3 metal detectors tested

[Coin Digger]

I have been trying to figure out My Fisher F5, mainly how the threshold and gain work together verse the machines performance. i.e. depth.
I thought the best way would be to test each combination of setting in a controlled manner, and while I’m at it I’d test all my detectors.
Whites Classic 3, Fisher F5 and the Fisher F2.

I buried 5 dimes 5 nickels and 5 pennies all 2000 or newer at 2", 4", 6", 8" and 10". 
I swept the area in A/M and made sure the area was clear of any metal and I used a tape measure to check the depth of each coin. Each coin was placed flat and I used a 2x4 to compress the grass some so I could take the grass into consideration when measuring depth.

Whites Classic 3 with the stock 9.5 Blue Max coil.
I had it modified by Surfscanner Detectors.

Using factory presets (ring range).
Penny 6”
Nickel 4”
Dime  4”

Max Sensitivity and Zero Discrimination
Penny 6”
Nickel 4”
Dime 4”

All Metal – Max Sensitivity
Penny 10”
Nickel 8”
Dime 10”

Fisher F2 with 8” coil
Zero Discrimination
Penny @ 2” it read zinc
          @ 4” it read tab
          @ 6” it read iron
          @8” it jumped everywhere

Nickel @2” it read nickel
        @4” it read nickel
@6” it read iron

Dime @2” it read dime
        @4” it read nickel/tab
        @6” it read iron

Fisher F2 with 4” coil
Zero Discrimination
Penny @ 2” it read zinc/dime
          @ 4” it read tab/zinc
          @6” it jumped everywhere

Nickel @2” it read nickel
@4” it read nickel
@6” it read iron

Dime @2” it read dime
        @4” it read iron

Now for the F5 using the stock coil
Showing the deepest reading for each setting.

As far as how the gain/threshold works together on the F5 it looks to me that the closer the threshold is to zero to +1 or+2 and a gain of around 60 the better.

I was really surprised how the accuracy for the target id drops off on both fishers after 2" and I was really surprised at the Whites lack of depth in discrimination mode.

I guess it proves the old adage dig everything.