The BH Tracker IV is an entry level detector. It's features are simple and easy to use. The interface consists of a Sensitivity knob, a Discrimination level knob, an analog meter and a toggle switch, to switch between All Metal, Discrimination and Tone Discrimination.
Price varies depending on whether you want to buy in Australia or import it. In Australia price is around $325, but it is available overseas for around $US99 plus shipping, warranty then becomes a consideration as imported models would need to be returned to country of origin for warranty service, at the customers expense.
The machine come standard with an 8" concentric coil, with a 5" and 10" coil also available. I only have experience using the 8" coil.
The machines specifications indicate that it has automatic ground balance. This feature appears to work quite well, I have never noticed any problems with ground balance with the machine. However, I have only used it a little in the wet sand, although I still got some targets.
Two 9v batteries are all that is required for power, and these last maybe 15-20 hours of detecting, when using headphones and not the built in speaker.
In all metal mode, as the name implies, all types of metal will be found. The is only single tone in all metal mode, and it doesn't seem to give much information - just a solid tone when some form of metal is under the coil. Depth is reasonable I have dug iron from around 20 - 25 cms and some holes have got a bit further with still a strong signal before I gave up the task as something big, iron and too much trouble.
In regular discrimination you at least get iron rejection and as the knob is turned further toward the maximum, metals become progressively eliminated. At a bit further than 1/2 turn, you only get $1, 20c 10c and coppers and silver. I generally use this setting for hunting, with the knob at about 1/4 turn, which eliminates iron but allows all the pre-decimal and decimal coins, and still allows gold rings to be found if you are willing to dig all the pull tabs. You also get a fair bit of info on the target from the sound response of different metal types, coins giving a crisper response, while junk is a bit more irregular and broader. This of course is not hard and fast.
In Tone discrimination mode, there are two tones, a low tone for low conductive metals and a high tone for highly conductive metals. The manual also advises that you can achieve a broken tone for pull tabs with the disc. knob set about 12pm, this also in practice give a broken tone for gold rings, $2 coins and 50 cent coins, so i have not found this particularly useful. However, with the disc. knob set about 1/4 it gives good signals on all wanted targets as well as pull tabs as well.
The analog meter is a bit of a puzzle for me, the manual doesn't really make mention of it, when over any target, the needle always jumps to the maximum, there are not units of measurement on the dial itself, I have concluded that it is really there just for show, as I can find no useful purpose for it. It does make it look more important though, it looks like it should measure something!
Overall, I am very pleased with this detector, for the price it does what is promised. Although on the Kellyco website it is listed under the childrens metal detector, it is no toy. I have found a decent amount of decimals, a couple of pre-decimals and a gold and a silver ring with it during my first 3 months of use.
I would recommend it for anyone looking for an entry level detector that can actually find some valuable targets, while discriminating the junk as far as possible. It is also a light machine, which means you don't feel it on your arm after a long time detecting.
The main drawback is no target identification, but it is too be expected for the price of the machine. The model seems to have been around for at least 10 years, but the fact that it is still produced indicates that it is a decent machine, which i have found in practical use.
Although I am now looking to upgrade my machine as I now have a good feel for the hobby and want something a little more sophisticated, it is not going to happen overnight and am more than happy and excited to use my BH Tracker IV in the mean time.
Topic: Review - Bounty Hunter Tracker IV (Read 3122 times)