M-96 Value, Pedestal and Box Locator Operating Manual FISHER RESEARCH LABORATORY
CONTENTS About Your M-96 ..................................................................... pg. 1 Condensed Operating Instructions ...................................... pg. 2 Factory Preset ‘Turn-On-and-Go’ Marks .......................... pg. 2 Start-Up Procedure ............................................................. pg. 4 Setting Up................................................................................. pg. 6 Fitting The Detector To the Operator ................................ pg.
ABOUT YOUR DETECTOR The Fisher M-Scope Model-96 offers the utility industry an uncomplicated detector for finding paved-over or buried metallic objects. The waterproof search coil and the rugged electronics housing make the M-96 an ideal detector for field utility use. The entire VLF (Very Low Frequency) operation of the M-96 has been reduced to just two control knobs and a pushbutton.
CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FACTORY PRESET ‘TURN-ON-AND-GO’ MARKS Your Fisher M-96 is fairly simple to operate, especially when compared to other metal detectors. Even so, we strongly recommend that you read this entire manual. You’ll be able to tune your M-96 to your specific needs and conditions. But if you just can’t wait any longer, and you’re an experienced detector user, here’s some quick instructions to get you going: 1. Unpack your M-96 carefully, and save the box.
CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 5. With the stem length properly adjusted, wrap the search coil cable snugly around the lower stem and the upper handle. Leave just enough slack near the coil to allow it to be tilted completely backward and forward. NOTE: A loose cable near the search coil may cause false signals, but don’t wrap it so tightly that it pulls against the housing or the coil. 6. Reconnect the coil cable to the control housing.
CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS START-UP PROCEDURE Set Mode Knob to NORMAL Set GROUND control to 5. Watch the meter (and listen to the speaker) for indications of a target. Press the RETUNE button . Remove protective plug and insert the headphone plug to hear target signals. Turn-on-and-go factory preset control markers are colored red. The Mode Knob is set to Normal and the Ground Knob is set to 5. 7.
CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 10. The two knobs can be adjusted with your thumb without removing your hand from the grip, particularly if you’re right handed. Set the controls of the MODE and GROUND switches to the red preset marks: NORMAL for the MODE control and 5 for the Ground control. You should hear a tone. 11. Press the RETUNE button. 12. Begin searching. Walk slowly, sweeping the M-96 search coil in front of you in a tight semicircle.
SETTING UP Your search position should be comfortable and relaxed, with the detector grasped loosely in your hand. FITTING THE DETECTOR TO THE OPERATOR 1. Start by gripping the foam hand grip and letting your arm hang comfortably by your side. 2. The length of the handle shaft and the angle of the search coil are both adjustable. Adjust the search coil angle so that it is parallel to the ground. 3. Loosen the lock nut found midway down the shaft, and extend the lower shaft slightly.
SETTING UP NORMAL MODE The NORMAL MODE of operation is generally used when searching for larger objects, such as manhole covers, telephone pedestals in the snow and valve boxes. The NORMAL MODE, which is marked in red, is also used for locating smaller, shallower objects. No adjustments are required in most search areas, and most small pieces of metallic trash – such as bottle caps, pull tabs and nails – will be ignored. 1. Hold the search coil 3 feet off the ground and away from any metal objects. 2.
SETTING UP HIGH MODE 1. Rest the search coil on the ground in an area you are reasonably sure is free of metal objects. 2. After going through BAT test in the NORMAL MODE, turn the MODE knob to HIGH. 3. Turn the GROUND knob to 5. 4. Push and releases the RETUNE button. The meter reading should be about 10 and the speaker should have a slight hum, or “threshold sound.” 5. Raise the coil straight up about 12 inches and note any changes in the meter indication and speaker volume. 6.
CONTROL PANEL MODE Knob ON/OFF GROUND Knob Signal Strength Meter RETUNE Button Battery Condition Headphone Jack with protective plug inserted On/Off GROUND Knob The ON/OFF GROUND Rejection Knob, when turned fully counterclockwise, clicks into the off position, turning the detector off. By turning the knob clockwise, the detector is turned on. The numbers, ranging from 0 to 10, indicate the degree of ground rejection, or electronic compensation, to counteract ground minerals.
CONTROL PANEL HEADPHONES Jack The HEADPHONES Jack is located to the right of the RETUNE Button. A plastic plug can be inserted into this jack to keep dirt and water out when not in use. SEARCH METHODS It’s a good idea to establish a systematic search pattern for your selected area. A systematic approach to searching will avoid aimless wandering, which could cause you to miss the search object and lengthen the amount of time required to do the job.
SEARCH METHODS HELPFUL HINTS Raising the coil vertically in the air is another method of reducing the target size (as seen by the detector) and pinpointing the target. Because the area of greatest sensitivity is in the center of the search coil, it isvery easy to pinpoint the location of any metallic object, large or small. Also, see the section on Pinpointing, beginning on page 12. 1.
PINPOINTING Accurate pinpointing with the M-96 takes some practice but not much. With a little experience, you should be able to pinpoint buried targets in just a few seconds. 1. Once the presence of a buried target is indicated by a sharp increase in the audio signal and needle movement, continue moving the search coil from side-to-side across the target area in a narrower and narrower search pattern. 2. Stop the search coil over the spot where you receive the loudest response and highest meter reading. 3.
CHANGING BATTERIES To change the batteries, slide the side covers on the battery housing located underneath the arm rest in the direction of the arrows. Remove the battery holders one at a time. Replace all 6 AA cells, making sure that each one is inserted with polarity (+ or -) in the same direction as the ones you remove. The M-96 power supply is located under the arm rest at the top end of the stem. Grasp either side of the M-96 battery compartment by the top and bottom edges.
SPECIFICATIONS Operating Environment +33° F to +120° F (0 to 50° C) ................ with carbon zinc batteries -4° F to +120° F (-20 to 50° C) ....................... with alkaline batteries Search coil submersible in water Operating Frequency of Search Coil ........................................ 4.5 KHz Sensitivity ......................................................... 0.2 mv RMS for full scale Sensitivity Adjustment Range ..........................................................
15
QUALITY Fisher detectors are renowned for their quality. Each instrument is hand crafted in the USA with pride PERFORMANCE 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. 2-YEAR WARRANTY Fisher believes in the products we produce and backs this belief with a 2 year limited warranty, Warranty may vary outside the United States.
