Garrett Metal Detectors GTAx 550 manual

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THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING GARRETT MET AL DETECTORS! Congratulations! As the proud owner of the Garrett GT Ax 550 ™ you have joined an international family of treasure hunters. Men, women and children alike have used their Garrett detectors to find coins, relics and gold nuggets that are valued in the millions of dollars. So, to get the most out your[...]

3 target acceptance / rejection, precise discrimination and other key information, you can spend more time digging treasure and less time digging trash! The GT Ax 550 is factory preset to begin operation in the COINS mode. Simply press the POWER touchpad on your new GT Ax 550 and immediately begin hunting without the troublesome interference from t[...]

T ABLE OF CONTENTS GT Ax 550 6 Parts 7 Assembly 8 Features 1 1 T arget ID Legend 1 1 Upper Scale 12 Lower Scale 12 Batt (Battery) 13 Hip Mount 13 T ouchpads / Controls 15 Power 15 Pinpoint 16 Set Depth 16 Accept / Reject 18 Set Audio 18 - and + 20 Hunting with the GT Ax 550 21 Pinpointing 22 Coin Depth Measurement 24 Proper Scanning T echniques 25 [...]

5 Making Adjustments 29 Mode A (Zero Discrimination) 31 Mode B (Coins) 31 Setting Discrimination 32 Bench T ests 36 T est Plot Construction 38 Headphone Jack 39 Batteries 40 Searchcoils 43 Recommended Accessories 44 Maintenance 45 Specialized Hunting 46 Service & Repair 49 Recommended Reading 51 RAM Books Order Form 53 Specifications 55 Mind Y [...]

GARRETT GT Ax 550™ 6 Searchcoil Lower Stem Upper Stem Control Housing LCD Screen T ouchpad Controls Padded Arm Cuff Headphone Jack Detector Stand Handle Grip S-shaped Ramrod Stem Spring Clip Threaded Bolt Washer Knob[...]

7 P ARTS Before assembling your GT Ax 550 metal detector ensure you have the complete set of parts, which include: • Control Housing w/ S-Ramrod Stem • Upper Stem • Lower Stem with Spring Clip • T wo (2) Mounting Washers • One (1) Wing Nut • One (1) Threaded Bolt • Searchcoil with Cable • Instruction Video (not shown below) • Warr[...]

GT Ax 550 ASSEMBL Y No tools are required to assemble the GT Ax 550 . Hand tighten all necessary parts. 1. Press the two Mounting Washers into the Lower Stem. Figure 1. 2. Slide the searchcoil onto the Stem. Figure 2 8 Figure 2 Figure 1[...]

9 3. Insert the Threaded Bolt through the holes of the Lower Stem and Searchcoil. Hand-tighten the searchcoil assembly with the remaining Wing Nut. Figure 3. 4. Depress the Spring Clip and insert the Control Housing into the Upper Stem. 5. Depress the Spring Clip in the Lower Stem to adjust to the most comfortable operating length. Figure 4. Figure[...]

6.Wrap the Searchcoil cable snugly about the stem with the first turn of the cable over the stem. Figure 5. 7. Insert the Cable into the Connector of the Control Housing and hand-tighten. Figure 6. 10 Figure 5 Figure 6[...]

1 1 FEA TURES The GT Ax 550 is designed with Garrett's exclusive Graphic T arget ID technology , which indicates the probable identity of a target along a horizontal scale that reads from low conductive metals (e.g iron) on the left to high conductive metals (e.g. silver) on the right. 1. T arget ID Legend - A T arget ID Legend is located dire[...]

is detected, the T arget ID cursor will appear below the word or symbol that most likely indicates the type of target found, based on its conductivity . 2. Upper Scale - The Upper Scale has four purposes: • Indicates target discovered • Indicates levels of settings • Indicates maximum pinpoint signal • Indicates the cursor's location f[...]

13 5. BA TT (Battery) - Battery condition is reported continuously by the horizontal row of squares on the lower right of the GT A display . Four are visible when fully charged batteries are being used. When only one square remains, battery life is two hours or less. Although it is not necessary to change batteries until this warning flashes, you s[...]

weighs less than 2 pounds. Y et, all of the controls are still easily accessible and your GT Ax 550 display is visible on the control stem of the detector . The removable hip mount pack and built in coiled cable permit easy reassembly for carrying and storage. When reassembling, make certain the coil cored slides into its tube and is not pinched in[...]

15 TOUCHP ADS / CONTROLS 1 . POWER - Press and release the POWER touchpad to turn the detector on and of f. Note: After turning the detector off, wait 3 to 5 seconds before turning on again. The POWER touchpad can also be used to reset all settings to factory preset by pressing and holding for 5 to 10 seconds, or until the detectors beeps.[...]

2. PINPOINT (Coin Depth) - Activates pinpointing function and indicates depth of coin-sized targets on the Lower Scale of the Graphic Display . 3. LAST MODE - Returns the detector to the operating mode previously used. This touchpad can be particularly helpful while scanning because it effectively converts your GT Ax 550 into a dual mode detector. [...]

17 increase depth and sensitivity; press (-) to decrease. A single touch and release adjusts the level in a small increment. A continuous pressing results in a continuous adjustment. When you have made your adjustment, press Depth again to reenter your previous operating mode. Although maximum depth is usually desired, any detector's circuitry[...]

interference and irregular ground mineralization may sometimes require reduced sensitivity which usually results in less detection depth. Do not worry about losing "deep" targets when you reduce this setting. Y ou will not lose any depth since you will always be operating as deeply as soil conditions permit. Attempting to operate above a [...]

19 produced by the GT Ax 550 as it scans. Multiple touches and releases are necessary to increase or decrease threshold by one Upper Scale segment at a time. Y ou can search silently or at any level of constant sound. It is recommended that you always operate the instrument at a minimum level of sound. Y ou can hear the audio increase sharply whene[...]

- AND + - Use these touchpads to adjust levels of threshold and depth and to move the cursor in the Upper Scale when setting the discrimination. 20[...]

21 HUNTING WITH THE GT Ax 550 There are no dials to turn and no controls to adjust. Just take the handle of your GT Ax 550 and lower the searchcoil to a level of about one foot above the ground. Press and release the POWER touchpad. After you hear two beeps, the GT Ax 550 is ready for detecting in Mode B, which is a factory pre-set COINS mode. When[...]

T arget Identification T arget identification of the last target over which the searchcoil passed will be indicated on the Upper Scale of the graphic display . In most cases the type of coin can also be determined by using the coin ID guide. Encrustation or patina—and sometimes ground mineralization—may affect conductivity of the coin resulting[...]

23 cannot maintain detection sound with the searchcoil held completely still above your target. This is called manual pinpointing and for many treasure hunters proves completely satisfactory . 2. Electronic Pinpointing Precise pinpointing is an important capability of your GT Ax 550 . When you press and hold the pinpoint touchpad, the searchcoil ca[...]

Y ou can also watch the Upper Scale illuminate from right to left to indicate signal strength. The maximum reading attained toward the left will indicate exact target location. Coin Depth Measurement Pinpoint targets as directed above. After completing the pinpoint operation (maximum reading on the Upper Scale) and while still pressing the Pinpoint[...]

25 of digging targets, depending on the grass, soil conditions, etc. Always make as small a hole as possible. It is quicker , requires less work and makes refilling easier. Y ou should always fill your holes. Proper Scanning T echniques Swing the searchcoil back and forth in front of you in a straight line. Keep the searchcoil moving at a rate of a[...]

The Upper Scale of the graphic display will indicate a detected target. This indication will remain for five seconds or until a new target is detected (whichever comes first). The T arget ID Guide located above the Graphic Display will help identify your detected target. When scanning, do not hurry . Walk at a pace that is comfortable. Be methodica[...]

27 signal as you scan one way and no response when scanning from the other direction. With Experience After you have used the GT Ax 550 for only a short time, you will be surprised at how proficient you have become with it. Do not expect to achieve the greatest accuracy and success until you have hunted with this detector for at least 100 hours or [...]

JUNK T ARGETS Y our GT Ax 550 , in its factory set B (Coins) detection mode, will not respond audibly to most junk items. Occasionally , you'll encounter targets that cause the detector to respond with a quick, sharp sound, not like the clear , strong signal of a coin. Before you dig up some of the targets that make irregular audio "blips[...]

29 MAKING ADJUSTMENTS When you first press the POWER touchpad, your GT Ax 550 is ready to hunt, in the B (Coins) operating mode with threshold, depth and discrimination preset at the factory . Any or all of these operating levels can be easily changed. Whenever your detector is on it will return to the detection mode in which it was previously bein[...]

Relic hunters, prospectors and others may adapt one of these to hunt for specific targets. Any personal preference adjustments you have set in the GT Ax 550 with the various operating functions will be retained when the detector is turned off. Because ground and / or atmospheric conditions can vary from place to place, it may be necessary for you t[...]

31 Mode A (Zero Discrimination) Y ou will want to hunt in this detection mode, which is preset with no discrimination, when searching for caches or deep relics. Y ou may also wish to hunt in this mode when hunting in areas with many targets spaced closely together . This will help to identify individual targets and improve recovery of coins and oth[...]

Setting Discrimination (Selecting Notches) Using only the discrimination of its two factory-set operating modes, the GT Ax 550 will more than satisfy the requirements of almost every treasure hunter . Many will never require any other discrimination. Still, this detector offers more; it offers precise controls that enable any treasure hunter to tai[...]

33 There are two ways to set discrimination. First method: Press the (+) and (-) touchpads to position the blinking Upper Scale cursor above the Lower Scale segment corresponding to the particular target to be detected or ignored. If the segment is displayed, that particular target will be detected. If you wish to reject that type of target, press [...]

Note: Each time the detector is turned of f, the accept/reject discrimination selections will be retained in both modes. All selections will be lost when you return your detector to the factory set detection calibrations by pressing and holding the POWER touchpad for 10 seconds or until it beeps. There are reasons why you would want to accept or re[...]

35 Special Note on Settings If you are ever unsure about the settings of your detector , simply press and hold the POWER touchpad for 10 seconds, or until the detector beeps, to restore the detector to the factory set B (Coins) mode.[...]

BENCH TESTS Bench T ests enable you to test typical trash items and to learn about the discrimination capabilities of the GT Ax 550 before taking it into the field or trying to set your own discrimination notches. The following tests should be performed with the searchcoil perpendicular to a bench, floor or other non-metallic surface and several fe[...]

37 represents true non-discrimination operation. 2. Use the Last Mode touchpad to select the alternate detection mode with its factory preset B discrimination notches. On your graphic display , Mode B will be illuminated. Bring the same targets across the bottom of the searchcoil and listen for the sound to increase when each item is scanned. Notic[...]

TEST PLOT CONSTRUCTION As you operate and use your GT Ax 550 , you will quickly grow more proficient in its use. It is recommended that you build your own test plot. Bury several items, including a nail, a piece of foil, a pull tab, a bottle cap and several coins at depths ranging from one to four inches. Bury them about 18 inches apart and clearly[...]

39 HEADPHONE JACK The headphone jack on the GT Ax 550 is located at the rear of the removable battery pack under the armrest. Headphones are a valuable accessory for any metal detector to mask interference from outside noise. They permit you to hear small and deep targets that might be missed when using only audio from the detector speaker. Headpho[...]

BA TTERIES The GT Ax 550 is equipped with two battery packs, each holding four standard AA batteries. The detector is also designed to use rechargeable batteries (Ni- MH). It is recommended that top quality heavy duty or alkaline batteries be used. All adjustments or settings you have entered into the detector will be replaced by the factory settin[...]

41 The GT Ax 550 should operate 25 to 35 hours with carbon or alkaline batteries. Rechargeable batteries will offer slightly less time, depending upon the type used. These estimates are for speaker operation. Operating with headphones will extend battery life. Battery Replacement 1. T urn the detector off by pressing the POWER touchpad. 2. Slide th[...]

5. Press out the old batteries from the holders. 6. Install the new batteries. Carefully observe polarity of the batteries and place them in the holders. 7. Replace the holders in the detector . It is important that you make certain that the rivet on each battery holder is visible in the center of the battery case. If the holders are replaced incor[...]

43 It is recommended that you remove the batteries when the detector is not in use, particularly for a period of several weeks. Always take the four batteries out of each holder when storing them. Y ou can then reinsert the empty holders into your detector to prevent their being misplaced. Caution: Use only high quality rechargeable, carbon, alkali[...]

The 9"x12" PRO formance— Use to increase detection depth and scanning width for hunting a broad target range. Part No. 2220700 The 4.5" Super Sniper ™ —Use in trashy locations or in tight places where a larger searchcoil will not reach. Part No. 2218800 When changing searchcoils, only hand tighten the knobs. Never use tools of [...]

45 MAINTENANCE Y our GT Ax 550 is a sensitive instrument built to withstand rugged treatment in the outdoors. Use your Garrett detector to the fullest extent, yet always protect and handle it with reasonable care. • A void extreme temperatures as much as possible, such as storing the detector in an automobile trunk during the summer or winter mon[...]

SPECIALIZED HUNTING For literature that will explain more about the various types of hunting possible with your GT Ax 550 see the RAM Books section (page 53). Although it has universal capabilities, the GT Ax 550 has been designed primarily as a coin hunting metal detector . The greater depth and preci se discrimination patterns possible with micro[...]

47 Move your searchcoil across one type of these pieces of trash metal. Watch the target ID cursor for its response and push the ACCEPT/REJECT touchpad. Y ou'll have no more trouble from that type of junk. When you use discrimination segments on your GT Ax 550 to determine a proper discrimination pattern, you'll spend less time digging tr[...]

Since the 550 is a motion detector , it is capable of finding only somewhat larger nuggets (at least BB size). It must be emphasized that prospectors using the GT Ax 550, or any other quality detector , usually prefer to operate in the Zero Discrimination Mode. When prospecting, discrimination may reduce the amount of small nuggets found, but some [...]

49 SERVICE AND REP AIR In case of difficulty , read this Owner's Manual thoroughly to make certain your detector is not inoperable due to manual adjustments (Press and hold the POWER button for ten (10) seconds to return to the factory recommended settings). Contact your dealer for additional assistance. When your detector must be returned to [...]

Y ou have carefully packed the detector in its original shipping carton or other suitable box. Make certain that proper insulation or packing material is used to secure all parts. Do not ship stems or headphones unless they are part of the problem. Be certain to return all coils. Ship to: Garrett Metal Detectors 1881 West State Street Garland, T ex[...]

51 RECOMMENDED READING Since Garrett's GT Ax 550 is one of the world's premier coin hunting detectors, you will be especially interested in The New Successful Coin Hunting, by Charles Garrett, filled with "how to" tips and success stories about finding coins. The GT Ax 550 is an excellent detector for finding every type of treas[...]

Charles Garrett's Ghost T own Treasures . Bob Marx's Buried T reasures Y ou Can Find locates thousands of sites where treasure is known to have existed. This book also includes good information about One-T ouch detectors such as the GT Ax 550 . Hobbyists of all ages will want to read Gold Panning is Easy , but it is especially applicable [...]

53 RAM BOOKS ORDER FORM Please send me the following RAM books: (Please indicate number of copies desir ed.) ___ New Successful Coin Hunting ....................$9.95 ___ T r easur e Hunting for Fun and Pr ot .........$9.95 ___ T r easur e Caches Can Be Found .................$9.95 ___ Ghost T own T reasur es ................................$9.9[...]

54 MAIL-IN ORDER FORM Add $2.00 for rst book, and $1.00 for each additional book ordered (maximum $3.00) for handling and shipping charges. T otal for books $______________ 8.25% T ax (TX/CA residents) $______________ Handling Charge $______________ TOT AL $______________ Payment Options: ___ Enclosed check or money order ___ I prefer to order t[...]

55 SPECIFICA TIONS • Detector type: V ery Low Frequency (VLF) transmitter / receiver , Graphic T arget Analyzer (GT A) with multiple notch discrimination • Controls: Easy access touch panel • Display: High visibility LCD adjacent to the touch panel; data accessible at any angle. • Detection Frequency: 7.0 kHz • Circuitry: Linear transmitt[...]

56 control, display and panel. • Convertible hip mount with self storing cord for minimum weight and optimum balance; Hip Mount • Cable Length: 62 inches • Weight: 3 lbs, 4 oz • Shipping weight: 5 lbs[...]

57 MIND YOUR MANNERS! The following is a Code of Ethics that many treasure hunt clubs endorse and hobbyists follow to preserve our exciting hobby of metal detecting. We encourage you to do the same: • I will keep informed on and obey all laws, regulations and rules governing federal, state and local public lands. • I will aid law enforcement of[...]

58 • I will observe the Golden Rule, using good outdoor manners and conducting myself at all times in a manner which will add to the stature and public image of all people engaged in the field of metal detection. W ARNING! When searching for treasure with your Garrett detector , observe these precautions: • Never trespass or hunt on private pro[...]

59 • Do not hunt in a military zone where bombs or other explosives may be buried. • Do not disturb any pipeline, particularly if it could be carrying flammable gas or liquid. • Use reasonable caution in digging toward any target, particularly in areas you are uncertain of the ground conditions. • If you are unsure if you can use your metal[...]

1881 W . State Street Garland, T exas 75042 T oll Free: 800.527.4011 T el: 972.494.6151 Fax: 972.494.1881 Email: sales@garrett.com © 2008 Garrett Electronics, Inc. PN 1525300.D.0608[...]