The Garret Ace 350 metal detector is a well designed and robust instrument. Like all electro-mechanical devices, it requires a bit of care and in the event of a problem, you can do a bit of trouble shooting to identify any real problem.

Please refer to the manual for full details, and check out our Garrett Ace 350 review here, including details on where to get the best prices.

TROUBLE SHOOTING:

NO POWER:

• Check and see if batteries are inserted properly.
• Remove old batteries and replace with fresh ones.

ERRATIC ACOUSTIC SIGNALS OR TARGET ID CURSOR MOVEMENT:

• Check searchcoil and see that it is correctly connected.
• Ensure the coil cable is wound around the stem properly.
• During indoor use, excessive interference from electrical items and metal objects are to be expected.
• Reducing the sensitivity setting and see if the signals improve.
• Any metal structure or power nearby lines may cause interference in the unit.

INTERMITTENT SIGNALS:

• The detector may have located a deeply buried object, but located at a difficult angle to get a good signal.
• Scan from various angles and directions to zero in on the target.
• Multiple objects will give intermittent signals. Switch over to Zero mode function or press pinpoint button to locate the target
• In trash filled areas you can use ‘Super Signal’ searchcoil for accurate targeting.

UNABLE TO LOCATE SPECIFIC TARGETS:

• Use the correct mode for the type of hunting.
• If you are after coins, then use the Coins mode.
• Using zero mode also helps detect all metal targets. Use this mode to find your specific target.

TARGET CURSOR ID BOUNCES:

• You may have detected a trash target.
• The cursor may bounce if you have located a coin on its edge.
• The area surrounding your target, may be cluttered with junk. Scan from different direction to correctly identify your target.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE:

• Avoid extreme temperatures. If possible, store in room temperature.
• Keep the detector clean. Use a damp cloth and give it a once over when you finish using.
• The search coil is submersible, but the control unit and connector should be kept dry.
• Protect your control unit from the elements.
• If storing for more than 30 days, remove the batteries.
• Use good quality alkaline batteries. Replace all batteries when needed.

With a bit of care, the Garret Ace 350 will give you long, trouble free service. Always follow metal detecting code of ethics and take all safety precautions while using the unit.

The Garret Ace 350 metal detector has been designed to work in mineralized ground and in areas which have iron cluttered items. It is ideal for coin hunting too. Its innovative features, makes target pinpointing easier.

Please reference the manual for confirmation on these issues, and take a look at our Garrett Ace 350 review here, including details on the best deals.

PINPOINTING ADVICE:

For a beginner, there are some basic rules to be followed. When searching in ploughed/furrowed areas or near water, always do it so that the searchcoil is parallel to the plow lines or water’s edge. A perpendicular motion will produce confusing signals.

STANDARD PINPOINTING STEP:

1. Start the search just to the side of the suspected target location.
2. Press and hold the pinpoint button on the control panel.
3. Move the searchcoil in a side to side and then front to back motion.
4. You will be able to detect the spot where you get the peak signal, which is the loudest audio noise and maximum pixels on the LCD monitor.
5. The hot spot under the center of the coil, just ahead of the stem mount.
6. Maintain a constant search height of about 1″ above the ground.

THE DD-WIGGLE METHOD:

1. Using this method, you can quickly locate the target without using the Pinpoint button.
2. Wiggle the seachcoil for 2 to 4″ on either side.
3. While wiggling, move the searchcoil sideways towards the suspected target area until the audio signal is a constant beat. This indicates the lateral position of the target.
4. Repeat this process in a perpendicular direction till you get the same audio signal.
5. The intersection of these steps, where the audio signal is maximum, will indicate the target.

THE DD-TIP OR TAIL METHOD:

1. Press and hold the Pinpoint button when using this step.
2. Center on target by using side to side sweeps.
3. When the audio signal is loudest and pixels on LCD are maximum, pull the searchcoil slowly toward you. When the audio and pixels decline sharply, the shallow target is just in front of the coil.
4. Due to the conical shape of the detection field, the deeper targets will be just within the front tip of the searchcoil.

Searching for buried objects is an art. With practice, you will become adept at using the metal detector and increase the chances of finding your target.

If you are a beginner in metal detecting, it is advisable to begin your search in areas that have loose or sandy soil. This makes it easier for you to learn more about the proper use of your metal detector, specifically in pinpointing and digging targets.

Please read the full details in your manual as well, and you may also like to check out our Garrett Ace 350 review here, which details the best prices we can find too.

1. For best detecting results, you must maintain the height of your searchcoil at a maximum of two inches above the ground at all times.

2. You must walk slowly in a straight line from one side to another while scanning with your searchcoil. Maintain a speed of up to five feet per second. You advance your searchcoil by half the actual length of the device at the end of every sweep.

3. You must try to isolate adjacent targets. The narrow detection area of the DD searchcoil of Ace 350 permits efficient separation of any adjacent targets in contrast with other concentric searchcoil devices of similar sizes. You can utilize narrow swings of your searchcoil in trash areas in order to separate good target from trash.

You must have patience and skills when fully searching a particularly area. The proper way of doing this is by overlapping the swings of the searchcoil by one-half of the length of the gadget, which is about 5 and a half inches. It is a must that you perform the sweeping motion of your searchcoil along a straight line. It is also possible to do a slight arc sweep at a maintained speed of three feet per second.

Finally, swing the searchcoil in a manner that is parallel to plow lines and water’s edge. This action is meant to minimize any negative effects that might be caused by uneven grounds found in plowed fields as well as varying moisture for those near the water. Never swing your searchcoil perpendicularly to plow lines and water’s edge, since this tends to produce sudden changes in ground response. Consequently, such occurrence might reduce the efficiency of the gadget’s performance.

See below for our summary of the controls and operating system that comes with the Garrett Ace 350.

Please go through your manual for a full explanation, and you might also want to take a look at our Garrett Ace 350 review and price comparison here.

1. Power Pushbutton (ON/OFF)

A quick press and release of the power pushbutton will turn the metal detector ON or OFF. The previous settings of the metal detector are automatically saved, if you want to restore it the settings to factory settings, press the power pushbutton and hold it for at least 5 up to 10 seconds. Doing this will produce a quick double beep; it can be your alert that the metal detector is restored to its factory settings.

2. Mode Pushbutton

Press the Mode pushbutton to select the mode settings; Custom, Jewelry, Relics, Coins or Zero. For details about the available modes, turn to the next section (Selecting Modes, Discrimination Patterns).

3. Pinpoint Pushbutton

To locate the exact area of the target, press and hold this pushbutton as you weep the search coil in an area.
a. hold the search coil at about 1 to 2″ above the ground while pressing and holding the pinpoint button.
b. Sweep the search coil from side to side, front to back and crosshair pattern. This will ensure that the whole area will be covered. Wait for the peak audio while still holding the pinpoint push button.
c. Take notice of the bar graph located on the LCD. This graph can aid you in determining the location of the target by indicating increasing signal strength. When the signal strength is maximized as seen in the LCD, this indicates that the search coil is placed exactly over the target.

NOTE: maintain the height of the search coil during the detection, this will prevent false alarms and signals from soil minerals.

4. DISCRIM Pushbutton

This pushbutton has two available buttons (+ and -). These pushbuttons can be used as selecting cursors to move the selector from left to right. It can also be used in conjunction to (accept and reject buttons) it is used modify lower scale pattern of discrimination.

5. Accept/ Reject Pushbutton

This pushbutton is used in conjunction with the 4.pushbutton. To activate or eliminate pixels below the target cursor simply press the Accept/reject pushbutton. ACE 350 has 12 notches or pixels of discrimination. (See illustration below) The combination of these notches can be turned on or off according to your preference. During search, when you get signal from an unwanted metal use the accept/reject pushbutton to acknowledge the detection of a trash. What is great about this is that if the ACE 350 encounters the same metal, it will cancel out the alert or audio signal. The ACE 350 is also capable of discriminating specific metals. A good example of this is that if an earring is lost; scan the other earring in custom mode, so that the properties will be stored in the detector.

NOTE: the detection for the specific object may prove hard if the target is shifted in another direction. To maximize your chances of finding it, enable other pixels. The settings saved in custom mode will be kept even after it is turned OFF. If you saved settings in Zero, Jewelry, Coins or Relics mode, the scanned objects will not be saved after the ACE 350 is turned OFF.

6. Sensitivity Pushbutton

Take notice of your LCD screen as you press the sensitivity pushbutton. You will notice an increase in the 8 level sensitivity setting if the + is pressed; consequently if – is pressed it will decrease.
For targets that are small and in very deep locations, use a higher level of sensitivity. In areas where there is ample metallic trash such as saltwater, mineralized soils, other metal detectors, and electric interference it is advised to use a lower level of sensitivity. Doing this will decrease the chances of false alarms.

Check out our guide to the Garrett Ace 350 display and audio capabilities below.

For full details, please refer to the manual. You can also check out our Garrett Ace 350 review here, which also list the best price on the market.

Display Components

The ACE 350 possesses Graphic Target ID, a unique Garrett technology that identifies probable target along a scale from ferrous metals, such as iron, on the left; to low-conducting metals in the center; to highly-conductive metals, like pure silver, at the far right.

1. Mode – indicates which detection mode from zero, custom, jewelry, coins, or relics have been chosen with highlighted word on the screen.

2. Target ID Legend – works with a Target ID Cursor to find out the identity of a target. Ferrous targets will be indicated on the left, non-iron targets will be indicated in the center, and highly-conductive targets on the right.

3. Upper Scale Target ID Cursor – Target ID cursor, together with Target ID Legend, determines the target’s probable identity. Its upper scale is made of twelve graphic parts meant for Target ID.

4. Lower Scale – Also called Notch-Type Discrimination Scale, it indicates present discrimination patterns. ACE 350 produces audible target responses for switched-on pixels. On the other hand, there is no audible response if pixels are switched off. Target ID Cursors indicate all possible targets. Discrimination patterns are adjusted by changing modes and using Accept or Reject and DISCRIM pushbuttons.

5. Coin Depth Indicator – Coin or other target depth can be indicated in increments of two inches. Sweeping searchcoil one inch above the soil obtains extremely precise reading. Targets that are bigger than coins display shallow depth than actual. On the other hand, smaller targets may display deeper depth than actual.

6. Battery Level Indicator – Basically indicates battery condition. The detector maintains optimal performance until batteries become worn out. NiMH batteries can be used, but they usually have short life for every charge. A maximum of 40 hours on gadget operation can be expected depending on the battery. Remove battery when ACE 350 will not be used for over 30 days.

7. Sensitivity Indicator – There are 8 basic ACE 350 settings for sensitivity. They can be adjusted according to your sensitivity requirements.

Audio Features and Characteristics

1. Headphone Jack – Headphone sets with 1/4-inch plugs may be inserted to the jack at the back of the gadget’s Control Housing.

2. Tone ID – This feature produces 3 audible tones based on a metal type and conducting abilities of the target: high-conductive targets, like silver, produce a distinct bell-toned signal; low to medium conductivity targets such as jewelry gives off a medium-pitched sound; and ferrous type of targets, like nails and iron, send low-pitch audio signals.

It is essential that you conduct basic bench tests in order to become familiar with the general operation of your metal detector. Such tests involved soil use, which is important since ID scale of the target is significantly influenced by the soil.

Apart from soil, ID scale is also determined by the size, shape, thickness, orientation, permeability, and conductivity of the target. The steps involved in a proper bench test are the following:

1. Position your searchcoil on a flat-shaped, non-metal surface several feet away from other metallic-type objects.

2. Choose the ZERO type of mode when testing selected targets.

3. Place different metal-type objects, like bottle caps, coin, and nails, across your searchcoil device at a maximum distance of 4 inches. Metal detector must visually and audibly identify your target.

4. Perform such test involving all existing modes on your metal detecting device. Observe distinct audio as well as the unique graphics produced on the LCD display in every mode.

5. Record full results of the bench tests. You can refer to such data once you treasure hunt in the field.

As soon as you have recorded the results on how various test targets register during tests, the next step is to test these targets in the soil. You have to bury them at recorded depths; this is to establish a test plot. Record various results of targets based on whether they lie flat on the ground or at different angles.

It is a must that you save and keep accurate records, as well as surface markers meant to indicate test plot targets and corresponding depths. You have to test such targets again after many months at various soil or weather conditions; like if the ground has already settled, during extreme drought conditions, or during wet weather conditions. Record even the minutest changes in how the targets are identified.

Please refer to the manual for comprehensive guidance, and you might also want to check out our Garrett Ace 350 review and info on the best deals here.

Please take a look at our Fisher F2 metal detector review below for details on one of the highest end metal detectors that you can get for entry level metal dectecting. This great unit makes finding any types of metal a snap. It can even find metals on the beach and in other less accommodating ground conditions.

The Fisher F2 metal detector is jam packed with many features that make finding your target that much easier. It allows you to hunt in areas with a lot of trash and also to hunt with a high or low discrimination setting. It offers one touch pinpointing so there is no wondering just where that target is located.

The F2 is overloaded with benefits and features. The LCD screen is your best friend. It is simple to comprehend what is being displayed. Finding real treasure is made easy with the 8 level visual target ID located on the left portion of the screen. The target ID also offers a number system from 0-99 indicating the range of metals found.

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The top portion of the screen offers a display of the types of metals that you can use categorically to find. These are iron, foil, nickel, pull tabs, zinc, dimes, and quarters. You can use these categories to cut out all the junk metals that can sometimes be found on other metal detectors.

The LCD screen also includes a battery indicator that lets you know when the battery is near dead. This will remain on the screen until the battery has been changed. It also includes a depth indicator that will let you know about how many feet you will have to dig for your target.

Fisher F2 Features Set

• Large, Easy to read LCD screen with large buttons
• Easy to use menu interface perfect for pros or beginners
• Sensitivity Bar Graph
• 4 tone audio system for easier verification of targets
• Headphone jack on back of LCD screen to better hear tones
• Depth Indicator
• Target Category readings
• Four search modes: discrimination, notch, pinpoint and sensitivity modes
• Ergonomically correct for both adults and children
• Adjustable arm cuff for added comfort
• Great response time and fast target response at a depth of up to 6 inches
• Perfect for coin shooting, beach and relic hunting

Specifications

• 8 inch search coil is waterproof in an open frame setting
• Lightweight frame of 2.6 pounds for ease of use
• Two 9 volt batteries are included
• An operating frequency of 5.9 kHz
• Comes with a 5 year limited warranty

Take a look at our Fisher F70 review below, which also details where to get the best prices. Fisher offers some of the best metal detectors on the market and the Fisher F70 metal detector is no expection. This metal detector offers all of the features of an advanced metal detector at an amazingly affordable price.

The Fisher F70 metal detector offers one of the most exceptional depths for any metal detectors on the market today. It can detect coins up to fourteen inches in depth and larger objects several feet in depth.

There are so many benefits to owning and using this detector. This detector offers two programmable settings in which you can save all the settings that you use the most. Making them easily accessible when you turn the detector back on.

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The quick response of the detector makes it so that you can move the detector at a fast pace and detect objects in a larger area in a shorter amount of time. Also, the ground balance on the Fisher F70 metal detector goes all the way to salt levels.

It offers one touch automatic ground balancing. You may also manually balance it yourself, too. It has several modes such as discrimination and pinpoint with controls for frequency shift, threshold and sensitivity to cancel the electrical and ground mineralization interference.

Fisher F70 Features Set

• Large LCD screen with large buttons and knobs Menus that are simple and straightforward
• 8 section target display to show differences in trash and treasures
• 4 different audio tones with tuning
• Headphone jack on the back of the LCD screen to hear tones easier
• 2 digit Target ID readouts in both motion and depth modes 2 search modes: discrimination and auto tune mode
• Touchpad target pinpoint with audio pitch
• Air testing mode to make sure the detector is working properly or for use indoors
• Target Discrimination graphical display shows what objects you have discriminated
• Soil Mineralization displayed in ground phase numbers
• Lightweight with adjustable arm rest for added comfort
• Battery Life Display

Specifications

10 inch elliptical search coil that is waterproof
Comfortable weight of 2.15 pounds
4 AA alkaline batteries are included
Battery life is 40 hours with alkaline batteries, 65 hours with lithium iron batteries and 80 hours with nickel batteries
Operating frequency of 13 kHz with VLF induction balance
Resistive overload of 1,200 micro-cgs and a reactive overload of 10,000 cgs
Accurate lag coefficient of seventy eight milliseconds
Second and third order methods of discrimination ground suppression Operation humidity levels of up to ninety percent and at temperatures of 4 degrees to 122 degrees
Comes with a 5 year limited warranty

Check out our Fisher F5 metal detector review below for a look at one of the best metal detectors on the market today. It has one of the most powerful and full featured user interfaces available on any detector, and comes with a superb 5 year warranty.

There are many wonderful things that make this metal detector among the elite. First, it offers a fully featured computerized ground balancer that is automatic. It will also keep all of your previous settings from your last time using it, so it saves you a ton of time.

The benefits of the Fisher F5 metal detector are many and varied. The large 8 segmented target ID display allows you to easily see trash or treasure. The large LCD screen also has a display along the top of the screen that will show the categories that you can search.

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It also offers a ground mineralization detector of FE3O4 in percentage form. These levels are displayed with H for High, M for Medium, L for Low and VL for Very Low. To get the best reading, pump the coil over the ground you want the reading from.

The Fisher F5 metal detector offers fast target display. This means that you can move the detector faster than most which will allow you to cover more ground and find more targets than most detectors. It also offers a target confidence meter that shows how accurate your target is.

Fisher F5 Features Set

• Large LCD display with sectioned off areas of the screen for easy readability
• FE3O4 Mineralization readout for ground mineralization detection
• Target Confidence Meter that verifies the validity of a target
• Detects objects up to 12 inches in depth
• Battery Indicator and alert when low battery
• Discrimination knob with a notch control for pinpointing the types of objects you want to be found and ignoring trash objects
• Customizable audio tones for easier verification of targets found
• Headphone jack on the back of the LCD screen display
• Auto tune for automatic ground balancing
• Sensitivity controls for mineralization settings and interference from electronics
• Perfect for coin shooting, relic and beach hunting, and gold prospecting

Specifications

• Lightweight and simple to carry and handle at three pounds
• Very small lag with a lag coeffient of ninty-two milliseconds
• Ground balance from ferrite to salt water
• Battery life of 40 hours if alkalines are used
• Comes with two 9 volt batteries
• Comes with a standard 10 inch search coil that is open framed and waterproof
• Operating at a 7.8 kHz with a VLF Induction Balance
• Resistive overload of 600 micro-cgs and reactive overload of 5000 micro-cgs
• Operation in humidity levels of up to ninety percent
• Excellent 5 year limited warranty

The Minelab Safari Pinpoint feature is useful in determining the exact location of a target. Normally, when trying to locate a target the detector must be continuously moving, but when using the pinpoint feature you do not have to sweep the target. This will cause the detector to emit a audio tone when the detector is directly over the target. In pinpoint mode, the discrimination patterns are disengaged so that all targets are activated under the coil.

Display And Tone Notifications

When using pinpoint mode, the target icons are replaced by a bar graph display. The detector will emit a clear beeping noise when passing over the target and the locater bar graph will be filled completely.

Pinpointing Technique

Once you know the location of the target, move the coil to that target and press the pinpoint button. Move the coil very slow over the target. Keep passing over the target until you know the exact location of the target. Mark a line in the soil with a shoe or sharp tool. Repeat the steps from the opposite direction. If you went right to left go in the direction of top to bottom to find the whole area of the target. Dig for your target.

Reserve Pinpointing Mode For Just That

Remember that in pinpoint mode, there is no discrimination pattern and it will pick up anything. Do not search in pinpoint mode and make sure to return to search mode once you are done. When you are in pinpoint mode and lay the detector down, it may give a signal tone every few moments. This is normal, but it is best to switch to search mode before laying the Minelab Safari down to dig. Make sure that you do not press the pinpoint button when you are directly over a target as this will cause the Safari to constantly beep. Make sure that the Safari is parallel to the ground at all times for proper use in this mode.

Pinpoint mode makes finding your item a lot easier than just digging. It is a great feature to use. Click here to view our full Minelab Safari review and where to get the best price.