"Vintage" Garrett, help needed !

[Balka Roo]

G'Day blokes, its a very interesting site you have here !

Some friends and I go off driving in out "outback" (Western Australia) about twice a year. I was telling another friend about what the trip group get up to and that I thought as we travel through our goldfields area that I might try and either buy or hire a metal detector to have a bit of fun while we are camped up. He said if I wanted one he would give me his as he never uses it. It used to belong to his mother who used to do a bit of looking about 30 years ago but he never used it and didn't even know if it worked or how to use it if he wanted to ! The machine he dug out of his shed looks like it's hardly been used and is an old "Garrett Master Hunter deepseeker A.D.S." and he believes it would date from about 1980. I have never used a metal detector of any type and have "NO IDEA" how to use it and he has never used it himself so he can't tell me how to operate it either, and he never got the operators manual when they were cleaning up his mums place, so I was wondering if there is anyway of downloading a manual for a Vintage "Garrett Master Hunter Deepseeker ADS" detector so I can have a play when we go tripping in April.

Also does anyone remember these old machines or know if they actualy worked ?
I know I would probibally be better off getting a modern machine but for the little bit we would use it I doubt it would be worthwhile.

Thanks for any advice you may be able to provide.

Graham

 

[Orion42]

I think this is the manual you need.

http://www.garrett.com/hobby/manuals2/Master-Hunter-ADS-4.pdf

John

 

[Markmac]

BALKA ROO yes they do work and to some they feel these older Garrett Master Hunters were and still hard to beat.I owned the same model many years ago actually was my first metal detector and i wish i never parted with that one.The Master Hunter ads was a fine machine with manual ground balance and toggle switch to change from all metal mode to tr discriminate mode.My opinion that would still be an excellent machine in the gold fields of australia...Good luck..Markmac

 

[Balka Roo]

Thanks John and Markmac,
I downloaded that manual for the "MasterHunter ADS 4" and although it seems mine is older and a little different I think it is close enough to get me started, so Thankyou for that John.

Something else I am wondering about is that this machine came with 2 coils, the one on it which is 7 inches across and another that is 10 1/2 inches across. What is the reason for the smaller coil, I gather the larger one is to be more sensitive and dig deeper but it looks like it has never been used only the smaller coil has any wear marks on it and those are on a cover that fits over the face of the coil. Are you supposed to use the machine with that cover on (like looks what was happening) or off. It looks to me like its similar to a camera lens cover and only there to protect the face, or is it there to take the wear so the face of the coil doesn't get worn ?

Thanks again,
I bought six batteries for it today and will try and find time to have a play over the weekend.

Graham

 

[Sven]

Manual for Master Hunter Deepseeker ADS
This will be the correct manual.

 

[Orion42]

It sounds like the coil has a coil cover on it. It's optional to use it, as it's purpose is to protect the coil face. If you use it, remember to take it off to clean it, as dirt can get between the coil and the cover. The smaller coil is better for smaller targets in tighter areas. The larger coil will read deeper, but you may miss smaller targets.

John

 

[Balka Roo]

Thanks blokes for the help and advice !
I will let you know how I get on, it looks like fun !
I am realy looking forward to having a go.

Graham