Garrett Metal Detectors Radar Detector GTI 1500 User Manual

SPECIAL NOTICE

The Garrett GTI 1500 metal detector

with Treasure Imaging and Graphic Target

Analyzer truly adds a new dimension to

treasure hunting. A precision electronic

instrument designed to utilize the miracles

of high technology, especially to help find

coins, the GTI 1500 will accomplish this

task better than any other detector ever

manufactured. It can also locate jewelry,

gold nuggets or any other kind of metallic

object.

Deep-seeking sensitivity and precise dis-

crimination enable this marvelous instru-

ment to identify targets by size as well as

conductivity and to report actual depth of

targets of any size, not just coins.

This exciting One-Touch metal detector is

automatic and surprisingly easy to oper-

ate. Yet those who have special treasure

hunting demands will find the GTI 1500

meticulously adaptable to any personal

style of detecting. Microprocessor-con-

trolled circuitry truly makes this an excep-

tionally deep seeking detector.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢀ

Although the GTI 1500 is built to with-

stand rugged treatment outdoors while

giving years of trouble-free service, always

remember that this detector is a precision

electronic instrument.

Protect it from extreme heat and cold as

well as mist, rain or blowing sand. Keep it

as clean as possible.

ꢁ - Garrett Metal Detectors

CONTENTS

To The Owner

Assembly

Touch pads

Graphic Target Display

Hunting Basics

Operating Adjustments

Control Settings

Search Aids

Operating Modes

Setting Discrimination (Notches)

Treasure Imaging

Bench Testing

Operating Recommendations

Headphone Jack

Searchcoils

Batteries

Recommended Accessories

Maintenance

Specialized Hunting

Repair Service

Recommended Reading

RAM Book Order Form

Specifications

Mind Your Manners

Trademarks/Patents

Warning!

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Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 5

TO THE OWNER

As the proud owner of a Garrett GTI 1500,

you enter a new and exciting world of

treasure hunting. Treasure imaging and

the Graphic Target Analyzer enable you to

find coins with an ease that will take your

breath away. You will spend your hobby

hours in recovering treasure, not digging

trash.

Study this Manual to learn the basic func-

tions of your new GTI 1500. Its target

identification and sizing, deep seeking and

discrimination capabilities can find coins

and any other kind of metallic treasure

with an ease that will amaze and delight

you.

Use Treasure Imaging to identify the size

of any target you locate:

• Dig only "B-size" targets to avoid cans

and similar trash while locating coins and

most rings.

• Set GTA discrimination so that you hunt

only for specific targets.

6 - Garrett Metal Detectors

• Use the Target ID Guide to learn what

you've found.

• Pinpoint electronically to determine loca-

tion of target and learn size and depth.

• Find deeper treasures with computerized

circuitry.

Your GTI 1500, whose microprocessor-

controlled circuitry has been acclaimed

and proven through countless hours of

field use, is unparalleled in the simplicity

of its operation. Just touch the POWER

touch pad and begin hunting immediately.

The GTI 1500 offers dedicated coin hunt-

ers the automatic tuning adjustment pre-

cision available only with computerized

controls.

When you find a target, Garrett's revolu-

tionary GTA display instantly directs you to

that target's range on the Target ID Guide.

Press the TREASURE IMAGING pad to dis-

cover its exact size and depth, which will

give you additional clues to its identity.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 7

Welcome again to the Garrett fraternity

of successful treasure hunting hobbyists.

Now, find your own coins and other

treasures with the GTI 1500, one of the

world’s most capable and universal metal

detectors, yet one that is amazingly easy

to operate.

8 - Garrett Metal Detectors

ASSEMBLY

Your GTI 1500 is shipped complete in one

carton:

A. Control Housing

B. Upper and Lower Stems

C. Imaging Searchcoil

D. Parts Envelope

E. Training DVD & Owner’s Manual

F. Warranty Registration Card

Make certain all of these parts are included

and are undamaged. Report any shortages

or damages immediately to your dealer.

Follow these assembly instructions. No

tools are required. Hand pressure will be

satisfactory for all tightening.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 9

Inspect contents of the clear plastic enve-

lope (see above).

• One (1) knob

• Two (2) Washers

• One (1) threaded bolt

1. Attach the lower stem to the 9.5” imag-

ing searchcoil. Make certain that the two

rubber washers are inserted onto the

lower stem before slipping the searchcoil

onto it.

Place the threaded bolt through the holes

in the connector and hand-tighten using

the remaining wing nut. Use no tools. (See

image A on page 11.)

10 - Garrett Metal Detectors

Image A

Image B

2. Depress buttons in the Control Housing

stem and slide on the Upper Stem (see

Image B above).

ꢀ. Depress the buttons in the Lower Stem

and insert it into the Upper Stem. Buttons

will pop into the holes, and you can

achieve the desired stem length. The third

set of holes from the end is most com-

monly used.

ꢁ. As shown (see Image C on follow-

ing page), wrap searchcoil cable securely

around stem and connect to detector.

The first cable turn goes over the top

of the stem. The cable should be snug

but still slightly loose so that the angle

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 11

Image C

Image D

of the searchcoil can be changed easily,

if required. To connect the cable to the

detector, insert the cable connector into

the connector on the control housing as

shown and rotate the collar clockwise until

secure (approximately four (ꢁ) turns).

(See Image D above.)

Hand tighten only. Your GTI 2500 is fully

equipped with eight (8) AA batteries.

12 - Garrett Metal Detectors

GTI 1500 TOUCH PADS

• Power/Hold to Reset

Turns detector ON and OFF as well as

returns it to factory settings when held.

• Menu/Scroll

Allows the Operator to scroll through the

following settings to make adjustments or

turn them ON or OFF. As you continue to

push the Menu/Scroll button, you will see

the following options:

—Modes (5)

Coins, Jewelry, Relics, Zero, Custom

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 1ꢀ

—Custom Functions Menu

Sensitivity (Depth), Threshold (Audio

Level), Frequency, Volume, Tone,

Rechargable battery

—Search Aids

Salt Elimination, Belltone, Backlight

• Accept / Reject

Permits acceptance or rejection of specific

target segments shown on the Lower Scale

to establish discrimination notches.

• Treasure Imaging (Pinpoint)

When pressed and held, activates the

automatic pinpointing function. In this

mode the cursor indicating the target just

discovered will blink on the Upper Scale

as the target's signal strength is shown.

Depth of target will be shown on the Lower

Scale and size of the target indicated at

the bottom of the Display Screen.

• Operate

Returns to operate (hunting) mode after

any change or adjustment of controls.

• Last Mode

Returns detector to the mode (Coins,

1ꢁ - Garrett Metal Detectors

Jewelry, Relics, Zero, Custom) that was

previously being used.

- & +

These touch pads permit precise regula-

tion of the GTI 1500 . You will note that

each press of a touch pad causes seg-

ments on the Upper Scale to move either

to the right (+) or to the left (-).

The + and - touch pads enable the follow-

ing regulation: Permit alternation between

the five search modes; Permit adjust-

ment of levels of sensitivity, Threshold,

Frequency, Volume and Tone; Activate (+)

or turn off (-) Salt Elimination, Bell tone

target audio and Backlight; Activate (+) or

turn off (-) the NiMH battery gauge; Move

cursor in the Upper Scale when discrimina-

tion is being set in the Operate mode.

Experiment with these touch pads your-

self and experience the precise degree of

regulation possible with the GTI 1500.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 15

GRAPHIC TARGET DISPLAY

Target ID Guide

This guide printed above the LCD screen

shows U.S. coin denominations, gold, sil-

ver and other typical metallic objects.

Upper Scale

Indicates target discovered; Indicates tar-

get strength in Treasure Imaging mode;

Indicates levels of Menu control settings.

Lower Scale

Discrimination

segments

(notches).

Indicates depth of all targets in inches

when in Treasure Imaging mode.

16 - Garrett Metal Detectors

Operating Status

The complete operating status of your

detector is shown on the screen at all

times. When the TREASURE IMAGING

(pinpointing) touch pad is pressed and

held, size and depth of targets will also

be shown.

The mode in which you are searching will

always be shown on the left side of the

screen under the MODE heading.

MENU, OPERATE, IMAGE and SEARCH

AIDS are shown at the top of the screen in

its center to indicate detector status.

MENU is shown when the detector is being

regulated. OPERATE will be illuminated

whenever you have pressed the OPERATE

touch pad and are hunting, and IMAGE

when you press and hold the TREASURE

IMAGING touch pad. SEARCH AIDS is illu-

minated to indicate the Search Aids that

have been activated.

On the second line are detector functions

you can regulate as desired: Sensitivity,

Threshold, Frequency, Volume, Tone and

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 17

Rechargeable (seen in lower right corner

of LCD screen). When one of these func-

tions has been illuminated by use of the

MENU/SCROLL touch pad, it can be regu-

lated by pressing the + or - touch pads.

Treasure Imaging

Five target sizes are shown on the color-

coded Imaging diagram at the bottom of

the screen.

Size A - Solid small oval (orange): tar-

gets smaller than coins, including bits of

iron or foil.

Size B - Oval extending to B grid lines

(red): all U.S. coins, most rings and small

metal trash such as pieces of pull tabs.

18 - Garrett Metal Detectors

Size C - Oval extending to C grid lines

(purple): targets larger than coins and

smaller than 12-oz. cans, such as large

rings, small belt buckles, jewelry and such

trash targets as screw tops, bottle caps

and complete pull tabs.

Size D - Oval extending to D grid lines

(blue): larger belt buckles, large jew-

elry items, 12-oz. cans and other items of

similar size.

Size E - Oval extending to E grid lines

(green): objects larger than a 12-oz. can,

such as kettles, strongbox or big metallic

trash.

Experience with Treasure Imaging will

enable a hobbyist to identify to an amaz-

ingly precise degree any target before it

is recovered. The Target ID Guide print-

ed above the LCD screen showing coin

denominations, gold, silver and other typi-

cal metallic objects is designed to relate

location of the Target Cursor with the size

indication to help identify discoveries.

Note - The five letters (A,B,C,D,E) on each

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 19

side of the diagram and the horizontal

color-coded lines connecting them. These

refer to the five relative sizes at the bot-

tom of the Display Screen.

Relating conductivity and size to help

determine your target before digging it

is a unique feature of the GTI. The target

cursor on the Upper Scale, which indicates

the target's conductivity, will blink as you

pinpoint a target and learn its size, as

indicated at the bottom of the Display

Screen. The blinking cursor will indicate

the last target discovered before the

TREASURE IMAGING (Pinpoint) touch pad

was pressed.

Thus a "B-size" target with a coin's con-

ductivity as indicated on the Target ID

Guide will most likely be a coin.

Because continued practice in relating

size and conductivity will help you identify

targets before you dig them, you will dig

more treasure and less trash.

20 - Garrett Metal Detectors

HUNTING BASICS

This OneTouch detector is today's most

advanced; yet, its basic automatic opera-

tion makes it as simple to operate as

any detector ever manufactured. You can

begin hunting with it immediately. No spe-

cial instructions are needed beyond what's

included in the next few pages.

More importantly, you can start finding

coins right now! Here's how to begin:

1. There are no dials to turn and no con-

trols to adjust. Just grasp the handle of

your GTI 1500, and hold the searchcoil

at least three feet away from any large

metallic object.

2. Touch and release the POWER touch

pad and the GTI 1500 will begin detecting.

The GTI screen appears as shown on the

following page. You can see that you are

operating in the Coins detection mode with

Bell tone audio turned on, both preset at

the factory.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 21

ꢀ. Your GTI 1500 begins operating with all

settings at factory-set levels. Any of the

settings can be easily changed, but you

many never want to do so! It is recom-

mended that you use the factory settings

the first few hours you hunt with your

detector.

Scanning

Swing the searchcoil back and forth in

front of you in a straight line or slight arc

as shown in the photograph atop the fac-

ing page. Keep the searchcoil moving at a

rate of about one to three feet per second.

Maintain your coil at a height of one to

two inches. The coil should be kept level

at all times.

22 - Garrett Metal Detectors

Discovery

Detection of all metal targets will be

indicated by the appearance of a Target

Cursor on the Upper Scale. A cursor will

appear, as shown below, to indicate every

detected target and will remain for ꢁ

seconds or until a new target is detected

(whichever comes first). Desirable targets

will also produce a "beep". In the illustra-

tion below the Target Cursor is located at

9+, which would probably indicate a quar-

ter if Treasure Imaging shows it to be a B-

size target. Locate your target by scanning

back and forth over it to determine where

signals are strongest.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 2ꢀ

Treasure Imaging (Pinpoint)

Press and hold this touch pad to put

your detector into a Treasure Imaging

(Pinpoint) mode so that you can locate

your target more precisely and also deter-

mine its relative size and depth. Size will

be shown at the bottom of the Display

Screen, as shown above. Since you have

a B-size target and your Target Cursor is

blinking at 9+, you have probably found

a quarter.

Pinpointing and sizing through TREASURE

IMAGING can be an invaluable aid to trea-

sure hunting when used properly.

To turn OFF your detector: Simply press

and release the POWER touch pad. Charles

Garrett recommends that you first become

familiar with your new detector by hunting

for at least 10 hours in the factory preset

2ꢁ - Garrett Metal Detectors

Coins mode and that you read carefully

the Warning section in this manual.

By now you are also certainly impressed

with the super sensitivity, depth capabili-

ties and the target analysis of this detector

which utilizes patented DSP (Digital Signal

Processing) methods to give it advanced

detection capabilities that can be matched

by those of only one other detector, the

GTI 2500. You may have encountered an

occasional instance when your GTI 1500

seemed to present inconsistent informa-

tion. This probably occurred when the

detector was attempting to analyze two

or more targets beneath its searchcoil or

when you have not properly centered the

coil over your target.

This problem of analysis occurs with all

detectors, but the GTI 1500 discovers

vastly more targets than old-style instru-

ments with their limited circuitry. In addi-

tion, the deep seeking power of the detec-

tor may sometimes cause it to detect but

fail to identify clearly a target some dis-

tance away, one over which your search-

coil has not even scanned.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 25

Correct operating techniques will enable

you to properly use all of the data pre-

sented by your detector to become aware

of the precise nature of all targets.

You will quickly master these techniques

and learn why the GTI 1500 with DSP,

Treasure Imaging and controls based on

patented microprocessor technology has

more accurate discrimination and better

sensitivity and effectiveness than other

detectors.

26 - Garrett Metal Detectors

OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS

Status of each of the control selections

will be shown on the LCD Graphic Display

above the control panel touch pads. When

you touch the POWER touch pad, your GTI

1500 is ready to hunt in a Coins operating

mode with threshold, sensitivity (depth),

tone and other controls preset at the fac-

tory, as shown above. As explained in

the following pages, settings can be easily

changed through regulation of the + and

- touch pads.

The GTI 1500 functions like other detec-

tors and its coil must be moving slightly

for detection to occur. Microprocessor-

controlled DSP circuitry of the GTI 1500,

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 27

unlike that of ordinary detectors, however,

adapts automatically to the coil's rate of

movement. Your searches will have the

same high degree of accuracy whether

you are scanning rapidly to cover a large

area quickly or moving methodically and

very slowly over a location with multiple

targets. Automatic circuitry is designed

to provide precise ground balance at any

speed.

Five different modes of detection are

available, each with specific discrimination

notches which are shown on the Lower

Scale. When the name of the particular

mode you select is constant, while the

other four are blinking, either press the

OPERATE touch pad to begin hunting or

the MENU touch pad to move to another

control selection.

28 - Garrett Metal Detectors

CONTROL SETTINGS

Sensitivity (Depth)

Press the MENU touch pad to display

SENSITIVITY on the screen (shown with

factory setting at approximately 75% as

indicated on the Upper Scale), and you can

use the + and - touch pads to adjust the

sensitivity at which your detector will oper-

ate most effectively. These changes will be

shown on the Upper Scale. Although the

instrument’s maximum sensitivity (depth)

is usually desired, this is often not feasible

because of the type of soil over which you

are scanning or because of electromag-

netic or power line interference. Ground

mineralization and other considerations

can limit the detector's ability to interpret

target information. This control option

permits you to achieve a stability that per-

mits maximum detection depth possible

in relation to any specific environmental

conditions.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 29

Press + to increase sensitivity. Press -

to decrease. A single touch and release

adjusts the level in a small increment.

Continuous pressing results in a continu-

ous adjustment.

Threshold

Press the MENU touch pad to display

THRESH on the screen (above, with fac-

tory setting indicated on Upper Scale),

and you can use the + and - touch pads to

adjust the threshold of sound that is being

produced by the GTI 1500 as it scans.

Multiple touches will increase or decrease

the sound level. Changes can be seen on

the Upper Scale.

You can search silently or at any level of

constant sound. Charles Garrett and veter-

an hobbyists usually prefer to operate the

instrument at a minimum level of audible

sound but this is no longer necessary.

ꢀ0 - Garrett Metal Detectors

The audio will increase sharply when-

ever a desirable target is encountered.

(Remember, a cursor will indicate every

target.) When headphones are used, it

will usually be necessary to decrease the

threshold level since sound is more audible

through headphones.

Frequency

This detector is capable of operating at

four different detection frequencies or

channels, which you will find valuable if

you participate in competition hunting or

if you enjoy hunting with others. In fact,

operating your GTI 1500 at a different

frequency might be necessary any time

two or more detectors are being used so

close together that their signals interfere

with one another. Outside electrical or

atmospheric interference can also cause

an interference that results in strange

sounds.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢀ1

Whenever you hear unusual sounds and

believe that you are encountering interfer-

ence, press and release the MENU touch

pad until FREQ appears on the screen (as

shown on the previous page). The Upper

Scale will indicate the frequency at which

your detector is now operating. Use the +

and - touch pads to change this frequency

until you find one with little or no interfer-

ence.

Volume

After pressing the MENU touch pad to

display VOLUME on the screen, the fac-

tory setting for the loudness of the target

sound will be indicated on the Upper Scale

(as shown above). Use the + and - touch

pads to adjust audio to the volume that

you prefer. Touching the + pad will make

the sound louder, while touching the - will

lower the volume. Since this adjustment

ꢀ2 - Garrett Metal Detectors

controls the maximum volume of sound

produced by the GTI 1500 only when a

target is encountered, it will not affect the

threshold level you have already selected

as the primary audio function of your

detector.

When headphones are used, it will usually

be necessary to decrease volume since

detections sounds are louder over head-

phones. Experiment to determine which

volume best suits your hearing.

Tone

After using the MENU touch pad to display

TONE on the screen, the factory tone set-

ting will be indicated on the Upper Scale,

as shown. Use the + and - touch pads to

adjust the audio to preferred pitch or tone.

Touching the + pad will raise the tone into

a higher treble range, while touching - will

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢀꢀ

lower the pitch to a bass tone. All touches

will make changes indicated on the Upper

Scale. Experiment to find the pitch that

suits your hearing.

Battery Gauge

The scale (lower right of screen) indicates

the condition of standard (carbon or alka-

line) or rechargeable batteries. To turn on

the rechargeable option, press the MENU

touch pad until RECHARGE is displayed.

Press the (+) or (-) touch pad to activate.

ꢀꢁ - Garrett Metal Detectors

SEARCH AIDS

Salt Elimination

When hunting on an ocean beach, or over

any ground with high salt content, you

may want to use this Search Aid to elimi-

nate interference caused by wetted salt.

If you wish to turn on the Salt Elimination

aid, use the MENU to display Salt Elim and

press + when the word is blinking to turn

it on. Press - to turn OFF the function and

cause the word to blink.

Bell tone

Garrett's Coin Alert Bell tone, which is the

factory audio setting for the GTI, will signal

the operator with a special ringing sound

whenever a target has been located—such

as a coin—of high conductivity shown on

the highest (first nine from right) seg-

ments on the Upper Scale. Other accepted

targets will cause a normal "beep," with a

lower tone produced by targets in the iron

range (four lowest segments on the left of

the scale).

If you wish to use the Belltone audio

enhancement for target sounds, no action

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢀ5

is necessary at factory settings. To turn

off this function use MENU to display the

word, press - and the word will begin

blinking. Pressing + will turn it back on.

Backlight

This function of the GTI 1500 lights the

control panel so that the detector can

be used at night or in dark places. The

Backlight will turn on automatically when-

ever the unit is in the MENU mode and will

turn itself off when you leave this mode

unless you have activated the function, as

described below.

If you wish to turn on the Backlight aid,

use the MENU to display Backlight and

press + when the word is blinking to turn

it on. Press - to turn off the function and

cause the word to blink.

To maximize battery life it is recommended

that you make certain that the Backlight

is turned off whenever it is not needed.

Additional Settings Information

All of the personal preference adjust-

ments you have just set in the GTI 1500

ꢀ6 - Garrett Metal Detectors

with the various operating functions will

be retained by the detector when you

press POWER to turn the detector OFF.

These personal alterations are held in a

non-volatile memory circuit and retained

even when the batteries are removed. The

detector must be turned off when batteries

are being replaced.

Any changes you make in discrimination

settings in the various modes, however,

will be retained only in the Custom Mode.

Because ground conditions can vary from

place to place, it may be necessary for you

to adjust Sensitivity occasionally.

If you are ever unsure about the settings

of the GTI 1500, you can instantly restore

the precise factory-set levels of all settings

and controls. Just press and hold down the

POWER touch pad for five seconds or until

a "double-beep" lets you know that factory

settings have been restored.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢀ7

OPERATING MODES

Press MENU and use the + touch pad to

rotate through five different modes of

detection that are available, each with a

specific discrimination configuration as

shown on the Lower Scale. When the

name of the particular mode you select is

constant, while the other four are blinking,

either press the OPERATE touch pad to

begin hunting or the MENU touch pad to

move to another control selection.

Coins

Discrimination preset in the detector for

this mode that is shown above is designed

to eliminate detection of lower conduc-

tivity trash targets, such as bottle caps,

most pull tabs and other objects normally

encountered in coin hunting. Some bent

pull tabs and pieces of tabs may not

be eliminated from detection. Successful

ꢀ8 - Garrett Metal Detectors

treasure hunters, however, all understand

that they must dig some junk occasionally.

Correct operation of the GTI 1500 should

reduce this wasted effort.

Jewelry

This detection mode, is specifically

designed to aid in hunting for jewelry, with

discrimination in the detector's circuitry

set to eliminate such trash targets as

lower conductivity items and bottle caps.

Relics

This detection mode (shown above) is

specifically designed for relic hunting, with

discrimination in the detector's circuitry

set to eliminate trash targets normally

associated with relic hunting, while includ-

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢀ9

ing good targets in the lower conductivity

range, items generally sought by most

relic hunters.

Zero Discrimination

This mode, shown above, permits you

to hunt with no discrimination and offers

a method of "dual-mode" hunting. Your

detector will give a "beep" to announce

any metal it scans over while a cursor

indicates it. You can then press Last Mode

to return to another of the Discriminate

modes to "quick-check" a target.

Custom

This mode was designed to be set by

the operator. When the detector leaves

the factory, Custom has been set to the

Coins mode. Through use of the ACCEPT/

REJECT touch pad, a hobbyist can modify

this mode's discrimination to individual

specifications. And modifications will be

ꢁ0 - Garrett Metal Detectors

retained by the detector's memory when

it is switched OFF.

Many GTI 1500 owners may rarely use

the Custom mode, and will hunt only in

the preset Coins, Jewelry, Relics or Zero

Discrimination modes. Complete instruc-

tions for setting discrimination notches for

any of these modes can be found on the

following four pages of this manual.

Note: When the detector is turned OFF

and then turned back ON again, it will

begin operations in the mode in which it

was previously operating. Whenever the

POWER touch pad is pressed and held,

however, factory settings will be restored

and the detector will begin operating in the

Coins Mode.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢁ1

SETTING DISCRIMINATION (Notches)

Using only the discrimination of its factory-

set Coins, Jewelry, Relics and Zero operat-

ing modes, the GTI 1500 will more than

satisfy the requirements of almost every

treasure hunter. Many will never require

any other discrimination. Still, this detec-

tor offers more, Custom discrimination, to

tailor a detection mode to any requirement

by setting precise detection "notches."

The Lower Scale contains Discrimination

Segments. Those that are turned on

(darkened) represent targets whose con-

ductivity will cause a "beep" when they

are detected in any operating mode. In

the Zero mode all segments are turned

ON, which indicates that almost every

metal target will cause the "beep" of a

detected target. Through use of the +, -

and ACCEPT/REJECT touch pads, specific

"notches" can be created by turning dis-

crimination segments ON and OFF in any

of the five operating modes.

There are two methods of setting discrimi-

nation in any mode.

ꢁ2 - Garrett Metal Detectors

First Method: While in the OPERATE mode

press the + and - touch pads to position the

blinking cursor above the Discrimination

Segment corresponding to the particular

target to be detected or ignored.

If the segment is turned on (showing),

that target will be signaled audibly. If you

wish to reject that type target, press the

ACCEPT/REJECT touch pad. The segment

will be turned off and disappear, creating a

"reject notch." If the Lower Scale segment

is not showing, press the ACCEPT/REJECT

touch pad to turn it on, creating an "accept

notch," and your GTI will sound off on

targets represented by that segment. The

OPERATE pad must also be pressed after

notches have been set.

Second Method: Pass the searchcoil over

an object to be accepted or rejected as a

target or pass the particular target across

the face (bottom) of the coil about two

inches away. Check to make certain of

the location of the target cursor on the

Upper Scale. If the segment below is not

showing, press ACCEPT/REJECT to turn it

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢁꢀ

on. If it is showing, pressing this pad will

turn it OFF.

Remember: When you press the ACCEPT/

REJECT touch pad, you cause the dis-

crimination circuit to reject a target that is

shown on corresponding segments of both

the Lower and Upper Scales. This rejection

will be indicated by the disappearance of a

Lower Scale segment.

The same touch pad is used to cause

the detector to accept a target. When

such a desired target is being shown by

the cursor but not the corresponding

Discrimination Segment below, press the

ACCEPT/REJECT touch pad. The segment

will be turned ON and appear, indicating

that your desired target will now cause a

"beep."

Note: It is important to remember that

each time the detector is turned OFF

ACCEPT/REJECT selections will be retained

only in the Custom mode. Any ACCEPT

/ REJECT modifications you have made

in the preset Coins, Jewelry, Relics and

Zero modes will be lost, since these four

ꢁꢁ - Garrett Metal Detectors

modes return to factory-set detection

settings each time the detector is turned

OFF and turned back ON. Custom mode

discrimination changes will be lost only

when POWER is held for five (5) seconds

for return of factory settings.

Why Use Notches?

There are numerous reasons why you

would want to accept or reject specific

targets:

You may be looking for only one item, a

certain lost earring, for example. You can

use the matching earring to set notches

on your GTI to accept only that type of

metal target. You may be hunting in an

area where you are plagued with a specific

type of trash. You can reject just this type

of trash metal and continue to hunt with

no other discrimination, detecting all other

metal. You may have your own special

ideas for designing a mode of detection.

The Garrett GTI 1500 gives you virtually

unlimited opportunities to test any and all

your ideas and to try them out easily and

quickly. Only Garrett's GTI and GTA detec-

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢁ5

tors permit such accurate levels of precise

discrimination. Return to factory settings

by pressing and holding the POWER touch

pad for 5 seconds.

ꢁ6 - Garrett Metal Detectors

TREASURE IMAGING

Sizing and pinpointing targets precisely

are important capabilities of your GTI

1500. Furthermore, when you press and

hold the TREASURE IMAGING pad, the

searchcoil can remain stationary over your

target. Move the coil around slightly to

try to center it directly over the target.

Targets must pass beneath the searchcoil,

not above it.

The searchcoil must be centered directly

over the target to produce correct size

and depth information. This is especially

important when searching such areas

as slanted walls or the ceiling of a cave.

Targets that are not properly centered may

be indicated as deeper and larger than you

will find them to be after digging.

Here's a tip. For most effective normal

automatic pinpointing: first, place the

searchcoil on the ground near your target,

but not over it. Then, press and hold the

TREASURE IMAGING touch pad. Scan back

and forth across the target, maintaining

searchcoil contact with the ground. You

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢁ7

will notice a more distinct audio sound

when the target is directly beneath the

searchcoil's center. In addition, you will

note that signal strength on the Upper

Scale will increase. The Upper Scale cursor

indicating the target just discovered will

blink, even as signal strength is shown.

Depth Reading on Scales

When you press and hold the TREASURE

IMAGING touch pad, depth will be indi-

cated on the Lower Scale. Correct depth is

given for all targets, not just for coin-size

objects. Illumination of Upper Scale seg-

ments, from left to right, indicates target

signal strength. The maximum reading

attained will indicate exact target loca-

tion. While still pressing the TREASURE

IMAGING touch pad, check the Lower

Scale to determine target depth in one-

inch increments.

Size Imaging

When

you

press

and

hold

the

TREASURE IMAGING touch pad, you can

observe your target’s size as shown on the

Display Screen.

ꢁ8 - Garrett Metal Detectors

Four typical examples:

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - ꢁ9

Radiating Size Array

While the TREASURE IMAGING touch pad

is being pressed and held, you may occa-

sionally observe a size reading that con-

tinues to change dramatically, with the

size appearing to "radiate" rapidly and

continually outward from the small oval

at the center. Garrett engineers call this

a "Radiating Array" effect, which indicates

that the target is too deep and/or too

small to determine an exact size.

It is likely, however, that the target is

either Size A at 6"; a Size B at 8"; Size C

at 10"; or Size D at 12". No depth reading

will be displayed while the Radiating Array

is occurring. The Array may also appear

when the target is significantly off-center

from the coil. Always remember that your

searchcoil must be centered directly over

the target to produce correct size and

depth information.

50 - Garrett Metal Detectors

BENCH TESTING

This will enable you to test typical targets

and to learn about the discriminating

capabilities of the GTI before taking it into

the field or trying to set discrimination.

The following tests should be performed,

as shown above with the searchcoil per-

pendicular to a bench, floor or other non-

metallic surface and several feet away

from any metallic object:

1. Select the Zero mode of operation.

Bring various metallic targets across the

center of the bottom of the searchcoil at a

distance of about two inches. Each target

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 51

will cause a "beep." Pay particular atten-

tion to the size of each target as indicated

when you press and hold the TREASURE

IMAGING touch pad.

2. Use the MENU/SCROLL and (+) or (--)

touch pads to select the Coins detection

mode. Then press OPERATE. Bring the

same targets across the bottom of the

searchcoil and listen for a "beep" when the

various items are scanned. Notice where

the Target Cursor darkens in the Upper

Scale of the Graphic Display when particu-

lar targets are scanned across the coil.

ꢀ. Perform the same tests with the other

modes and observe the sounds, Upper

Scale indications and sizes when the

TREASURE IMAGING touch pad is pressed

and held.

ꢁ. Begin to experiment with the ACCEPT

and REJECT touch pads. Notice carefully

which of the segments are illuminated as

you identify various targets.

5. Be methodical. Keep written records of

results and use them when hunting.

52 - Garrett Metal Detectors

OPERATING RECOMMENDATIONS

As you walk, scan the searchcoil from side

to side in a straight line or slight arc. Keep

the coil level and at a constant height of

one or two inches above the ground while

you move it at a rate of about one to three

feet per second.

When scanning, do not hurry. Be methodi-

cal. Do not skip any areas. Overlap each

scan sweep at least 25% of the search-

coil's width. Wear headphones to avoid

ambient noises and concentrate on scan-

ning. When you are searching in the Zero

mode, detection of any metal target will be

indicated by a "beep."

Target Identification

Conductivity classification of every target

over which the searchcoil passes will be

indicated by a target cursor on the Upper

Scale. The searchcoil must be centered

over your target to produce accurate size

and depth information.

Highly mineralized soil can occasionally

result in improper conductivity readings.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 5ꢀ

Raising the coil an inch or two as you

scan over such soil is sometimes helpful.

Remember to keep the coil level and at

a constant height. Encrustation or patina

may also affect conductivity of the target,

resulting in improper classification.

Recovery (Treasure Imaging)

Locating your target precisely will enable

you to recover it by digging the smallest

hole possible. This is accomplished first

by pinpointing which also enables you to

utilize another function of the GTI 1500 for

measuring size and depth.

Begin to locate targets by first drawing

an imaginary "X" on the ground with the

searchcoil at the place where maximum

sound occurs. You can then utilize the real

"magic" of the Treasure Imaging mode and

learn size and depth.

Digging

Since the final step in recovery usually

entails digging, always make as small a

hole as possible. It is quicker, requires less

work and makes refilling easier. You should

always fill your holes.

5ꢁ - Garrett Metal Detectors

Last Mode

Use of this touch pad can be particularly

helpful while scanning because it effec-

tively converts your GTI 1500 into an

instantaneous dual, or triple-mode detec-

tor. Pressing and releasing this touch

pad returns detector operations to the

mode that has just previously been used.

Thus, it is easy to alternate between any

two operating modes, such as Coins and

Zero or Custom. Pressing the TREASURE

IMAGING touch pad, then, provides a

third, all-metal mode.

More On Target Audio

It is important to remember that the GTI's

audio causes weaker targets to be detect-

ed with shorter "beeps" and stronger tar-

gets to be detected with longer “beeps.”

When a metallic object is accepted, the

detector will, of course, “beep”. Some

rejected targets, however, may cause

audio to “break Up” or sound erratic. This

is generally a response to shallow, trash

targets and can be remedied by rais-

ing the height of your searchcoil slightly

when scanning (always keeping it level).

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 55

Another indication of a reject target is an

audio signal as you scan one way, and no

response when scanning from the other

direction.

If you encounter a large target or scan too

close to it, the detector will give an audible

overload indication, which sounds like a

buzzing alarm. Target identification, size

and depth readings may be incorrect if an

overload occurs.

Setting Sensitivity

Garrett engineers designed your GTI 1500

to achieve maximum detection depth, but

you may not always be able to search

at 100% sensitivity (depth)...just as you

rarely can (or, even want to) operate your

automobile at 100% of its speed capacity.

Outside electromagnetic interference and

irregular ground mineralization may some-

times require that you search at reduced

sensitivity.

Don't worry about losing "deep targets!"

You won't ever be losing anything because

you'll always be able to search as deeply

56 - Garrett Metal Detectors

as ground and atmospheric conditions

permit. Attempting to operate at sensitivi-

ties above a level that permits a quiet and

stable operation may actually cause you

to miss deep targets that you would have

found had you not "pushed" the detector.

Another point to remember is that when

you are searching with SENSITIVITY set

below the maximum under "less-than-

perfect" conditions, you will always have

additional detection power when you are

able to use it.

Test Plot Construction

As you search and use your GTI 1500,

you will quickly grow more proficient in its

use. Building and using your own test plot

will sharply increase this proficiency. Bury

several items at varying depths of 1"-6"

about 18" apart. Include several coins, a

ring, a nail, a piece of foil, a pull tab and a

bottle cap. Bury large items such as a 12-

oz. can or a length of pipe deeper (10").

Clearly mark where each article is buried

and its depth. Scan over them while care-

fully studying the detection signals.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 57

Remember that newly buried objects,

especially coins, will be somewhat more

difficult to detect than items buried for

some time. This is primarily a metallurgi-

cal phenomenon. Experiment with various

detection modes, and pay close attention

to both audio and TREASURE IMAGING

signals as you scan. Note your detector's

response at the various settings. Practice

pinpointing and imaging to locate targets

precisely.

With Experience

After you have hunted with the GTI 1500

for only a short time, you will be surprised

at how proficient you have become with

it. Do not expect to achieve the great-

est accuracy and success, however, until

you have used this detector for at least

100 hours or more. Don't forget to take

Charles Garrett’s advice to press only one

touch pad and search in the factory preset

Coins detection mode for at least 10 hours

during your “learning” phase.

Remember, the more you use your detec-

tor in the correct manner, the more trea-

sure you will discover.

58 - Garrett Metal Detectors

HEADPHONE JACK

The headphone jack is located at the rear

of the battery pack under the armrest.

Headphones are a valuable accessory

for any metal detector to mask interfer-

ence from outside noise. Headphones are

particularly essential when hunting where

noise (running water, people, surf, traffic,

etc.) is excessive. Use of headphones will

also extend battery life.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 59

SEARCHCOILS

Your GTI 1500 is equipped with a 9.5"

PROformance imaging coil.

You may also wish to purchase a 12.5"

imaging coil. Also available for the GTI

1500 are a ꢁ.5" Sniper coil, a 10" x 1ꢁ" DD

coil and a 5x10" DD coil.

The larger coil is helpful in seeking large

and deep targets, while the smaller and

elliptical coils are designed for use in

especially trashy locations or places where

a larger searchcoil just won't reach or

can't fit. All Garrett searchcoils are fully

submersible.

60 - Garrett Metal Detectors

BATTERIES

The GTI 1500 is equipped with two bat-

tery packs, each holding four (ꢁ) standard

AA batteries. (It is recommended that top

quality heavy duty or alkaline batteries

be used. The detector is also designed to

utilize nickel metal hydride (NiMH)

rechargeable batteries.) It is advisable to

remove the battery packs when the detec-

tor is not in use, particularly for a period

of a month or more.

Although standard battery packs and

optional rechargeable packs can be used

interchangeably in the detector, it is recom-

mended that both packs being used at the

same time always be the same type. The

GTI 1500 should search at least 18 hours

with carbon batteries and longer with alka-

line cells. Rechargeables should power the

detector approximately 20 hours on a full

charge. These estimates are for speaker

operation with the Backlight turned off.

Operating with headphones will further

extend battery life.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 61

Checking Condition

Battery condition is reported continuously

by the horizontal row of squares on the

lower right side of the screen. Five are vis-

ible when fully charged batteries are being

used. When only one square remains,

batteries should be changed. You should

always carry spares so that you will be

ready.

Rechargeable Batteries

When rechargeable batteries are being

used, the RECHARGE battery option must

be turned on for the battery level indi-

cator to be accurate. Continue pressing

the menu button to scroll to the battery

RECHARGE icon. Press (+) to set the

detector for rechargeable batteries. Press

(-) to set the detector for carbon or alka-

line batteries.

Replacement

1. Turn OFF the GTI 1500 by pressing the

POWER touch pad.

2. It is not necessary to remove the bat-

tery case. Just slide it back slightly from

its normal position beneath the armrest.

62 - Garrett Metal Detectors

ꢀ. Slip up the two covers on the battery

panel and remove them completely.

ꢁ. Take out the two battery holders (which

are not connected by wire) by tilting the

pack. (See image above.)

5. Remove the old batteries.

6. Install new batteries. Carefully observe

polarity of the batteries and make certain

the new batteries are aligned properly.

7. Replace holders in detector (as shown

in image on next page). It is important

that the "eyelets" be toward the center so

that battery packs will be replaced in their

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 6ꢀ

proper orientation. This is important! If an

effort is made to install holders incorrectly,

replacing the battery case covers will be

difficult. If they are forced, damage to the

detector can result.

8. Press down firmly and slide each cover

back in place. Remember: The detector

must be turned off when batteries are

being changed.

Caution: Use only high quality NiMH, car-

bon, alkaline or heavy duty batteries.

6ꢁ - Garrett Metal Detectors

RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES

Your Garrett GTI 1500 represents the

highest quality in metal detector manufac-

turing. Complement it with quality acces-

sories such as these from Garrett:

• Headphones that will enable you to

hear signals from the GTI more distinctly

because they will mask other conflicting

sounds from the environment.

• Additional searchcoils.

• Rechargeable Battery Pack and Recharger

that cuts down on the cost of batteries.

• Coin Hunter Kit (pouch, probe, digger)

that is all you need for recovering coins in

the outdoors.

• Coil cover to protect your 9.5” searchcoil

and lengthen its lifespan.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 65

MAINTENANCE

• Always remember that your GTI 1500

is a sensitive electronic instrument. It is

built to withstand rugged treatment in the

outdoors. Use your Garrett detector to the

fullest extent possible, and never feel that

you have to baby it. Yet, always protect

the detector and handle it with reasonable

care.

• Try to avoid temperature extremes as

much as possible, such as storing the

detector in an automobile trunk during hot

summer months or outdoors in sub-freez-

ing weather.

• Keep your detector clean. Always wipe

the housing and LCD after use, and wash

the coil when necessary.

• Your searchcoil is submersible. The con-

trol housing is not! Never submerge the

control housing, and always protect it from

heavy mist, rain or blowing surf.

• Disassemble the stem and wipe it clean

after use in sandy areas.

66 - Garrett Metal Detectors

• When storing for a month or longer,

remove batteries from the detector and

from their holders as well.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 67

SPECIALIZED HUNTING

Coins

Because of its unique discrimination and

imaging capabilities, the GTI 1500 func-

tions as an outstanding coin hunting

detector, especially in its Coins mode.

Deep seeking capability, target conduc-

tivity and Treasure Imaging information

available from Digital Signal Processor

(DSP) circuitry, plus the GTI 1500's ease

of handling make this a superb instrument

for finding coins.

In addition, target sizing presents a sec-

ond dimension in discrimination. When

you discover a target whose conductivity

as shown on the Upper Scale indicates that

it might be a coin, check its size. If it's not

a B-size target, it's not likely to be a U. S.

coin! Small gold coins and antique coins

may read A-size.

Whether you choose to hunt for them in

a park or on a beach, Garrett's factory-

set Coins mode offers discrimination that

responds ideally to conditions normally

encountered. You may occasionally dis-

68 - Garrett Metal Detectors

cover quantities of specific trash targets

that are not being eliminated from detec-

tion by factory-set discrimination. You can

then use the ACCEPT/REJECT touch pad

to eliminate these pesky pieces of junk,

no matter which mode you are using. Just

move your searchcoil across one of them,

watch your Upper Scale for its response

and push the ACCEPT/REJECT touch pad.

The Lower Scale notch vanishes, and you'll

have no more trouble from that type of

trash metal. With the GTI 1500 you spend

less time digging trash and more time dig-

ging coins!

Custom discrimination enables you to

design your own coin-hunting mode. Any

Custom discrimination selections you make

will be retained in the detector's memory,

even after the instrument has been turned

OFF and the batteries removed.

For literature explaining more about coin

hunting see the Recommended section in

this manual. An order blank is included

or you can call 1.800.527.ꢁ011 to place a

credit card order.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 69

Relics

Relics of all shapes and sizes can be

found with a GTI 1500 when you hunt in

its Relics mode. This mode is especially

designed to eliminate those nuisance tar-

gets most often encountered in relic hunt-

ing. You may also want to search in the

Zero Discrimination mode, but you must

be prepared to dig metallic trash since

your detector will sound off on any metal it

locates when hunting in that mode.

Whenever you search in an area where

relics are known to exist, you can be cer-

tain to find them with a GTI 1500.

Gold Nuggets

Gold and other precious metals can be

found in various forms with a GTI 1500.

You will most likely be searching for gold

nuggets, which this detector can locate in

streams or dry sand. Since the GTI 1500

is a motion detector, it is capable of finding

only somewhat larger nuggets (the size of

a BB-pellet and larger).

To locate even smaller nuggets (pinhead-

size and slightly larger) Garrett's Scorpion

70 - Garrett Metal Detectors

Gold Stinger is recommended.

It must be emphasized, however, that

prospectors, when using the GTI 1500 or

any other quality detector usually prefer to

operate in the Zero Discrimination detec-

tion mode. When prospecting, discrimi-

nation may reduce the amount of small

nuggets found, but some areas contain so

much iron trash that a small amount of

discrimination becomes highly desirable,

even necessary. You may want to estab-

lish a special "notch" to avoid a particular

junk metal target that is proving especially

bothersome.

Hard work, patience and research are

three of the keys to success in hunting

for gold with a metal detector. Research

is important because it is vital that gold

always be sought in areas where it is

known to exist.

For literature that will explain more about

gold hunting see the Recommended

Reading section in this Owner's Manual.

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 71

REPAIR SERVICE

In case of difficulty, read this Owner's

Manual again thoroughly to make certain

your Garrett GTI 1500 is not inoperable

because of wrong adjustments or improp-

er operating methods. Your dealer may

also be able to offer advice. Remember

that computerized circuitry of this detec-

tor permits you to restore instantly all of

its precise factory settings. Simply hold

down the POWER touch pad for five (5)

seconds.

When your detector must be returned to

the factory for service, always include a

letter with the instrument that describes

its problem as fully as possible. Include

your name, address and a phone number

where you can be contacted between 8:ꢀ0

a.m. and ꢁ p.m., Central time.

Before you return your detector to the

Garrett factory, make certain:

• You have carefully inspected batteries

and their alignment.

(Check batteries

especially closely. They are the most com-

mon cause of detector “failure.")

72 - Garrett Metal Detectors

• You have checked with your dealer.

• You have tried to restore factory set-

tings.

• You have carefully packed the detec-

tor in its original shipping carton or other

suitable box. Make certain that proper

insulation or packing material is used to

keep all parts secure. Do not ship stems,

headphones or armrests unless they are

part of the problem. Return any coil that

you believe may be causing a problem.

• Ship to Garrett Metal Detectors, 1881

West State Street, Garland, TX 750ꢁ2.

Foreign shipments must be authorized by

a local agent or representative.

• You can call Garrett's Customer Service

Department (972) ꢁ9ꢁ-6151, if you have

further questions.

Please allow approximately one week for

Garrett technicians to examine and ser-

vice your detector after receiving it, plus

another week for return shipping. All

equipment will be returned UPS or parcel

Graphic Target Imaging 1500 - 7ꢀ

post unless you give written authorization

to ship collect by air parcel post, UPS Blue

(air) or air freight.

7ꢁ - Garrett Metal Detectors