The Golden Mask Altus is not an ordinary VLF metal detector. It works with the manufacturer's own BSP technology (Binary Sinus Pulse), a hybrid signal form. It combines two sine signals of different frequencies into one continuous, bipolar signal, thus combining properties of classic VLF detectors with features of powerful pulse induction systems. Golden Mask itself describes the way it works as “BSP multi-frequency”.

Classic VLF detectors work with a continuous signal: light, fast and with good discrimination, but with limited depth and weaknesses on mineralised ground. Pulse induction detectors, on the other hand, generate short, powerful pulses: considerably more depth and stability in the ground, but heavier, more power-hungry and with slower signal processing. BSP is intended to combine the advantages of both worlds without adopting their typical weaknesses.

This makes the Altus less a classic all-round detector and more a specialist for deep searching for medium and highly conductive targets. Anyone interested should be aware of this focus before deciding on the detector.

A smaller BSP search coil can somewhat improve performance on small items, but does not change the Altus's fundamental orientation as a depth specialist.

Despite its unusual technology, the Altus deliberately does without a display and nested menus. All settings are made using six rotary knobs and a switch for speaker and wireless headphones.

An additional switch WS Headphones / Speaker switches between the built-in speaker and the WS107 wireless headphones.

1. Switching on and volume

   Using the Volume knob, you switch on the Altus and set the volume at the same time.

   A higher volume increases neither search depth nor sensitivity – set it so that even weak signals remain comfortably audible.

2. Sensitivity

   The higher the setting, the more sensitively the Altus responds to weak and deep signals. However, too high a setting can lead to false signals on mineralised ground or with electromagnetic interference.

   Rule of thumb: as high as possible – but still stable.

3. Threshold – background threshold

   The threshold knob sets the quiet background signal. For deep searching, a very faint, stable background tone should remain audible so that weak signal changes are easier to recognise.

   If it is set too high, weak targets are lost in the background noise; if it is turned down completely, weak deep signals are harder to perceive.

4. Carrying out ground balance

   First find a spot that is as free of metal as possible. Move the search coil repeatedly up and down between about 5 and 20 cm above the ground while slowly adjusting the Ground Bal. knob until there is as little change as possible in the audio signal when raising and lowering the coil.

   On difficult ground, first reduce the sensitivity and then carry out the balance again. An HR range (hot rocks) is also available for heavily mineralised or variable ground.

5. Setting discrimination

   With Disc. Level, you determine how strongly iron and low-conductivity objects are suppressed. Low values deliver the greatest depth performance but let more iron signals through; high values suppress more iron but cost depth and can mask small or poorly conductive objects.

   Principle: do not use more discrimination than is actually necessary.

6. Tone – adjusting the pitch

   With Tone, you only adjust the pitch to suit your hearing. This setting changes neither sensitivity, discrimination nor depth performance and can therefore be chosen freely according to personal preference.

The Altus works in motion mode: a target is reliably detected when the search coil is moving. Keep the coil as parallel to the ground as possible, just above the surface, without lifting it at the end of the swing. Move it evenly and let successive sweeps overlap slightly.

Golden Mask expressly recommends a calm, somewhat slower swing speed rather than hectic movements. Especially with a depth specialist like the Altus, it is worth checking weak but repeatable signals from different directions before you dig.

According to the user manual, the underside of the BSP coil is made of a Kevlar/carbon construction, which is why Golden Mask does not provide an additional coil cover.

The Altus is prepared for the Golden Mask WS wireless system and is compatible with the WS107. The detector does not have a classic wired headphone socket. The WS107 system works at 2.4 GHz with an audio latency of around 12 ms according to the manufacturer.

1. Switch on the Altus

   Switch on the detector using the volume knob.

2. Set the switch

   Set the switch to “WS Headphones”.

3. Switch on the WS107

   Activate the headphones and hold them near the detector.

4. Automatic pairing

   The connection between detector and headphones is established automatically.

The Altus has a permanently installed 8.4 V, 6000 mAh Li-ion battery. Depending on volume, temperature and conditions of use, according to the manufacturer about 6 to 8 hours of operating time are realistic – tending to be somewhat longer via wireless headphones than via the built-in speaker. Fully charging from a low charge level to 100 % takes around 3.5 hours at room temperature.

For longer periods of storage, Golden Mask recommends a charge level of around 50 %, which should be checked about every six months. Store the device between 5 and 25 °C if possible; at temperatures around or below 0 °C, the available battery capacity may drop noticeably, and the battery should not be charged below 5 °C.

• Clean the detector with a soft, slightly damp cloth – without aggressive cleaning agents or solvents.
• Take particular care at the transition from the coil cable to the search coil: do not kink or pull it hard, as the internal conductors could otherwise be damaged.
• After a rapid change between a very cold and a warm environment, give the device about 5–10 minutes to adjust to the temperature before switching it on.

Information according to the current original user manual and distributor data sheet; subject to change by the manufacturer.

• Golden Mask Altus metal detector
• 11 × 14″ Golden Mask BSP search coil
• Telescopic carbon shaft
• Integrated Li-ion battery
• Suitable charger
• User manual

Depending on the item variant chosen, the WS107 wireless headphones are included or available separately – details of each variant can be found in the item description above.