Just received my new Cortes today...

[dan b]

... and I'm concerned. The VCO all-metal mode doesn't seem to work, instead it nulls over metal objects (the way a Sov GT nulls over iron). Also I can't perceive any difference in GB from full - to full +. The Disc mode seems to work fine, in fact I found a few deep goodies in my yard this evening. I'm also concerned that the notch doesn't display the N or W like the manual says it should.

Anyone else every experience something like this? Am I missing something, or does this machine need to go to the factory for repairs?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Hightone]

Ground balance does not work in the disc mode. Only all metal. If you do not get the 2 Ns or the 3 Ws when switching from Narrow to Wide while in the disc mode with the disc turned down, something seems wrong.

 

[dan b]

Hi Hightone,

Yes, the GB in all-metal does nothing. All-metal nulls like a Sov GT on iron instead of the VCO tone, and the notch displays nothing on the screen, regardless of where the disc is set. I think it's sick. I swapped coils with the Golden but it didn't help. The Cortes coil worked well on the Golden, so I know it's not a coil issue.

I've got it boxed up, and tomorrow it will take a trip to Prescott. I've got my Golden, so I'll still be finding tons of stuff while it's being fixed.

Dan

 

[Hightone]

It does sound like it may have gotten wet in the box, if it's not new.

Dan

 

[dan b]

It's new. The machine was never outdoors.

Dan

 

[Mike Hillis]

Hi Dan,

I've had 4 Cortes machines.

The Cortes no-motion all metal mode has a very fast retune. It will notify you of a target then null for a second as you pass it. That null is call a overshoot threshold null. That null is the when the threshold retunes. However, if you move back over the target it will sound off right away. Best way to tell if yours is working correctly is to take a coin and move it across about 5" from the coil. You should get a good audio hit on the coin and then a null as the coin moves past center. If you move the coin back and forth across the coil you should get a good hit everytime it passes regardless of the overshoot null.

One of the warts of the Cortes. Takes some getting used too but once you do its no big deal.

HH

Mike

 

[dan b]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, mine is not giving an audio signal at all near the center of the coil. It sounds off as the coin approaches the outer ring of the coil, then nulls past the center. It will not give an audio signal anywhere near the center. The fact that the GB in all-metal doesn't work makes me suspicious too. I have a Tejon, so I'm used to GB'ing. I cannot get the threshold to rise or fall from full + to full -. It's just a steady hum when the coil approaches the ground.

The notch not working as described in the manual concerns me too.

I contacted the dealer last night, and it sounds like he may take it back and refund my money. I suppose that might be the best thing to do. I could buy another, and not need to wait a month to get it back from AZ.

Dan

 

[Scully]

If it has flaw right out of the box he should be helping you out.

 

[Mike Hillis]

Dan, yours is broke for sure. Can't your dealer swap it for you?

So are you going to get another one from someone else? I bet Scully would make sure you get a perfectly working one.

I love looking at the Cortes. I have the Cortes faceplate tiled as the background on my computer screen

They perform pretty decently too.

Goodluck,

Mike

 

[dan b]

We are working on a solution. Best case scenario is that Tesoro will work their magic and it will be as good or better than new. Worst case, I will return it for a full refund plus shipping. Right now I need to speak with Vince at Tesoro, but so far it's been a game of phone tag. The issue, which I just noticed that I failed to mention, is that this machine was a demo. It never went outside, and in fact was never assembled, but being a demo, the lifetime warranty may not apply. That's why I need to speak with Vince.

Dan

 

[Hightone]

The Giffords and Tesoro employees read these posts. It would not be right to sell a unit, even a demo, without warranty from a dealer. I have all the confidence that he will take care of you. If not, Tesoro would be moving in a direction away from what has helped build their success, and I doubt that will happen. But........................just let us know.

 

[dan b]

I spoke with James and the Cortes is already on it's way to Arizona. He couldn't guarantee 100% that it would be a free fix without seeing it, but figured there was a 90-95% chance they would. I'm sure when they see that it is brand new they will fix it up better than new.

I may have been wrong about the NN and WWW not working. After speaking with James I think I understand that the NN and WWW only appears when the word "Discriminate" is on the display. Once a target is acquired, the word discriminate disappears as do the NN or WWW. Mike, is that correct? If so, then there is no problem there.

I think the problems may be 100% in all-metal mode.

Dan

 

[Mike Hillis]

Yes, that is correct. The NN for narrow notch or WWW for the wide notch only display when there is no target under the coil and the last signal has faded off the display. When that happens you would get the notch indicators and the word DISCRIMINATE on the display.

They'll fix it up good for you.

Mike

 

[dan b]

Thanks Mike. I can't wait to get it back and give it a good thorough test. In the meantime I will have to suffer with my Golden!

Dan

 

[dan b]

Well, I got my Cortes back today. I tested it briefly before the rain started and it's working like it should. Tesoro did a great job in fixing it at no charge to me. That's how you keep customers!!

I hope to take it out Friday and spend a few hours getting acquainted.

Dan