Intex Systems Corp.
home of the Ground Piercing Cache Probe Treasure Hunting Tool

Cache Probe CP-100 & CP100A  Operating Manual

Basic Operation
Response to buried objects
Difficulty Entering the Ground
Cautions
Battery Hints and Replacement
Detection Field
Specifications

Basic Operation

(1) Hold the probe like a pistol and pull the chrome trigger with your finger to power the Cache Probe. The speaker will emit a short audible beep and go silent, indicating that the probe is ready to use. Keep the trigger in this position to maintain operation. Releasing the switch deactivates the circuitry.

(2) Gently insert the probe into the ground in the area where the primary metal detector has indicated that an object is present. As the stainless steel sensor enters the ground, several audio indications can be experienced as follows:

(a) As the probe goes deeper into the soil, the speaker begins to emit sound and the tone rises until the object is struck. A coin, jewelry or a piece of non-ferrous metal has been pin pointed. Use your fingers as a depth gauge . . . If you pinch the sensor shaft with your fingers at the point where the soil starts and remove the shaft, you know how deep the object is.

(b) Sounds begins, rises and falls as the probe goes deeper.  You missed the object, but you are close . . . Maybe close enough to dig. Or you may wish to try again.

(c) No sound and no strike. Nothing there.

(d) You strike an object, but no sound is heard. You struck a stone or a ferrous object.

(e) You strike an object, but no sound is heard. However, as the probe is removed from the soil, the audio may emit a tone momentarily. This indicates a ferrous object. (Some ferrous objects will not yield this response).

Response to buried objects

What yields a positive response. Metallic objects such as gold, silver, copper, coins, jewelry, aluminum and other nonferrous materials.

What yields a negative action, ferrous trash items such as steel bottles caps, nails, tin cans. (depends on the mass and content of the metal)

Difficulty Entering the Ground

What to do if the soil provides too much physical resistance for entry.

Use a steel screw driver-like tool to loosen (precondition) the soil as follows:

Insert the screw driver into the soil slightly away from the suspect target location and gently ply the soil to cause a slight up-heaving. It is not necessary to cause the soil to spill and leave a hole, but only to loosen the compact soil to reduce physical resistance. This should only take a few seconds.

Cautions

(a) Never use the stainless steel shaft as a pry, it has its physical limitations and can eventually bend.

(b) Once you strike an object with the tip - stop.

(c)  Never use the Cache Probe under water. Only the stainless steel shaft and tip assembly are completely waterproof.

Battery Hints & Replacement

When you squeeze the power trigger, the speaker will emit an audible sound, indicating that the probe is ready to use and the battery is functional. As the battery voltage drops, the sound will get quieter. If no tone is heard, then the batteries need replacing.

Replacing the Battery. Remove the single screw on the top of the plastic case and carefully open the cover. It should open in the manner as a book and pivot on the red label side. Flip the battery out and replace with an equivalent battery. Observe battery polarity when replacing. It is marked on the circuit board and inside the battery holder.

You may wish to purchase an extra battery and keep it in your refrigerator as a standby. It will stay fresh there for many years.

Detection Field

The metal detection field extends forward from the end of the stainless steel tip and has side detection capabilities as well. The response to metal objects is a function of the metal object's alloy and the direction it lies in relation to the sensor tip. For example, the response is greatest when the sensor tip faces the flat side of a coin. Side detection is greatest, when the metal object is parallel to the sensor's side.

Detection range was set to optimize pinpointing and minimize the affects of trash metals that may be close to the valuable object. Trash items tend to mask valuable objects. Pinpointing becomes more difficult as the range is increased.

Specifications

(1) Battery, 12V Alkaline #23A. Most battery manufacturers make this type of battery. Radio Shack is a good source.

(2) VLF operation with partial discrimination. Ferrous trash rejection.

(3) Battery life is a function of use, duration of use and storage temperature. The battery could last all summer under normal conditions. This will vary from individual to individual.

(4) Waterproof 8 inch long stainless steel shaft and sensor tip assembly.

(5) Sensing range was internally set to optimize pin pointing.            

(6) Circuitry turns off automatically if the trigger is inadvertently held on during carrying or storage.

(7) Ultra compact low profile electronic enclosure, soft grip handle, single trigger operation.

(8) Only 5 oz (142 grams) with the battery.

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