Minelab XChange 2

Table of Contents

• Installation
• Terms and Conditions of XChange 2
• Setting User Preferences
• Overview of XChange 2
• Detector Elements
• Collections
  • Collection Controls
  • User Collections
  • System Collections
    • Detector
    • All
    • Archive
    • Recycle
    • Geo-Hunt
  • List of Elements
  • Element Summary
  • Selecting or Deselecting Elements
  • How to Move, Copy, and Delete Elements
  • Editing Elements
  • List Summary
  • Sorting Elements
  • Filtering Elements (Search Bar)
  • Advanced Element Filtering
• Using XChange 2
  • Login
  • Connecting the Detector
  • Collections
    • Creating a Collection
    • Editing a Collection
  • GeoHunt
    • Creating a GeoHunt
    • Editing a GeoHunt
  • WayPoint
    • Creating a WayPoint
    • Editing a WayPoint
  • FindPoint
    • Editing a FindPoint
  • Detector Configurations
    • Editing Detector Configurations
  • User Mode (CTX 3030 Detector Only)
    • Creating a User Mode
    • Editing a User Mode
    • Discrimination Patterns
    • Tone ID Profile
• Software Update

Installation

To correctly install the XChange 2 application, your computer requires the following operating system: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.

To use all application functions, you will also need:

• A Minelab CTX 3030 detector or GPZ 7000 detector
• A USB cable to connect the detector
• An active minelab.com account
• Internet connection

If you wish to install the XChange 2 application, insert the XChange 2 installation CD into your computer and follow the on-screen instructions. If you do not have the installation CD, the XChange 2 application can be downloaded from www.minelab.com.

Terms and Conditions of XChange 2

The first time you install the XChange 2 application, the terms and conditions of use will appear. You must read and accept the terms and conditions of use to continue with the installation process.

Setting User Preferences

When you install the XChange 2 application, you will be prompted to set your user preferences. Configure the options for "Time", "Position", "Distance Units", and "Weight Units".

Use the "SAVE" button to save your preferences.

The screen displays a dialog box titled 'Preferences' with the following fields:

• Time Format: [Dropdown with '24 hours' selected]
• Position Format: [Dropdown with 'DD.DDDDDD' selected]
• Distance Units: [Dropdown with 'Meters / Centimeters' selected]
• Weight Units: [Dropdown with 'Ounces' selected]
• [Checkbox] Show startup tip

It is possible to change XChange 2 user preferences via the settings tab.

Overview of XChange 2

The following section provides an overview of the XChange 2 application and its key areas of use.

The screenshot shows the XChange 2 interface with a left-hand navigation pane listing 'Collections', 'Special Collections', 'User Collections', 'Element Box', 'Element Summary', and 'List of Elements'. The main content area displays a world map with login fields for 'Username' and 'Password', and a 'LOGIN' button. It also shows interface elements like 'Filter', 'Sort', and 'Map'.

Detector Elements

Detector elements are items that are copied with the detector as either the source or the destination. Detector elements include those corresponding to:

• Universal Configuration
• User Modes – CTX 3030 Detector Only
• WayPoints
• FindPoints
• GeoHunts

Please note that elements from a detector created on one detector model cannot be transferred to another model, with the exception of WayPoints.

These elements are described in more detail in a later section of this XChange 2 user manual.

Collections

Collections are the core of the XChange 2 application. All elements copied from the detector must belong to a collection. In fact, the detector itself is a special collection within the application. This allows elements to be copied with the detector as the source or destination, in the same way they are moved from one collection to another.

Collections are groups of elements similar to your computer's folders; the main difference is that collections cannot contain other collections. Elements can be moved from one collection to another to classify them into appropriate categories.

It is necessary to assign a name and an icon to the collections created for your use.

Collection Controls

The controls corresponding to collections allow you to perform the necessary actions to use and manage collections.

The interface shows controls for creating a collection, adding a WayPoint, deleting a collection, and editing a collection.

User Collections

To move elements into the application, you need to create a user collection. Once created, you can drag elements from any collection into a user collection.

You can create as many collections as you wish.

The interface shows sample user collections named 'SAMPLES' and 'COLLECTION 1'.

System Collections

System collections are special collections that provide specialized functions within the application. The available system collections are:

• Detector (e.g., the CTX 3030 detector)
• All
• Archive
• Recycle
• GeoHunt

Detector

When the detector is connected to your computer, the detector's collection appears with its corresponding name next to the detector icon. Click on the detector collection to view its contents.

All

The "All" collection displays all elements from all user collections. This collection is useful if you do not know the location of the elements you are looking for. The use of search and sorting functions is explained later in this user manual.

Archive

The "Archive" collection allows you to copy elements for later export to an alternative file to create backups or allow shared use. It is also possible to open a previously saved "Archive" to view and copy elements into other collections. In other words, "Archive" provides export/import functions. This "Archive" is in a special Minelab format and can only be read or written to using the XChange 2 application.

Recycle

"Recycle" contains elements that have been deleted from user collections. This offers a way to recover deleted elements until "Recycle" is emptied. Any element dragged to "Recycle" from the detector or via transfer will be automatically deleted and therefore cannot be recovered. You can empty the contents of "Recycle" using the trash can icon.

Geo-Hunt

"GeoHunt" contains all elements created during a GeoHunt, as well as the detector mode in use at that time. A GeoHunt records the active detector mode when the GeoHunt starts, along with a position log of where the detector has been while the GeoHunt was active. The GeoHunt also contains WayPoints and FindPoints created while the GeoHunt was active.

As these elements could be moved to different user collections, there needs to be a way to display all elements associated with a GeoHunt in a single collection. The system collection "GeoHunt" serves this purpose. Elements are not moved from their corresponding user collections; instead, a special system collection is temporarily created that contains all GeoHunt elements. This system collection only appears when the icon to display the GeoHunt is selected in the element summary of any element that is part of a GeoHunt.

List of Elements

The list of elements displays a summary of each element in the selected collection. They can come from any collection, including system collections.

Element Summary

The element summary contains a summary of the information corresponding to an element. The following figure shows the summary of a GeoHunt element:

The element summary includes fields for 'Collection Element Icon', 'Element Icon', 'Attached Icon', 'Descriptive Text', 'Timestamp', 'Element Name', 'Edit Element' button, 'Center on Map' button, 'Show GeoHunt' link, and 'Distance to Map Center'.

Selecting or Deselecting Elements

To select or deselect an element, simply right-click on the element summary. You can select multiple elements by clicking on each element summary individually. When an element is selected, the background of the summary changes color.

You can also select all elements using the "ALL" button, located at the top of the element list.

If you deselect an element, the background returns to white. You can deselect all elements using the "NONE" button, located at the top of the element list.

How to Move, Copy, and Delete Elements

Elements in the application can be moved or copied by simply selecting and dragging them. To delete an element, select it and drag it to the recycle bin.

The element will be moved or copied depending on the source and destination when dragging. The following table shows the result of each operation:

¹ Assumes two detectors are connected.

Editing Elements

To edit an element, click the edit element icon, located to the right of the summary box. When the element editing dialog box appears, make the necessary changes and click "Save".

List Summary

The list summary displays detector, filter, and sort options. You can filter by name or description and sort by date.

The interface shows controls for 'DETECTOR', 'FILTER', 'ORDER', and buttons for 'ALL' and 'NONE'.

Sorting Elements

Elements can be sorted by the following criteria:

• Date
• Type
• Latitude
• Distance from center

Once a sort order is selected, click the button next to the dropdown menu to choose ascending or descending order.

Filtering Elements (Search Bar)

You can filter the list to show only elements with specific text in their name or description. As you type in the filter bar, the application will automatically remove any elements that do not contain the entered text.

Advanced Element Filtering

The element list can also be filtered by type, synchronization status, or date range by clicking the magnifying glass icon next to the filter search bar. There is also an option to view only map elements (WayPoints, FindPoints, and GeoHunts).

Select the element type to limit the list to elements of that type. "New Points" only appears when Detector or Archive collections are selected, and it allows you to view only elements that have not been copied into the application.

You can also click to select a date to include specific dates. Select "Detector Type" to show only elements from a specific detector.

The interface shows options to select detector type, filter by name/description, and select dates. The 'ORDER' section allows sorting by date.

When you close the advanced filter, any advanced settings previously applied will be cleared.

Using XChange 2

Login

The application can be used without logging in, but mapping features will not be available. If you already have a minelab.com account, use your existing username and password to log in to the XChange 2 application. If you do not have a minelab.com account, create one via the provided link, or go to http://www.minelab.com/ and follow the instructions to create an account.

Enter your minelab.com username and password in the XChange 2 application and click "Login".

After successfully logging into XChange 2, mapping features will be available, and a satellite map screen will appear. The screenshot shows the XChange 2 interface with a login prompt and a world map.

Connecting the Detector

Connect your Minelab detector to the computer using the supplied USB cable. Once connected, the XChange 2 application will automatically recognize the detector.

When the detector is connected, its corresponding icon will appear in the special collections section of the XChange 2 application. Clicking this icon will allow you to view the detector's contents.

The screenshot shows the XChange 2 interface with a connected detector, a list of collections, and a satellite map displaying a detected path.

Collections

Creating a Collection

To create a collection, click the "+" sign next to the collections in the collection controls, and the following screen will appear. Enter a name and select an image for the collection, then click "SAVE". The newly created collection will appear among the user collections.

The interface shows a 'Create Collection' dialog with fields for 'Name', 'Image' selection, and 'Color' selection.

Editing a Collection

If you wish to edit a collection, select it and click the edit button that appears next to its name in the list summary. Modify the collection details and click "Save".

The interface shows a list of collections with an edit icon next to each.

GeoHunt

Creating a GeoHunt

GeoHunts are created on the detector and cannot be created by the application. Consult the detector's instruction manual supplied on the CD for instructions on how to create a GeoHunt.

Editing a GeoHunt

Click the edit button located in the GeoHunt's element summary, or click the map icon and, in the information box, select the edit link. The screen may vary depending on the detector model used to capture the data.

The 'Edit GeoHunt' dialog displays fields for Name, Start/End times, Description, Latitude/Longitude, and an embedded map showing the GeoHunt path.

WayPoint

Creating a WayPoint

WayPoints can be created by clicking the WayPoint symbol next to the collection name in the collection controls, or by dragging the WayPoint icon onto the map.

If you do not have a user collection selected, you will be prompted to select one for the WayPoint. Choose which collection the WayPoint should be inserted into and click "Accept". The WayPoint editing dialog box will appear, allowing you to enter the WayPoint details.

The interface shows a 'Select a Collection' dialog with options to choose a collection for the WayPoint.

Editing a WayPoint

Click the edit button located in the WayPoint's element summary, or click the map icon and, in the information box, select the edit link. The 'Edit WayPoint' dialog displays fields for Name, Timestamp, Description, Latitude/Longitude, and an embedded map.

FindPoint

Editing a FindPoint

FindPoints are created on the detector and cannot be created by the application. Consult the detector's user manual for details on how to create a FindPoint.

FindPoints can be edited via the edit button located in the FindPoint's summary or by clicking the map icon. The 'Edit FindPoint' dialog displays fields for Name, Timestamp, Description, Latitude/Longitude, Object properties (Conductivity, Iron, Depth), and an embedded map.

Detector Configurations

Editing Detector Configurations

To edit a universal configuration, click the element edit button in the universal configuration element summary. The 'Edit Universal Configuration' dialog shows various settings such as Audio, Sensitivity, Options, Time Format, Time Zone, etc.

Screenshots are provided for the Universal Detector Configuration for CTX 3030 and the Settings for GPZ 7000, showing detailed configuration options.

User Mode (CTX 3030 Detector Only)

Creating a User Mode

Click the mode symbol in the collection controls. The user mode editor will open, and you must assign a name to the mode to save it.

Editing a User Mode

Each user mode has two discrimination patterns and a tone ID map. The 'Edit Mode' dialog allows editing these settings.

Discrimination Patterns

Select the pattern you wish to edit by selecting it under "Active Discrimination Pattern". Use the controls on the left to choose between masking ⚙️ and activating ▶️, as well as area fill or brush size. Drag the mouse over the pattern area to draw the required pattern.

Tone ID Profile

Select the Tone ID Profile tab to view the current Tone ID profile. Note that the Tone ID profile is superimposed over the active discrimination pattern at that moment. Select the required profile type from the dropdown list and drag the lines to the required position. The tone pitch can be changed by selecting the zone and using the slider to select the pitch. A visual indication of the pitch will be shown by the gray level in the active area.

Software Update

The XChange 2 application has an integrated software update function. When connected to the Internet, XChange 2 will check for available software updates for connected detectors or WM 12 modules. A check is also performed for XChange 2 application updates.

• If an update is found, the application informs the user.
• If the update is important, the application displays the following notification: [Information icon] "An important application update is available for download." [Accept button].
• If an update is available but not essential, a download link is displayed without further notification. The download link is located at the top of the screen.

To install the update, click on the notification and select the item to update.