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

1. 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. Auto Tune. In this position, the detector will have a very slight amount of automatic tuning. The auto tune is designed to help compensate for slowly changing ambient conditions such as changes in the height of the grass, or temperature changes. it is not fast enough to cause any problems due to overshoot falsing on trash items, and is recommended for almost all uses.
3. Normal Tune. In this position, the slow auto tune is disconnected, so the unit will not tend to correct for changing ambient conditions.
2. 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.
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. 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.
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 Control/Tuning Switch. This toggle switch is located in the end of the handle where it may be operated with the thumb and first finger of the hand holding the detector. When the switch is pushed down, the detector will select the Discriminate Mode of operation and tune itself. When the switch is pulled up, the detector will select the Normal mode of operation, and tune itself. There are arrows silk-screened on the front panel to help remind you which way to push the switch. The arrow pointing down next to the Disc Level control, means that Discriminate mode is selected when the switch is pushed down. The arrow pointing up next to the Ground Adjust control means that the Normal mode is selected when the switch is pulled up.

1. Normal Mode Tuning.
1. Turn ON/OFF Volume control fully clockwise.
2. Turn the Ground Adjust control to about 6. Set the sensitivity control to mid-range (pointer straight up).
3. Hold the Mode Control/Tuning Switch up.
4. Turn Tuning control as required to get a moderate audio sound and a meter reading of about .4.
5. Hold the coil about 2 feet above the ground, and release the Mode Control/Tuning Switch.
6. Lower the searchcoil to within an inch of the ground, and observe meter reading change and audio change as the coil is lowered.
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 pull the Mode Control/Tuning Switch up to re-establish the tuning threshold.
9. Repeat steps 6, 7, & 8 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 the Ground Adjust control is turned completely counterclockwise and the detector still give an increase as the coil is lowered, a target is under the coil. Move to another spot and repeat the tuning procedure.
10. Pull the Mode Control/Tuning Switch up, 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 Tuning.
1. Turn the On/Off Volume control fully clockwise. Set the Sensitivity control to mid-range (pointer straight up). Set the Disc Level control to 3.
2. Hold the Mode Control/Tuning Switch down and adjust the Tuning control to get a slight audio sound from the speaker or headset.
3. Hold the searchcoil about 1 to 2 inches above the ground. Momentarily depress the Tuning pushbutton switch to establish the tuning threshold.
4. 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.
5. 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 in heavily mineralized ground will almost always result in a loss of performance.

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 Deep Search VII does not need to be hurried, so go at a pace that doesn't wear you out.

Since the combined Mode Control/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, then switch to Discriminate to check whether it is a good target or junk.

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.

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 pushbutton tuning switch. By 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.

At lower settings of sensitivity, the detector can usually be switched from Normal Mode to Discriminate Mode or vice versa without affecting the tuning. At maximum sensitivity some small effect may be encountered when switching from Normal to Discriminate, so if the threshold sound does go away or gets too loud when switching Modes, simply depress the Tuning Button momentarily.

For relic hunting or for coinshooting in areas that are free of trash, the Normal 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 Normal Mode at times, however. For example, to prevent having to dig large, deep holes in a well kept park lawn.

The Deep Search VII 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.

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 Deep Search VII 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 7" coplanar searchcoil furnished with the Deep Search VII is optimized for coin shooting in areas with a moderate to high amount of trash. In areas with relatively little trash metallic items the 8 1/2" Wide Scan coil will provide good depth on coins, and of course it should be used for relic hunting, as it will give better depth for larger objects.