Millennium COINTRAX II Discovery Metal Detector
NOW With The Version 2.10 Chip
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This Detector has Version 2.10 Chip Previous Versions: Version 1.90d of the microchip is finished and the info on the additional features have been appended at the bottom of this page. The changes from version 1.20q were the addition of LED and, if you want, audio indication when the Deep Search program activites and audio on targets rejected in the Standard Discrimination all metal mode. Beginning with version 1.1w just below all the features listed in v 1.1w, 1.20q and 1.90d are programmed into the chip. It's my understanding v1.90d is the final version. Below are the specs and operating instructions for the new chip as it stands through version 1.90d. Hambyware CoinTrax II Microchip version 1.10w Note: The following pre-release information applies only to the first prototypes. This program is subject to change. Additional improvements and features may be added before the production chip is released. The operation of the CoinTrax using this prototype chip is identical to version 1.00 except for the following improvements. General Non-Volatile memory -- A "detector image" is the information needed to restore all detector settings should you turn the detector off. The CoinTrax keeps an image of your current settings and continuously updates this image when you make changes. You don't have to be concerned with storing the detector image in non-volatile memory. It's fully automatic. The CoinTrax knows what information to store and when to store it. This process is totally transparent to the user. Specifically user data is stored when a key is released, not when it is first pressed or continuously held down. If you turn the detector off immediately after making a setting change, the information is still stored in non-volatile memory. The exception to this is, if you press and hold down a key then turn the detector off before releasing the key. Although this is not likely to happen in normal operation it's something to be aware of. The CoinTrax stores the User programmable presets in a four block section of EEPROM non-volatile memory. The current operating image of all the detector settings is also store in a block of non-volatile memory. This block is call the mirror EEPROM block. Whenever you make any setting changes this block is updated so that it is an exact mirror image of how you currently have the detector set. When you turn the detector off, the last image that was present when you turned off the metal detector is now stored in the mirror memory block. Subsequently, when you turn the detector on, one of the first things it does is fetch the information from the mirror memory and restores it. To you, it appears that nothing has changed. Everything is set the same as before. User Presets -- In this version the Preset sub-menu has been modified and now contains 4 user programmable settings. These are located at led locations numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4. See the specifications section for more information. The User presets are useful for storing common detector setups. The operator may have one or more setups that have been optimized for different applications. Since there are four User preset locations the operator can store up to four custom detector setups that can be recalled at any time. Factory Reset -- The Factory (memory) reset feature allows you to return the detector to the factory default settings. These settings are listed in the specifications of this manual. Normally you will not need to use this feature. A Factory Reset is sometimes useful if you get confused with your settings and want to restore the detector to a known setup. A Factory Reset will not affect the User preset settings. The User presets are permanent and can never be erased. However, they can be written over or modified at any time. The Factory Reset is used to initialize the non-volatile EEPROM memory after the chip is programmed at the factory. SST (Smart Scan Technology) -- When improvements are made in software programs, generally features are not removed. This is the case for the SST feature. In this version of the CoinTrax, the SST can be turned on and off from within the LED sub-menu. When you receive the CoinTrax, by default the SST feature has been turned off. Battery Check by-pass -- Normally when you turn-on the Treasure Baron using the CoinTrax you must wait until the battery check sequence is completed before normal operation can begin. This takes several seconds. This step can be quickly by-passed using the Toggle switch. Operation Factory Reset To active the Factory reset perform the following procedure: Before starting this procedure the detector must be off. Now press and hold down the RIGHT key and the MENU key at the same time. While holding these two keys in this position turn the detection on. Wait until one or more leds light, then release both keys. If the detector is on and you want to perform a Factory Reset turn it off and wait for at least 5 seconds before performing the procedure. Remember, you must hold both keys firmly depressed before and during detector turn-on and until one or more leds light before you can release either key. If your performed this procedure correctly all the leds will go off as soon as you release both keys. If they didn't go off immediately when you released the keys, you didn't perform it correctly. Repeat the procedure until the display goes off when you release the keys. The Factory reset procedure was purposely made difficult to perform. Hence, it is highly unlikely that the operator would accidentally perform this exact sequence of events and reset the CoinTrax. Detector operating images stored in User presets are not affected by the Factory Reset procedure. Smart Scan Technology The SST can be turned on and off as follows: To turn the SST ON -- Enter the LED sub-menu. After selecting the led lock-on time press and hold down the ENTER key. Then press the RIGHT key. Now release both keys. If you performed the procedure correctly, when you press the ENTER key the lit led will jump to number 10. Then when you press the RIGHT key the display will go back and light the led that selected the lock-on time. Finally, when you release both keys the number 10 led with flash in the Sub-Menu mode. To turn the SST OFF -- Enter the LED sub-menu. After selecting the led lock-on time press and hold down the ENTER key. Then press the LEFT key. Now release both keys. If you performed the procedure correctly, when you press the ENTER key the lit led will jump to number 10. Then when you press the LEFT key the display will go off completely. Finally, when you release both keys the number 10 led will flash in the Sub-Menu mode. The SST default (factory reset) state has been changed to off. However, since the SST on or off condition is user programmable the operator can select the default condition for the SST. When you enable or disable the SST feature the led display will react differently as described above. It was programmed that way to give you visual key activation feedback. However, as soon as you return to normal operation you will immediately know if you did it correctly. You will notice if the SST is on or off by observing the led display. After you release both keys in setting the SST condition the CoinTrax will enter the Sub-Menu mode and the number 10 led will begin to flash. At that point you can select another sub-menu or tap the Toggle to return to normal operation. Presets Version 1.10 has 4 Factory Presets and 4 User Presets located within the Preset sub-menu. The Factory presets are still located at the same led locations as in version 1.00. The 4 User Presets reside at led locations 1 through 4. The Preset sub-menu is used as follows: Loading Factory or User Presets -- Press the MENU key to activate the Sub-Menu mode. Move the flashing led to position number 8 and press the ENTER key. The Preset sub-menu is now activated. Select a Factory or User preset and move the led to that location. To load the detector image stored at that location and return to normal operation press the MENU key or momentarily flip the Toggle switch. Do not press the ENTER key. Storing User Presets -- Press the MENU key to activate the Sub-Menu mode. Move the flashing led to position number 8 and press the ENTER key. The Preset sub-menu is now activated. Select one of the four User presets and move the led to that location. To store the current detector image at this User preset and return to the Sub-Menu mode press the ENTER key. Do not press the MENU key or flip the Toggle switch. The ENTER key works differently in this CoinTrax version. Pressing the ENTER key in the Preset sub-menu stores detector images in non-volatile memory. Pressing the MENU key or flipping the Toggle switch always loads detector images. Remember, pressing the ENTER key tells the CoinTrax you are programming a preset position. The Factory presets are not programmable. Therefore, if you select a Factory preset then press the ENTER key nothing will happen. Do not press the ENTER key at one of the User Preset locations unless you intend to store the detector image at that location. The detector image that is stored at each User preset can not be erased. However, that operation is never necessary. Each User preset can be modified or entirely written over as needed. To program a new detector image simply setup the CoinTrax for the desired operating conditions. Then enter the Preset sub-menu, select one of the four User presets and press the ENTER key. The new detector image is placed at that position writing over the older image. However, in some cases you may only want to modify a User preset. In that case, select a current User image in the Preset sub-menu then flip the Toggle to return to normal operation. Now make the desired changes that modify the detector's operation. When that is completed re-enter the Preset sub-menu then select a different User preset and press the ENTER key. Now you have modified detector image at the second User preset. Pressing the MENU key or flipping the Toggle switch will always return you to normal operation. However, when you press the ENTER key at a User Preset location you will return to the Sub-Menu mode and the flashing led. To return to normal operation press the MENU key or flip the Toggle switch. Hence, the former is a one step operation; the latter is a two step operation. Within the Preset sub-menu when led number 10 is lit, it indicates that the current detector setup is not one of the Factory or User presets. However, if you enter the Preset sub-menu and one of the leds, other than number 10 is lit, it indicates that a preset is activated and which one is activate. For example, suppose you program a User preset at led position number 1 and exit to normal operation. If you now re-enter the Preset sub-menu you will observe that led number 1 is still lit. This indicates that the current detector setup is the image store at User preset number 1. On the other hand, suppose you make a change in the audio threshold after returning to normal operation. Now if you re-enter the Preset sub-menu led number 1 will not be lit. The CoinTrax has notice that you modified the current detector setup and it is different from the image stored at User preset number 1. A lit number 10 led signifies no preset is selected. Consequently the CoinTrax will light led number 10 when you re-enter the Preset sub-menu. Suppose that after entering the Preset sub-menu you wish to exit it without making any changes. If the led is located at one of the Preset positions simply press the MENU key or flip the Toggle switch. Or move the led to location number 10 and press the ENTER key. In the first example you will enter the normal operating mode. In the second example you will enter the Sub-Menu mode with the flashing led. However, suppose that after entering the Preset sub-menu led number 10 is lit. To exit without making changes don't move the led to another position. Simply press the ENTER or MENU key or flip the Toggle switch. Led position number 9 is not used in the Preset sub-menu. Moving the led to this position and pressing the ENTER or MENU key or flipping the Toggle switch will have the same effect as having moved it to number 10, the off position. Battery Check by-pass Perform the Battery Check by-pass as follows: When the detector is first turned on momentarily flip the Toggle switch. The CoinTrax will always test the battery condition at detector turn-on. This test last for approximately three and one half seconds. Normal operation is not possible until that time has passed. This feature allows you to immediately enter normal operation and by-pass the Battery Check procedure. |
| Hambyware CoinTrax II Microchip version 1.20q New Features Deep Search mode - Motion mode Standard Discrimination - Motion mode Standard Discrimination - All Metal mode Reject LED - All Metal mode Feature Description The Deep Search mode is a new and novel addition to the CoinTrax II. Basically it is a program that uses the intelligent processing power of the internal microcontroller computer to increase detection depth in mineralized ground. When operated in mineralized soils all motion detectors will have unreliable detection beyond a specific depth. Primarily that detection limit is determined by the number of motion filters and the degree of mineralization strength. Targets that are deeper than the “critical depth” will not be picked up reliably. And in many cases, these deep targets will not be picked up at all. However, if the Deep Search mode is activated these deep targets will not be missed. The Deep Search mode is a unique computer program that continuously analyzes the mineral strength surrounding a target. When the coil passes over a target the program compares the mineral ground signal to the target signal under the coil. The micro program makes a determination of deciding between two options. If there is sufficient information for normal motion discrimination that information is provided to the operator through the audio system. However, if the target is deep the Deep Search mode program is activated and notifies the operator that a target is present. Hence, the Deep Search mode will not allow you to miss targets. The Deep Search program monitors varying ground and target conditions. Target and ground condition analysis is done on a target by target basis. Therefore, if the operator goes from an area of high mineral to an area of low mineral the CoinTrax II will formulate its analysis based upon these varying soil conditions. The original CoinTrax version 1.00 used TID notch audio discrimination. This means that the audio Discrimination operated off of the TID reading. Suppose that the operator sets the notch discrimination to reject iron. If the TID program within the microcontroller reads the iron in error then the audio will sound on the iron because the audio operates off of the TID reading. However, the new Standard Discrimination mode operates independently of the TID reading. Depending upon the ground conditions one type of Discrimination might be better than the other. For example TID audio Discrimination works best in low mineralized ground. However, Standard Discrimination may perform better in mineralized ground. There are two completely separate Standard Discrimination systems in the CoinTrax II. One is used for the Motion audio mode the other for the All Metal LED mode. They both are setup in an identical manner using the #9 LED sub-menu. Both Discrimination levels can be varied continuously from minimum to maximum in 100 steps. The Minimum Discrimination point is located at -14 degrees, a location deep within the ferrous quadrant. The maximum discrimination point is located approximately at the screw cap level. The Motion mode low audio standard discrimination level is well within the ferrous quadrant and allows you to pickup iron objects. This mode operates similar to the full range discrimination of the Pro Hunter module. The operator can select a low discrimination level that can do a better job of picking up jewelry fine chains and similar objects. This is not as easily done using the original notch discrimination mode. The Standard Discrimination operates differently in the All Metal mode. If you are in the Pin-Point All Metal mode the Standard Discrimination controls the activation of the reject LEDs. Specifically any target below the discrimination level will light the reject LEDs. The operation here is similar to the iron LED in the GoldTrax module. In the GoldTrax module the discrimination level that controlled the iron LED was fixed. In the CoinTrax II the operator can increase or decrease the amount of discrimination thereby effecting when the LEDs will light on different types of objects. Therefore, the CoinTrax II LEDs are called reject LEDs and not iron indication LEDs as they were on the GoldTrax. Operation: Deep Search Mode A) Tap the Menu Key. B) Move the flashing LED to position #7 and tap the Enter Key. C) Move the LED to the desired amount of Deep Search effect. D) Tap the Menu Key. Standard Discrimination Motion Mode A) Place the CoinTrax in the Motion mode. B) Tap the Menu Key. C) Move the flashing LED to position #9 and tap the Enter Key. D) Move the solid and flashing LEDs to the desired amount of Discrimination. E) Tap the Menu Key. Standard Discrimination All Metal Mode A) Place the CoinTrax in the All Metal mode. B) Tap the Menu Key. C) Move the flashing LED to position #9 and tap the Enter Key. D) Move the solid and flashing LEDs to the desired amount of Discrimination. E) Tap the Menu Key. Detailed Operation: Deep Search Mode The Deep Search menu is located a LED #7. In the Deep Search sub-menu if the solid on LED is located to the far left (a location #10) the Deep Search mode is OFF. If you move the LED to next position, at location #9, the Deep Search mode will be activated with the least amount of effect. Moving the LED to the far right, at location #1, will install the Deep Search mode with the greatest effect. Generally, to pickup object that fall to the left on a TID scale use higher Deep Search settings (LED positions #7 and above). If this is your first experience using the Deep Search mode start with the LED located at the middle position, LED #6 . When the DS mode is activated it effects both the TID notch audio and standard audio Discrimination modes. Note: The DS mode is specifically designed for operation in highly mineralize soils. Although the DS mode will operate in non-mineral it is not recommended for use in low mineralized ground. To turn the DS mode off enter the DS sub-menu and move the LED to the far left position then return to normal operation by tapping the Menu Key. Standard Discrimination Motion mode. To set the Discrimination level tap the Menu Key to enter the function sub-menu with the flashing LED. Then move the LED to position #2 and press the Enter Key. If the Standard Discrimination is OFF the display will be completely blank. Press and hold down the Right key. A flashing LED will enter the display and move to the right. The flashing LED represents units of “1”. Once the flashing LED reaches the far right it will jump to the far left and repeat going to the right. However, you will now notice that a solid LED will appear on the display. This LED represents units of “10”. If you continue to hold down the Right Key you will notice that each time the flashing LED get to full scale it will jump to the left and start over. Also, when the flashing LED starts over from the far left the solid lit LED will jump one position to the right. Each position of the blinking LED represents 1 unit. If it is at the far left position it represents 0 units. If it is at the far right position it represents 9 units. However, the solid lit LED represents units of 10. If it is at the far left position it represents 10 units. You can obtain various combinations of the two LEDs depending upon their position on the display scale. Actually we can have over 100 combinations. Consider the following example. Suppose that the solid lit LED is located at position #9. Also suppose that the flashing LED is located to the far right. To determine the number combination of both LEDs perform the following exercise. The solid LED is located at the second position and each of its positions represents 10 units. Therefore, that's 2 times 10 or 20. The flashing LED is just one unit per position so its position represents 9. These two numbers are added to give 29. Therefore, in this example the operator has dialed in a Discrimination level of 29. Depending upon the two LED placements it is possible to obtain number combinations of 0 to 100. If you set the level to 0 the discrimination is at a minimum amount. This is a level of -14 degrees in the ferrous quadrant. If you set the level to 100 the discrimination is increased to a level sufficient to reject screw caps. If you hold down the left Key the flashing and solid LED will move continuously to the left on the display. If you hold down the left Key long enough both LEDs will scroll off the left end of the display scale. Eventually the display will be completely off with no LEDs lit. At that point the Standard Discrimination will be turned off. Motion mode It is very important to remember that to set the Standard Discrimination level in the Motion mode the detector must be in the Motion mode. The Standard Discrimination will only affect the audio sound in the Motion mode and will have no effect on the All Metal mode. Also, the TID and notch LED readings are independent and unaffected by the Motion Discrimination level. All Metal mode It is very important to remember that to set the Standard Discrimination level in the All Metal mode the detector must be in the All Metal mode. The Standard Discrimination will only affect the reject LEDs in the All Metal mode and will have no effect on the Motion mode. Also, the TID and notch LED readings are independent and unaffected by the All Metal discrimination level. Unlike the original 1.00 version the new CoinTrax II allows the operator to disable the SST feature (the scanning back and forth LED). By default this feature is deactivated. However, if the operator turns the SST back on, the reject LEDs will not be available in the All Metal mode. Note: If the SST and All Metal Standard Discrimination features are both turned off the display will be completely off in the All Metal mode. Hambyware LLC CoinTrax II Microchip version 1.90d 11/23/04 This version is identical to v1.20q except for the following additional features: * Audible indication on rejected objects in the All Metal Standard Discrimination mode. * Operator selectable normal or audible indication for the Deep Search mode. =============================================================== All Metal mode Discrimination In v1.20q two LEDs light when the All Metal mode discrimination is activated and a target is below the set discrimination level. In this version the audio will chatter the same time the LEDs light. With an audible indication on suspect targets, the operator does not need to continuously monitor the LED display. Deep Search Motion mode The Deep Search mode in v1.20q has a scale with 9 selectable positions. Hambyware has determined that the higher selections are not need for normal Deep Search operation. Therefore, the scale has been reduced to two scales of four selections each. The first scale extends from position LED #9 to #6. The second scale goes from LED position #4 to #1. Both scales produce identical Deep Search effects. In other words, LED position #9 is the same as #4. LED position #8 is the same as #3 and so on. On the other hand, the scales are different in one aspect. The lower scale produces a normal Motion mode audio response. The upper scale, LED position #4 through #1, produces an audible audio indication on “iffy” targets when the Deep Search kicks in. Some operators may prefer the normal audio response when the lower scale is used. Using the lower scale, the only indication of iffy targets are the two LEDs that light. If the operator chooses the upper scale iffy targets are indicated by both the lit LEDs and an audible audio response. The audible response is a characteristic chatter sound similar to that produced by rejected targets in the All Metal discrimination mode. However, the audio chatter is at a higher frequency than that produced by the All Metal discrimination mode. Each scale on the Deep Search sub-menu has four selections. As before, LED position #10 on the sub-menu is the Deep Search off position. The center position between the scales is LED position #5. This position is not used and is not selectable. If the low scale is used, best performance is obtained if LED positions #9 or #8 are selected. If the high scale is used, best performance is obtained if LED positions #4 or #3 are selected. =============================================================== Information will be added to this page as it becomes available so check back often. |
