Cosmo, try not to smile too big when you get it...you got a great deal. I wouldn't worry about it being 4 years old and only used a few times. One of my machines is the Pioneer 202 which is the QDII sold at Walmart. You have a great machine, it is a coin magnet. You will have a brief learning period where you will be digging pull tabs, pop cans and screw caps, but the more you practice the better you will do. I will offer you a couple of tips, you can take it or leave it.
When you turn the machine on, set your sensitivity around the 2:00 or 3:00 position. Set your DISC all the way counter clockwise. Swing slow and low, the average is about 2 feet per second in a flat close to the ground motion. Do not swing it like a pendulum, or it will false signal on the end of your swing when the coil is lifted and tilted. Keep it flat as close to the ground as you can. In a park or grassy area it's OK to actually brush the grass...just keep the coil level with the ground. When the machine is first turned on it will default to the "all metal" mode, you will be getting hits on everything, including the kitchen sink. There are at least two schools of thought here. 1) dig every signal...the reason for this is you will quickly become familiar with what is junk and what is good. 2) dig only solid targets that are consistent and "lock in" on the display. Here is a technique I use a lot and it saves me a whole lot of digging. When you get a signal, even if it's consistent, tap auto notch and swing it again. Auto notch will discriminate out most iron, foil, and trash. If there is no sound it is almost always trash, if you continue to get a solid consistent tone, especially at the nickel, and silver side of the scale, you better dig and see what it's telling you. Pull tabs are tricky they can often sound off as a dime and after digging it you find out otherwise. Pull taps will bounce around on the display and dime will lock in and give a solid distinct tone.
Be patient, the stuff buried at your hunt site isn't going anywhere, take your time. I've seen people swing their coil like it was a 100 yard dash, they are passing over so much. Remember the tortoise and the hare? Slow and steady will fill your pouch much quick than fast and furious. Once you've learned your machine you will be able to pin-point with accuracy, but until then you have the potential of turning a back yard into a moonscape. To prevent this, always cover your holes and leave the area looking as good or better as it did before you got there. Relax and have a good time. If you have questions ask the forum, you'll get excellent advice and tips from experienced hunters. Welcome to the hobby and Enjoy the Hunt.
