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Aztec OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Aztec is a Transmitter receiver (TR) Metal Detector, operating in the very low frequency (VLF) portion of the RF
spectrum. The detector utilizes the natural phenomena of the phase delay of all targets to provide mineral free or ground
compensated response in the normal mode of operation, or to provide discriminate capability in the discriminate mode.
The Aztec is an extremely sensitive metal detector, but because of its unique pushbutton MODE CHANGE/TUNING
SWITCH is the easiest "one handed" VLF/TR Discriminator to use.
As with any detector, the familiarity of the user with the instrument will have a great deal to do with how successful the
treasure hunter is. We recommend that you read and understand this manual fully before attempting to use the instrument in
the field.
Be sure to fill out and mail your warranty registration card to validate your warranty.
ASSEMBLY
Assembly of the Aztec is very simple, and requires no special tools. The only assembly required is to mount the
searchcoil to the end of the lower stem and install the lower stem and lock assembly to the upper stem.
1. Insert the pole tip between the mounting ears of the searchcoil, after removing the screw and thumb nut. Align the
holes in the pole tip and those in the mounting ears.
2. Insert the coil mounting screw through the coil and pole tip. Be sure the internal tooth lockwasher is on the screw
head side. The screw head should be on the side of the searchcoil where the cable comes out.
3. Install the thumb nut on the screw and tighten by hand.
4. The knurled locknut is installed on the upper stem to protect the threads during handling and shipment. Remove the
locknut and slide it onto the lower stem as shown. Be sure the lock ring is inside the locknut or behind it, so that it will
be pushed into the locknut when the locknut is reinstalled on the threads.
5. Insert the lower stem into the upper stem, push the locknut up to engage the threads, and tighten it finger tight.
6. Wind the searchcoil cable around the pole, and install the searchcoil connector into the connector on the front of the
chassis. Tighten the connector finger tight.
ADJUSTMENT
The searchcoil angle and stem length should be adjusted so that the unit is not uncomfortable or tiring after long periods
of use. The stem length is adjusted by loosening the knurled locknut and extending or collapsing the stem length until the unit
can be held about an inch off the ground while standing erect. Adjust the angle of the searchcoil, so that the coil is parallel to
the ground. Tighten the searchcoil thumbnut and stem locknut by hand to maintain this setting.
The function of the front panel controls of the Aztec are as follows, beginning in the lower left hand corner, and proceeding
in a clockwise direction.
1. Disc Level. This control is used to adjust the detector's response to unwanted metallic trash when used in the
Discriminate mode. At the lowest setting, "0", the detector will eliminate most iron objects, but will still respond in a
positive manner to light foil, bottle caps, pull tabs and other most other metallic items. As the knob setting is increased,
response to more of these metallic trash items is reversed, so that these objects give a negative or "nulling" response.
2. Ground Adjust. This control is used to adjust the detector so that it does not respond to the mineralization in the
ground, when used in normal mode.
3. Tuning. This control is used to tune the detector to its most sensitive setting, regardless of which mode is used.
Since the target response of a TR detector is an increase in sound level, the ideal setting for maximum depth is so that
the detector is just beginning to make sound. This "threshold" setting should be maintained at all times, as operating the
detector completely silent means a deep target may have insufficient response to drive the detector out of the quiet region
and into "threshold".
4. Sensitivity. This control adjusts the detector's sensitivity to ground effects due to mineralization, as well as its
sensitivity to metallic targets. In the normal mode of operation, the detector will ignore effects of mineralization if it is
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Summary of Contents for Tesoro Aztec
- Page 1 Product Aztec OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL Detectors Coils Accessories GENERAL DESCRIPTION Catalog The Aztec is a Transmitter receiver (TR) Metal Detector, operating in the very low frequency (VLF) portion of the RF Dealers spectrum. The detector utilizes the natural phenomena of the phase delay of all targets to provide mineral free or ground Information compensated response in the normal mode of operation, or to provide discriminate capability in the discriminate mode. The Aztec is an extremely sensitive metal detector, but because of its unique pushbutton MODE CHANGE/TUNING Frequently Asked SWITCH is the easiest "one handed" VLF/TR Discriminator to use. Questions As with any detector, the familiarity of the user with the instrument will have a great deal to do with how successful the About Tesoro treasure hunter is. We recommend that you read and understand this manual fully before attempting to use the instrument in Manuals the field. Be sure to fill out and mail your warranty registration card to validate your warranty. Field Tests Articles Testimonials ASSEMBLY Customer Finds Assembly of the Aztec is very simple, and requires no special tools. The only assembly required is to mount the Forums searchcoil to the end of the lower stem and install the lower stem and lock assembly to the upper stem. Service 1. Insert the pole tip between the mounting ears of the searchcoil, after removing the screw and thumb nut. Align the Warranty Repair holes in the pole tip and those in the mounting ears. 2. Insert the coil mounting screw through the coil and pole tip. Be sure the internal tooth lockwasher is on the screw Contact Us head side. The screw head should be on the side of the searchcoil where the cable comes out. ...
- Page 2 Disc. This position selects the Discriminate mode of operation, whereby response to unwanted metal objects such as iron, bottle caps, thin foil pieces, etc., can be controlled. Ground mineralization will affect the operation of the detector in this mode. 6. ON/OFF Volume. This control adjusts the amplitude of the audio signal, as well as controlling the power to the unit. When using the internal speaker, the volume control should be at its maximum clockwise setting for maximum depth. When using headphones, the internal speaker is disconnected, and the volume control should be set for maximum comfortable volume. 7. MODE CHANGE/TUNING Switch. This push button switch is located in the end of the handle, where it can be operated with the thumb or first finger of the hand holding the detector. This switch performs two basic functions. When depressed momentarily and released, it retunes the detector back to the desired threshold point. When held in the depressed position, it causes the detector to switch to the other operating mode. If the Mode switch is in the NORM position, holding the MODE CHANGE/TUNING in, will change the mode of the detector to Discriminate. If the Mode Switch is in the DISC position, holding in the MODE CHANGE/TUNING SWITCH will change the mode of the detector to Normal. When the switch is released, the detector operation returns to the mode selected by the Mode Switch. TUNING No detector, regardless of how powerful it is, can provide optimum depth if it is improperly tuned. In fact, the more powerful a detector is, the more critical the tuning becomes. Less powerful units are more tolerant of operator misadjustment, but are not capable of the depth of the a properly tuned high power detector such as the Aztec. If you will remember just one thing, and adjust your detector accordingly, you will achieve satisfying results. This thing to remember is, always operate the detector at "Threshold" (with a very slight amount of sound). Any time you operate a detector completely silent, you are losing depth. if the sound is too loud, you will also lose depth, because the weak signals from deep targets will not be as noticeable. Following the turning procedures outlined below will help you properly tune your Aztec to allow you to operate it at threshold, and achieve maximum performance. A. Normal Mode Tuning. Turn Sensitivity control to mid range (pointer straight up). Turn Mode control to Norm. Turn the Ground Adjust control to 5. Turn the On/Off Volume control fully clockwise. With the searchcoil held away from the ground or any metal objects, depress the Tuning switch (in the handle) momentarily and release it. Lower the searchcoil to within an inch of the ground, and observe any changes in the meter reading and audio sound as the coil approaches the ground. If the meter reading and the sound increase, turn the Ground Adjust control down slightly (counterclockwise). If the meter reading and ...
- Page 3 FIELD USE The detector should be held in a position that is comfortable for you. Swing the detector from side to side in about a three foot arc. The Aztec does not need to be hurried, so go at a pace that doesn't wear you out. Keep the detector tuned so that it is just beginning to buzz. In Normal Mode the detector ignores the ground, if properly adjusted, so this is easy to do. In Discriminate, the ground will affect the detector, so you should sweep the detector at a constant height above the ground (about 1 inch). Irregularities in the ground, as well as in your sweep height will cause variations in the tuning. These changes will usually be much slower than the abrupt signal caused by the coil passing over a good target. A little practice with a coin buried about 1 inch will enable you to pick out the target sound readily, as compared to the background variations. Turning the Sensitivity down will make it easier to maintain threshold. Always operate in Discriminate with the Sensitivity control set only as high as will allow you to operate in the unit at threshold. In areas with well kept lawns, the easiest way to maintain a constant searchcoil height is to allow the coil to rest on the grass as you sweep from side to side. In rough and rocky areas it is best not to “scrub” the coil on the ground, as the rocks will act like abrasives, and wear away the coil bottom. Since the combined MODE CHANGE/TUNING SWITCH allows the detector to be operated with just one hand, it is very easy to search in Normal mode until a target is found, and then switch to Discriminate to check whether it is a good target or junk. Once a target is located in the Normal mode, it is much easier to "find" in Discriminate, because you already know that it is there. Therefore, you can use a higher setting on the sensitivity control for checking known target locations than you could for hunting in the Discriminate mode. This is possible because you will be limiting your sweep to just a few inches, giving you much better control over your coil height variations. To pinpoint or locate a target which doesn't peg the meter and audio, simply move the coil around to find the point where the loudest audio and highest meter reading is given. The target will be right below the center of the coil. if the target response is so strong it pegs the meter and audio, simply push the tuning button momentarily over the strongest signal. This will tune out most of the response to the target and the detector will go totally quiet if it is moved away from the target. It may be necessary to retune a couple of times to almost totally tune out the target, but you will eventually arrive at a tuning level that will not saturate or peg the meter and audio when you are directly over the target. In the Discriminate Mode, the tuning will have to be reset any time that the Disc Level is changed. This merely requires that you momentarily depress the MODE CHANGE/TUNING SWITCH. Being familiar with your detector and where typical junk items are rejected can save you much needless digging. One thing to remember, though, is that in Discriminate Mode, it is best not to use any higher Discriminate Level setting than necessary. Nickels and most small rings are rejected when the DISC LEVEL is set to reject pull tabs on all TR Discriminators. If you don't dig any junk at all, you are surely passing up a lot of other good finds too. Set the DISC LEVEL only high enough to suit the conditions where you are searching. For relic hunting or for coinshooting in areas that are free of trash, the GND REJ Mode of operation will normally give best results, since the detector is easy to use with maximum sensitivity. It may be desirable to operate with reduced sensitivity in the GND REJ Mode at times, however. For example, to prevent having to dig large, deep holes in a well kept park lawn. BATTERY REPLACEMENT The Aztec is equipped with an internal battery check circuit so you can always know you're getting top performance from ...
- Page 4 There are several good books to help the beginner learn how to use the detector, where to search and how to recover a target without damaging the environment. A good coin shooter can recover a lot of finds and leave the area looking as though he had never been there. Above all, always fill your holes when you have recovered the target. TESORO Metal Detectors are sold through independent dealers, who are almost always treasure hunters themselves. They can provide you with you much needed information about how to use your detector, how to probe, plug and dig in your locale, and answer most of your questions about treasure hunting in general. The use of earphones will benefit you in two ways. Most earphones will very effectively block out most of the ambient noise, such as traffic noise and wind noise, which will enable you to better hear the fainter signals caused by the deeper targets. Obviously, the older, more valuable coins will probably be deeper than the ones which were lost last week, so you should take advantage of anything that will help you hear the weaker signals. Secondly, using earphones will greatly extend the battery life, since it takes much less power to operate them. The Aztec is not equipped with a volume control, but does have a limiting circuit in the earphone jack. If less volume is desired with earphones, you may want to use earphones with a built in volume control. Any good 8 or 16 ohm set with 1/4 inch stereo jack will do. The 8 1/2" coplanar searchcoil furnished with the Aztec will provide excellent results for both coinshooting and relic hunting in the majority of areas. For those few areas having such extreme mineralization that operation in the Discriminate mode is very difficult, the smaller 7" coil offered by TESORO will provide easier operation in Discriminate. HAPPY HUNTING, and thank you for purchasing a TESORO. Under the copyright laws this documentation may not be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic or machine readable form, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Tesoro Electronics Incorporated, except for the private use of a Aztec owner or operator, or in a manner otherwise described in this documentation. © 19951996 Tesoro Electronics Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States. Home Tesoro Electronics, Inc. 715 White Spar Road Prescott, AZ, USA 86303 19287712646 ...
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