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First Time User
- Thread starter veezafo
- Start date
BH-LandStar
New member
The Commando is Wal-Mart's version of the Tracker IV in Cammo...You can find a good manual for it here:
http://detectorx.com/manuals/bountyhunter/bounty-hunter-metal-detector-manuals.html
To start, read the manual at least 2 times, then follow the instructions for air testing the machine to get used to the sounds the machine makes with each metal type...This machine will not tell you exactly what is under the coil, or how deep it is...this will come with getting familiar with the machine. After air testing, go out in your yard and throw some items on the ground...I suggest a nail, a screw driver, some tin foil (a small ball, and some that is flat), pull tabs (both types if you have them), screw cap, a zinc penny, a copper penny, a nickel, a quarter, and a half dollar if you have one. See what sounds these items produce from the machine (sounds are better heard with headphones, and they save battery power). For starters, dig all signals until you get used to the machine...You will dig a LOT of junk, but it will be well worth it when your able to tell the junk from the good stuff...
Congrats on the new machine and Happy Hunting,
BH-LandStar
http://detectorx.com/manuals/bountyhunter/bounty-hunter-metal-detector-manuals.html
To start, read the manual at least 2 times, then follow the instructions for air testing the machine to get used to the sounds the machine makes with each metal type...This machine will not tell you exactly what is under the coil, or how deep it is...this will come with getting familiar with the machine. After air testing, go out in your yard and throw some items on the ground...I suggest a nail, a screw driver, some tin foil (a small ball, and some that is flat), pull tabs (both types if you have them), screw cap, a zinc penny, a copper penny, a nickel, a quarter, and a half dollar if you have one. See what sounds these items produce from the machine (sounds are better heard with headphones, and they save battery power). For starters, dig all signals until you get used to the machine...You will dig a LOT of junk, but it will be well worth it when your able to tell the junk from the good stuff...
Congrats on the new machine and Happy Hunting,
BH-LandStar
When you first start, digging all signals is a good idea just like BH-Landstar said. I would just urge to make a mental note of the sounds the machine makes on the target before you dig. I often will go over the target several times after I have located the object just to memorize the sound. Then I sometimes go over the target from several directions all the time concentrating on the sounds. Then I will dig it up and try and associate that signal with the object in my mind. First thing I learned with this method was that if you get a different tone when you come at the target from different directions you probably found a can.
First let me say welcome to the forum from another newbie
If I may ,put in my 2 cents. I havent been in this too long myself and like you new . Lord knows I have asked all kinds of questions (some even sounded dumb when I was asking) made some contributions to which I think are good at least got some good remarks. You can learn a wealth of information here I havent a clue as to how many years combined knowledge is floating here . But if you have any question , do ask . someone here has an answer . Read and experiement all you can then like they say read some more. I have learned a lot here , learned where to look , how to look . took notice on some sites that I hadnt thought of yet and they worked . The answers are here, just ask
Again welcome
If I may ,put in my 2 cents. I havent been in this too long myself and like you new . Lord knows I have asked all kinds of questions (some even sounded dumb when I was asking) made some contributions to which I think are good at least got some good remarks. You can learn a wealth of information here I havent a clue as to how many years combined knowledge is floating here . But if you have any question , do ask . someone here has an answer . Read and experiement all you can then like they say read some more. I have learned a lot here , learned where to look , how to look . took notice on some sites that I hadnt thought of yet and they worked . The answers are here, just ask
Again welcome
BH-LandStar
New member
Speaking of questions, I think I will ask one for a change of pace....
Can wet ground cause false signals? I mean...if you go out right after a rain, or like now here in NY when the snow is starting to melt...
I went out late this afternoon for about an hour...ground was saturated, but not to the point that your shoes got soaked walking over it...
It was also still frozen below 3 inches (bummer)...I only found 1 nickel and 5 copper pennies before I called it quits...oldest penny was a 1964.
I let the machine sit for about 20min while I drank a yoohoo...When I turned the machine on, I had the SENS only at 9 o'clock (I knew I was not going to be digging deep). The machine was chattering even when I was not moving the coil...Giving low iron sounds...Was wondering if this might have been due to the wet, frozen soil. It was doing this even in the mulch area of a tot lot (this stuff freezes harder than soil I think).
HH,
BH-LandStar
Can wet ground cause false signals? I mean...if you go out right after a rain, or like now here in NY when the snow is starting to melt...
I went out late this afternoon for about an hour...ground was saturated, but not to the point that your shoes got soaked walking over it...
It was also still frozen below 3 inches (bummer)...I only found 1 nickel and 5 copper pennies before I called it quits...oldest penny was a 1964.
I let the machine sit for about 20min while I drank a yoohoo...When I turned the machine on, I had the SENS only at 9 o'clock (I knew I was not going to be digging deep). The machine was chattering even when I was not moving the coil...Giving low iron sounds...Was wondering if this might have been due to the wet, frozen soil. It was doing this even in the mulch area of a tot lot (this stuff freezes harder than soil I think).
HH,
BH-LandStar
BH
If I may , is this a new area ? Have you hunted here before ? I have been in places where I have hunted before and got false signals ( the ground here has been wet to saturated for the last month here . then when I went back I couldnt find those signals or wasnt bothered with them . Of course I have found that here in Arkansas there are "hot rocks' I am wondering ,tho I have noticed that I dig a lot of worms here when I dig a signal, I am wondering if the worms are carrying the " hot mineral" as they move in the ground especially as wet as it is ?
If I may , is this a new area ? Have you hunted here before ? I have been in places where I have hunted before and got false signals ( the ground here has been wet to saturated for the last month here . then when I went back I couldnt find those signals or wasnt bothered with them . Of course I have found that here in Arkansas there are "hot rocks' I am wondering ,tho I have noticed that I dig a lot of worms here when I dig a signal, I am wondering if the worms are carrying the " hot mineral" as they move in the ground especially as wet as it is ?
I don't know if it the wet ground or not. I haven't been out in dry ground since I got my machine and started learning. But I have noticed the same thing. Detector chattering like crazy. On the QD II the Disc knob is the on off knob too. I even tried turning the disc knob all the way back to the point of one more wiggle and I would turn the machine off. Didn't matter what I did. Swing, no swing, lift the machine up in the air, I even yelled at it to shup up and nothing would quiet it down. I ended up putting it down and waiting till it quieted down. That took about 5 minutes then all was well and I could detect again. I thought maybe my batteries were dying.
hey just a thought , is any one wearing boots , steel toes maybe ? and , sounds crazy, look at the arch of your shoes or boots. I wear boots and one pair is nailed in the arch with about 15 tacks, when its wet I notice once in a while I get a beep if I get close to my feet . and I have noticed that being as wet as it is, I have to take my watch and ring off or I can get a wild signal once in a great while even the snap buttons on my shirts
Oh yes, the steel shanks in the boots I wear do make a beep or two. I have learned to keep the MD away from my feet or my feet away from the MD as the case may be. One of my biggest "rookie" mistakes I made was this.
I had a signal (it was a mid range signal) and dug my hole, no more signal in the hole so I knew the object was in my pile of dirt. I kneeled down and put my MD across my legs and held it in place with my right hand. I then proceeded to pick up a clump of dirt and wave it in front of my coil with my left hand and heard Beep, A high tone signal so I get excited. dig all through the clump of dirt but no metal. Pick up another clump and another high tone signal. Dig all through that clump but no metal. I pick up another clump and sure enought a high tone signal so I pick up another clump and sure enough another high tone signal. No matter what clump I picked up I got a high tone signal. What the Heck I says out loud. That is when I remembered my sterling silver wedding band on my left hand. I felt like a complete idiot. So now I take off my wedding ring before I start detecting so I don't confuse myself again. My wife says it is ok if I take my ring off to go dig in the dirt at the local park. Said if she catches me taking it off and going somewhere else I will probably be in trouble. I guess I will just stick to detecting and digging to be safe
I had a signal (it was a mid range signal) and dug my hole, no more signal in the hole so I knew the object was in my pile of dirt. I kneeled down and put my MD across my legs and held it in place with my right hand. I then proceeded to pick up a clump of dirt and wave it in front of my coil with my left hand and heard Beep, A high tone signal so I get excited. dig all through the clump of dirt but no metal. Pick up another clump and another high tone signal. Dig all through that clump but no metal. I pick up another clump and sure enought a high tone signal so I pick up another clump and sure enough another high tone signal. No matter what clump I picked up I got a high tone signal. What the Heck I says out loud. That is when I remembered my sterling silver wedding band on my left hand. I felt like a complete idiot. So now I take off my wedding ring before I start detecting so I don't confuse myself again. My wife says it is ok if I take my ring off to go dig in the dirt at the local park. Said if she catches me taking it off and going somewhere else I will probably be in trouble. I guess I will just stick to detecting and digging to be safe
dirt jockey
Member
Yes, wet or very wet soil or grass can effect the operation of your detector. Not always, it really depends on soil conditions and how your machine is set up. Also, if you are detecting when the temperature is at or near freezing it can have an effect on your machine. They have certain temperature range for maximum operation. It is usually a good idea to "climatize" your machine before you do too much hunting. In other words, let it get accustomed to the temperature. If you take it from your warm car or house and start hunting the difference in temperature may have an effect for 5-10 minutes. Usually by decreasing the sensitivity you can eliminate most of the chatter.
JD, I have the Pioneer 202 which is the Walmart version of the QDII. You said the disc knob is the on and off knob. Actually the on and off knob is the sensitivity knob. I only mention this for the sake of clarity for anyone new to detecting and to avoid confusion when adjusting the machine. I once chased a target 2 - 3 feet from it's original hit, only to discover I was chasing the metal eyelets on my boots. You're right...rookie mistake. Though I must admit, it was exciting for a while.
JD, I have the Pioneer 202 which is the Walmart version of the QDII. You said the disc knob is the on and off knob. Actually the on and off knob is the sensitivity knob. I only mention this for the sake of clarity for anyone new to detecting and to avoid confusion when adjusting the machine. I once chased a target 2 - 3 feet from it's original hit, only to discover I was chasing the metal eyelets on my boots. You're right...rookie mistake. Though I must admit, it was exciting for a while.
BH-LandStar
New member
Well, glad to know I am not the only one who's machine is chattering like a drunken squirrel. Also glad to hear that the wet ground is probably the culprit...my sneakers that I normally wear (hiking sneaker) has no metal in them...not even the arches...all plastic and leather...I wear no rings...I still think there is something wrong with the machine....I just might end up sending it back to First Texas and take them up on their offer to recalibrate it, or repair it....I would really like to wait and see what the machine does on dry ground, but what do I have to lose...I would rather have a functioning machine...It has gotten to the point that the 4" coil is giving me chatter, and that coil was always quiet.
BH-LandStar
BH-LandStar
dirt jockey
Member
BH, it does sound like you may be having some motherboard problem with your unit. I had a similar problem about 2 years ago with my 202. It would give all sorts of false signals and on occasion would go dead without any apparent reason. I reluctantly sent it in, but I'm so glad I did. They upgraded and replaced the motherboard, gave me a new coil and calibrated the unit to maximum performance all at no cost to me. When I got it back, in less than 2 weeks, it worked better than it ever had before. Their warranty and customer service is excellent. Since the ground is still frozen and it's difficult for you to get out, now might be a good time to send it in. Then in about 2 weeks when the weather is good and you can get out, you'll have the equivalent of a new machine and everything will be good to go.
Welcome to the forum veezafo, and a lifetime addiction! There are a lot of experienced guys and gals on the forum ready and willing to help newbies out, my self included. Ask any questions that you feel you need to, no matter how silly they sound to you, you'll only learn if you ask and swing! HH regards Nugget.
BH-LandStar
New member
Just out of curiosity dirt jockey...did they ever ask you for proof of purchase, or do they base their 5 years on the units serial number???
As I am the 2nd owner of the machine, I have no idea when it was purchased...
On another note...I just got the new 208 BH catalog and brochures today...looks like they might only be making the Cammo-LS now and retiring the black Land Star...I think a few others where being changed to this also, like the T4 only being released in cammo as the Commando...I will have to look again and verify this with First Texas...
HH,
BH-LandStar
As I am the 2nd owner of the machine, I have no idea when it was purchased...
On another note...I just got the new 208 BH catalog and brochures today...looks like they might only be making the Cammo-LS now and retiring the black Land Star...I think a few others where being changed to this also, like the T4 only being released in cammo as the Commando...I will have to look again and verify this with First Texas...
HH,
BH-LandStar
dirt jockey
Member
I'm not certain how they determine the warranty period. I just assumed it was based on the return date of the warranty card I sent in after purchasing the unit. Or it could be the serial number...I honestly don't know.