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, overlapping succeeding strokes well. This motion is called a “sweep.” The Sidewinder was designed to get maximum depth without the frantic pace required of earlier motion detectors, so go at a pace that is comfortable for you. In fact, trying to hunt too fast in Discriminate may even cause a loss of depth in heavily mineralized locations.

It would be helpful to bury some coins and trash metal junk items in an area that you know is clear of other metal objects, and then try the unit in its various modes. Check the area in All Metal Mode first to be sure its clear of trash then bury the targets at least a foot apart, and from 2 to 6 inches deep to start. Make a map of the test bed to be sure you know what each target is and how deep it is. Practice on these targets to familiarize yourself with your detector’s target response. This will also help you learn the proper sweep rate for best operation.

Regardless of which mode you are using, try to keep your searchcoil height constant and close to the ground. Most people tend to raise the coil at the end of a sweep, much like a pendulum, especially if they are hurrying. Try to avoid this, as any increase in height will cause a corresponding loss of depth.

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 housing. Should wear through occur, it will usually destroy the searchcoil beyond repair, so it is always best to keep a scuff cover on the coil, they are available from your dealer. Sweep the coil as close to the ground as possible without touching. Hitting the ground or rocks may cause a false signal much like a desired target would. The higher you hold and sweep the coil above the ground the less depth you'll be able to obtain.

When operating in the Discriminate Mode, some “false signals” may be caused by heavy concentrations of trash metal objects, by very large trash items, or by electrical interference. These signals will sound different than good target signals because they are generally short, choppy sounds. At the end of your sweep, as you the reverse the coil direction, the detector is most susceptible to trash induced noise. There are two ways to tell whether these sounds are good deep signals or trash “noise.” The first is by repeatability. Trash induced noises will not be regular as you sweep the coil over the suspected target several times, whereas a good target response will be repeatable at the exact spot with each sweep. The second method is to switch to All Metal Mode and check the target response sound. If the response is weak, it may well be a deep, good target; but if the response is very strong, it is probably trash. Note that a coin close to the surface can give a double beep sound, but it is regular and repeatable. Raising the coil an inch or two will restore the single beep on surface targets.

If there is any doubt whether a target is good or not, DIG IT. For this same reason, in the Discriminate Mode, it is best not to use a higher DISC LEVEL setting than necessary. Nickels and most smaller rings are rejected when the DISC LEVEL is set to reject pull tabs on any metal detector that is a TR Discriminator like the Sidewinder. If you don’t dig any junk at all, you are surely passing up a lot of good finds as well. Set the DISC LEVEL only high enough to suit the conditions where you are searching.

Selecting the right searchcoil for the type of detecting you're doing, the site, as well as the conditions will add greatly to your success. The Sidewinder comes with a standard 8 inch concentric coil. This is an excellent overall coil as it discriminates well and provides very good target separation.

A variety of optional searchcoils are available for the Sidewinder. Concentric coils are better discriminators, making them excellent for coin hunting and cache hunting around metal fence posts. Smaller coils have a smaller field of view and although they do not go as deep as the larger coils they will do better in very trashy areas as they can separate targets better. Concentric coils for the Sidewinder are available in 4, 7, 8 and 10 1/2 inch sizes. Another choice of searchcoil is the Wide Scan, also known as the Double D. These coils are less affected by conductive salts, the ground mineralization producing fewer false signals in extreme conditions like salt water beaches, and red clay ground. Although they don't discriminate as well (they like steel bottle caps, and respond to metal fence posts at greater distances) they are often the coil choice for beach, relic, and gold nugget hunters. Wide Scan coils for the Sidewinder are available in 7, 8 1/2, and 11 inch sizes.

So many people are disappointed when their new detector slowly becomes less and less responsive and seems to have lost some of its peak performance. You can help avoid this from happening to your detector by following these basic care and protection procedures.

• Operate your detector exactly as recommended in this instruction manual.
• It is best to remove the battery from the detector after each use. This will prevent internal damage to the detector if the battery should leak.
• The searchcoil cable is hard wired into searchcoil, do not attempt removal of the strain relief from the searchcoil housing.
• Do not attempt to modify or repair the detector's electronics; caution: opening of control housing may void your warranty.
• Use only high-quality carbon-zinc, alkaline, or NiCad batteries. Never substitute a different voltage. Do not attempt to modify the power supply system. If converting to NiCad batteries, always use a separate convertible pack with the proper voltage output for the detector's design.
• Never spray lubricants such as WD-40 or any type of cleaners, sealants or other chemical preparation on or into the detector.
• Avoid banging the searchcoil against rocks or foundation walls.
• Always use a properly designed protective scuff cover on the searchcoil.
• Remove and clean out scuff covers periodically to avoid build up of mineralized dirt particles which will affect performance.
• After each use, clean the detector with a soft cloth to remove dust, moisture, and other contaminants. The searchcoil is waterproof and can be submerged in either fresh or saltwater. After the coil is used in salt water, it and the lower stem assembly should be rinsed well with fresh water to prevent corrosion of the metal parts. Do not allow the cable connectors to become submerged, and prevent moisture or water from entering the control box.
• If working in or near water, or there is a possibility of it raining, use a protective weather resistant pouch or plastic bag to cover the control box, make sure it can breathe in order to insure against condensation buildup inside.
• Keep cables properly wound around the pole stems and protected. Floppy, pinched, or cables that become snagged during use may short, causing erratic noises or unnecessary replacement of the searchcoil.
• Protect your detector from dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures during storage. Avoid storing it in places such as attics, basements, or garages. When shipping, use the original factory carton or similar heavy-duty container; a one inch minimum clearance of padding around the detector must be provided when shipping.
• Treat your detector as you would any sensitive electronic instrument. Though ruggedly constructed and designed to withstand the demands of normal treasure hunting applications, proper care is essential.

Your Tesoro metal detector is covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty, the terms of which are listed below. If your metal detector should require service, you may return it to the Tesoro factory, or tone of the factory authorized service centers. Contact the factory for the name and address of the nearest service center.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the factory.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.

This instrument is warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship as long as it is owned by the original consumer purchaser. This warranty is not transferable, and is valid only if the warranty registration card has been completed and mailed within 10 days of purchase.

During the first two years, TESORO will, at its option, repair or replace any instrument covered by this warranty, without charge, except for transportation charges, at its factory in Prescott, Arizona, or at one of its authorized repair centers. After two years from date of purchase, TESORO will replace defective parts at no charge except a nominal labor change and transportation charges.

This warranty excludes batteries, damage caused by leaky batteries, cable breakage due to flexing on body mount units, and wear of the searchcoil housing. Also excluded are instruments which have been abused, altered, or repaired by an unauthorized party.

If warrant service should be necessary, contact the factory for nearest repair center.