212-X One Knob Metal Detector Operating Manual FISHER RESEARCH LABORATORY
CONTENTS About Your 1225-X .................................................................. pg. 1 Setting Up................................................................................. pg. 2 Control Functions .................................................................... pg. 4 Discrimination Points .............................................................. pg. 5 Searching ................................................................................ pg. 7 Pinpointing .....................
ABOUT YOUR DETECTOR Your 1212-X is more proof from Fisher Research Laboratory that a good metal detector doesn’t have to be complicated and expensive. No frills but a lot of performance features that really count: automatic VLF- ground rejection, automatic tuning, variable trash rejection, headphone jack, built-in speaker and a deep-seeking lightweight 8 inch search coil. Best of all it does what a metal detector is supposed to do—it ignores ground minerals and trash as it detects valuable buried targets.
SETTING UP The 1212-X comes to you just about ready to use. The only adjustment required is the angle of the stem. Take a look at page 4 and familiarize yourself with the parts of the 1212-X before proceeding. 1. Unpack your new 1212-X carefully. Save the carton and inserts—they may come in handy for future storage or shipment. 2. Note that the search coil cable is permanently attached to the control housing. Be careful not to put any undue strain on it. 3. Take a look inside the locknut on the upper stem.
SETTING UP 8-inch Waterproof ESI Battery Access Search Coil Upper Control Housing Hand Padded Arm Lock Derlin Bolt, Lower Search Coil Figure 1. Fisher M-Scope 1212-X 7. With the shaft length and coil angle properly adjusted, you should be able to move into your “search” position (as shown on page 5) by leaning forward very slightly and raising your arm (still straight) until the search coil is about 2 inches above the ground and 12 inches in front of your foot.
CONTROL FUNCTIONS 1 SPEAKER GRILL 2 Figure 3. Control Panel. One knob does it all! 1. ON/OFF - TRASH REJECTION CONTROL: Power is Turned off at the full counter clockwise “OFF” position. All metals are detected when turned on to zreo. Most small pieces of metal trash are rejected at the maximum level of ten. Most ground minerals are ignored at all settings. 2. STEREO HEADPHONE JACK: Located on the right side ofthe control panel, this jack accepts most stereo and mono headphones with 1/4” diameter plugs.
DISCRIMINATION POINTS By adjusting the TRASH REJECTION control you will be able to reject (or “discriminate”) small pieces of metallic trash and ground minerals while detecting valuable targets. The lowest setting at which an object is rejected is referred to as the object’s “discrimination point.” Discrimination points are determined by such factors as size, shape, depth, type of metal and ground mineralization.
DISCRIMINATION POINTS you do. With a little practice, however, you will be able to tell the difference between a large target and a small coin-sized object. 7. Figure 4 shows some different responses you may expect at different levels of discrimination. Note that as you increase the discrimination level, you progressively eliminate more targets including some good ones, such as nickels and gold rings. NOTE: The discriination levels shown are typical values only and may vary from detector to detector.
SEARCHING 1. Decide how much trash rejection you want to use. a. In relatively non-trashy soil you may wish to search at zero trash rejection. In this manner, your 1212-X is at its most sensi- tive and will detect all metal targets within its range. Once an object is detected, you can increase the trash rejection level for further identification. b. In trashy areas, it is generally easier to search at a higher level of trash rejection (at the pull tab discrimination point for example).
SEARCHING Figure 6. Keep the search coil parallel and close to the ground at all times. NOTE: Other motion detectors may require a fast sweep speed for maximum sensitivity. If you try that with your 1212-X, you’ll actually lose sensitivity. When the stem length is properly adjusted, the 1212-X is balanced for sweeping in a tight semicircle. Always overlap your sweeps at least 50%.
PINPOINTING Pinpointing takes practice. The more time you spend with your 1212-X the faster and more accurate you’ll become. 1. Once a buried target is indicated by the tell-tale “beep” of the 1212-X, continue moving the search coil from side-to-side across the target in a narrower and narrower search pattern. 2. When you have narrowed your search pattern as much as you can, and still hear the target, stop the search coil. 3.
PINPOINTING 1 2 3 4 1. MINIMUM DEPTH a. Very slow or fast sweep speed. b. Trash rejection set at “10.” c. Highly mineralized soil. 2. GOOD DEPTH a. Moderate sweep speed. b. Trash rejection set at “5.” c. Moderately mineralized soil. 3. MAXIMUM DEPTH a. Moderate sweep speed. b. Trash rejection set at “0.” 4. MISSED TARGETS Many targets well within the range of the 1212-X will not be detected unless you overlap your sweeps. Figure 7.
RECOVERY TOOLS 1. A thin, dull probe is the preferred tool for precise target location, such as heavy duty, blunt screwdriver. 2. A sturdy hunting knife with a 5 inch blade will suffice in most soils. A high quality double-edged “survival” knife is an even better (and more expensive) choice since it will be almost impossible to bend or break. CAUTION: Using a jackknife without a locking blade is a good way to lose a finger! 3. A narrow garden trowel will work in loose or wet soil. 4.
OPERATING TIPS 1. We’ve already said it but it bears repeating: TAKE YOUR TIME AND OVERLAP YOUR SWEEPS. 2. Keep your trash rejection level set low. You’ll dig more trash but you’ll find more good targets, too. If you continually run at the pull tab discrimination level you’ll find coins and silver rings but very few gold rings for example. 3. Use good headphones. You won’t miss faint targets, you won’t attract unwanted attention and you won’t bother others. And you’ll get longer battery life. 4.
FALSE SIGNALS Due to the sensitivity of the 1212-X, you’re bound to get some “false signals” once in awhile. A false signal occurs when something that shouldn’t sounds like a good target. The 1212-X does a good job of rejecting junk but it can be fooled by “hot” mineralized spots in the soil, large pieces of junk, some kinds of bottle caps and pull tabs or trash less than 2 inches from the coil.
FALSE SIGNALS 5. Most small nails will be tuned out while most coins will respond with a good, smooth signal. 5. EXTREMELY TRASHY SOIL: May result in a constant chatter or “snap, crackle and pop” with assorted, hard to find “good signals.” The obvious solution is to increase the trash rejection level to maximum. 6. DIGGING TOOL: If you’re carrying a metal sand scoop, digging knife or screwdriver, hold it behind your back or keep it above your waist.
MAINTENANCE Your 1212-X doesn’t require a lot of care but there are a few things you should do to keep it in peak operating condition. 1. If you’re not going to be using it for awhile, take the batteries out. Acid damage caused by a leaking battery can be severe. 2. Avoid extreme temperatures like those inside a closed car sitting in the sun. Even worse, inside the trunk of a car. 3. If you “scrub” the search coil on the ground, you’ll eventually wear through the bottom. Replacement coils are expensive.
Where To Use Your Metal Detector In The U.S. National Forest and Federal Lands—Metal detecting is allowed only by special permit acquired from the federal government. Each area has a district office. Corps of Engineers, Lakes, Shorelines and Lands—Permission has been granted only on predisturbed sites, such as beaches and attached swimming areas. New Corps lakes and lands must be okayed by the main office of the Army Corps of Engineers. Each area has a district office.
SPECIFICATIONS Length .................................... Extended ........................................ 55" Collapsed ......................................................................................... 41" Weight .................................................................................2.9 Pounds Frequency ............................. VLF Search ............. 4.2 kHz Unipolar Audio Target Response ............................................................ 450 Hz Operating Modes ........
QUALITY Fisher detectors are renowned for their quality. Each detector is hand crafted in the USA with pride PERFORMANCE Treasure Hunters worldwide rely on Fisher. Our detectors are durable, dependable, and search deeper.. REPUTATION Fisher produced the first patented metal detector in 1931. For over 70 years, the Fisher logo has been a mark of excellence.
