Tejón - The latest metal detector from Tesoro

Tesoro Tejon - Rellic detector awaited

Today I am pleased to introduce the latest detector from Tesoro. Tejón is already based on the new concept of metal detectors Tesoro. I've spent the last three months diligently searching for the pros and cons of this interesting contraption, so I thought it was time to share them with someone.
In the test you will find my evaluation as well as the evaluation of my friend Jirka, who has been using the original Tejón for a long time, so this is a comparison of the new with the old from his side.

First impression

The very first impression out of the box is the changed colour scheme. Gone is the gold from the brown and the detector is now grey-blue. With this in mind, the new Tejón is now significantly different from other detectors of this brand. The factory and the reviews on many forums were superlative, and I couldn't wait for the first tests.

Design and equipment

The new Tejón features a bottom "quick grab" lever that can be used to quickly switch between main discrimination, alternate discrimination and All Metal mode, which is also used for tracking on the Tejón. This way you can keep your hands off the dirt without having to touch the control panel throughout the entire search.
The lever is large enough, so even with thick gloves you won't have a problem switching. The battery box is located in the armrest and the detector is now very well balanced. The detector electronics are housed in a similar sized box to the Cortes detector, which is a slightly larger electronics enclosure than the classic uMax series.
The detector can be disassembled into three parts, with the bottom section at the probe being made with carbon fiber. The whole assembly of the detector is very quick and easy, as you are used to with Tesoro detectors.
The toyon is equipped with a new 9x8" (23x20cm) base probe, which is made of carbon fiber and impact resistant plastic. The colour scheme is black.
However, the detector is designed to be able to use all probes designed for the LOBO SuperTRAQ. The choice of probes is thus really rich.

Controls

The front panel contains six rotary dials. If I describe them from left to right: 1. Ground Balance control, 2. Threshold setting, 3. Pitch setting option,4. Primary Discrimination, 5. Alternative Discrimination, 6. Sensitivity setting.
At the bottom of the detector you will find the Fast grab switch. This is set to primary discrimination in its middle position. If you press the lever away from you, it switches to alternate discrimination, if you press it towards you, it switches to All Metal mode. The lever automatically returns to the middle position after you stop holding it.
You can also use the trick of double-clicking the Fast Grab lever directly over the target for the most accurate aim. The detector will then start to miss the surrounding signals, and you have the opportunity to perfectly lock onto the object under the probe.
The Ground Balance setting is very precise, the potentiometer has three and a half turns and can be turned infinitely. If you miss the positive or negative end of the range, the potentiometer will skip slightly. Accurate adjustment of Ground Balance and the base tone threshold is very important for the proper operation of the detector. Mastering the setting technique is very easy, and you can find it in the video here in the test. The ground balance setting is then the same for both discrimination modes and for All Metal.

The sensitivity setting for the Tesoro Tejon metal detector is controlled by a rotary potentiometer with a scale from 1 to 10. After the number ten, then the orange maximum gain field starts. You can't use amplifiers everywhere, but otherwise the Tejon can be "juiced" without much protest. Basically on all sites I use settings ranging from 8 to about 1/3 of the orange field. You can tell that the setting is too high by the "chirp" of the detector, which lets you set the sensitivity very accurately anyway.

Another setting option is double discrimination. When you switch the main discrimination circuit from All Metal to discrimination, you will find yourself in silent discrimination mode. You then eliminate targets by turning this control clockwise. The descriptions of the various objects around the rotary controls will then give you a hint.
The last option is to select a tone response. Starting in VCO mode, where the detector operates in All Metal mode and Discrimination mode uses the factory mode introduced, or you can select one of nine tones ranging from 215 to 830 Hz.

Working with the detector

I will try to describe all the work with the detector in as much detail as possible, although I kind of assume in the text that any searcher interested in this detector already has at least some theoretical knowledge.

As it was written in the introduction of the test, I have been using the detector in the test for about three months, which allowed me to handle the device very well during quite frequent walks. Still, as it is a very accurate and in a way unique detector, I still miss small nuances in the tone sometimes, and so I still have a lot to learn.
It's very important to learn to balance the ground effect correctly, if you underestimate this activity you will lose a lot of depth. It's also interesting how tone settings can affect the detector's action. Very early on, I found that with the Tejon, I can estimate the size and depth of a deposited target very well. Since it is a Rellic detector, it has the discriminators set fairly low, so even with the discriminator set to Iron, large and deeply deposited irons can sound like colored targets to you.
I've experimented a bit here, and even larger deeply deposited targets can be read quite well at other than the basic tone setting. My favorite setting in such cases is at 4 o'clock.
Then I use the highest possible tone setting when looking for tiny targets. At this tone setting, the response has enough characteristic coloration that you just know ahead of time that a piece of broken Zetor is waiting for you at 50 cm. Therefore, to be able to identify such targets well, you need to dig out a piece of the tractor at the beginning :). In this case it is doubly true that practice makes perfect.

The setup of the discriminations depends on the location of the search, yet I soon found my favourites. I set the main discrimination just below Iron and the alternate just below the Foil marker. If you are in a location where you are looking for small gold items, I recommend setting the discriminator no more than halfway between Iron and Foil. While you will easily spot gold in the air with the discriminator set to Foil, things are often a little different in the soil.
What I'm always interested in, though, are small silver coins. These rounds can report as perfect pieces of foil, so setting the discriminator correctly is very important for identifying them. For the really smallest pennies with minimal weight and up to about 15mm in diameter, the maximum safe discriminator setting is midway between the Iron and Foil positions.For slightly larger coins, the discriminators can be set much higher.
In the event that such a crumb is found in the place you are searching, you should save the discrimination. The eventual identification of foils is then a little more difficult for a beginner. But here too, small modulations in tone will soon start to give you a clue. Also, the signal size of these tiny wheels is inimitable. Most of the time, the more experienced searcher rejoices prematurely when such a signal is detected.) The signal is very precise, small and sharply defined. But at the same time it has a lower intensity than a crumpled foil.

The toyon is truly unique in its sensitivity, it is a more sensitive detector than previous ones. Tesoro, so you can find real ghosts at great depths. The detector itself is equipped with a large speaker that modulates very well. But if you don't want to disturb the surroundings, you can use headphones. But here I can warn you against cheap and low-quality models. If you don't want to miss out on all the benefits that this detector has to offer, always use headphones of the highest quality.
In any case, it is worth it, you will not lose even the smallest targets on the edge of your range. The detector is also very good at tracking small nuances in the ground, such as various "halo effects" or even tracking an old and long-ploughed road is very easy. And so, according to the detector's characteristic responses, you can literally walk for hundreds of meters along a long-lost road. Everything is of course determined by some practice, but learning goes quickly. You just have to pay attention and listen to what the detector "tells" you.

Finding golden targets is a separate chapter. The Tejon reacts very sharply to them and so even beach searches on freshwater tanks are very pleasant. As far as searching on salty beaches is concerned, I can only use the recommendation from Tesoro. Even after balancing the detector, you need to lower the sensitivity to about 60% of the detector's power. The Tejon is not a beach special so it does not like salty environments very much. So if you want to specialize in similar searches on sea beaches, a better choice is the Tesoro LOBO SuperTraq, which is equipped with a special filter.

Summary of working with the detector

So I will try to summarize the previous paragraphs in a few sentences. Always choose a smaller discrimination, learn to adjust the ground tuning as accurately as possible. Don't be afraid to experiment with the pitch setting and, above all, dig as many targets as possible at the beginning. It's a good idea to play around with the probe a little over each target, letting the detector give you as much information as possible. Although you may move very quickly through the terrain later on, these early days should teach you as much as possible in terms of detector response.

In the field

The actual testing took place at about 15 locations. Some places I was only once, some places repeatedly. The choice of locations was as varied as possible. From old military camps (forests and meadows), through extinct Sudeten villages to various fields in Central and North Bohemia. Three types of probes were tested: 1. Classic basic 9x8", large 2D 12x10" and oval widescan 25 cm.

South Bohemian military camps.) But in truth, finds are dwindling in many localities, and often a day's effort is rewarded with only a few dozen phoenixes. In camps, I have had no problems with the large 12x10 DD probe. The detector has a longer range with it than with a conventional 9x8" concentric. The sites are not heavily mineralized and even the size of the targets I look for range from rings to badges. Several times I compared signals with other searchers, and in many cases the Tejon was the only detector that "saw" the target. Thus, when searching at these sites, I almost exclusively used the concentric 9x8 (dense forest) and if the terrain was even slightly more passable, I searched with the 12x10 DD.
I think that for searching in such locations the classic 9x8" concentric is sufficient. However, if you are trying to find some hidden litter, or targets that other detectors have missed, the 12x10 DD is an advantage. Tracking relatively large targets does not give the big D any problems. Thus, the only places where it pays to deploy the basic 9x8" are the more densely vegetated newly planted clearings. There, movement with the larger 12x10 DD is difficult. I have only tested the Widescan 25 cm probe once in the above locations. It is definitely more advantageous in terms of coverage. I found the 9x8" concentric to be a better choice in range and separation. Also, larger pieces of deeply buried iron were read a bit better by the classic concentric.

Piscicata fields of Mladoboleslavsko: I have been walking on these and similar sites of old ploughed paths for a long time. There is a fairly good chance of finding small lost silver coins, and of course a large number of copper coins. The sandy soil here makes for fairly ideal conditions for storing the coins in the soil, and so the copper wheels often stand the ravages of time.

I find Tejon to be an excellent partner for finding such paths. The detector reacts gently to changes in soil composition, but most importantly, it immediately finds lots of tiny fragments of objects made of non-ferrous metals. If you come out of such imaginary territory, you quickly realize it. You can walk hundreds of metres across the fields like this.
When I used the probes, it depended a lot on where I was. With more iron signals in the soil, a basic 9x8" probe was a better solution than a 12x10 DD. Also, tracking down small objects in the soil can become a bit of a hell with a large 12x10 DD probe. The detector was very stable with all the probes in the locations mentioned and often let the detector be pushed to near maximum power.
I find the 25 cm Widescan probe to be a hilarious compromise for this kind of search. The toyon has decent coverage when using this probe and tracking down small signals is not such a problem. In general, however, the basic 9x8" probe is perfect for looking for small wheels. It has enough overlap so you don't have to walk very slowly. The detector will respond to an object in the soil even if you almost miss it with the probe. Tracking is a joy, the focus is almost on the head of a pin. If the soil contains a large number of ambient signals, use the trick of double-pressing the Fast grab lever directly over the target. The detected object is then taken out on a single kick of the narrow blade (I use the Black Ada Invander).

The last location I wanted to mention is North Bohemia. I'm skipping now the part of the Ore Mountains where we go quite often, but where I've never encountered a significant problem. I will concentrate on the fields and meadows. In many places you can really talk about very strong mineralisation, and also about soils that contain ferromagnetic rocks, mostly basalts. This is a real challenge for conventional VLF detectors.

Fields with high mineralization can be a big problem for the detector setup. In order to compensate for such a large amount of positively tuned soil for your detector, you need to follow a few basic rules. Don't try to drive the detector to maximum power; if you turn on your high beams in fog, you won't start to see the road any better either. Even the Threshold tone level is good to keep lower. Try to balance the detector as accurately as possible. If you can't, lower the sensitivity and start again. Even in extremely mineralized soils, the Tejon, unlike many other detectors, can be handled. I think in some places then the difference between high end analogue and high end digital became apparent. I'm no fan of such divisions, they and today's "analogs" often can't do without digital technology anymore, but here the differences were clear. The simpler uncomplicated response of the Tejon was often not comparable to the skipping response of digital, often the casemachines that I otherwise find exceedingly hilarious, and in milder conditions even their evaluation did not lack the necessary veracity.
As for the probes used, in extreme mineralization the large 12x10 DD probe is very difficult to use. The detector is also difficult to balance. All you get is an unstable instrument and a lot of ringing. The basic 9x8" probe and the 25 cm Widescan were much better and I rate their results similarly, although the object focus under the probe is more accurate with the concentric.

Basalts are a separate chapter. But it will be a short chapter. On truly ferromagnetic sites, the only way to search with the Tejon is at the cost of large crosstalk and greatly reduced sensitivity. Basically, you can't tune the ground balance. Like all other VLF detectors, the Tejon has significant problems in this environment. On one of my last tests, I had the LOBO with me to assess the advantage of the special filter that this detector has. The results were better, but more on that in the LOBO SuperTraq test.

So as far as basalts go, that's about the only soil limit for detector use that you can run into with the Tejon.

Final evaluation

Metal Detector Tesoro The Tejon is in many ways one of the most interesting detectors on the market. If I were to rate it in the category of analog devices, it is without a doubt the absolute top of the line. The selection of probes is more than sufficient and the workmanship of the detector is excellent. The instrument allows you to find even the smallest crumbs as well as large deeply buried targets. It is very fast and accurate. The discriminators work at the legendary Tesoro level. Many lines have already been written about separation in Tesoro detectors, but it is still worth mentioning. Even objects placed very close together do not cross over. It is also worth mentioning the minor beauty flies. Two things are worth describing: 1. the battery box door - it is always a good idea to check that it is really closed; it must actually click shut. It requires no force, only care. The second fly is the Ground Balance rotary knob. I would imagine it would have a stiffer action. You may find that the set point shifts when pushing through some thick brush. Personally, I haven't had a problem with it, but Jirka has given it a small "o" ring that solved the whole thing.

Elmara

Tejon rating by little Jirik

I have been using Tesoro detectors for many years. My first detector was a EuroSabre and since then I have completely fallen for this brand of detectors. I also used a Troy X5 for a while, which was manufactured at the Tesoro factory. I am currently using an older type Tesoro Tejon, and am extremely satisfied. I was a bit taken aback by Elmara's idea to borrow his Tejon for a week and try to write a few intelligible lines, but I finally agreed.

I've never done any comparative tests, so I concentrated on the items I'm looking for, which are mainly coins. I have several test items buried in my garden that my old Tesoro Tejon can safely see. So the first test was to see if there was any deterioration :) I was quite pleased with the results, especially with the silver greatsword and the thin gold ring. There, with the old Tejon, I always had the beacon on the edge of range. With the ring, which is in the place where the stone used to be cracked, then even only one-sided signal. The new Tejon saw these two hardest to identify objects much better and they were signals I would definitely dig.

The next testing was on my favorite, but already pretty well-trodden places. I think the biggest difference is the range on small objects. There is a pretty significant shift there. One afternoon I made my missus come over with my old machine and we tried to verify questionable signals. She wasn't too keen on it, so I only got a short two hour one to compare. For a few minor signals on the edge of range, the new Tejon was clearly better. My older detector just didn't see anything there. I also got the impression that the modulation of the detector response is much better with the new Tejon. Especially with large pieces of iron that I knew about from before (because I had already dug them up, some pieces more than once :) ) the signal was very easy to read. The characteristic cracking on the edges of the iron object was very clear.

So in Tesoro they have made some major changes for the better in my opinion. The detector has significantly added to the sensitivity and also to the modulation of the tone. The control with the bottom Fast grab lever is very convenient and also brings time savings. The separation has not changed at all and the discrimination is still just as great. So I can recommend the detector to anyone looking for the greatest sensitivity and accuracy in a detector. Although you won't get any ID numbers or depth gauges or size-measurements, I'm convinced that after a few days of practice you will read a lot more from Tejon's answersc, by which I apologize to all digital detector fans, but after a few tests of various brands, I have waned a lot in my enthusiasm for many LCD machines:)

If I can mention any cons, I would only mention one single one. And that is the ground balance potentiometer. While it is very precise, it can't be pulled off because it rotates endlessly, but it has too much play. Which hasn't changed with the new model. I don't understand why Tesoro hasn't made a change for the better, but I guess they don't have to go through the southern goose in Arizona. It's all solved by a piece of rubber band, or better yet, an "o" ring. I'm not sure, but I believe I was buying a 2mm diameter. If you frequent the woods, this simple adjustment is quite necessary. I think that a fieldman who only goes between combines doesn't have to worry about it .)

If you have read this far, I wish you good luck in your search. And with the motto of politeness above all, I say goodbye.

Jirka.M

Table of measured depths

Detector settings during the test: detector sensitivity set to 9, discrimination set to Iron, Treshold set to 12 o'clock, tone response set to 3 o'clock.

The detector could certainly be made deeper by using amplifiers, but for the objectivity of the test I chose the most average setting that I use in the field.

Subject	Description	Probe 9x8" sensitivity 9	Probe 12x10 DD sensitivity 9	25 cm windescan probe sensitivity 9
	Horseshoe - iron Diameter 14 cm	+ 50 cm	+ 50 cm	+ 50 cm
	Double hanger Austria-Hungary Diameter 19mm	22 cm	24 cm	22 cm
	One Crown Protectorate Diameter 24mm	24 cm	25 cm	24 cm
	Viennese phoenix, turn of the 13th and 14th centuries Diameter 12 mm	19 cm	22 cm	20 cm

	Lead bullet Diameter approx. 9 mm	25 cm	25 cm	24cm
	Austria-Hungary "For bravery" Diameter 30 mm	27 cm	29 cm	26 cm
	Deformed cartridge case. Length approx. 50 mm	28 cm	30 cm	28 cm

As per Tesoro Tejon