Metal Detector Question?

[Rodney B.]

I have this older Garrett American VLF/TR S-4 that works super good but has no needle movement when you detect something.
The needle movement works for the battery test but thats it, any ideas since I don`t have the manual?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[hammered]

I don't know if this is the right one but try here Rod.
http://www.garrett.com/hobby/manuals2/American-S-4.pdf

hammered

 

[Rodney B.]

Thanks, that apears to be the right one, i`ll go futher with it but i`m not sure if anythings listed on the needle movement.

 

[hammered]

OK mate, keep in touch I'll try to help, but there are more experienced detectorists than me on here, I'm sure they will chime in soon . Good luck.

hammered

 

[Woodland Detectors]

It still beeps right?
Does it have diferent Tones (beeps) on different metals?

 

[U.K. Brian]

As its not a target I.D. model why worry ? You still have the battery check function which was really the only reason to have a meter fitted in the first place.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

UK-brian is right. The needles on those old TR discriminators did nothing but measure intensity of signal, and ..... yes ...... battery strength. The function of signal intensity is not needed. It's the same exact thing that will be coming through your headphones (ie.: the louder the tone/beep, well ....... duh ..... the more intense/shallower/larger). No one I ever knew back in those days ever paid attention to the needle intensity. You always went by the loudness of the one coming through your headphones. I had a machine where the needle went bad, and never even missed it.

That said, your machine is circa mid to late 1970s. A real dinasour compared to today's machines.

 

[KYBuzzBox]

I have an old Compass Relic Magnum (1986) with a similar meter setup. The only time I ever looked at the meter was to check the batteries (it loved "AA" batteries). I went totally by the sound and signal strength to determine the target type and depth. I still use it to relic hunt in certain areas where my new digital detector goes bezerk due to EMI.

 

[Rodney B.]

OK sounds good, I don`t really need the needle movement for detecting since it has plenty of sound and the meter works for battery test only.
I never did let that stop me from detecting and it will get you some coins out of the ground, the machine being sort of antique, I was wondering why that part died, I want take it apart and try to figure out why i`ll just use it the way it is.