|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHADOW X3
OPERATOR'S MANUAL |
|
Troy Custom Detectors SHADOW X3 Owner Instruction Manual
CONTENTS Page No.
FORWARD Your Shadow X3 is a deep-seeking, extremely advanced
metal detector expressly designed to excel at coin, jewelry, relic,
prospecting, competition and cache searching. It is designed to have We are very happy to say that all design goals have been achieved and are quite evident in the overall performance, versatility and packaging of the Troy Shadow X3 metal detector. Yes, its performance is first-rate! Its comfort has to be experienced to be appreciated and its ease-of-use is the perfect complement to its wide-ranging versatility. The Shadow X3's miniature, state-of-the-art electronic
design, using ultra-miniature surface-mount electronic components,
greatly contributes to a detector that is very compact, lightweight
and It features simple, front-panel operation, using 'real'
knobs and switches. There are no complicated programs, layered menus
to navigate or remember, and a user can immediately tell at a glance, Changing modes, pinpointing targets and 'fine-tuning' the X3's settings and operation could not be easier! The Shadow X3 is a very user-friendly metal detector! Troy Custom Detectors has invested heavily in the design and development of the Shadow X3. We utilize the best design engineers available, incorporate leading-edge technology and make use of a first-class production, test and service facility. Throughout the design and development of the Shadow X3, we gathered suggestions and comments from detectorists across the United States. All of this 'feedback', combined with very extensive pre-production field testing, gives you a metal detector unlike any you have owned or used before. With Troy Custom Detectors Shadow X3, your metal detecting experience, enjoyment and success is about to change forever! FEATURES The Troy Shadow X3 is a lightweight, powerful, extremely versatile metal detector that provides a unique combination of features, functions and operator-control. Some Unique Shadow X3 Features Include:
ASSEMBLY Assembling your Shadow X3 metal detector is a simple and easy task that should take only a few minutes to accomplish. – No special tools are required. The search coil is shipped already attached to the lower stem (pole). All that is required to complete assembly is to attach the lower stem to the upper S-pole/control box assembly. Carefully unpack and save the shipping box for storage or future shipment. Your box should contain: 1. SEARCH COIL - With coil-mounting hardware – bolt, nut and two rubber friction washers - Factory assembled. 2. POLE - The pole assembly consists of a lower and upper half. 3. BATTERY - One 9-volt Alkaline type - Factory installed. If any of these items are missing, immediately contact the Troy Authorized Dealer where your detector was purchased. 1 Unscrew the silver-metal coil connector locking collar (turn counterclockwise) and temporarily disconnect - by gently pulling outwards - the coil connector from the rear of the control-box housing. 2 Loosen (turn counterclockwise - as viewed from the operating position) both plastic camlocks on the upper and lower poles. 3 Insert the lower stem with attached coil into the upper pole assembly by pressing and holding the silver snap-button. As you slide the pole into the upper pole, guide it to drop the snap-button through the fourth (middle position) snap-button hole. 4 Hold the detector as you would while using it and adjust the shaft length to match your height and stance by pressing in on the snap-button and moving the lower pole to the most suitable hole position for you. Slightly loosen the coil mounting wing-nut and adjust the coil angle to be parallel to the ground while holding the detector in its operating position. Tighten the wing-nut to lock and hold the coil position firmly in place. Take care to not over tighten the wing-nut. 5 Tighten both pole camlocks by turning fully clockwise - as viewed from the operating position. 6 Leave an inch or two of slack cable, just above the search coil strain relief bushing entry point. You will need enough slack cable to enable the search coil to be moved throughout its entire (tilt) adjustment range. Carefully begin to firmly wrap the search coil cable around and up the shaft of the pole assembly leaving enough ‘free’ cable to insert the coil connector plug into the search coil connector jack on the back side of the control-box housing. Tighten (turn clockwise) the silver-metal connector locking collar until firmly seated. DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN! See the ‘CARE AND STORAGE’ section of this manual for additional information. CONTROLS The Shadow X3 Control Panel
BATTERY Your Shadow X3 requires a single 9-volt Alkaline or Lithium battery for its operation. It is recommended that only name-brand, high-quality Alkaline or Lithium types be used to insure proper fit, maximum operat-ing time and dependability. A unique 'drop-in' battery-compartment design eliminates any possibility of fragile wire and/or battery-snap breakage and field down time! Battery life will vary, but you can expect about 25 hours for the Alkaline type and 50 hours for the Lithium type of 9-volt battery. To replace or install a battery, set the SENS control to the POWER OFF position. Unlatch the battery compartment door by pressing down and out on the door latch. Carefully remove the old battery. Insert a new battery with the contact end going in first, making certain to match the battery polarity with the markings indicated. If you are not going to be using your detector for several weeks or longer, remove the battery. Acid damage caused by a leaking battery can void your warranty. For best protection, remove the battery after each detecting outing. The Shadow X3 is equipped with an on-demand battery test circuit. The battery should be checked after the detector has been on for a few minutes by placing the DISC control to the BATT TEST position. The BAIT TEST produces a high-pitched tone to the speaker for a fully charged battery, a medium tone for a half-charged battery and a low tone for a weak battery. The X3 never looses depth or produces weak audio until
the battery condition 'hits' approximately 6.0 volts - There is no
need to replace the battery until this condition occurs. Some detectors
loose depth and audio volume as the battery looses voltage .. The
Shadow X3 will not! QUICK-SET DETECTING Your Troy Shadow X3 metal detector is very easy to operate! As you become accustomed to its various features and controls, your knowledge will improve of which features and settings perform best for different types of detecting, search and soil conditions encountered and locales. To simplify getting started, you may simply want to set the DISC and SENS controls to their black preset positions. These are the number ‘3‘ position for the DISC control and the number ‘8‘ position for the SENS control. Set both the FREQ and TARGET CHECK switches to their NORM position. Keep in mind that these are general, average settings and may not always provide optimum results. As your knowledge, experience and proficiency expand, you will likely want to experiment somewhat and 'fine tune' the X3's operation to suit your particular style of detecting and the search site’s soil and trash conditions. Do not be afraid to experiment ... It's part of how you learn! HEADPHONES Your Shadow X3 is equipped with a water-resistant rear-mounted ¼-inch (6.3mm) stereo headphone jack. Located on the back side of the control box, the jack accepts most stereo and mono headphones with an impedance rating of 8 ohms or more. Upon use, the internal speaker is automatically disconnected. The use of high-quality, high-sensitivity headphones - like the Troy-PRO ™ headphones - is strongly encouraged and recommended. Headphones block-out background noise while detecting and enable deep, low-volume signals to be heard more easily. They also help with 'target perception', thus making pinpointing much easier. Headphone-use increases battery life. All-in-all, headphones should always be used while metal detecting!
Care must be taken when using head-phones to protect your hearing from loud and/or continual audio-tone blasts. For best results, rotate your headphone volume controls
to their minimum, full-coun-terclockwise position. Gradually increase
each control to a comfortable, well-balanced listening level as you
scan back and forth - a few inches away - from a U.S. Quarter placed
directly on top of the ground. Once adjusted, leave the volume controls
set to this optimum setting while detecting. AUDIO SOUNDS SURFACE ITEM - is typically loud! Depending on the site being searched, you may or may not want to retrieve these items. In soft, loamy soil, where previous targets have been located deep, you will most likely find loud targets to be surface trash or new coin drops. When searching old, wooded sites or somewhat barren hillsides where gravel and stone are in abundance, you should retrieve all targets, as even old coins and artifacts can be found laying exposed on the surface or only a few inches deep! DEEP ITEM - This type of target has a smooth, consistent, weak audio response. If searching in the DISCrimination mode, switching to the VCO PP (pinpoint) mode will also produce a weak, but repeatable response. These are often the types of signals that produce the deepest, oldest and best finds. TRASH - Can oftentimes be recognized by its, loud, irregular or 'scratchy' audio response. If searching an area where items are consistently located deep, you can usually ignore the loud (usually trash) surface targets. Using the 'shape-tracing' and 'deep item' information and techniques presented herein can also help identify trash versus good targets. IRON - Can often sound like a good target, but a few operating techniques can be used to determine if the target is worth digging or not. Increasing your sweep speed from slow, to moderate, to fast, will usually cause the detector's audio response to breakup or completely disappear if the target is made of small iron. On the other hand, desirable targets will usually be heard – sometimes even better – with a faster sweep speed. Another approach to determining if a target is made of iron or not is to sweep the target from different directions. Usually, worthwhile items will sound the same regardless of the direction that they are swept, unless the target is tilted or next to a trash item. Iron however, will usually change its audio response, as it is swept from different directions. It may sound good one way, but breakup or totally disappear when swept from another direction. You can also measure the target's width, or size, using the VCO PP mode. Iron targets will often 'measure' larger (wider) than the coil's overall diameter. Coins and other nonferrous items will usually measure as a small, concentrated signal, that is much smaller in size than the coil's overall width. BAD GROUND - Is characterized by a random, intermittent, 'popping', 'static' type of audio sound. Reducing the sensitivity setting may help. SHAPE-TRACING - Using the VCO PP mode, you can usually determine the shape of a target by slowly 'tracing it', listening for where the audio sound drops out. Small items, such as coins, buttons and rings will produce small, consistent, 'round sounds'. Long, narrow items, such as iron nails and wire, will produce long, narrow signals in all-metal and will often 'double beep' audio in the discrimination mode. Large items will produce a signal over a large area of ground. Audio 'shape-tracing' can be a useful tool in determining if the target is desirable or not, but it does take some practice to master. WHAT TO LISTEN FOR - When operating in the discrimination mode, desirable signals generally sound smooth, consistent and repeatable from any sweep direction. Ferrous (iron) signals are usually random and non-repeatable, unless the item is very large in size or heavily-rusted into its surrounding soil matrix. With practice, you will eventually come to recognize the 'sweet,' 'small' sound of a good target, versus the harsh, inconsistent, often too-loud or broad sound of a trash target. Interpreting your X3's various audio sounds may at first seem a daunting task (if you have not used a metal detector previously). All targets may at first sound the same to you, but you will soon learn, with practice and use, that the X3 provides a lot of target information through the unique sounds and audio responses of its operating modes, controls and functions. You will eventually come to know the 'language' of your Shadow X3, and your success will show it! After retrieving each target try to remember the sound that it made. A good way to learn target sounds is to build a ‘test garden’ where you bury known targets at various depths. By knowing beforehand what and where the targets are, you can practice scanning and listening to them. This practice can really help you to learn, know and understand the various sounds that your detector makes as it scans over different types of targets at various depths. Try to always use the same headphones too. Different phones can and will sound different. Once you get used to a good pair of headphones, it's difficult to change to another pair, as it will affect the sounds you are accustomed to hearing. Keep in mind too that all good signals will not always ‘come through’ ‘crystal clear’. Many of the extremely deep or small items will not produce loud, strong signals. Typically, they produce ‘whispers’ and it is often this kind of slight, but mostly repeatable signal, that indicates a worthwhile item. Items next to rejected or trash items can produce broken, non-repeatable signals. Again, this is where practice comes into play and all of the ‘test garden’ time you spent learning the sounds that your Shadow X3 makes. With continued practice and a desire to learn and improve, you will become very familiar with your Shadow X3. It is a detector that speaks its language through the sounds it makes. Learn them well and your success is just about guaranteed! SENS The SENS (Sensitivity) control is one of the most important controls on your Shadow X3. Its setting, to a large degree, will determine the detector's depth ability, sensitivity to small objects, degree of smooth or erratic operation, coil surface-area pickup (detection pattern), target acquisition, sensitivity to outside interference and other operating parameters.
A general 'rule-of-thumb' is to set the SENSITIVITY control as high as possible while maintaining smooth, stable operation. The SENS control has a range of from '1' to '10', with a preset setting of '8'. This is the recommended, beginning setting for most types of detect-ing. As search and site conditions warrant, the SENS control may need to be adjusted 'up' or 'down'. A too-high sensitivity setting can result in unstable operation, that pro-duces false signals, 'pops' and 'static'. This can make detecting very difficult! Unless you are detecting over extremely 'hot', mineralized ground with many hot-rocks, your Shadow X3 should be relatively smooth sounding - Responding only to targets accepted by the discrimination setting or all-metal VCO PP mode. If you are constantly hearing false, random and intermittent signals, decrease the sensitivity setting. This will usually correct the problem. POWER OFF - This control position is used to
power the detector on or off. A slight, tactile 'click' will be felt
when entering or exiting this posi-tion. At the full counterclockwise
position of the SENS control, the detector is powered off. FREQ The three-position FREQ (Frequency) switch sets
the operating fre-quency of the Shadow X3.
If interference is received, the FREQ switch should be moved to the HI (19.2 kHz) or LO (18.8 kHz) setting, whichever best eliminates or mini-mizes the offending interference. Certain types of 'broadband' pulse noise, such as electric fence, car ignition, motor brush arcing, a distant electric storm, high-voltage or power line arcing noise may not be eliminated by the FREQ control. That is not its intended purpose! The FREQquency circuit was designed to eliminate
coincidental R.F. frequency interference mainly in competition hunting
or when searching in close proximity to another Shadow X5 or X3 user
or metal detector operating at or near the 19 kHz operating frequency.
Under these conditions, it will perform as designed.
DISC
The DISC (Discrimination) control is enabled when the detector is operated in the DISC (Discrimination) mode. Discrimination is used to eliminate any target that you do not want the detector to audibly respond to. The DISC control has an adjustment range of from 1 to 10. The lowest setting at which an object is rejected (eliminated) is considered to be the object's discrimination point. The DISC control is marked with a preset setting of '3'. This is the recommended beginning setting for most types of detecting. As site and search conditions warrant, the DISC control may need to be adjusted 'up' or 'down' to accept or eliminate specific targets.
At a setting of ‘3‘, most small iron targets will be rejected and everything from foil on up will be accepted – As shown in the illustration below. BATT TEST - A battery test is performed when the DISC control is set to the BATT TEST position. (see Battery page) Always use the least amount of discrimination possible. High discrimination settings can eliminate many desirable targets, increase target masking and decrease detection depth.
SEARCH COIL The Shadow X3 is equipped with a 7-inch, waterproof, open-center concentric search coil. Troy Custom Detectors Shadow X3 search coils are completely compatible and interchangeable. In fact, the X3 coils are designed to have minimal effect to the detector's ground balance when changing to any size accessory coil. Troy Shadow X3 search coils are electrostatic shielded and 100% waterproof. Their unique mechanical and electrical design insures a large ‘footprint’ of ground coverage, excellent depth. precise pinpointing and super stability. Future Shadow X3 accessory search coils will most likely be a 9-inch elliptical widescan ‘Double D’ ; A 11-inch concentric ‘Spider’ and a 5-inch solid concentric. Accessory coil (scuff) covers will also be available. A 9-inch concentric ‘Spider’ coil is also available and makes for a good ‘all around’ coil for use in all types of detecting. It provides outstanding depth and a large electromagnetic ‘footprint’ that provides full, deep, ground coverage. The 7-inch coil is an excellent lightweight choice for trashy sites, fast competition hunting and quick, easy pinpointing. For maximum depth and ground coverage select Troy’s 11-inch concentric Spider search coil Note: Check with your Troy Custom Detectors authorized dealer for search coil availability and additional information. TARGET CHECK™ is a unique operating feature of Troy Custom Detectors used to quickly and accurately compare target signals to factory-calibrated preset discrimination (rejection) set-points.
This method of quick-comparison informs the operator
as to whether a The TARGET CHECK™ switch is a three-position spring-return toggle switch that when released from the ZINC or NICKEL position always returns to its center (NORMAL) position. The NORMAL position engages the DISC control on the front panel. ZINC - This setting 'switches-in' enough preset discrimination to elimi-nate all targets including most aluminum screw caps, Zinc Cents, Indian Head Cents and certain Wheat Cents on down through the pull tab, nickel, foil and small and medium iron conductivity ranges. Keep in mind that the ZINC selection can eliminate Indian Head cents, nickels and other desirable coins as well as most gold rings and many desirable relics. NICKEL - This setting 'switches-in' enough preset discrimination to eliminate all targets below round pull tabs including Nickels on through foil and small iron conductivity ranges. TARGET CHECK™ can be used as a form of 'reverse discrimination'. That is, if a target does not produce a signal while TARGET CHECK™ is held in the NICKEL position, it indicates that the target has less conductivity than a nickel and should be thoroughly ‘checked out’, as it could be a small Gold or Platinum ring, Gold jewelry item, small Gold coin, Nickel Three-Cent Piece or other worthwhile and valuable low-conductivity metal item. This also holds true for the ZINC position of the TARGET CHECK™ switch. At some older locations, targets that ‘drop out’ when the switch is held to the ZINC position could be coins, rings or artifacts. Indian Head Cents for example can ‘read’ exactly like a Screw Cap, which also ‘reads’ the same as a Zinc cent. At older locations, it will pay to investigate signals that drop out through the ZINC range and lower as well as all of the good ‘above Zinc’ coin sounds. PINPOINTING Pinpointing targets with the Shadow X3 can be accomplished in one of two ways: 1) VCO Pinpointing - Push and hold the VCO PP pushbutton.
2) DISC Motion Mode - Place the mode switch to the DISC position. Search coil motion is required to hear targets. The VCO PP (voltage-controlled-oscillator pinpoint) pushbutton switch used to pinpoint and help visually determine the center of a target bef( and during retrieval by providing a VCO audio tone to the user. This tone varies and increases in both amplitude (strength) and fre-quency (tone) as the target-center is approached. When no additional increase in signal strength and frequency is heard the target will be located directly beneath the search coil center. To de-tune a target, pinpoint the target's center. Hold the detector still over that point and momentarily 'tap' ,release, then hold the VCO pushbutton. This may be repeated as often as needed. Learning to de-tune targets does require some practice to master -practice often and you will master it quickly! See 'De-tune' in the Glossary section for additional
information TARGET DEPTH AUDIO DEPTH READING - with practice, you will begin to learn and recognize that a fairly accurate determination of target depth can be made by analyzing the volume and frequency of the VCO pinpoint signal and/or the intensity (modulation) of the DISC mode signal. The VCO PP switch is a momentary type and must be held in to enter and stay in the VCO pinpoint mode. Once the pushbutton is released, the detector returns to the DISC mode. If necessary, targets can be detuned by quick, repeated pressings of the VCO PP pushbutton. De-tuning is a method of ‘shrinking’ the target signal so that its location beneath the search coil is confined to a very small area, making pinpointing and retrieval easier and much more accurate.
TARGET RECOVERY Target recovery is a very important aspect of metal detecting. The culmination of the search ... is the retrieval of the find! – Recovery actually begins with pinpointing! To know precisely where to dig, to retrieve a target, you must first find the target's exact center point. With two types of pinpointing available – VCO and DISC mode – the Shadow X3 makes pinpointing a quick and easy task. Once you determine the target's center, a small digging trowel, hunting knife or specialized metal detecting retrieval tool is all that is needed to quickly and safely find and remove a detected target from the soil. Careful pinpointing and retrieval will greatly minimize the chance of accidentally scratching or damaging your find. Proper retrieval does minimal or no damage to the soil and well-maintained areas. In fact, 99% of the time, if you know the proper way to retrieve a target, no one can even tell that a small hole was dug! Of course, any dug hole MUST be back-filled after the target has been retrieved. No exceptions! Get into the habit of doing so. In grassy areas, most detectorists cut a hinged plug for fast, easy and neat target retrieval. Once the target is ‘pulled out’, fill the hole back in and then step on the hinged plug a few times to firmly seat it back into the ground. For wooded or loose soil areas, use a trowel or long-bladed hunting knife to displace the soil until the target is found. As above, fill the hole back in and step on it a few times to compact it. Make sure you take the time to learn correct pinpointing, retrieval and ‘clean up’ methods while detecting. Not only will it help you, but it will insure that no visible ‘damage’ is done and it creates a good image for all metal detector users. Remember to take your trash home too for proper disposal! Please see RESPONSIBLE DETECTING for additional information. PLACES TO SEARCH Metal detecting IS NOT permitted in Federal parks and on battlefields, historically marked lands or sites! State, county, city or town propery, parks, schools, beaches, etc. vary with each locale. You MUST contact the appropriate office or authority beforehand to inquire if metal detecting is permitted and what (if any) regulations or constraints apply. For private property, permission is usually required and it is best to have permission in writing if possible. Some remote, wooded, abandoned or forgotton sites are nearly impossible to obtain prior permission to search, as the property owner is unknown and/or difficult to locate. It is often a good idea to question local residents near the site to see if the owner can be identified and permission obtained. If not, and the property is not posted, you may want to take your chance, but make certain to do no damage. Respect the property no matter how remote or secluded it may be. The 'bottom line' is: Observe all laws, whether national, state or local. There are plenty of good places to search, but you must do some research to find them. 'Read-up' on your local history. Talk to some older residents and family members. Inquire as to where the 'old' places were... Old home sites, schools, parks, fair grounds, picnic groves, swimming holes, lookouts, camp grounds, etc. The list is almost endless. It's up to you! Locate the sites and you will make the finds! If you have a metal detecting club nearby, join it! Being with others involved in the hobby can help immensely. Start a library of metal detecting books and also subscribe to some metal detecting and historical magazines. You will amass a lot of information in doing so and it will contribute to making you a much better detectorist overall. Observe all signs ... Always! TYPES OF DETECTING COIN - Most who purchase a metal detector use it to search for new and old coins. This aspect of metal detecting – known as 'Coinshooting' – is very popular. To be successful at 'Coinshooting', try searching locations that have attracted people to them over many years ... the more, the better! Old coins are usually associated with old locations! So, you must seek-out old sites, usually, to find old coins. Old home sites, parks, schools, beaches, ghost towns, etc., are often the best places to search for old coins. RELIC - This type of detecting is most often associated with Civil War artifacts, but any type of old, non-coin artifact is generically considered to be a relic. Whether it be from the Civil War, American Revolution or 20th century, a relic can be a button, bullet, tool, buckle or any of thousands of different items recovered while metal detecting. The varieties and possibilities are staggering, unpredictable and endless! As with coin hunting, the oldest and sometimes best finds come from the oldest places. History and research are the true 'keys' to successful relic hunting. But, the right metal detector – such as the Shadow X3 – proper equipment, knowledge and experience also help considerably. BEACH - GOLD! This is the magic word for a beach hunter! Gold, for the most part, is what they seek. Gold rings, gold chains and gold jewelry can often be found in abundance at the right beach or swimming location. Most successful beach hunters dig it all. They use very little, if any discrimination, as small gold rings, chains and jewelry 'tune out' very easily if too much discrimination is used. PROSPECTING - This type of detecting is usually in search of gold nuggets in the DISC mode, using zero discrimination. The Shadow X3‘s high operating frequency and high gain contribute to making it ‘hot’ on gold. COMPETITION - If you have never been to a competition treasure hunt, you're missing out on a lot of fun! Most hunts have thousands of silver coins, clad coins, Indian Head cents, prize-tokens and other items buried and it's usually a 30 to 60 minute 'free-for-all' to see who can find and uncover the most or best items. Many great coins and prizes can be had at treasure hunts! The Shadow X5 makes a perfect competition hunt detector. It is small and lightweight. It can be swept fast and yet still responds well to targets, and the Frequency switch helps eliminate interference from other metal detectors nearby. Fast target pinpointing (necessary for competition hunts) can easily be accomplished with the X5 in either the VCO PP, ALL-METAL or motion DISCrimination mode. The Target Check feature is also very useful as it can (depending on the prize tokens used) provide valuable information about a target's conductivity and rejectino/acceptance point. Troy Galloway searches avidly
RESPONSIBLE DETECTING Permission to access property, search, retrieve and keep found items should always be obtained whenever possible. This necessary prerequisite will prevent any problems that may arise (if you search without permission) and will give you complete peace-of-mind while detecting. Some remote, wooded, abandoned or forgotten sites are nearly impossible to get prior permission to search, as the property owner is unknown and/or difficult to locate. It is often a good idea to question local residents near the site to see if the owner can be identified and permission obtained. Make certain that you respect all property no matter how remote, secluded or ‘forgotten’ it may be. Fill all holes! Never leave an unfilled hole! It is the mark of an uncaring amateur; It does not look good and it gives all detectorists a bad name and image. Do No Damage! This is just common sense! Respect all property as if it were your own! Leave No Trash! If you dig it, take it with you! All small, retrieved trash items should be placed in your detecting pouch to be disposed of properly. Besides, you do not want to have to dig the same piece of trash over and over again! Large trash items – which cannot be easily carried – are best piled in one spot and then reburied before you leave the site. Create a Positive Image while detecting. You may be observed directly or indirectly. A landowner may have a good or bad experience with a detectorist, which he then passes on to others. You never know where the 'trail' may lead or end. Always present a good image ... it is the best policy. As a detectorist, you may be requested at times to search for a lost item. Maybe a landowner needs a property marker located or perhaps someone has lost a ring or set of keys. Perhaps the police or other agency may need assistance in locating evidence from a crime scene. Always, willingly lend assistance where needed. Not only will you feel good in doing so, but it serves a very useful purpose and presents metal detecting and detectorists in a very positive manner. CARE & STORAGE Your Troy Shadow X3 metal detector is a high-quality, precision-engineered and constructed electronic device. Properly cared for, it will provide many years of trouble-free service. Common sense and reasonable care are the keys to keeping your Shadow X3 in good working order – insuring a long trouble-free life. Avoid temperature and humidity extremes. The X3 will work well in a range of temperatures from about 20 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 to 100% relative humidity. Do not leave or store the detector in extremely hot, cold or humid areas. Never submerge the control box in water and always protect it from heavy rain or blowing surf spray. When being stored, or not used for extended periods of time, remove the battery to eliminate any possible chance of leakage damage. A coil cover is highly recommended to protect the search coil from abrasion and possible pinhole punctures that can eventually result in water intrusion and destruction of the search coil. The search coil is waterproof, but needs to be taken care of and protected. While searching, avoid hitting the search coil against rocks, trees or other hard surfaces. Keep your search coil slightly elevated above the ground. Especially when searching sand, gravel or hard, rocky ground. Periodically, wipe any accumulated dirt from the control box, knobs, switches, shaft and search coil with a soft cloth. Also, remove the coil cover occasionally and clean any accumulated dirt buildup, which could affect operation. Do not over-tighten the search coil cable connector (at the control box) and keep the coil cord neatly wrapped and secured to the pole assembly. Leave enough slack in the cable, just above where it enters the coil, so that the coil is easily adjustable through its entire 'tilt' range without stressing the cable or its entry point into the search coil. Treat your Troy Shadow X3 metal detector with care and you will be assured of many trouble-free years of operating enjoyment. GLOSSERY 10-Turn - A very precise, high-resolution electronic potentiometer (control) that divides its total resistance over ten physical 360-degree rotations of its control shaft. Usually used for ground balancing. Acceptance - Any metallic target that is not eliminated (rejected) by the discrimination control and/or Target Check and produces a signal (audio tone) when scanned by the search coil is considered to be accepted. Air Test - The process of sampling a target with the search coil elevated in the air and away from any other interfering metal target, except the one being sampled. Air testing is a valid and useful method to determine maximum potential detector depth capability, discrimination-points of various targets and their audio characteristics. It is to be used for 'guideline' results only, as air-test results can vary for targets buried in the actual soil matrix. All-Metal Mode - An operating mode that responds to any metallic item thus producing an audio tone from the detector's speaker or headphones. Amplitude - The strength or 'volume' of a signal. Auto-Tuning - An electronic automatic tuning method of keeping the threshold signal constant and unwavering. Auto-Tuning Speed - The speed at which the auto-tune circuit updates or refreshes the threshold tuning to keep it at a constant audio level. Back Reading - A strong, reflected signal from a target that is very near the search coil. These false target responses can be eliminated by raising the search coil away from the offending item. Black Sand - Sand that contains a high-percentage of magnetic negative iron oxide. Conductivity - The property of an object that deals with how easily an electric current can pass through it. Gold, copper and silver are highly conductive. Iron is not. All-metal objects have conductive properties that depend on their metal type, alloy, size, etc. Conductive Salts - Water, moist or wet sand or soil that contain positively-conductive salts. These can produce positive, false responses to a metal detector, depending on its design and mode of operation. De-tune - An operating method used to minimize a target's signal (response) while operating in a non-auto-tuned all-metal or pinpoint mode; Making the target 'appear' smaller in size and easier to find and retrieve. To de-tune a target, pinpoint the target's center. Hold the detector still over that point and momentarily 'tap' , release, then hold the VCO PP pushbutton. This may be repeated as often as needed. Discrimination - An operating mode that enables
a user to 'dial-in' the types of targets to be discriminated or rejected
by the metal detector, so that they will not produce an audio response
signal when passed over by the search coil. The amount of discrimination
is set by the False Signal - An erroneous signal produced by an undesirable or discriminated target such as a large piece of iron, hot-rock or by electrical pulse-type electromagnetic interference. Ferrous - A metal item made of or primarily containing iron. Frequency - A unit of measure of the number of times a periodic waveform repeats itself in a given unit of time (generally seconds) with the result expressed in Hertz or some multiple thereof. Frequency Shift - A selective shift of frequency above or below the center, normal operating frequency of a metal detector for the purpose of eliminating coincidental outside frequency-related interference. Fringe Target - A very weak, barely discernible target very near the point of being no longer sensed or detected. This can occur for many reasons including depth, size, composition, mineralization, ground moisture, coil size, detector settings, etc. Ground Balance - A control, circuit and method of balancing-out mineralized ground so that it does not affect the 'pickup' of desirable targets. Ground Matrix – The combined composition of soil, mineralization, moisture and salts that a metal detector must radiate a signal through in order to sense targets buried within. Hot Ground - Severely mineralized ground that produces many false signals as it is swept. Coal cinders and iron-laden slag soil are but two examples of 'hot ground'. Hot Rock - A rock or piece of mineralization that is different in its mineralization content than the surrounding ground matrix. Hot rocks can produce false signals in some operating modes and no response in others. Interference - Usually an affect of R.F. (radio frequency) and electromagnetic pulse-type signals. These can be from power lines, transmitters, electric fences, automobiles, other metal detectors and/or almost any device that produces electromagnetic radiated energy. These types of interference usually produce false, random, erratic signals that produce unexpected audio 'blips' from a metal detector. Mineralized - Soil, sand or ground matrix that contains varying amounts of negative iron oxide. Mode - An operational arrangement and/or selection of specific metal detector features and settings to match a specific type of detecting or target acceptance or rejection. Modulated Audio - An audio signal produced by
the metal detector (when a target is sensed) to the speaker or headphones
that is very loud for surface targets and gradually gets softer as
the distance is increased between the target and the search coil.
Modulated audio is very useful Motion Mode - A metal detector operating mode that requires the search coil be kept in motion to respond to metal targets. Neutral Ground - Ground or soil matrix that contains neither positive nor negative mineralization. Negative Ground - Sand or soil that contains negative iron minerals. Non Ferrous - A metal item that does not contain iron. Non-Motion - A search mode that does not require search coil motion to sense a target. Null - The 'drop-out' in audio threshold or signal when the search coil is passed across a rejected target. Operating Frequency - The RF (radio frequency) search coil-transmitted and received frequency that the metal detector is designed to operate at. Overlap - The amount of search coil ground-sweep that overlaps the previous sweep. Overload - This results when a large object or too strong signal overloads the detector's circuitry and cannot be analyzed properly. Raising the search coil away from the target will eliminate the overload signal and an accurate 'reading' can then be achieved. Pinpoint - The act of determining the exact center of a target so that it may be quickly and easily retrieved with minimal effort and no damage. Positive Ground - Sand or soil that contains positive, conductive salt. Preset - A predetermined or recommended setting that is indicated on the detector's front panel by a unique color, graphic symbol or marking. It can also refer to an internal control or setting that is factory-adjusted to a certain value or position. Recovery Speed - The speed at which the detector recovers or is able to respond to a good target immediately after it has rejected a bad target. (see target-masking also) Rejection - Total elimination of a particular target or range of targets. Search Coil - A mechanical and electrical component,
consisting of wire coils and tuned circuits that transmit and receive
the R.F.electro-magnetic signal from the metal detector, to the target
and Sensitivity - A term used to indicate how well a metal detector responds to small targets. Also, a variable control to adjust the detector's response to all targets, especially small, low-conductive ones. Set Point - An electrical and/or mechanical reference or operational point determined to be an optimum setting to achieve a particular result. Shape Tracing - A method of audibly tracing a buried target to determine its size and shape. This is usually accomplished using the threshold-dependent, non-motion, all-metal mode. The target is slowly scanned and the length and width of the detector's audio signal is monitored listening for the 'drop out' points. This audio 'signature' directly equates to the target's shape. Signal Strength - The strength and volume that a target produces as it is scanned and sensed by the search coil. Sweep - The movement of the search coil over the ground. Sweep Speed - The speed at which the search coil is swept back and forth. Target Acquisition - Troy Custom Detectors search coils are of a unique proprietary design-configuration that enables the coil's electromagnetic field to cover a broad area of ground, somewhat like a wide-scan design, but maintains the exact pinpointing ability of a concentric design. Targets are acquired and heard more easily, even if not scanned directly on center. This equates to more ground coverage and total finds! Target Check™ - A unique user-selectable feature of Troy Custom Detectors used to compare target signals against factory-calibrated discrimination set-points to aid in identifying a target's conductivity. A valuable 'tool' to help identify trash from treasure before retrieval. Target Halo - Usually associated with iron (ferrous)
targets. The 'halo' is the result of the rusting and decomposition
of the target, which leaches into the surrounding soil matrix making
the target appear larger and more conductive than it actually is.
Non ferrous targets can also build up Any signal that 'disappears' during retrieval and no
ferrous item can be found, should be carefully investigated. It could
possibly be a coin or other desirable item that had its halo broken-up
upon retrieval. Use the ALL-METAL mode to scan the hole very thoroughly
before moving Target Masking - The affect of a discriminated target near a desirable target which prevents the desirable target from being sensed and heard. (see recovery speed also) Target Perception - The ability to audibly determine the exact center of a small target prior to retrieval by listening to its audio signal. Headphone usage markedly increases target perception by providing a balanced audio signal to each ear, thus making target 'centering' easier. Threshold - The slight audio sound heard through the speaker or headphones when operating in the threshold-dependent all-metal mode or threshold discrimination mode. The threshold sound is set by the threshold control and can be kept constant by using auto-tuning. Threshold-Dependent All-Metal Mode - An operating mode that responds to any metallic target. When adjusted properly, this mode always has a slight background audio tone, known as audio threshold, that 'informs' the operator that the detector is operating at its optimum peak threshold point. Tone - The pitch (frequency) of the audio signal heard through the speaker or headphones when a metal target is sensed. Tweak - A slight adjustment to a control. To fine-tune. VCO - Voltage Controlled Oscillator. A method
of audibly presenting target information by both frequency (tone)
and amplitude (volume). As a target is approached, using VCO, the
tone and volume begin to increase from a soft 'growl' to a louder,
higher-pitched tone as the target VLF - Very Low Frequency. A range of electromagnetic frequencies where ground-canceling metal detectors typically operate. This range extends from about 1 kHz to 50 kHz with most detectors operating in the 3 kHz to 30 kHz range. Zero Discrimination - A motion discrimination setting that is activated by placing the discrimination control at its full counterclockwise number '1' position, thus accepting all metal targets. Search coil motion is required to detect targets. SPECIFICATIONS These specifications are subject to change without notice
Shadow X3’ers, In this day and age it is not easy to start a new company with new products and compete successfully with the larger and well-established companies. This is the reason I want to express my sincere appreciation to you for becoming an owner of a Shadow X3 detector. This is currently my lightest, most powerful, true turn-on-and-go detector. “Customer Satisfaction” is my top personal goal and objective. It is a simple deduction, if you are not happy with your Shadow X3 then I also cannot be happy. As the Owner of Troy Custom Detectors, Inc. and a fellow detectorist, I want you to contact me personally if you ever experience a problem with your Shadow X3 that is not resolved to your satisfaction with our normal Customer Service channels. I can be reached at 1-877-437-4345 (toll free). I wish you the best of luck with the finds you make with your new Shadow X3 and hope to see you in the field. Best Regards
Troy Galloway
|
| |
|
|---|---|
|
www.troycustomdetectors.com |
 |
To
produce the strongest and best audio signal possible for deep, weak,
targets, the Shadow X3's audio circuit is designed to produce full-gain
audio. The Shadow X3 does not have an external, adjustable volume
control. Thus, it is capable of producing a very loud audio signal
in response to surface or large-mass metal targets. To protect your
hearing while using head-phones, it is strongly recommended that you
use properly adjusted, volume-control- equipped headphones - like
the Troy PRO™ headphones - available soon!
