Teknetics T² Metal Detector

Introduction to the Teknetics T²

The Teknetics T² is a high-performance, multi-purpose professional grade metal detector. It utilizes advanced electronic technology and features a functional design representing the leading edge of metal detector engineering. The T² is designed for ease of use, offering superior performance compared to other detectors in its class. Its lightweight and balanced construction provides exceptional comfort during extended use. Popular applications include coinshooting, relic hunting, and gold prospecting.

Product Features

• Simple, easy-to-use controls
• Large LCD screen with target identification and operating control displays
• Straightforward menu-driven user interface
• Bar graph readout of ground mineral concentration
• Trigger-actuated FASTGRAB™ ground canceling with manual override
• Waterproof 11-inch open-frame BiAxial™ searchcoil
• Single-Filter All Metal mode for maximum detection depth
• Double-Filter Discrimination modes for searching in trashy areas
• Trigger-actuated target pinpointing with variable audio pitch

For questions or assistance, contact Teknetics Customer Service at 1-800-413-4131.

Assembly

Follow these steps to assemble the Teknetics T² metal detector:

1. Remove all components from the box.
2. Attach the searchcoil to the lower stem by aligning the holes and inserting the coil knob. Tighten gently; final tightening will be done later.
3. Insert the upper stem into the S-rod (which holds the detector body). Turn the top locking collar counter-clockwise to open, push the pin on the upper stem, slide the upper stem into the S-rod, click the pin into its hole, and firmly tighten the locking collar clockwise.
4. Insert the lower stem into the upper stem: Turn the locking collar counter-clockwise to open, push the pin to allow sliding, slide the lower stem in, and click the pin into any hole.
5. Remove the velcro strip from the lower stem.
6. Wrap the cable around the stem: Leave some slack at the base of the lower stem, secure with the velcro strip. Wrap the cable loosely around the entire stem up to the bent part of the S-rod. Re-wrap after adjusting rod length.
7. Push the cable into the connector on the back of the housing. Do not twist the cable or plug; turn only the knurled cap nut.
8. Tighten the knurled cap nut by hand to secure the cable connection.
9. Adjust to your height: Stand with the detector, arm in the armrest. Place the searchcoil flat on the ground with its back edge 6 inches in front of your toes. Click the pin on the lower stem into the nearest hole.
10. Firmly tighten the bottom locking collar to secure the lower stem.
11. Attach the cable to the S-rod with the upper velcro strip.
12. Tighten the coil knob to prevent the searchcoil from flopping.
13. Insert batteries (four AA alkaline or NiMH, not included). All positive terminals must point upward.

Detector Diagram Description: The detector consists of a searchcoil at the bottom, connected to a lower stem, which slides into an upper stem. These stems connect to an S-rod assembly that includes the armrest and handgrip. The control housing is mounted on the handgrip, containing the ON/OFF & Volume knob, MENU button, and SETTINGS knob. A dual-function trigger switch is located below the control housing. The battery compartment and headphone jack are typically found at the rear of the control housing.

Mechanicals

Batteries

The T² uses four AA batteries. ALKALINE batteries are recommended for best performance, providing approximately 40 hours of service. Rechargeable NiMH batteries are also suitable but may offer slightly less service time. Always use batteries of the same type and charge state to ensure optimal performance. The LCD screen displays the battery condition.

Arm Rest

The arm rest width and position are adjustable. The sides of the arm rest can be bent inward or outward for stabilization. For a secure fit, users may prefer to bend the arm rest tightly against their forearm. The arm rest position on the pole can be adjusted forward or backward by removing and reinserting two bolts, ensuring the power cable is not damaged. Tighten bolts securely to prevent movement.

Headphones (not included)

The T² is equipped with a standard 1/4-inch stereo headphone jack. Using headphones improves battery life, reduces ambient noise interference, and allows for clearer detection of subtle target signals. Mono headphones will not function. For safety, avoid using headphones near traffic or in environments with potential dangers like rattlesnakes. Use headphones with cables shorter than three meters.

Specifications

• Mechanical: S-rod with electronics housing on handgrip, 3-piece breakdown, batteries under elbow, 2-way armrest adjustment (forward/backward & around forearm).
• Searchcoil: 11" (28 cm) open-frame elliptical double-D, waterproof.
• Batteries: 4 AA, alkaline or NiMH (not included).
• Weight: 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) with alkaline batteries.
• Operating Principle: VLF induction balance.
• Operating Frequency: nominal 13 kHz.
• Basic Sensitivity: 5 x 10⁹ root Hertz (detectivity).
• Ground Cancellation Range: From ferrite to salt.
• Battery Life: Typically 40 hours with alkaline batteries.
• Operating Temp Range: -4 to +122 degrees F (-20 to +50 degrees C).
• Operating Humidity Range: 0-90% non-condensing.

Controls

The Teknetics T² features intuitive controls for operation:

• ON-OFF & VOLUME Knob: Located under the elbow, this knob powers the machine on/off and controls speaker and headphone volume.
• MENU Pushbutton: Located on the front panel, this button cycles through menu selections. Pressing it again after adjusting a setting recalls that value.
• SETTINGS Knob: Located on the front panel, this knob adjusts the highlighted menu selection's value. It is also used to switch between operating MODES (All Metal and Discrimination) when the top menu line is highlighted.
• TRIGGER SWITCH: Located under the control housing, pulling it back activates PinPoint mode for target location. Pushing it forward activates FASTGRAB™ automatic ground cancellation.

The Menu System

The menu system is displayed on the LCD screen, showing the current mode and settings. There are two primary search modes: All Metal and Discrimination. Users can switch between modes by highlighting the top line of the menu and rotating the SETTINGS knob. Each mode offers adjustable function settings like Sensitivity, Hum Level (in All Metal), and Discrimination Level (in Discrimination).

To select a function, press the MENU button. The word "SETTING" appears, followed by the current value. Rotate the SETTINGS knob to change the value (clockwise to increase, counter-clockwise to decrease). The system exits automatically after 5 seconds of inactivity or can be recalled with a button press.

Ground Cancellation

Ground Cancellation (GC) is crucial for metal detecting as it eliminates interfering signals from ground minerals, allowing for deeper target detection and more accurate identification. The T² offers both automatic (FASTGRAB™) and manual GC procedures.

Automatic Ground Cancellation (FASTGRAB™)

1. Find a metal-free spot.
2. Hold the searchcoil about one foot above the ground.
3. Push the TRIGGER SWITCH forward.
4. Pump the searchcoil up and down (6 inches to 1 inch off the ground) about once or twice per second.
5. A 2-digit value (Ground Phase setting) will appear. If "CAN'T GC" appears, find a new spot.

Manual Ground Cancellation

Manual GC is recommended for gold prospecting, saltwater beaches, or areas with heavy trash where automatic GC may be difficult. It requires practice to master. The display shows ground cancellation settings from 0 to 99. The Fe3O4 bar graph indicates magnetic mineralization, measured most accurately by pumping the coil. The 2-digit G.C. Phase number indicates the type of mineralization (e.g., 0-10 for wet salt/alkali, 40-75 for iron-bearing clays, 75-95 for magnetite). For manual GC, select the MANUAL G.C. function, pump the coil, and adjust the SETTINGS knob to eliminate ground noise. The goal is to achieve a consistent sound when pumping the coil. Incorrect adjustments can lead to positive (sound increases as coil lowers) or negative (sound decreases as coil lowers) responses. Experienced users may adjust for a weak positive response.

All Metal Mode

The All Metal mode is highly sensitive and detects all metal objects. It requires searchcoil motion. Key settings include Sensitivity (controls electronic gain, 1-99) and Hum Level (audio threshold, -9 to +9). High sensitivity or mineralization can cause noise. Adjusting Hum Level can quiet the machine or make faint signals audible. Manual Ground Cancellation can be performed in this mode.

Discrimination Mode

This mode is used to ignore trash metal objects like nails and pull-tabs, though it may cause some loss of sensitivity to small or deep targets. Sensitivity settings are similar to All Metal mode. The Discrimination Level (0-80) determines which objects are silenced. The Number of Tones (# OF TONES) setting offers various audio discrimination methods (e.g., Single Medium pitch, Two tones, Three tones, Bottle Cap Mode, Delta Pitch) to suit different search conditions and preferences. The detector uses Continuous Processing or Sampled Processing for signal analysis.

PinPoint Feature

The PinPoint feature helps locate a target's exact position after it has been detected in All Metal or Discrimination modes, minimizing digging. Activate it by pulling the trigger switch. Unlike other modes, PinPoint detects metal even when the searchcoil motion stops. It's recommended to perform ground cancellation before using PinPoint to avoid ground noise. To pinpoint, position the searchcoil near the target, pull the trigger, and sweep slowly. The loudest sound indicates the target's location. The feature can be used to "Narrow It Down" by repeating the process. PinPoint sensitivity can be adjusted independently.

LCD Visual Display

The LCD displays a 2-digit Target ID (I.D.) for detected objects, along with an arrow indicating classification. The display also shows Target Depth (estimated in inches, based on coin size) and G.C. PHASE (ground cancellation setting). Messages like "OVERLOAD - RAISE COIL" or "CAN'T GC" provide operational feedback. Bar Graphs show Fe3O4 (magnetite) levels, indicating soil mineralization. The Battery Condition Indicator shows remaining battery life. Frequency Shifting allows users to change the operating frequency to avoid electrical interference.

Numeric Target I.D. Table (Examples):

• Foil from gum wrapper: 40-55
• U.S. nickel (5¢ coin): typically 58
• Aluminum pull-tab: 60-75
• Aluminum screwcap: 70-80
• Zinc penny (after 1982): typically 78
• Copper penny, clad dime: typically 83
• U.S. quarter (25¢ coin), clad: typically 89
• US silver Eagle $1 coin: typically 95

The probable target ID zones (STRONG, MEDIUM, WEAK) help categorize signals. Experienced users often follow the rule: "when in doubt, dig".

Capabilities and Limitations

The T² can detect U.S. coins up to 12-15 inches deep under good conditions; larger objects can be detected deeper. Electrical interference and mineralized soils can affect depth and accuracy. Target identification is based on electrical conductivity, influenced by composition, size, shape, and orientation. While coins are reliably identified, trash items like pull-tabs and foil are less consistent. Ground cancellation is essential for All Metal mode and improves depth in Discrimination mode. Discrimination helps filter trash but may miss some valuable targets. Sweep speed and technique are important for accurate target verification. Steel bottle caps and flat iron trash can be challenging; specific modes and techniques are provided to help identify them. False signals can occur due to electrical interference, nuisance objects, ground minerals, hot rocks, or high sensitivity. The T² offers frequency shifting to combat interference.

Search Techniques

Maintain searchcoil motion parallel to the ground for detection. Use broad, deliberate sweeps for accurate target ID. Shallow targets may give multiple responses; adjust by lifting the coil slightly and slowing the sweep. Large targets can cause signal overload. Always perform ground cancellation before pinpointing. To pinpoint, position the coil near the target, pull the trigger, and sweep slowly; the loudest sound indicates the location. "Narrow It Down" by repeating the trigger pull. Estimating target size, depth, and shape involves observing signal response changes as the coil is raised. Differentiating targets like aluminum cans from coins relies on how the signal diminishes. Steel bottle caps can be identified by inconsistent tones or ID values. False signals and chatter can be caused by various factors; reducing sensitivity or shifting frequency are common solutions. Nuisance buried objects and ground minerals require careful adjustment and signal interpretation. "Hot rocks" (iron-bearing rocks) can mimic target signals and require learning to distinguish their sounds. Sensitivity should be adjusted based on conditions; higher sensitivity is preferred for relic hunting and gold prospecting, while lower sensitivity may be needed for noisy environments.

Tips on Ground Canceling

The T² defaults to a GC setting of 90. Ground cancellation is often necessary in All Metal mode. Find a metal-free spot to perform GC. The process can be automatic (trigger) or manual. Check for minimal soil response after GC. Soil conditions (sandy, clay, red clay) affect the GC phase reading. The Fe3O4 bar graph helps assess mineralization. Mapping sites using GC and Fe3O4 data can reveal site history.

Detecting Activities

Coinshooting

Coinshooting involves searching for coins in parks, yards, and schoolyards, often encountering trash like pull-tabs and bottle caps. Discrimination is typically used to filter trash, though it might miss jewelry. When digging in lawns, use a pinpointer and cut a slit in the turf to minimize damage. Always obtain permission for private property searches and be mindful of local ordinances. Presenting metal detecting as a public service by cleaning up trash is encouraged.

Relic Hunting

Relic hunting focuses on historical artifacts such as battlefield debris, coins, jewelry, and tools. Iron is common unwanted metal, but some iron objects can be valuable. Search in fields, forests, or vacant lots where digging is permissible. Researching historical sites and local newspapers can reveal promising locations. Understanding the historical context of finds is key. Mapping soil conditions can help identify disturbed areas.

Gold Prospecting

Gold is often found in hillsides and areas with iron oxide minerals. Gold prospecting requires high sensitivity and effective ground cancellation. Learning to interpret sounds is crucial. Headphones are recommended for better audio clarity. Areas with high iron mineralization may be more productive for gold. Prospecting clubs can offer guidance and access to claims. It's a hobby that requires patience and can be a rewarding outdoor activity.

Cache Hunting

Cache hunting involves searching for hidden valuables like money, jewelry, or gold. It requires thorough research to distinguish fact from fiction. Ownership of caches can be complex, and local laws must be followed. Caches are typically large and deep, making All Metal mode or careful use of PinPoint advantageous.

Shallow Water Hunting

The T²'s waterproof searchcoil allows for shallow water hunting (up to two feet deep). Avoid getting the control housing wet or exposing it to salt spray. Beaches are popular for finding lost jewelry. Discrimination may be set slightly higher to eliminate iron, but be aware it might reduce sensitivity to jewelry. Sand scoops are recommended for efficient recovery. Water conductivity can cause false signals.

Treasure Hunter's Code of Ethics

• Always check Federal, State, County, and local laws before searching.
• Respect private property; obtain owner's permission before entering.
• Take care to refill all holes and leave no damage.
• Remove and dispose of all trash and litter found.
• Appreciate and protect natural resources, wildlife, and private property.
• Act as an ambassador for the hobby with thoughtfulness, consideration, and courtesy.
• Never destroy historical or archaeological treasures.
• Conduct yourself with courtesy and consideration, as treasure hunters are judged by their example.

How Metal Detectors Work

Most hobby metal detectors use VLF (Very Low Frequency) Induction Balance technology. The searchcoil contains two electrical induction coils: one transmits a magnetic field, and the other receives signals. When metal is present, it distorts the magnetic field. Iron minerals also distort the field differently, allowing for discrimination between ferrous and nonferrous metals. Electronic circuits amplify and analyze these signals, conveying information via visual display or audio tones. Iron minerals in soil can obscure weak signals, requiring technology to filter them out without losing valuable target signals.

5-Year Limited Warranty

The Teknetics T² metal detector is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for five years from the date of purchase to the original owner under normal use. Damage from neglect, accidental damage, or misuse is not covered. Proof of purchase is required for warranty claims. Liability is limited to repair or replacement at the manufacturer's option. Shipping costs to First Texas Products are the consumer's responsibility. Contact First Texas for a Return Authorization (RA) Number before returning the detector for service.

Contact: First Texas Products L.L.C., 1465-H Henry Brennan Dr., El Paso, TX 79936. Phone: 1-800-413-4131.

Note to Foreign Country Customers: Warranty terms may vary by country; check with your distributor.