is one of the better model detectors from Tesoro over the years that is designed as a "turn-on-and-go" unit. That simply means the Ground Balance is preset and you don't have an external control to make that adjustment when you get to a search site.
Coil mounting bolt/nut hardware: I have the smaller-size metal bolt & nut set on my Silver Sabre µMAX [size=small](pronounced microMAX)[/size] and Bandido II, and both sizes iof plastic/nylon bolt & nut hardware Tesoro has used more recently on my Bandido II µMAX. I keep a 6" Concentric coil mounted on each of these three detectors, but I use all three types of bolt & nut combinations to hold any spare accessory coils on their own lower rods.
I don't have any issues about any type holding the search coil rigidly in place, and there are no differences at all in performance afield. I started using Tesoro's 33 years ago and have had more problems with some of the non-metal bolt & nut parts with non-metal bolts stripping out, and one non-metal wing but cracking/splitting. Due to this, the non-metal hardware can strip to the point of not snugging up sufficiently at times. As was mentioned, since the bolt is held in a fixed relationship to the search coil, there isn't any real problem in performance.
Threshold Audio Adjustment: There should be a little brown, black, or white colored shaft protruding from the back of the control housing. It is simply a shaft that is fitted into a trimmer on the circuit board and allows the operator to adjust a 'proper' slight audio Threshold hum in the All Metal mode for peak all-around operation. Just hold the search coil in the air and away from any metal or ground. Select the All Metal toggle position, then carefully adjust this Threshold adjustment knob for a setting where you just hear a smooth audio 'hum' or 'threshold-of-sound.' The Silver Sabre II is then just about ready to use, and all you need to do is adjust the Sensitivity control [size=small](that only effects the Discriminate mode)[/size] and the Discrimination Level [size=small](which I always set at the absolute minimum on most Tesoro's)[/size].
Sensitivity Level: This is mainly a function connected with the Discriminate mode circuitry and it should usually be set as high as you can tolerate it and operate smoothly, without any sputter noise of chatter ... which is caused by EMI. If the detector is noisy in the Discriminate mode, slowly reduce the Sensitivity [size=small](while the search coil is near the ground and not held in the air)[/size] and adjust to the highest setting where the unit just becomes stable and remains silent.
Discrimination Level The Silver Sabre II uses what Tesoro labeled ED-120 Disc. circuitry, and the easy way to describe it is that it provided us improved lower-end conductivity target acceptance than prior models that didn't adjust as low. Thus we were able to get a response, or an improved response, from things like thin gold rings and ear studs, thin gold chains, etc., at the minimum Discriminate setting. At the minimum setting these models also are just at a point where they are rejecting most common iron nails and a lot of other annoying ferrous junk quite well. I never run my Tesoro Discrimination higher, always keeping all my favorite Tesoro models [size=small](except the Eldorado)[/size] set at the absolute minimum Discriminate level.
While I personally prefer to use models that have an external manual Ground Balance, I also enjoy using some that are preset. I just make sure the internal GB adjustment is made for them with the search coils I will use and they are good-to-go. In 33 years of owning and using Tesoro's, as of July this year, my all-time favorite models [size=small](with their production release dates)[/size] include:
'original' Bandido [size=small]3/'90[/size]
Silver Sabre II [size=small]9/'91[/size]
Bandido II [size=small]1/'93[/size]
Silver Sabre µMAX [size=small]10/'97[/size]
Bandido II µMAX [size=small]10/'97[/size]
Eldorado [size=small]3/'01[/size]
As you can see, you're in control of one of my favorite Tesoro's and I wish you the best of success when you get out hunting. Remember, too, that these are slow-motion/quick-response detectors with a very fast reset rate and set the mark for me back in '83 for being excellent performers in dense trash and iron infested sites. While you can wave a metal sample past the search coil briskly in an air test, these are NOT designed to perform well as fast-sweep detectors. They are at their best with slow, methodical, overlapping sweep speeds, especially if you are searching over black sand, highly mineralized sand/dirt, or pea gravel and small rocks as often found in a parking area or some playgrounds.
Remember to report back after your detecting experience.
Monte
