Rutus Alter71 User manual

DEAR USER!
Thank you for purchasing this product. This detector has been designed with the latest
technology to allow you to make the most of your passion, to discover the remains of the
past.
We hope that the Alter71 meets all of your expectations during your adventures.
This manual will give you all the necessary information, so that you can quickly understand
how the Alter71 works before going into the field.
Please take some time to get to know your detector, each day spent working with your
detector will increase your knowledge, and steadily increase the effectiveness of your
searches.
Please remember that while you are searching, you will be uncovering history.
Do not destroy these unique remains in the process, take some time to get to know the law
of your country and leave your search area clean and tidy.
Be an exemplary user of Alter71:
Do not use the detector in areas that are under archaeological protection or where an
archaeological dig has been conducted.
Before entering private property, ask the owner for permission.
Do not make life harder for farmers or foresters by damaging crops or disturbing animals.
Do not leave a mess after yourself. Leave the place you have searched, in the same
condition as when you arrived.
Refill all holes, take any rubbish with you and put it in the next rubbish bin you come
across.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
DETECTOR ASSEMBLY...............................................................................................................3
BATTERY INSTALLATION............................................................................................................3
CONTROL PANEL.........................................................................................................................4
TURNING ON/OFF........................................................................................................................4
GROUND BALANCE.....................................................................................................................4
DISPLAY........................................................................................................................................6
PROGRAM SELECTION...............................................................................................................6
IDENTIFICATION..........................................................................................................................7
IDENTIFICATION GRAPH............................................................................................................8
SETTINGS AVAILABLE IN OPERATING MODE...........................................................................8
SENSITIVITY.................................................................................................................................9
DISCRIMINATION.........................................................................................................................9
NOTCH..........................................................................................................................................9
PINPOINT....................................................................................................................................10
OVERLOAD.................................................................................................................................10
MENU LAYOUT...........................................................................................................................10
MENU – ENGINE PAGE.............................................................................................................12
Frequency.....................................................................................................................12
Hot rock........................................................................................................................12
Reaction.......................................................................................................................13
Masking........................................................................................................................13
MENU – AUDIO PAGE................................................................................................................14
Th Level.........................................................................................................................14
Th Tone.........................................................................................................................14
Th Sens.........................................................................................................................14
VCO..............................................................................................................................15
Th SAT..........................................................................................................................15
Audio Gain....................................................................................................................15
Volume..........................................................................................................................15
Iron volume...................................................................................................................15
Tones............................................................................................................................16
Wireless........................................................................................................................16
MENU – SCREEN PAGE............................................................................................................17
Backlight.......................................................................................................................17
ID Type.........................................................................................................................17
Hold Time.....................................................................................................................17
ID Gain.........................................................................................................................17
Language.....................................................................................................................17
DETECTOR'S CAPABILITIES.....................................................................................................18
MODES OF OPERATION...........................................................................................................19
MODES OF OPERATION AND SEARCHING.............................................................................21
SEARCHING – USEFUL ADVICE...............................................................................................22
NOTES FOR MAINTENANCE....................................................................................................23
PROGRAMS SETTINGS.............................................................................................................23
EU DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY.......................................................................................26
RUTUS Alter71 ver. 2.0

The detector assembly is simple and requires no tools, a properly assembled
detector is shown on the front cover of the user’s manual. Before assembling the
stems, make sure the cam lock is unlocked by rotating it as shown in the picture. Next
push the spring buttons in and insert one stem into the other. Release the buttons
and they will lock in the holes. Next secure the cam lock by turning it the other way
until it is hand tight. Do not over tighten the cam locks or the screw securing the
search coil. The connecting cable should be secured with two rubber cable tie to the
base of the lower stem, and then wrapped around the stems. Doing this will prevent from creating loose
loops of the cable in the search coil area and protect the cable from pulling out from the search coil. The
third rubber cable tie should be used to attach the cable to the top of the detector, which will prevent the
cable from slipping downwards. Pay attention when inserting the cable from the search coil into the
socket: the cable should not be too tight and the plug must not be inserted at an angle, as this
may damage the search coil cable or plug. See the photo on the front page for best practice. The
armrest is adjustable – first remove the screw, then move the armrest to the desired position and re-
tighten the screw. When disassembling the detector, begin by unplugging the search coil from the socket
and loosen the cable wound around the stems. Once this is completed the rest of the detector may be
disassembled into its basic components. Finish by loosening the screw securing the search coil and fold
it together with the stem.
NOTE: Try to avoid creating large loops of cable near the edges of the search coil, as this may result in
the detector giving false readings.
NOTE: The coil cable plug is protected by a silicon cover. This is there to prevent dirt and sand from
damaging the delicate, gold connector pins. If the plug is not in the socket, it should always have the
protective cover on.
NOTE: Cleaning the detector must be done using only water with soap on a damp sponge.
Do not use any solvents or petroleum products. Regularly clean the stems and cam locks.
Use good quality alkaline or rechargeable batteries of well known brands. Do not mix new and
discharged batteries or regular ones with rechargeable ones. Used batteries must be removed from the
detector as soon as possible. Remember to remove the batteries from the detector if it is not going to be
used for an extended period of time. The warranty does not cover damage caused by leaking batteries
damaging the electronics.
In order to install the batteries, press the centre of the lid (2), unlock the clip
(1), and then remove the lid (2) as shown on the picture. After pulling out the battery
holder, insert the batteries as shown on the holder, remembering to check if the
polarity is correct. It is important to make sure that the spring is pressing the batteries
tightly. The holder can only be inserted into the detector one way – the shape
prevents it from being inserted the other way around. When inserting the holder, the
detector can turn on itself - it is not a symptom of damage.
NOTE: The detector has a battery indicator which monitors the batteries charge level. As the batteries
lose charge, the indicator bar will shorten. When the batteries need replacing the detector will turn off
automatically. It is not possible to turn on the detector if the batteries charge is
too low. As the battery reaches this level, the detector will make a sound of
decreasing frequency and the display will show a symbol of a crossed out
battery (see picture beside). The circuit monitoring the battery level shows
a charging level of 1.5 V for standard alkaline batteries. When using 1.2 V
rechargeable batteries the battery charge icon will never be full.
RUTUS Alter71 ver. 2.0 3

The picture below shows the functions of individual buttons on the control panel.
The detector is turned on by pressing the button with the power icon. The detector can
be turned off only from the operation mode by holding the button for 1 second. In the
menu the button is used only to enter the tones editing screen. A short press of the button in
the operation mode does not turn the detector off but changes to the program selection mode.
After turning the detector on, the ground balance procedure must be completed. This can
be done at any time by pressing the button. When the message « Put search coil UP Then
pull trigger » is shown, the search coil should be lifted at least 0.5 m above the ground (away
from metal objects) and pull the trigger for a moment. The display will then show the
« Preparing Data » message, this means that the processor is collecting the data necessary for
operation. After this process ends the « OK » message will appear followed by the main screen
of ground balance (see picture below).
RUTUS Alter71 ver. 2.0 4

NOTE: If you wish to use the detector with the factory presets, pull the trigger after the main
ground balance screen is displayed. This is very useful if you want to find a clean place quickly,
so that you can perform the ground balance process correctly using the „pumping” technique.
Correct ground balance is gained by „pumping”. The search coil should be slowly moved
up and down above the ground, each cycle taking about a second. The detector will display the
number of cycles remaining – decreasing from 5 to 1 and after the last movement up the
message « Detector ready, pull trigger » will be shown. After pulling the trigger, information
about the ground will be displayed on the screen, at the same time an audio signal will indicate
the probability of incorrect ground balance – for example due to metallic objects in the ground.
Signal
phase from
the ground
Message Description
-90 to -86 « OK », along with three
sounds of progressively
higher pitch
Correct ground balance
-86 to -83 « ? » and two sounds of
progressively lower tone
A possibility that ground balance has been
completed over a metal object or the ground has
other conductive properties (eg wet meadow) – the
user should, if in doubt, perform ground balance
elsewhere or use the factory preset to check with
the Pinpoint if there are any metal objects in the
ground.
-83 to -80 « ! » and one low beep An increasing probability of metal objects in the
ground or increasingly higher conductivity of the
ground because of the presence of water in it. We
strongly recommend checking that there are no
metal objects in the ground (on the factory preset)
and repeating ground balance.
-80 to -75 « !! » and two low beeps
-75 to -65 « !!! » and three low beeps
Above -65 « !!!! » and four low beeps
NOTE: On high conductivity soils, the detector may be unstable at the highest Sensitivity
settings. This is a not uncommon and it may be necessary to reduce the sensitivity of the
detector or work using the factory preset.
A single ground balance process does not guarantee stable operation across an entire
search area or for the whole of a day's searching. It is best to repeat a ground balance process
each time a new area is started or when the detector starts to give false readings. Examples of
new areas would be where field changes to forest, or when moving from a track to wetlands.
The detector will also require a ground balance check when either the program, the
Frequency or the Hot rock parameters are changed.
NOTE: While data is being prepared for work (« Preparing Data » screen) the search coil must
be raised a minimum of 0.5 m above the ground and away from metal objects. Ground balance
must be done at least 15 m away from other detectors. Not following these guidelines will not
damage the detector, but it will cause the detector to operate less accurately – a proper ground
balance procedure will fix this quickly.
RUTUS Alter71 ver. 2.0 5

The picture below shows the display in the operation mode.
The detector has 7 factory pre-set programs designed for various types of objects as
shown in the table below and 4 user programs.
Ultra deep A program to search for very large objects at great depth made of steel and
non-ferrous metals. Classic non-motion mode without Discrimination and with
graphic identification on display.
Deep A program optimised for large steel objects at large depths.
Big silver A program optimised for searching for big silver and copper coins.
Basic A universal program. If you are not sure which program to choose, this is
a good programme to start with.
Coins A program to search for coins.
Fast A fast program to search for coins and other small non-ferrous objects
amongst steel junk.
Ultra fast A very fast program to search for coins and other small non-ferrous objects
amongst steel junk.
Personal 1 – 4 4 programs customisable by the user – this allows you to create your own
programs without having to modify the factory pre-set programs. These are
initially configured with Basic program settings.
NOTE: The factory programs are optimised for ease of use. When beginning to use the detector
we strongly recommend trying the detector with these factory programs without changing
settings in the menu. This will help you to learn quicker how the detector operates.
RUTUS Alter71 ver. 2.0 6

Each factory program can be modified to your own requirements, just enter the menu and
change the settings shown. Modifications are stored after the power is switched off (however
not when the battery pack is removed while the detector is turn on, which should never be
done). If the changes are not what you expected, then they can be reset using the factory
settings. Tables of all settings and space for noting your own are at the back of this manual.
The programs save all the setting except for the following: Backlight, Discrimination,
Sensitivity, Notch, Volume and Wireless. These six settings are saved by the detector after
turning the power off but are independent of the programs. The reason for separating these six
settings from the programs is so that they can be changed quickly, depending on the time of day
and search conditions. The user's current control over these settings is advisable and
necessary.
Turning the required program on is done by pressing the button in the detector’s
operating mode. The program selection screen will appear:
The buttons are used to select the program
you would like, then pull the trigger to enter the program. After
changing a program a ground balance needs to be done, and
the detector will guide you through this process.
If you want to reset a given program to the factory specifications, bring up the program
selection screen (by pressing the button) and use the button to go down to the
« Reset » option, then use the button to choose « Yes ». Use the trigger to leave the
program selection screen, the reset confirmation screen will then appear (« Really? »). Use the
button to select « Yes ». Use the trigger to complete, the chosen program will then be reset.
Resetting a program to the factory settings does not result in resetting user sound profiles.
NOTE: To allow an intuitive approach for users of our previous products, and those of other
manufacturers, Alter71 now has the option of choosing one of two types of identification scales.
One has 120 points of ID and is the scale from 1 to 120. The second has 180 points of ID and is
the scale from -90 to +90. Throughout this manual, information for the 180 scale is provided in
brackets as shown [180].
Alter71 is a detector which has a built-in metal object identification circuit. The detector
has 120 [180] identification points. It analyses the signal from a metal object several hundred
times per second, after each identification process, the internal memory of the device saves a
specific digital value. The values stored in the memory are used to calculate an average
identification value and an identification graph is shown. The average value depends on the
characteristics of the object that is below the search coil.
When the search coil is moved over an object made of a ferrous metal (e.g. steel) the
identification process will give a low value (e.g. 15 [-45]). Non-ferrous metals will give higher
identification values. The value for objects will depend on their size, thickness and the type of
material they are made of. Small, thin objects give values of around 40 [+10] and big, thick
ones, made from good conductors will show values above 100 [+80]. The soil will also have an
influence on the identification process. Rich mineral contents, and objects at great depth will
influence the values against those taken from above the ground.
RUTUS Alter71 ver. 2.0 7

The identification graph is a graphical representation of the data collected by the
identification circuit while moving the search coil over an object and is stored in the device’s
memory. This feature is unique to this detector, and allows for quicker identification of ferrous
objects than any other method.
If the graph closely resembles a straight or inclined line
then an object's composition is very likely to be of a single
material and the digital identification has a high probability of
being correct (a straight line in the range of iron is iron,
a straight line in the range of non-ferrous metals is most
probably a non-ferrous metal).
When the graph is clearly bent, curved or spread
across the whole of the display, it is highly probable that you
are dealing with an object such as a can, a thin steel sheet or
other steel object whose magnetic properties are lesser than
its conductive properties.
Adjusting the Sensitivity level, Discrimination or access to the Notch function is done
straight from the detector’s operating mode. The way to access the settings is described below.
RUTUS Alter71 ver. 2.0 8

After pressing the button the « Sensitivity » message will appear on the display,
a number describing the Sensitivity level and a linear scale showing the adjustment range. The
adjustment is done using the buttons. Pushing the button a second time will show
the Discrimination level. Adjusting the Discrimination is done in the same way as adjusting the
Sensitivity.
Another press of the button will lead to the Notch function. The Notch point, which
we want to lock (or unlock) is chosen using the buttons. The chosen Notch point is
locked (Reject) or unlocked (Accept) using the buttons. To quickly block or unblock
a larger range of points, the user can use the buttons: or and or
simultaneously. After pressing the button the screen returns to the operation mode screen.
Sensitivity in the Alter71 detector may be adjusted across 90 levels. The Sensitivity level
set by the user determines the detector's range and more importantly it's stable operation. In
areas which are littered, freshly ploughed or have heavy electromagnetic interference, operating
with maximum Sensitivity is not possible. Sensitivity has to be adjusted in accordance to the
terrain where the search is being conducted and using your own experience. New users should
begin their searches with the detector set to Sensitivity levels between 40 and 60.
Discrimination is a function which enables the removal of sound signals from unwanted
objects, which have a identification number lower than the set Discrimination value.
E.g. a Discrimination value set to 20 [-30] will result in a lack of the detector’s reaction to most
small steel objects. The Discrimination value can be set within the range 0 to 120 [-90 +90].
The detector has 120 points of Notch function. Each of which can be locked individually.
This function is used to eliminate signals from objects with a specific identification point, which
helps to search in places where there is a large amount of similar, unwanted objects. For
example, to eliminate signals from spent cartridges littering a battlefield but not eliminating
signals from other objects. To make best use of this function, block readings from the unwanted
object's value, and a few points above and below this. The size of this range should be adjusted
based on the search conditions. In places where identification readouts are stable, the range of
the blocked signals should be as narrow as possible.
When using Notch it is important to remember that other objects with characteristics
similar to the „unwanted” ones will also be eliminated. For best results, only use this function in
exceptional circumstances.
If the detector is working in the 1 –120 ID range, then one ID point equals one point of
Notch discrimination. In the case of the -90 to +90 ID range, calculate Notch Discrimination
values as follows. For negative values (-90 to 0), three identification points equals one point of
Notch discrimination. E.g. -90 to -88 = 1, -87 to -85 = 2, -84 to -82 = 3 etc, and -5 to -3 = 29, -2
to 0 = 30. For positive values (0 to +90) one identification point equals one point of Notch
discrimination. E.g. +1 = 31, +2 = 32, +3 =33 etc, and 88 = 118, 89 = 119, 90 = 120.
RUTUS Alter71 ver. 2.0 9