Tesoro Amigo II - User Manual

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AmigoIIOPERATORINSTRUCTIONMANUAL

YourAmigoIIwasshippedfromthefactorywiththefollowingparts:

1UpperPoleAssembly

Includingupperpolestemwithhandlegripandcontrolhousing(withsearchcoilattached)

1LowerPoleAssembly

Includingnylonpoletipcompletewithfrictionwashers,mountingscrew,lockwasherandthumbnut.

17"ConcentricSearchcoil

withcableattachedtocontrolhousing

1SpeedHandle

19voltAlkalineBattery

1TesoroWarrantyCard

ThisInstructionSheet

ASSEMBLINGYOURAMIGOII

1. CONNECTTHETWOPOLEASSEMBLIES.Ontheupperassembly,turnthepolelockinthedirectionoppositeof

thearrowstotheunlockposition.Onthelowerpoleassembly,pressthetwospringbuttonsinandslidethelowerpole

assemblyintotheupperpoleassemblyuntilthespringbuttonsclickintotheholesontheupperassembly,connecting

thetwoassembliesintoplace.Donotlockthepoleatthistime.

2. MOUNTTHESEARCHCOIL.Removethemountingscrewandthumbnutfromthepoletip.Insertthepoletip

betweenthemountingearsofthesearchcoilandalignallholes.Insertthemountingscrewthroughtheholeinthe

mountingears,enteringfromthesideoppositethecableconnection.Installthumbnutonthemountingscrew.Adjust

searchcoiltodesireangleandtightenthumbnutbyhand.Note:Donotovertighten.

3. ADJUSTTHEPOLE.Pressinthespringbuttonstounlockthelowerpoleassemblyandallowittospinandslide

freely.Slidethelowerassemblytothedesiredpolelength.Spinthelowerassemblytowrapthecablearoundtheentire

poleleavingjustenoughslacktopermitsearchcoiladjustment.Note:Donotallowthecabletofloplooselyoverthe

searchcoil.Also,donotputexcessstrainontheconnectionsbystretchingthecabletightly.Turnthepolelockinthe

directionofthearrowstolocktheassembliesinplace.

INSTALLINGTHESPEEDHANDLE

YourAmigoIIhasanattachableSpeedHandletoprovidegreatercomfortforadultsduringlongersearches.Childrenwill

notneedthishandle.ToattachtheSpeedHandle,removetheendcapfromthepoleassemblyandthetopscrewfromthe

pole(abovethecontrolhousing).InserttheSpeedHandleintotheUpperPoleAssembly,alignthescrewholeandreplacethe

screw.PlacetheendcapontotheSpeedHandle.

INSTALLINGTHEBATTERY

FirstmakesurethecontrolknobisturnedOFF.Removethebatterydoorfromthebottomofthecontrolhousingby

pullingonthereleaseknobsuntiltheyclickloose.Connectafresh9voltalkalinebatterytothebatteryleadterminals.Make

certainthepolaritysnapsfitproperly.Placethebatteryintothebatterycompartmentwithoutpullingorstretchingthebattery

leadwires.Replacethebatterydoorandpressthereleaseknobsuntiltheyclickintoplacesecuringthebatterydoor.

ADJUSTINGTHEPOLE&SEARCHCOIL

Thedetectorgripshouldrestinyourhandwithyourarmrelaxedandelbowstraightbutnotlocked.Thepoleshould

extendoutinfrontofyouatanangle.Thesearchcoilshouldrestaboutoneinchabovethegroundwhileyouarestanding

erect.Theangleofthesearchcoilshouldallowittobeparalleltotheground.Thepolelengthshouldbeadjustedtoallowthis

withouthavingtoliftthedetectorwithyourelboworshoulder.Youshouldbeabletoswingthedetectorbackandforthinfront

ofyouusingrelaxedshouldermovementwhilekeepingthesearchcoilasclosetothegroundaspossible.Thisswinging

movementiscalleda"sweep".

CONTROLKNOB

TheAmigoIIhasasingle,rotarycontrolknoblabeledDiscriminateLevel.ThisknobturnstheAmigoIIon,startsthe

automaticBatteryTest,andsetsthedetector's"Discrimination"level.

BATTERYTEST

ToactivatetheautomaticBatteryTest,simplyturnthedetectoron.Ifthebatteryisfresh,thedetectorshouldemita

continuousandloud"beep"soundthatlastsabout4or5secondsandthenslowlyfadesaway.Asthebatteryages,this

soundislessintenseandfadesmorequickly.Whenyouhearonlyabrief"buzz"ornosoundatall,replacethebatterywitha

freshone.OncetheBatteryTestisover,thedetectorisonandreadytouse.

OPERATINGTHEDETECTOR

Withthedetectoron,sweepyoursearchcoilbackandforthovertheground.YourAmigoIIwill"beep"whenitpasses

overametalobject.Ifa"beep"repeatseachtimeyoupassoverthesamespot,youhavefoundametalobjector"target"to

digup.Asinglebeepthatcannotberepeatedisprobablya"falsesignal".

Alwayssweepthesearchcoilataslowtomoderatespeed,inaboutathreefootarc,overlappingthesweepsasyoumove

forward.Trytokeepyoursearchcoilheightconstantandclosetothegroundwithouttouchingit.Avoidthetendencytoraise

thesearchcoilattheendofyoursweep.Onwellkeptlawnsthesearchcoilcanbeallowedtorestonthegrass(called

"scrubbing")asyousweep.Inroughandrockyareas,itisbestnottoscrubthesearchcoilontheground,asthiscanwear

waythecoilbottomandcanalsogive"falsesignals".

TheAmigoIIcanrespondtotargetsmadeofanytypeofmetal.WhatkindsofmetaltheAmigoIIwillrespondtodepends

ontheamountof"Discrimination"youareusing.

USINGDISCRIMINATION

TheDiscriminateLevelbeginsattheALLMET(ALLMETAL)position.Atthispositionthedetectorwillrespondtoobjects

ofallmetaltypeswhentheyenterthescanareaunder,aroundorabovethesearchcoil.

Turningthecontrolknobfurtherclockwisewilladdmore"Discrimination"andreducethenumberoftypesofmetalthe

AmigoIIwillrespondto.

TurningtheknobpastIRONwillcausetheAmigoIItoignoremostobjectsmadeofironsuchasnails,whilestillfinding

objectsmadefromothermetals.

TurningtheknobpastFOILwillcausetheAmigoIItoignoremostobjectsmadeoffoilandiron,suchasnailsandgum

wrappers,whilestillfindingobjectsmadefromothermetals,andsoforth.

At5¢theAmigoIIwillalsoignorenickelsandmostobjectsmadeofnickel.AtPULLTABitwillalsoignorepulltabsand

gold.At1¢ZNitwillignorezincpenniesandscrewcaps.

TurningtheknobtoMAXwillcausetheAmigoIItoignoremostmetalsexceptlargersilverobjectsandcoinssuchas

quarters,halfdollars,etc.

CommonDiscriminateLevelsettingstousewouldbe:

ALLMET:Atthissettingyoucanfindalltypesofcoins,jewelry,relicsandartifacts.Thisisagoodsettingforareasthat

don'thavetoomuchburied"trash"metalssuchasnailsorpulltabs.Itisalsogoodforhuntingdesirableartifactsmadeofiron

thatmaybefoundatplacessuchasCivilWarbattlesitesorghosttowns.

FOIL:Usethissettingforhuntingcoinsandjewelrywhileignoringtrashsuchasnailsandgumwrappers.

PULLTAB:Thisisagoodsettingforhuntingsilvercoinsandjewelryinareawithlotsofdifferenttrashmetals.

Remember,whenyouignorepulltabsyoualsoignoremostgoldrings.

Experiment!YourdetectingexperienceswillteachyouwhentobestusethedifferentDiscriminateLevels.

WHERETOMETALDETECT

Therearemanygoodareastometaldetectdependingonwhatyouaresearchingfor.Almostanyplacethatpeoplehave

gatheredrecentlyorinthepastcanbeagoodhuntsite:PUBLICPARTS,SCHOOLYARDS,PICNICAREAS,CAMP

GROUNDS,FAIRGROUNDS,GHOSTTOWNS,OLDBATTLESITES,LAKEBEACHES,etc.

DIGGINGTARGETS&FILLINGHOLES

METALDETECTORIST'SCODEOFETHICS

1. Alwayscheckfederal,state,countyandlocallawsbeforesearching.Itisyourresponsibilityto“knowthelaw.”

2. Abidebyalllaws,ordinancesorregulationsthatmaygovernyoursearchandtheareayouwillbein.

3. Nevertrespass.Alwaysobtainpermissionpriortoenteringprivateproperty,mineralclaims,orunderwatersalvage

leases.

4. Donotdamage,deface,destroy,orvandalizeanyproperty,includingghosttownsanddesertedstructures,andnever

tamperwithanyequipmentatthesite.

5. Neverlitter.Alwayspackoutwhatyoutakeinandremovealltrashduginyoursearch.

6. Fillallholes,regardlesshowremotethelocation.Neverdiginawaythatwilldamage,bedamagingto,orkillany

vegetation.

7. Donotbuildfires,campatorparkinnondesignatedorrestrictedareas.

8. Leaveallgatesandotheraccessestolandasfound.

9. Nevercontaminatewells,creeks,oranyotherwatersupplies.

10. Becourteous,considerate,andthoughtfulatalltimes.

11. Reportthediscoveryofanyitemsofhistoricsignificancetothelocalhistoricalsocietyorproperauthorities.

12. Upholdallfinders,searchandsalvageagreements.

13. Promoteresponsiblehistoricalresearchandartifactrecoveryandthesharingofknowledgewithothers.

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Amigoowneroroperator,orinamannerotherwisedescribedinthisdocumentation.

©1995  1996TesoroElectronicsIncorporated.Allrightsreserved.PrintedintheUnitedStates.

WARRANTYSERVICE

YourTesorometaldetectoriscoveredbyaLimitedLifetimeWarranty,the

termsofwhicharelistedbelow.Ifyourmetaldetectorshouldrequireservice,you

mayreturnittotheTesorofactoryattheaddressbelow.

LIMITEDLIFETIMEWARRANTY

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayhaveotherrights

whichvaryfromstatetostate.

Thisinstrumentiswarrantedtobefreeofdefectsinmaterialandworkmanship

aslongasitisownedbytheoriginalconsumerpurchaser.Thiswarrantyisnot

transferableandisvalidonlyifthewarrantyregistrationcardhasbeencompleted

andmailedwithin10daysofpurchase.

TESOROwill,atitsoption,repairorreplaceanyinstrumentcoveredbythis

warranty,withoutcharge,exceptfortransportationcharges,atitsfactoryin

Prescott,Arizona.

Thiswarrantyexcludesbatteries,damagecausedbyleakybatteries,cable

breakageduetoflexingonbodymountunits,andwearofthesearchcoilhousing.

Alsoexcludedareinstrumentswhichhavebeenabused,altered,orrepairedbyan

unauthorizedparty.

TesoroElectronics,Inc.715WhiteSparRoadPrescott,AZ,USA8630319287712646



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Summary

Amigo II Setup and Assembly

Assembling Your Amigo II

Connect the two pole assemblies, mount the searchcoil, and adjust the pole for proper length and cable management.

Installing the Speed Handle

Attach the optional Speed Handle for enhanced comfort during extended metal detecting sessions.

Installing the Battery

Properly connect a 9-volt alkaline battery to the control housing compartment and secure the battery door.

Adjusting Pole and Searchcoil

Set the detector grip for comfort and adjust pole length for optimal searchcoil height and sweep motion.

Control Knob Operation

Understand the Amigo II's single rotary control knob for power, battery test, and discrimination level.

Amigo II Operation and Usage

Battery Test Procedure

Learn how to perform the automatic battery test to check the detector's power level.

Operating the Detector

Sweep the searchcoil correctly over the ground to detect metal objects and identify targets.

Using Discrimination

Adjust the discrimination level to ignore unwanted metals like iron or foil while finding desired targets.

Where to Metal Detect

Discover various locations suitable for metal detecting, from public parks to historical sites.

Metal Detectorists Code of Ethics

Adhere to ethical guidelines for responsible metal detecting, including respecting laws and property.

Warranty Service Information

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Details on the detector's warranty coverage, terms, exclusions, and service return procedures.

The Tesoro Amigo II is a metal detector designed for hobbyists and enthusiasts, offering features for efficient and comfortable searching. It is characterized by its robust construction and user-friendly interface, making it suitable for various metal detecting environments.

Function Description

The primary function of the Tesoro Amigo II is to detect metallic objects buried underground. It operates by emitting an electromagnetic field and analyzing disturbances caused by the presence of metal. The detector provides an audible "beep" when it passes over a metallic object, indicating a potential "target." The Amigo II incorporates a "Discrimination" feature, allowing users to filter out unwanted metallic objects (like iron or foil) and focus on more desirable targets such as coins, jewelry, or relics. This discrimination capability is crucial for efficient searching in areas with significant metallic "trash."

Important Technical Specifications

The Amigo II comes with several key components:

Upper Pole Assembly: Includes the upper pole stem, handle grip, and control housing with the searchcoil attached.
Lower Pole Assembly: Features a nylon pole tip, friction washers, mounting screw, lock washer, and thumb nut.
Searchcoil: A 7" Concentric Searchcoil with its cable attached to the control housing. This size is generally good for general-purpose detecting, offering a balance between depth and target separation.
Power Source: Requires a 9-volt Alkaline Battery. The battery life is indicated by an automatic Battery Test feature, which emits a continuous "beep" for 4-5 seconds when fresh, fading as the battery ages. A brief "buzz" or no sound indicates the need for a replacement.
Control Knob: A single rotary control knob labeled "Discriminate Level." This knob serves multiple functions: turning the detector ON, initiating the automatic Battery Test, and setting the discrimination level.

Usage Features

Assembly and Adjustment:

Pole Assembly: The two pole assemblies connect by pressing spring buttons and sliding the lower pole into the upper pole until the buttons click into place. The pole lock should be in the "unlock" position during this step.
Searchcoil Mounting: The searchcoil is mounted to the pole tip using a mounting screw and thumb nut. The pole tip is inserted between the searchcoil's mounting ears, and the screw is passed through the holes, secured by the thumb nut. The searchcoil's angle can be adjusted and tightened by hand, but care should be taken not to overtighten.
Pole Adjustment: The pole length is adjustable by pressing the spring buttons on the lower pole assembly, allowing it to slide freely. The cable should be wrapped around the pole, leaving just enough slack for searchcoil adjustment, ensuring it doesn't flop loosely or put excess strain on connections. The pole lock is then turned to secure the assemblies.
Speed Handle Installation: An attachable Speed Handle is provided for enhanced comfort, especially for adults. It is installed by removing the end cap and top screw from the pole assembly, inserting the Speed Handle, aligning the screw hole, and replacing the screw and end cap.
Battery Installation: The detector uses a 9-volt alkaline battery. The control knob must be OFF. The battery door, located at the bottom of the control housing, is opened by pulling release knobs. The battery is connected to the lead terminals, ensuring correct polarity, and placed into the compartment without stretching wires. The door is then closed by pressing the release knobs until they click into place.

Operation:

Ergonomics: The detector grip should rest comfortably in the hand with a relaxed arm and straight (but not locked) elbow. The pole should extend forward at an angle, with the searchcoil resting about one inch above the ground when standing erect. The searchcoil's angle should be parallel to the ground. The pole length should allow for swinging the detector using relaxed shoulder movement, keeping the searchcoil close to the ground (a "sweep").
Sweeping: The searchcoil should be swept back and forth over the ground at a slow to moderate speed, in a three-foot arc, overlapping sweeps. Maintaining a constant searchcoil height close to the ground is important. "Scrubbing" (resting the searchcoil on the grass) is acceptable on well-kept lawns, but in rough areas, it's best to avoid scrubbing to prevent wear and false signals.
Target Identification: A repeated "beep" over the same spot indicates a metal object. A single, non-repeatable beep is likely a "false signal."
Discrimination: The "Discriminate Level" knob allows users to filter out unwanted metals.
- ALL MET (ALL METAL): Detects all metal types. Ideal for areas with little "trash" or for finding artifacts made of iron (e.g., Civil War sites).
- IRON: Ignores most iron objects (nails) but detects other metals.
- FOIL: Ignores foil and iron (nails, gum wrappers) but detects other metals.
- 5¢: Ignores nickels and most nickel objects.
- PULL TAB: Ignores pull-tabs and gold. Note: Ignoring pull-tabs also means ignoring most gold rings.
- 1¢ ZN: Ignores zinc pennies and screw caps.
- MAX: Ignores most metals except larger silver objects and coins (quarters, half dollars). Users are encouraged to experiment to learn the best discrimination settings for different environments.

Metal Detecting Locations: Suitable locations include public parks, schoolyards, picnic areas, campgrounds, fairgrounds, ghost towns, old battle sites, and lake beaches—essentially any place where people have gathered historically or recently.

Maintenance Features

Battery Replacement: The automatic Battery Test serves as a clear indicator for when the 9-volt alkaline battery needs to be replaced. A fading sound or no sound during the test signals a depleted battery.
Cable Management: Proper cable wrapping around the pole, ensuring enough slack for searchcoil adjustment without excessive strain or flopping, helps prevent cable damage and false signals.
Searchcoil Protection: Avoiding "scrubbing" the searchcoil on rough or rocky ground helps prevent wear on the coil bottom.
Warranty Service: The Tesoro Amigo II is covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty for the original consumer purchaser, provided the warranty registration card is mailed within 10 days of purchase. The warranty covers defects in material and workmanship and includes repair or replacement at the Tesoro factory in Prescott, Arizona, excluding transportation charges.
Warranty Exclusions: The warranty does not cover batteries, damage from leaky batteries, cable breakage due to flexing on body mount units, wear of the searchcoil housing, or instruments that have been abused, altered, or repaired by unauthorized parties.
General Care: The manual emphasizes responsible metal detecting practices, including filling all holes, avoiding damage to property, and never littering, which indirectly contribute to the longevity and proper functioning of the device by maintaining the integrity of search environments.