26 15
TARGET DISPLAY and AUDIO
SIGNAL Indicator
The  lower-left  bargraph  designates
SIGNAL  strength  only  when  operating  in
Discrimination Mode.
The signal strength indicator at the bottom-
left  of  the  screen  indicates  how  large  or
close the buried metal target is.
If  all  bars  are  illuminated,  the  target  is
large or close to the searchcoil.
If  one  or  two  bars  are  illuminated,  the
target is far away or small, or both.
DEPTH Indicator
When operating in Discrimination Mode, a
target’s  location  and  size  can  be  verified
using the PINPOINT control.
Press PinPoint to temporarily detect metal
without  searchcoil  motion,  and  a
monotone hum.
While  holding  the  PinPoint  button,  the
DEPTH  indicator  will  appear.    The
number  beneath  DEPTH  represents  the
distance of the object, in inches,  from the
searchcoil. The  Depth  scale  is  calibrated
to  coin-sized  objects.  For  objects  other
than a coin, the numeric value is a relative
measure of the target’s depth.
AUDIO FEEDBACK
When  a  target is  detected,  the Gold  Bug
®
will respond with two types of sound:
1. V.C.O.  (Voltage Controlled
Oscillator) is an audio response
with variable pitch and volume.
2. LOW or HIGH tone beeps. 
In Discrimination Mode, targets which fall
into  the  zone  along  the  arc  whose
segments  are  shaded will  be  identified
with a LOW tone beep and solid segments
with a HIGH tone.
As the user sets the discrimination level
with the + and - buttons, he is determining
which targets will induce the low tone, and
which will be eliminated.
All  targets’  audio  responses  in All  Metal
Mode will be V.C.O.
V.C.O. (Voltage  Controlled  Oscillator)    is
an audio response which provides  a good
feel for the target.
The stronger the target signal, the higher
the volume and the higher the audio pitch.
Very weak signals will have the faintest
volume and lowest pitch.
For this reason, the use of headphones
is always recommended for detecting the
smaller and deeper targets.
2-DIGIT TARGET INDICATOR
In  Discrimination  Mode  the  2-digit  target
indicator,  in  the  middle  of  the  screen,
provides  a  specific  target  value  to  help
identify  buried  targets  more  accurately.
With practice in the field, you will learn to
associate target values with the probable
identification of buried objects. The target
value  can  vary  each  time  the  searchcoil
passes  over  the  target,  depending  upon
the  orientation  of  the  object  and  its
distance from the searchcoil.
As a starting point, refer to the table below.
TARGET Readout
The  table  below  lists  some  common
approximate  target  values.  With
experience in the field, you will recognize
many  types  of  metal  objects  by  their
numeric value.
OBJECT
TARGET-ID
foil from gum wrapper 47 - 48
U.S. nickel (5¢ coin) typically 58
aluminum pull-tab 60 - 75
aluminum screw cap 70 - 80
zinc penny (dated after 1982) typically 78
aluminum soda pop can 75 - 85
copper penny, clad dime typically 83
U.S. quarter (25¢ coin), clad typically 85
50¢ coin, modern clad typically 87
old silver dollar coin typically 89 
US silver Eagle $1 coin typically 91
Caution: The  target  indications  are
visual  references.  Many  other  types  of
metal can also be represented by a given
Target-ID
2. + and -
In Discrimination Mode, + and - change the level of discrimination (target
rejection)
CONTROL PANEL
GAIN versus THRESHOLD
“Gain” increases, or multiplies, the strength of signals from buried metal objects.
For maximum detection of the smallest or most deeply buried objects, increase
the Gain.  To minimize the weakest signals, reduce the Gain.
“Threshold”  controls  the  detector’s  audio  level.  Positive  threshold  values
amplify  the  audio  response  of  weak  target  signals.  Negative  threshold
values suppress sensitivity.
For searching at maximum sensitivity
, first set the gain at a low level. Then
set threshold into the positive region, with a comfortable background-hum
volume level.  Then increase Gain to a comfortable level, free of chatter.
For silent searching
, set threshold to a negative number, and also reduce
Gain if necessary.  Silent searching will result in the loss of some sensitivity.
TOUCHPAD CONTROLS
1. GROUND GRAB
®
COMPUTERIZED GROUND BALANCING / PINPOINT
This button has a dual function, depending on the detection mode.
a. In DISC Mode, press-and-hold the button to activate PINPOINT. 
Pinpoint  temporarily  engages  a  no-motion  detection  mode.  Searchcoil
motion is not necessary to detect metal. Any metal within the searchcoil’s
detection field will induce a sound.  Pinpoint is generally used to verify a
target previously detected in Discrimination Mode.  
b.
In ALL METAL Mode, press-and-hold the button to activate GROUND GRAB
®
Computerized Ground Balancing.  
Ground  Grab
®
Computerized  Ground  Balancing 
allows  you  to  set  the
detector’s internal ground setting equal to the phase of the ground you are
searching over.  See the section on Ground Balancing for a more thorough
explanation of this feature and the reason for using it.