The Toltec II has five controls on its front panel, and a Ground Balance adjust on its rear panel. There is also a meter light switch on the front panel of the meter housing. The front panel controls are all readily adjust with the index finger of the hand while operating the detector. Also found on the front panel is a receptacle for headphones.

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 Toltec II 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. An easy pace is preferred. In fact, trying to hunt too fast in Discriminate may even cause a loss of depth in heavily mineralized locations. The Toltec II, however, can be swept at a fast enough pace for competition hunting, because their targets are usually buried fairly shallow, permitting easy detection at a fast pace.

In ALL METAL mode operation, keep the detector tuned so that there is a slight threshold buzzing of sound. Regardless of which mode you are using try to keep the coil 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 Toltec II. 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.

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.

The use of headphones 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 faint 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 detector 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 which have built in volume controls on their ear cups. Any good 8 ohm or higher set with 1/4 inch stereo jack will do.

The easier way to pinpoint for most people will be to switch to the ALL METAL/NORMAL TUNE mode, since no motion of the searchcoil is required. To pinpoint a target that doesn't saturate the audio just move the coil forward and back, and side to side until you get the strongest sound. The target will be directly below the coil center. If the audio saturates over a large area, simply push the mode switch to the retune position momentarily over the area to retune the detector. This will narrow its field of response to allow you to once again seek the area of strongest response. It may be necessary to retune more than once with this technique.

The sweep speed of the Toltec II is slow enough to allow pinpointing in the DISCRIMINATE mode, but will require a little more practice. Move the coil slowly from side to side and then from front to back over the target. Raising the coil slightly and slowing the sweep directly over the target will narrow down the detection area enough that it's easy to tell where the coil center is at the instant the target causes the detector to beep.

Another easy method is to sweep the coil from side to side across the target in very short sweeps, as you slowly move forward and backward, criss-crossing the target until you just barely get a response at one spot. Raise the coil slightly if you are getting a double beep, or a very loud response. Again the target will be directly below the center of the coil at the instant of response.

The Toltec II is equipped with an automatic battery test sequence which occurs each time the detector is turned on. To check the batteries, simply turn the detector off for about five seconds, and then turn it back on. The battery test circuit will engage for about 3 to 5 seconds, with the audio output loudness indicating the remaining battery strength. As the batteries age, this tone will get quieter, and when you hear only a brief buzz or not output at all, it's time to replace the batteries. Although the battery test circuit engages whenever the detector is turned on, it is recommended you put the mode switch in the DISCRIM position for testing, as this mode will test the batteries under load giving a truer indication of actual battery strength.

The battery for the meter ID light does not have a built-in test. It is therefore recommended you keep an extra battery with you, if you are going to be requiring use of the light.

To replace the detector circuitry batteries, pull on both the large plunger knobs on the battery door at the rear of the unit. The entire door will pop off. Remove the two battery packs one at a time, by disconnecting the clip leads, and remove the batteries from the pack. Replace the batteries, observing the polarity indicators on both the battery pack and batteries. Replace each pack back into the battery housing compartment, tucking any excess battery lead wire carefully into the slots found on each side of the battery compartment. To reinstall the battery door, place it back on the housing fitting the plungers in place and depressing both, locking them in place.

The ID meter on the Toltec II has a light which requires a 9 volt alkaline battery. To change the battery, simply slide open the battery door found on the back of the meter housing, remove the battery and disconnect it from the battery clip lead. Reinstall the new battery in the same way, carefully fitting the battery door back into its proper fit.

We recommend you always use a good alkaline battery when making replacements, and always change all batteries in a pack at the same time. Use of headphones will extend battery life.

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.
• 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.
• Do not store your detector in the trunk of a car, or transport it unprotected in a trunk or back of a pickup truck or similar vehicle.
• 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.