C-SCOPE CS3MX Operating Instructions Manual page 6

Detecting with the CS3MX
Successful treasure hunting starts with a well researched site.
Sweep the detector head from side to side with a steady relaxed motion. Keep the search-head
parallel and as close as possible to the ground right across the arc of the sweep. The use of a search-
head cover protects the head from abrasion damage caused by friction with the ground. Search
your chosen site carefully by moving forward only the width of the search-head at each sweep. Move
up and down the search area in lines about 75 cms apart so that there is plenty of overlap in the
ground you have covered. Search with the sensitivity set as high as possible according to the ground
conditions. On the majority of inland sites the recommended sensitivity setting (green area on the
scale) will give the best results. Some types of ground may give rise to false signals and the sensitivity
level should be reduced to a point where operation of the detector becomes stable. Some detector
users prefer to set the sensitivity control at a point where there is no background tone, sometimes
called 'silent search'. (Sensitivity control set around the start of the green zone).
With the detector set like this it is more noticeable when a target signal occurs. If the detector is set
at maximum sensitivity (Sensitivity control set at the end of the green zone) there will be an audio tone
constantly in the background and a metal target will be registered by an increase in the intensity of
that tone.
We recommend searching with a low level of discrimination (green area on the scale 1-4). At this
setting the CS3MX will not react to small pieces of iron but will give a positive audio tone on other
metal targets. Increasing the discrimination level will eliminate signals from a wider range of metal
objects which are likely to be rubbish. (See Notes on Sensitivity, Ground Effect and Discrimination).
When the detector gives a signal, move the search-head to the approximate area where the signal
was heard, press the pin-point button (using your thumb is best) and move the search-head carefully
around. The strongest signal will occur directly below the centre of the search-head. Dig a neat hole
by cutting around the signal position with a sharp edged trowel and remove a divot of earth which
might now contain the metal object. Run the detector over the area again in pin-point mode to see if
the metal object is still in the hole or in the piece of earth which you have just removed.
Dig some more and sift through the earth until you fi nd what you are looking for. Fill in the hole
before moving on.
The use of headphones will increase battery life and make it easier to discern faint signals.
Follow the 'Country Code'. Do not trespass. Do not touch anything you suspect might be live
ammunition - inform the police.
Do not take your detector on any scheduled historic site. If you fi nd anything which looks like it
could have historical signifi cance, report it to your local museum.
Acquaint yourself with any laws relating to the use of metal detectors particularly if you want to
go detecting in countries other than the UK.
Sensitivity, ground eff ect & discrimination
You will be able to get more performance out of your detector if you understand the relationship
between three aspects of detector operation - sensitivity, ground effect and discrimination.
If you increase the power of a metal detector too much the ground itself is detected and false
signals make the detector diffi cult to use. The 'motion' electronic system of the CS3MX will ignore
many ground effect signals but some types of ground, notably waterlogged or containing salts or
mineralisation require the detector to operate on reduced sensitivity.
The CS3MX can be set to ignore signals from certain categories of metal target. Small iron
6
CS3MX_Compact.indd 6 CS3MX_Compact.indd 6 23/01/2009 10:29 23/01/2009 10:29