frequency
technology by replacing most of the analogue
circuitry with digital signal processing. The small
amount of analogue circuitry still employed has been
very carefully designed and calibrated to obtain the
outstanding sensitivity, stability and repeatability
required to match the performance of the processing
in the digital domain.
This radical departure from traditional approaches to
metal detector design has been made possible by
advances in electronics that power personal digital
assistants, cell (mobile) phones and high-fidelity
portable audio equipment.
Analog Signal
Receive
Power
Supply Audio
LCDKeypad
Transmit
Control Box

For the X-TERRA user, this precision means
dependable performance and improved immunity
to environmental conditions such as ground
mineralisation, electromagnetic interference and
temperature variations.
VFLEX requires coils that are accurately constructed
and calibrated. Every time the detector starts up,
the micro-controllers in the control box and the coil
establish communication through a digital data link.
Information about the coil is sent to the control box,
so the detector ‘knows’ what type of coil is attached
and can set the correct operating parameters.
This optimises the performance, and also makes the
detector ‘future proof’, in that it will be capable of
operating at different frequencies depending on the
electronic properties of the coil.
Precision VFLEX Signal
Standard VLF Signal
(Without VFLEX)
SECONDARY MICRO
IN COIL
SENSING + TRANSMITTING
COIL TYPE, SIZE, FREQUENCY
Receive
Analog Signal
Transmit
Coil

6
Before assembling your X-TERRA please check
that the package includes these parts:
Coil
Skidplate (fitted to coil)
Lower shaft
Middle shaft
Upper shaft
Armrest
Stand
Control box
Control box screw
Rubber washers (2)
Plastic wing nut
Plastic bolt
Armrest screw
Armrest strap
Velcro tabs (2)
Warranty card
Instruction manual, you’re holding it
ASSEMBLING YOUR XTERRA

7

8CONNECTING THE COIL
Plug the two rubber washers into the holes
on either side of the lower shaft yoke.
Slide the yoke into the yoke bracket on top
of the coil. Ensure that the spring loaded pin
in the lower shaft is underneath.
Insert the plastic bolt through the yoke and
the yoke bracket.
Fasten with the plastic wing nut provided,
being careful not to damage the thread
of the bolt by over-tightening. This may
need to be loosened to adjust the coil to a
comfortable detecting angle.
The coil cable is directly wired into the coil
and is not removable.
Any attempt to disconnect this cable will
void your warranty.

9
SHAFT ASSEMBLY
Ensure that the twistlocks of the shafts
are loosened by rotating them counter-
clockwise.
Compress the spring loaded pin in the lower
shaft and slide it into the middle shaft until
the pin reaches the adjustment holes. The
pin will spring out and click into place.
Attach the middle shaft to the upper shaft in
the same way.
Once shafts are assembled, lock them in
position by rotating twistlocks clockwise.
The upper shaft assembly location uses
two spring loaded pins to strengthen the
joint, one on each side of the shaft

10 ARMREST ASSEMBLY
Place the armrest onto the top of the upper
shaft, lining up the central hole in the
armrest with a hole in the aluminium shaft.
Position the armrest to suit your arm length.
(Holding the Detector, p. 16)
Insert the screw up through the stand,
upper shaft and armrest. Tighten the
screw, being careful not to overtighten and
damage the thread.
With the velcro side facing upwards, thread
the armrest strap through both slots in the
armrest. Ensure the end of the strap will be
fastened outwards from your arm.
The X‑TERRA is designed to be used in
both the left and right hand.
This diagram shows the velcro strap
threaded outwards for the left arm.

11
CONNECTING THE CONTROL BOX
Connecting
With the LCD facing up, push the control
box onto the end of the handle until it fits
into place.
The control box may be easily removed for
packing and transport in a carry bag.
Disconnecting
Brace the detector firmly against yourself,
grasp the control box and pull it away from
the handle.

12 PERMANENTLY CONNECTING THE CONTROL BOX
While the X-TERRA control box is designed
to be easily removable for packing and
transport, Minelab have made an option
available to permanently attach the control
box to the handle.
Remove the small circular rubber insert in
the top right-hand side of the handle.
Insert the screw provided into the hole and
tighten using a Phillips screwdriver.
Store the rubber insert in a safe place in
case you wish to reuse it in the future.
Remember to remove this screw before
attempting to disconnect the control box
from the handle. Failure to do this may
result in damage occurring.
If this option is not used, then the rubber
insert may be glued in place using a
silicone sealant or other suitable adhesive.

13
Wind the coil cable around the lower
and middle shaft enough times to take
up the slack.
Use the velcro tabs to keep the coil cable in
place against the shaft. It is recommended
that one tab is used on the lower shaft close
to the coil and the other tab on the middle
shaft before the cable reaches across to the
control box.
Align the coil plug and connect into the
socket in the back of the control box,
lightly tightening the retaining ring to
hold it in place.
COIL CABLE ASSEMBLY

14
The X-TERRA uses 4 x AA batteries which
are not included with the detector. (Battery
Behaviour, p. 68)
Access the battery compartment via the
battery door located on the side of the
control box. Slide the battery compartment
door upwards with your thumb.
Place individual batteries into the
compartment as illustrated, ensuring the
positive (+) and negative (–) contacts match
the diagram on the control box.
Close the battery door by pushing and
sliding it downwards.
If the detector does not turn on check the
battery orientation.
The detector will not be damaged if the
batteries are inserted incorrectly.
INSERTING BATTERIES

15
HOLDING THE DETECTOR
Thread your arm through the armrest and
strap. Grasp the handle of the detector and
rest your forearm in the armrest.
Your elbow should sit just above the top of the
armrest. Lightly tighten the velcro strap and
secure it around your arm.

16 HOLDING THE DETECTOR
Shaft is the
correct length
Shaft is
too short
The correct position of armrest and length of
shaft should allow you to swing the coil in
front of your body without any uncomfortable
stretching or stooping.
To adjust the length of the shafts, undo the
twistlocks, compress the spring pins of the
shafts and move them up or down to suit.
Once all shafts are clipped into position, rotate
twistlocks clockwise onto the shafts until a firm
clamping action is achieved.
(Shaft Assembly, p. 9)
To adjust the position of the armrest remove
the armrest screw and move the armrest and
stand to the desired position.
(Armrest Assembly, p.10)
Think of the detector as an extension of
your arm. It should be straight with your
forearm and feel light and comfortable
when you pick it up.

17
coil parallel to
the ground
Once outside, practice sweeping the coil
over the ground in a side-to-side motion,
while walking forward slowly. Slightly overlap
the previous sweep to ensure a full ground
coverage. An approximate sweep speed is 3
seconds from left to right to left.
It is important to keep the coil close and
parallel to the ground at all times. This will
increase detection depth and response to
small objects. Avoid excessive brushing
of the coil on the ground, as this may result
in false signals and inaccurate target ID’s.
A variation in coil height at the end of each
swing may also cause confusing sounds and
reduce detection depth. 1” (2.5cm)

18 INTRODUCING THE CONTROL PANEL
Power turns the detector
On or Off.
Scrolls through the different
discrimination patterns.
Menu accesses and scrolls
through detector settings.
Pinpoint/Detect has two
functions. Pinpoint assists
in locating the exact position of
a target prior to recovery.
Detect exits menu settings
and returns to detection.
Adjusts settings and scrolls to
the left (–) or right (+) through
the discrimination segments.
Accepts or rejects certain metals
by turning on/off individual
discrimination segments.
Toggles between the selected
discrimination pattern and the all
metal pattern.
Activates the manual Ground
Balance adjustment to compensate
for different types of soil.

19
KEYPAD LAYOUT
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) area
XTERRA305 XTERRA505