Cabela's Metal Detector by

Bounty Hunter - Adventurer

5500

Set Number

616610 (900)

SKU

02473900

TREASURE HUNTER’S CODE OF ETHICS:

1. Respect the rights and property of others.

2. Observe all laws, whether national, state or local.

3. Never destroy historical or archaeological treasures.

4. Leave the land and vegetation as it was. Fill in your holes.

5. All treasure hunters may be judged by the example you set.

6. Always obtain permission before searching any site. Be extremely careful while probing, picking up, or discarding trash items. And ALWAYS COVER YOUR HOLES!

5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

The ADVENTURE 5500 metal detector is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for five years from the date of purchase to the original owner.

Damage due to neglect, accidental damage, or misuse of this product is not covered under this warranty. Decisions regarding abuse or misuse of the detector are made solely at the discretion of the manufacturer.

Proof of Purchase is required to make a claim under this warranty.

Liability under this Warranty is limited to replacing or repairing, at our option, the metal detector returned, shipping cost prepaid to First Texas Products.

Shipping cost to First Texas Products is the responsibility of the consumer.

To return your detector for service, please first contact First Texas for a

Return Authorization (RA) Number. Reference the RA number on your package and return the detector within 15 days of calling to:

First Texas Products L.P.

1465-H Henry Brennan

El Paso, TX 79936

(915) 633-8354

Copyright © 2007 by First Texas Products, L.P.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or parts thereof, in any form, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Published by First Texas Products, L.P.

Adventure 5500 ® is a registered trademark of First Texas Products, L.P.

www.detecting.com

Warranty coverage does not include the cost of transporting the detector back to an owner who is located outside of the continental United States of America.

O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L

The Adventure 5500 is a professional metal detector. While the most difficult aspects of metal detecting have been automated, it is a sophisticated electronic device which requires an understanding of some basic features and metal detecting concepts.

If you do not have prior experience with a metal detector, we strongly recommend that you:

1) Adjust the Sensitivity to a low setting in the event of false

signals. Always begin use at a reduced sensitivity level; increase to full sensitivity after you have become familiar with the detector.

2) Do not use indoors. This detector is for outdoor use only. Many household appliances emit electromagnetic energy, which can interfere with the detector. If conducting an indoor demonstration, turn the sensitivity down and keep the search coil away from appliances such as computers, televisions and microwave ovens. If your detector beeps erratically, turn off appliances and lights, especially those with dimmer switches.

Also keep the search coil away from objects containing metal, such as floors and walls.

3) Read this manual. Most importantly, review the

Quick-Start Demo (p.7-8) and Basic Operation (p. 9-11).

4) Use 9-volt ALKALINE batteries only.

Do not use Heavy Duty Batteries.

Table of Contents

Terminology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Quick-Start Demo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8

Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11

All Metal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Discrimination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Notch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Headphone Jack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Audio Target Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Target and Depth Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Sensitivity Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

In The Field Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-18

Trouble Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Treasure Hunter’s Code of Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

2

TROUBLE SHOOTING

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE

SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION

Detector chatters or beeps erratically

• Using detector indoors

• Using detector near power lines

• Using 2 detectors in close proximity

• Highly oxidized buried object

• Environmental electromagnetic interference

• Use detector outdoors only

• Move away from power lines

• Keep 2 detectors at least 6m (20’) apart

• Only dig up repeatable signals

• Reduce sensitivity until erratic signals cease

Constant low tone or constant repeating tones

LCD does not lock on to one target ID or detector emits multiple tones

No power, no sounds

• Discharged batteries

• Wrong type of batteries

• Multiple targets present

• Highly oxidized target

• Sensitivity set too high

• Dead batteries

• Poor battery contact

• Cord not connected securely

• Replace batteries

• Use only 9V

alkaline batteries

• Move coil slowly at different angles

• Reduce sensitivity

• Replace batteries

• Push batteries in tighter

• Insert paper spacers

(see page 6)

• Pry back battery clips

19

In The Field Techniques -cont

buried objects by the nature of the detector’s response.

You may encounter some false signals as you proceed. False signals occur when the detector beeps, but no metal target is present. False signals can be induced by electromagnetic interference, oxidation, or highly mineralized ground soils. If the detector beeps once, but does not repeat the signal with several additional sweeps over the same spot, there is probably no target present.

When searching very trashing ground, it is best to scan small areas with slow, short sweeps.

You will be surprised just how much trash metal and foil you will find in some areas. The trashiest areas have been frequented by the most people, and frequently hold the most promise for finding the most lost valuables.

Also maintain the search coil positioned just above the surface of the ground, without making contact with the ground. Making contact with the ground can cause false signals.

Terminology

The following terms are used throughout the manual, and are standard terminology among detectorists.

ELIMINATION

Reference to a metal being "eliminated" means that the detector will not emit a tone, nor light up an indicator, when a specified object passes through the coil’s detection field.

DISCRIMINATION

When the detector emits different tones for different types of metals, and when the detector

"eliminates" certain metals, we refer to this as the detector "discriminating" among different types of metals.

Discrimination is an important feature of professional metal detectors. Discrimination allows the

RELIC

user to ignore trash and otherwise undesirable objects.

A relic is an object of interest by reason of its age or its association with the past. Many relics are made of iron, but can also be made of bronze or precious metals.

IRON

Iron is a common, low-grade metal that is an undesirable target in certain metal detecting applications. Examples of undesirable iron objects are old cans, pipes, bolts, and nails.

Sometimes, the desired target is made of iron. Property markers, for instance, contain iron.

Valuable relics can also be composed of iron; cannon balls, old armaments, and parts of old structures and vehicles can also be composed of iron.

FERROUS

Metals which are made of, or contain, iron.

PINPOINTING

Pinpointing is the process of finding the exact location of a buried object. Long-buried metals can appear exactly like the surrounding soil, and can therefore be very hard to isolate from the soil.

PULL-TABS

Discarded pull-tabs from beverage containers are the most bothersome trash items for treasure hunters. They come in many different shapes and sizes. Pull-tabs can be eliminated from detection, but some other valuable objects can have a magnetic signature similar to pull-tabs, and will also be eliminated when discriminating out pull-tabs.

GROUND BALANCE

Ground Balancing is the ability of the detector to ignore, or "see through," the earth’s naturally occurring minerals, and only sound a tone when a metal object is detected. The Adventure

5500 incorporates proprietary Squelch-Tech ground conditions

® circuitry to eliminate false signals from severe

3

18

Assembly

Assembly is easy and requires no tools.

Position the lower stem (the straight tube) with the silver button toward the back.

Using the bolt and knurled knob, attach the search coil to the plastic extension protruding from the lower stem.

Press the button on the upper end of the lower stem, and slide the lower stem into the upper stem.

Adjust the stem to a length that lets you maintain a comfortable upright posture, with your arm relaxed at your side, and the search coil parallel to the ground in front of you.

Wind the cable securely around the stem.

Insert the plug into the matching connector on the right underside of the detector body. Be sure that the key-way and pins line up correctly.

Caution:

Do not force the plug in.

Excess force will cause damage.

To disconnect the cable, pull on the plug.

4

Do not pull on the cable.

In The Field Techniques -cont

Swing the search coil slowly, overlapping each sweep as you move forward. It is important to sweep the coil at a consistent speed over the ground as you search. After identifying a target, your sweep technique can help in identifying both the location and the nature of the target. If you encounter a weak signal, try moving the coil in short, rapid sweeps over the target zone; such a short rapid sweep may provide a more consistent target identification.

Most worthwhile objects will respond with a repeatable tone. If the signal does not repeat after sweeping the coil directly over the suspected target a few times, it is more than likely trash metal.

Crossing the target zone with multiple intersecting sweeps at multiple angles is another way to verify the repeatability of the signal, and the potential of the buried target. To use this method, walk around the target area in a circle, sweeping the coil across the target repeatedly, every 30 to 40 degrees of the circle, about ten different angles as you walk completely around the target. If a high-tone target completely disappears from detection at a given angle, chances are that you are detecting oxidized ferrous metals, rather than a silver or copper object. If the tone changes at different angles, you many have encountered multiple objects. If you are new to the hobby, you may want to dig all targets at first. With practice in the field, you will learn to better discern the nature of

WHAT

READS

LIKE THIS

…MAY

ACTUALLY

BE THIS

17

In The Field Techniques

PINPOINTING

Accurate pinpointing takes practice and is best accomplished by “X-ing” the target area.

1. Once a buried target is indicated by a good tone response, continue sweeping the coil over the target in a narrowing side-to-side pattern.

2. Take visual note of the place on the ground where the “beep” sounds.

3. Stop the coil directly over this spot on the ground.

4. Now move the coil straight forward and straight back towards you a couple of times.

5. Again make visual note of the spot on the ground at which the “beep” sounds.

6. If needed, “X” the target at different angles to “zero in” on the exact spot on the ground at which the “beep” sounds.

COIL MOVEMENT

When swinging the coil, be careful to keep it level with the ground about 2.5cm (1 inch) from the surface. Never swing the coil like a pendulum.

WRONG

CORRECT

Assembly

Adjusting the Arm Rest

Most people will find the standard position of the arm rest very comfortable. Very large forearms and short forearms

(particularly children’s arms), can be accommodated by moving the arm rest forward.

The arm rest is adjustable to three positions.

To adjust, remove the screw from the underside, then press the silver button and move the arm rest to one of the alternate positions. If you cannot fully depress the button with your finger, use a narrow object, such as the blunt end of a ballpoint pen. The arm rest must be twisted with moderate force to move it to an alternate position; this adjustment is usually made infrequently.

If desired for added stability, re-install the screw. The screw is not re-installed in the furthest forward position.

If the button becomes disengaged inside of the tube, remove the plastic cap at the end of the tube to access the clip inside. With a pair of needle-nose pliers, reengage the button. Then replace the plastic cap.

When pinpointing a target, try drawing an “X”, as illustrated, over where the tone is induced.

16

5

Batteries

Use

ALKALINE batteries only.

To install the batteries:

Remove the battery cover by disengaging the clip at the back.

Align the polarity of the batteries correctly, with the positive "+" toward the coil plug connection, as indicated by the + and – indicators on the housing.

Insert (2) 9-Volt

ALKALINE

batteries, with the contacts pointed inward, and press down on the back of the batteries to snap them into place.

Some brands of batteries will require moderate force to clear the retaining tabs.

If the batteries fit loosely, and you want to guarantee a very secure electrical contact, insert a piece of paper or thin cardboard between the back of the battery and the supporting post.

Replace the battery door.

3-Segment Battery Indicators.

Segments Illuminated Battery Voltage

All three segments

Two segments

One segment

No segments

More than 8.5 volts

7.6 to 8.5 volts

7.0 to 7.5 volts

Less than 7.0 volts

IN CASE OF LOOSE BATTERIES

The detector will stop working soon after all segments have disappeared (approximately 6.6 volts).

Most metal detector problems are due to improperly installed batteries, or the use of non-alkaline or discharged batteries.

If the detector does not turn on, please check the batteries.

If the detector does not turn on, check to see that the batteries fit tightly. If the batteries are loose, press them forward while pressing the POWER touchpad. To tighten up a loose battery, wedge a piece of paper or thin cardboard between the back of the battery and the supporting post, as illustrated above. You may also CAREFULLY pry back the battery contact clips inside the case with a small flat-head screwdriver.

6

Sensitivity Adjustment

To change the detector’s sensitivity, press SENSITIVITY or . A double beep indicates the setting is at the maximum or minimum. At maximum sensitivity, a quarter can be detected at a distance of approximately

8” to 9” from the search coil.

ELECTROMAGNETIC

INTERFERENCE

The principle use for the Sensitivity

Control is to eliminate Electromagnetic

Interference (EMI).

A hobby metal detector is an extremely sensitive device; the search coil creates its own magnetic field and acts like an antenna. If your detector beeps erratically when the search coil is motionless, the unit is probably detecting another electromagnetic field.

Common sources of EMI are electric power lines, both suspended and buried, motors, and household appliances like computers and microwave ovens. Some indoor electronic devices, such as dimmer switches used on household lighting, produce severe EMI and can cause the detector to beep erratically. Other metal detectors also produce their own electromagnetic fields; so if detecting with a friend, keep two metal detectors at least 6m (20 feet) apart.

If the detector beeps erratically, REDUCE THE SENSITIVITY by pressing Sensitivity on the left of the control panel.

SEVERE GROUND CONDITIONS

A secondary use for the Sensitivity Control is to reduce false detection signals caused by severe ground conditions. While your Adventure 5500 contains circuitry to eliminate the signals caused by most naturally occurring ground minerals, 100% of all ground conditions cannot be anticipated. Highly magnetic soils found in mountainous and gold-prospecting locations can cause the detector to emit tones when metal objects are not present. High saline content soils and sands can sometimes cause the detector to false.

If the detector emits false, non-repeatable, signals, REDUCE THE SENSITIVITY.

MULTIPLE TARGETS

If you suspect the presence of deeper targets beneath a shallower target, reduce the sensitivity to eliminate the detection of the deeper targets, in order to properly locate and identify the shallower target.

15

Depth And Target Display

READING THE DISPLAY

The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) shows the PROBABLE identification of the targeted metal, as well as the

PROBABLE depth of the target.

The detector will register a repeating, unchanging target identification when a buried target has been located and identified. If, upon repeated passes over the same spot, the target identification reads inconsistently, the target is probably a trash item, or oxidized metal. With practice, you will learn to unearth only the repeatable signals.

The segment identifications are highly accurate, when detecting the objects described on the label. However, if an object registers in a given category for an unknown buried object, you could be detecting a metallic object other than the object described on the label, but with the same metallic signature. Also, the greater the distance between the target and the coil, the less accurate the target identification.

GOLD TARGETS Gold objects will register on the left side of the LCD scale.

Gold flakes will register under iron.

Small gold items will register under foil or 5¢.

Medium-sized gold items will register under 5¢ or AL+.

Large gold items will register under Zinc.

ZINC: Newer US pennies (post-1982), loonies and toonies will register here. Many non-US coins of recent vintage will also register here.

COINS: Silver Dollars, Half-Dollars, Quarters, Dimes and pre-1982 US pennies will register here. Older, pre-

1982, US pennies are composed of copper, which has a metallic signature similar to a dime.

Caution: The target indications are visual references.

Many other types of metal can fall under any one of these categories. While the Adventure 5500 will eliminate or indicate the presence of most common trash items, it is impossible to accurately classify ALL buried objects.

DEPTH INDICATOR:

The Depth Indicator is accurate for coin-sized objects.

It indicates the depth of the target, in inches as follows:

Segments Illuminated

Top Segment = 0 to 3” deep,

Top & Middle Segment = 3” to 6” deep

All Segments = Over 6” deep.

SILVER TARGETS: Silver objects will register to the right of the scale, under COINS.

IRON: All sizes of iron objects will register on the farleft side of the scale. This could indicate a worthless item such as a nail, or a more valuable historic iron relic.

FOIL: Aluminum foil, such as a gum wrapper, will register as foil. A small broken piece of pull tab may also register here.

Large and irregularly-shaped objects will yield less reliable depth readings

5¢: Most newer pull-tabs from beverage cans, the type intended to stay attached to the can, will register here.

Many gold rings will also register here.

AL+: Older screw caps from glass bottles will register here. Large gold rings, like a class ring, could also register here. Some non-U.S. coins of recent vintage will also register here. Loonies and toonies, Canadian $1 and

$2 coins, may register here. Older pull tabs, which always detached completely from the can, will register here.

14

When passing over an object, the depth indicator will light up and stay illuminated until another object is scanned. If the depth indication varies with each sweep, try sweeping at different angles; there may be more than one target present. With practice, you will learn the difference between accurate readings, multiple targets, and highly erratic readings which evidence trash or irregularly shaped objects.

Quick-Start Demonstration

I. Supplies Needed

• A Nail • A Quarter • A Zinc Penny (dated after 1982)

II. Position the Detector

a. Place the detector on a table, with the search coil hanging over the edge.

(or better, have a friend hold the detector, with the coil off the ground) b. Keep the search coil away from walls, floors, and metal objects.

c. Remove watches, rings and other jewelry or metal objects from hands and wrists.

d. Turn off appliances or lights that cause electromagnetic interference.

e. Pivot the search coil back toward the detector body.

III. Power Up

Press

IV. Wave each object over the Search Coil

a. Notice a different tone for each object.

Low Tone: Nail

Medium Tone: Penny

High Tone: Quarter b. Motion is required. Objects must be in motion over the search coil to be detected.

V. Press

DISCRIMINATION

The detector will beep and an “X” will appear over the iron segment.

7

Quick-Start Demonstration

-cont

VI. Wave the Nail over the Search Coil

a. The nail will not be detected.

b. The nail has been "Discriminated Out."

VII. Press DISCRIMINATION four times.

Five “X”s are now displayed over the first 5 target IDs.

VIII. Wave all objects over the Search Coil

The nail and Penny will not be detected.

Quarter will still be detected.

IX. Press

A flashing “X” will appear over the IRON segment.

Audio Target Identification

While the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is very accurate in identifying buried objects, the user in the field does not always maintain the display screen in his field of vision. Therefore, we have incorporated an audio feedback mechanism to alert the user to the nature of buried objects. This audio feedback system first alerts the user to the presence and classification of objects, whose nature and location can be confirmed using the LCD display.

The detector can sound three different tones, depending on the object detected.

LOW TONE

Ferrous objects, such as iron and steel, will induce a low tone.

The smallest gold objects can also induce a low tone.

Foil, pull-tabs, nickel & smaller gold also induce a low tone.

MEDIUM TONE

Newer US pennies (post-1982 pennies), larger gold objects, zinc, small brass objects, and most bottle screw caps will induce medium tones. Many recent vintage foreign currencies will induce medium tones, including Canadian $1 and $2 coins.

HIGH TONE

Silver and copper coins, larger brass objects, and older US pennies (pre-1982 pennies), will induce high tones. Quarters, dimes and other precious coins fall into this category.

X. Press DISCRIMINATION four times.

The flashing “X” will move to the ZINC segment.

XI. Press again.

The “X” over zinc will disappear.

You have notched-in the Penny.

XII. Wave the penny over the search coil.

The penny is again detected.

8

LOW TONE

MEDIUM TONE HIGH TONE

Nails, Iron Objects, Steel Bottle Caps,

Smallest Gold Objects

Larger Gold Objects, Many screw caps, pennies,

Pull Tabs, Nickels, loonies, toonies & Zinc US pennies (post-1982)

Copper, Silver & Brass

Copper US Pennies (Pre-1982),

Dimes & Quarters

Audio Target Identification (ATI) classifies metals into four categories.

13

12

Headphone Jack

Using headphones (not supplied) with your metal detector makes it easier to identify subtle changes in the threshold levels for better detection results, and also reduces drain on the batteries. The Adventure 5500 Metal Detector has a stereo headphone jack located at the rear of the case.

Basic Operation

POWERING UP

Press

• The detector will beep 4 times

• All display segments will illuminate momentarily

• The SENSITIVITY and BATTERY indicators will stay illuminated

SENSITIVITY

The detector’s default sensitivity will be indicated with two segments. At this setting, the detector will detect a coin-sized object, such as a quarter at a distance of about 7”. To change the sensitivity level, and thus the detection depth, press SENSITIVITY or .

CAUTION:

At higher sensitivity levels, the detector is susceptible to electromagnetic interference from electronic devices. Reduce sensitivity if demonstrating indoors or if using near power lines or electrical equipment.

Reduce sensitivity if detector emits false signals.

9

Basic Operation -

continued

DEFAULT OPERATION

The detector defaults to

ALL METAL mode after powering on. In this mode, all types of metals will be detected. An object’s probable identification is indicated by illuminating the icons beneath the appropriate category. In addition, the probable depth of coin-sized objects is indicated by the number of icons illuminated under each target ID. 3 icons illuminated indicates a deep object. 1 icon illuminated indicates a shallow object. All detected objects will cause at least one icon to illuminate. The greater the distance an object is from the search coil, the greater its depth reading.

DISCRIMINATION

Discrimination is used to eliminate unwanted objects from detection.

To eliminate categories of objects from detection, press DISCRIMINATION .

After pressing DISCRIMINATION , the detector will:

• Beep

• Display an “X” over the left-most segment, iron

Metals containing Iron will not be detected.

Basic Operation -

continued

To increase the level of discrimination, press DISCRIMINATION . Each time the pad is depressed, an additional "X" will appear, thus eliminating from detection the objects which fall into the corresponding categories.

To decrease the level of discrimination, press DISCRIMINATION . Each time is depressed, an illuminated "X" will disappear, thus returning to detection the objects which fall into the corresponding categories.

Discrimination is a fixed-start-point elimination system. Objects are cumulatively eliminated as the level of discrimination increases.

NOTCH

To selectively eliminate a category from detection within the metallic spectrum, use the NOTCH feature.

Technical Note:

The NOTCH touch pad causes the status of an "X" segment to toggle between

ON and OFF.

To use the NOTCH feature:

The NOTCH touch pad can be depressed at any time.

A first demonstration is best accomplished as follows:

1) Turn the power OFF.

2) Turn the power ON.

3) Press .

A flashing "X" will appear over the IRON segment.

4) Press DISCRIMINATION several times

Notice that the "X" moves upon each press of DISCRIMINATION .

5) Press again.

The flashing "X" will become permanently illuminated.

If an object has been “notched-out”, you can return it to detection status.

To “un-notch” a category:

1) Press .

2) Move the flashing “X” over the permanently illuminated “X”.

3) Press again.

11

10