The function of the front panel controls of the Aztec are as follows, beginning in the lower left hand corner, and proceeding in a clockwise direction.

1. Disc Level. This control is used to adjust the detector's response to unwanted metallic trash when used in the Discriminate mode. At the lowest setting, "0", the detector will eliminate most iron objects, but will still respond in a positive manner to light foil, bottle caps, pull tabs and other most other metallic items. As the knob setting is increased, response to more of these metallic trash items is reversed, so that these objects give a negative or "nulling" response.
2. Ground Adjust. This control is used to adjust the detector so that it does not respond to the mineralization in the ground, when used in normal mode.
3. Tuning. This control is used to tune the detector to its most sensitive setting, regardless of which mode is used. Since the target response of a TR detector is an increase in sound level, the ideal setting for maximum depth is so that the detector is just beginning to make sound. This "threshold" setting should be maintained at all times, as operating the detector completely silent means a deep target may have insufficient response to drive the detector out of the quiet region and into "threshold".
4. Sensitivity. This control adjusts the detector's sensitivity to ground effects due to mineralization, as well as its sensitivity to metallic targets. In the normal mode of operation, the detector will ignore effects of mineralization if it is properly adjusted, so the detector can be operated in maximum sensitivity in almost any ground in the mode. In the discriminate mode, the ground effects are not ignored, so the detector may perform better in heavily mineralized ground at reduced sensitivity.
5. Mode Switch. This switch is a three position rotary switch which selects the basic detector operation mode.
1. Battery Test. This position is used to check the condition of the batteries. The battery test should be performed after the detector has been on for about 10 minutes, and with a moderate to heavy amount of sound. A meter reading of .6 or above indicates the battery strength is adequate for proper operation. If the meter reading is below .6, replace the batteries.
2. Norm. This position selects Normal or All Metal mode. In the Normal position, the detector can be adjusted to ignore ground mineralization for maximum depth, but the detector will not discriminate against unwanted metals such as iron, bottle caps, etc.
3. Disc. This position selects the Discriminate mode of operation, whereby response to unwanted metal objects such as iron, bottle caps, thin foil pieces, etc., can be controlled. Ground mineralization will affect the operation of the detector in this mode.
6. ON/OFF Volume. This control adjusts the amplitude of the audio signal, as well as controlling the power to the unit. When using the internal speaker, the volume control should be at its maximum clockwise setting for maximum depth. When using headphones, the internal speaker is disconnected, and the volume control should be set for maximum comfortable volume.
7. MODE CHANGE/TUNING Switch. This push button switch is located in the end of the handle, where it can be operated with the thumb or first finger of the hand holding the detector. This switch performs two basic functions.
1. When depressed momentarily and released, it retunes the detector back to the desired threshold point.
2. When held in the depressed position, it causes the detector to switch to the other operating mode. If the Mode switch is in the NORM position, holding the MODE CHANGE/TUNING in, will change the mode of the detector to Discriminate. If the Mode Switch is in the DISC position, holding in the MODE CHANGE/TUNING SWITCH will change the mode of the detector to Normal. When the switch is released, the detector operation returns to the mode selected by the Mode Switch.

No detector, regardless of how powerful it is, can provide optimum depth if it is improperly tuned. In fact, the more powerful a detector is, the more critical the tuning becomes. Less powerful units are more tolerant of operator misadjustment, but are not capable of the depth of the a properly tuned high power detector such as the Aztec.

If you will remember just one thing, and adjust your detector accordingly, you will achieve satisfying results. This thing to remember is, always operate the detector at "Threshold" (with a very slight amount of sound). Any time you operate a detector completely silent, you are losing depth. if the sound is too loud, you will also lose depth, because the weak signals from deep targets will not be as noticeable.

Following the turning procedures outlined below will help you properly tune your Aztec to allow you to operate it at threshold, and achieve maximum performance.

1. Normal Mode Tuning.
1. Turn Sensitivity control to mid-range (pointer straight up).
2. Turn Mode control to Norm.
3. Turn the Ground Adjust control to 5.
4. Turn the On/Off Volume control fully clockwise.
5. With the searchcoil held away from the ground or any metal objects, depress the Tuning switch (in the handle) momentarily and release it.
6. Lower the searchcoil to within an inch of the ground, and observe any changes in the meter reading and audio sound as the coil approaches the ground.
7. If the meter reading and the sound increase, turn the Ground Adjust control down slightly (counterclockwise). If the meter reading and the sound decrease, turn the Ground Adjust control up slightly (clockwise).
8. Raise the coil back to about two feet above the ground, and momentarily depress the TUNING switch to re-establish the tuning threshold.
9. Repeat steps 8, 9, & 10 as required, until there is almost no change in the meter reading and the sound as the coil is lowered to the ground. NOTE: the ground must be free of all metallic items where the coil is lowered. If you cannot adjust the detector to do this, you may be over a piece of metal. Move to another spot and try again.
10. Momentarily depress the Tuning switch, and turn the Tuning control down to get just a faint audio buzz.
The detector is now ready to use in the Normal mode of operation. Once the detector is Ground Compensated, remember the number setting on the Ground adjust control, and use it as a starting point next time.
2. Discriminate Mode.
1. Turn Sensitivity control to mid-range (pointer straight up).
2. Turn Mode control to Disc.
3. Turn the Disc Level control to 5.
4. Turn the On/Off Volume control fully clockwise.
5. With the searchcoil held away from the ground or any metal objects, depress the Tuning switch (in the handle) momentarily and release it.
6. Hold the searchcoil about 1 to 2 inches above the ground, and momentarily depress the Tuning switch in the handle and release it.
7. Raise and lower the searchcoil slightly, and note the tuning changes. If a slight upward movement causes a full scale meter deflection and maximum audio, the ground is heavily mineralized, and may require a lower sensitivity setting. If the detector can tolerate an upward movement of several inches before pegging the meter and audio, the ground is lightly mineralized and the Sensitivity knob can probably be adjusted higher.
8. Adjust the Sensitivity control to the highest setting that will allow you to sweep the detector from side to side and still maintain the threshold. Attempting to operate the detector in Discriminate Mode at maximum sensitivity will almost always result in a loss of depth when used in mineralized ground.
The detector is now ready to use in the Discriminate mode. The DISC LEVEL control should be set to the desired level of trash rejection. Remember to keep a slight buzz in the detector as you sweep it.

The detector should be held in a position that is comfortable for you. Swing the detector from side to side in about a three foot arc. The Aztec does not need to be hurried, so go at a pace that doesn't wear you out.

Keep the detector tuned so that it is just beginning to buzz. In Normal Mode the detector ignores the ground, if properly adjusted, so this is easy to do. In Discriminate, the ground will affect the detector, so you should sweep the detector at a constant height above the ground (about 1 inch). Irregularities in the ground, as well as in your sweep height will cause variations in the tuning. These changes will usually be much slower than the abrupt signal caused by the coil passing over a good target. A little practice with a coin buried about 1 inch will enable you to pick out the target sound readily, as compared to the background variations. Turning the Sensitivity down will make it easier to maintain threshold. Always operate in Discriminate with the Sensitivity control set only as high as will allow you to operate in the unit at threshold.

In areas with well kept lawns, the easiest way to maintain a constant searchcoil height is to allow the coil to rest on the grass as you sweep from side to side. In rough and rocky areas it is best not to “scrub” the coil on the ground, as the rocks will act like abrasives, and wear away the coil bottom.

Since the combined MODE CHANGE/TUNING SWITCH allows the detector to be operated with just one hand, it is very easy to search in Normal mode until a target is found, and then switch to Discriminate to check whether it is a good target or junk.

Once a target is located in the Normal mode, it is much easier to "find" in Discriminate, because you already know that it is there. Therefore, you can use a higher setting on the sensitivity control for checking known target locations than you could for hunting in the Discriminate mode. This is possible because you will be limiting your sweep to just a few inches, giving you much better control over your coil height variations.

To pinpoint or locate a target which doesn't peg the meter and audio, simply move the coil around to find the point where the loudest audio and highest meter reading is given. The target will be right below the center of the coil. if the target response is so strong it pegs the meter and audio, simply push the tuning button momentarily over the strongest signal. This will tune out most of the response to the target and the detector will go totally quiet if it is moved away from the target. It may be necessary to retune a couple of times to almost totally tune out the target, but you will eventually arrive at a tuning level that will not saturate or peg the meter and audio when you are directly over the target.

In the Discriminate Mode, the tuning will have to be reset any time that the Disc Level is changed. This merely requires that you momentarily depress the MODE CHANGE/TUNING SWITCH. Being familiar with your detector and where typical junk items are rejected can save you much needless digging.

One thing to remember, though, is that in Discriminate Mode, it is best not to use any higher Discriminate Level setting than necessary. Nickels and most small rings are rejected when the DISC LEVEL is set to reject pull tabs on all TR Discriminators. If you don't dig any junk at all, you are surely passing up a lot of other good finds too. Set the DISC LEVEL only high enough to suit the conditions where you are searching.

For relic hunting or for coinshooting in areas that are free of trash, the GND REJ Mode of operation will normally give best results, since the detector is easy to use with maximum sensitivity. It may be desirable to operate with reduced sensitivity in the GND REJ Mode at times, however. For example, to prevent having to dig large, deep holes in a well kept park lawn.

The Aztec is equipped with an internal battery check circuit so you can always know you're getting top performance from your detector. The batteries should be tested after the detector has been operated for about ten minutes, and while the detector is making a loud noise, so the batteries are properly loaded. To force the audio on, simply hold the searchcoil near a large metal object while checking the batteries, or depress the tuning button and turn the Tuning control fully clockwise.

If the meter reads less than .6, the batteries should be replaced to ensure best performance.

To change the batteries, depress the chrome buttons on each side of the detector, and slide the battery cover off the back of the chassis. The batteries are contained in a plastic holder just behind the cover.

Remove the battery pack from the detector, and then remove the batteries from the pack. Replace the new penlight batteries into the pack, observing the polarity indicators that are embossed in each battery compartment of the battery pack.

Replace the pack into the holder, and replace the battery cover by depressing the chrome buttons as the cover is slid back into the chassis.

Should you desire to do so, rechargeable Nickel-Cadmium batteries can be substituted for the standard penlight cells. Individual size AA cells are readily available at most electronic supply stores, as well as the charges for them, and they can be inserted into the standard 8 cell older used in your Aztec. The initial battery check reading will be slightly lower, but will not drop as much with use, until the batteries are completely discharged.

If the detector is to be stored for a long period of time, it is best to remove the battery pack from the detector. This will prevent internal damage to the detector if the batteries should leak.

The searchcoil is waterproof and may be submerged in either fresh or salt water. Caution should be exercised to prevent water from entering the chassis, where it could damage the electronic circuitry, or from entering the upper stem, where it could damage the push button or leak into the chassis. After the coil is used in salt water, the coil and lower stem assembly should be rinsed well with fresh water to prevent corrosion of the metal parts.

There are several good books to help the beginner learn how to use the detector, where to search and how to recover a target without damaging the environment. A good coin shooter can recover a lot of finds and leave the area looking as though he had never been there. Above all, always fill your holes when you have recovered the target.


TESORO Metal Detectors are sold through independent dealers, who are almost always treasure hunters themselves. They can provide you with you much needed information about how to use your detector, how to probe, plug and dig in your locale, and answer most of your questions about treasure hunting in general.


The use of earphones will benefit you in two ways. Most earphones will very effectively block out most of the ambient noise, such as traffic noise and wind noise, which will enable you to better hear the fainter signals caused by the deeper targets. Obviously, the older, more valuable coins will probably be deeper than the ones which were lost last week, so you should take advantage of anything that will help you hear the weaker signals. Secondly, using earphones will greatly extend the battery life, since it takes much less power to operate them. The Aztec is not equipped with a volume control, but does have a limiting circuit in the earphone jack. If less volume is desired with earphones, you may want to use earphones with a built in volume control. Any good 8 or 16 ohm set with 1/4 inch stereo jack will do.

The 8 1/2" coplanar searchcoil furnished with the Aztec will provide excellent results for both coinshooting and relic hunting in the majority of areas. For those few areas having such extreme mineralization that operation in the Discriminate mode is very difficult, the smaller 7" coil offered by TESORO will provide easier operation in Discriminate.