Cobra, It really is an easy machine to use. Just set up the ground balance like the manual indicates and sensitivity to where it is stable and you will have to figure out how much discrimination you want to use. Remember though, the more discrimination you use the less rings you will find. Just play with the settings and dig everything until you understand what the machine is telling you. I see a lot of good finds being made with that detector every day. Gook Luck. Cal