Does anyone use Fisher mds

[gambler13]

Does anyone use Fisher md's

The Fisher F4 looks like it has lots of features at a good price but it doesn't seem many people use Fishers. Anybody have any comments on Fisher esp. the F4?

 

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[Lowbatts]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

Used Fishers for years, but have no experience the lower-end of the F-series. Seen an F5 in use a few times, seemed pretty good.

Not sure if anyone else uses Fishers though....

 

[miser]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

My feeling is don't do it. The low end Fishers look exactly the same as the comparable Tecnetiks (did I spell that right?). They're both made by the same company if I'm not mistaken.

The F-5, when I was shopping for a detector, had alot of background noise and seemed more unstable.

If you want to spend around $250, get yourself an Ace 250 or the the Silver uMax.

If you can spend $400-$500, get yourself a Minelab 305 or 505. They are, IMHO, far superior to the low end Fishers.

 

[gambler13]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

Considering the minelab 305 but really want to stay with a lower cost machine right now. Talked to different salesman and get differing opinions although they consider the Ace 250 and Fisher F2 pretty equal. I like the F2 readout better but just can't get any Fisher F2 users to post. If you have, had, or used a Fisher F2, PLEASE post likes and dislikes. Seen some posts from last year where they really liked their F2's but nothing new.

 

[NGE]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

Find yourself a good used 1265 or 1266-X Fisher, I have a 1266-X and have been offered more than I paid for it new back in 1985 They are excellent relic machines and also good depth machines, I have personally dug I.H.'s at 9". No multi-tones, no computer science degrees needed, very slight changes in tones. I have the 12" HotHead coil on mine, no need for pinpointers, dead on all the time. Now for the bad news, they are no longer made. Mine is all beat to H*LL, But it still works fine. Google it and read all about it..........NGE BTW, it is also a silent search machine, makes no noise till something is under the coil .

 

[miser]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

Considering the minelab 305 but really want to stay with a lower cost machine right now. Talked to different salesman and get differing opinions although they consider the Ace 250 and Fisher F2 pretty equal. I like the F2 readout better but just can't get any Fisher F2 users to post. If you have, had, or used a Fisher F2, PLEASE post likes and dislikes. Seen some posts from last year where they really liked their F2's but nothing new.

Again, I did shop and tried the different models in the Kellyco showroom. I would stay away from the low end Fishers.

The 250 handled well and there are a ton of posts by users who love it! The Tesoro Silver uMax, which I have not tested, also gets tons of raves reviews by their owners, but Tesoro just doesn't get marketed they way the 250 does.

If you like the LCD display, get the 250 and be done with it. JMHO.

Best of luck in your final choice! Heaven knows I agonized about for weeks.

 

[Keppy]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

The Fisher F4 looks like it has lots of features at a good price but it doesn't seem many people use Fishers. Anybody have any comments on Fisher esp. the F4?

You might get more answers if you post this under fishers research lab's ..More than you will get here under metal detecting.........

 

[Sandman]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

Considering the minelab 305 but really want to stay with a lower cost machine right now. Talked to different salesman and get differing opinions although they consider the Ace 250 and Fisher F2 pretty equal. I like the F2 readout better but just can't get any Fisher F2 users to post. If you have, had, or used a Fisher F2, PLEASE post likes and dislikes. Seen some posts from last year where they really liked their F2's but nothing new.

Again, I did shop and tried the different models in the Kellyco showroom. I would stay away from the low end Fishers.

The 250 handled well and there are a ton of posts by users who love it! The Tesoro Silver uMax, which I have not tested, also gets tons of raves reviews by their owners, but Tesoro just doesn't get marketed they way the 250 does.

If you like the LCD display, get the 250 and be done with it. JMHO.

Best of luck in your final choice! Heaven knows I agonized about for weeks.

There are many reasons why most hunters are not using the very low end Fishers. Get yourself a ACE 250 and be with the guys and gals that are finding stuff on a consistent basis.

 

[ivan salis]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

the teknetics delta 4000 model for $279 is in my view better than the ace 250 at $212 --and yes i own a ace 250 and have used it for quite some time and its a good decent machine (its still my back up / loaner unit) -- however that said the main reason --i like the delta 4000 over the ace 250 is the "numbers" type display -- with its 0 -99 display level --the delta has 100 slots to sort its finds into vs only 8 slots on the ace 250 -- thus it can sort things to a finer degree -- with the ace 250 --pulltabs, nickles and gold tend to lump all together --making for a lot of trash digging if one wants to find a gold item --

however with its numbers type system -- normally speaking the delta 4000 shows #58 for 10 k gold and nickles -- most tabs are #60 (note i did not say all --just most /many) -- 14 k gold comes in at # 67--thus it allows low end users something most of them want --the ability to try and sort many trash pull tabs out from gold (to prevent "wasted" digging ) at a still affordible lower end price range. ($279)

i have shown several folks this with side by side testing using my delta 4000 and my ace 250 --afterwards --everyone has agreed --they would rather get the slightly more costly delta ($67 more--well worth the differance in my veiw)

 

[m bryan]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

the teknetics delta 4000 model for $279 is in my view better than the ace 250 at $212 --and yes i own a ace 250 and have used it for quite some time and its a good decent machine (its still my back up / loaner unit) -- however that said the main reason --i like the delta 4000 over the ace 250 is the "numbers" type display -- with its 0 -99 display level --the delta has 100 slots to sort its finds into vs only 8 slots on the ace 250 -- thus it can sort things to a finer degree -- with the ace 250 --pulltabs, nickles and gold tend to lump all together --making for a lot of trash digging if one wants to find a gold item --

however with its numbers type system -- normally speaking the delta 4000 shows #58 for 10 k gold and nickles -- most tabs are #60 (note i did not say all --just most /many) -- 14 k gold comes in at # 67--thus it allows low end users something most of them want --the ability to try and sort many trash pull tabs out from gold (to prevent "wasted" digging ) at a still affordible lower end price range. ($279)

i have shown several folks this with side by side testing using my delta 4000 and my ace 250 --afterwards --everyone has agreed --they would rather get the slightly more costly delta ($67 more--well worth the differance in my veiw)

What kind of depth does the 4000 have?

 

[ivan salis]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

in my area --in NE florida -- i can hit dimes / old copper cents and quarters at 6-8 inches no sweat with the stock 8 inch coil it come with (basically the normal type depth of most machines in general ) --depth wize the 250 and the 4000 are basically the same --the edge goes to the delta in my book due to its improved IDing abilities . Ivan

 

[Monty]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

I belonged to a club where about 90% of the members used Fishers. Mainly because the Fishers dealer was a board member and gave them such good deals. The older machines in particular are very popular around here. Monty

 

[MSCOTT]

Ave Vs. F2

The 250 and F2 are almost identical when comparing feature for feature but here are some reasons why the F2 is superior to the 250

-The F2 is much faster and a little deeper
-Better more accurate and easier Pinpointing
-5 year warranty on the F2 only 2 years on the Ace
-The F2 shafts have cam locks for a solid feel on rod connections Ace does not have locking collars
-Far better target resolution, 8 segments and 100 numbers vs. only 12 segments on Ace
-Headphone jack on the left side as opposed to the right side (unless you are left handed)
-Lower price $199 vs. $212 or get one for $215 with 2 coils the stock 8” and 4” along with an Electric pinpointer
-More sensitive on small targets (like smaller gold jewelry)
-F2 has 4 tones and the 250 only has 3
-F2 does better in wet salt sand
-4 coils available the Ace only has 3 total and none are DD
-Better balance and more stable at higher sensitivity settings
-Large DD coil available to help in bad soil if needed
-Also Made in the USA just like the Ace

The main Ace advantage I see is the 4 AA to 2 9V battery system

F4 has an awesome all-metal mode and you can ground balance-it also comes stock with the 11” DD coil which is the best performing coil in the entire industry
The F4 also has the 11 segments and 100 numbers and far better depth than the Ace and other units that are priced higher.

Accessory or replacement coil price comparison;
Ace 250:
Stock 6x9 $90
9x12 $100
4.5” $75
Fisher F2/F4:
Stock 8” $50
10” $70
4” $40
11”DD $150

The F2 beats the Ace hands down in features and performance not only on the bench and on paper but in the field where it counts and the F4 is out of its league and a comparison isn’t even fair to the Ace.
Garrett is a great company and makes a great product but the F2 is superior in many ways.
If you can get into the F4 do it but make sure you get a concentric coil if you are going to hunt areas with lots of bottle caps because the DD takes some practice to ID them properly. Stay away from the Minelabs especially the ones made in Malaysia which is where they are all made now. The Delta is also an excellent choice.
I have plenty of hours on all these units and tested the prototypes on the F2/F4, Ace series, Greek Teks and Xterras for Garrett, Fisher, Minelab, and Teknetics.

Mike

 

[seeker41]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

WOW!!!!!! there are many entry level/low end fishers that will spank the ace 250!!!!!! especially if you need a machine that will ground balance. i have a radioshack discovery 3300 made by first texas that is simmiler to the f2 and f4 but slower that will out hunt some high end machines. there are many people out there using fishers!!!! do some homework/research or go by mike scotts comparison and you will get the facts and not the bull !!!!!! really would like to see some of you guys give the "new fishers" a chance! look at all the minelab problems that people are putting up with. seriously!!

 

[Streak!]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

My feeling is don't do it. The low end Fishers look exactly the same as the comparable Tecnetiks (did I spell that right?). They're both made by the same company if I'm not mistaken.

The F-5, when I was shopping for a detector, had alot of background noise and seemed more unstable.

If you want to spend around $250, get yourself an Ace 250 or the the Silver uMax.

If you can spend $400-$500, get yourself a Minelab 305 or 505. They are, IMHO, far superior to the low end Fishers.

that doesnt sound quite right. The F5 is a REAL sleeper, and IMHO one of the best coinshooters on the planet. Its also a very quiet and stable machine. A REAL good deal for the $$. I hate the ugly case.....but love the performance.
For some reason some guys have a problem using the phaze lock on that machine (but its real easy). Are you sure you had it set up right when you tried it? MY F5 will kick a Ace's butt so bad it isnt even funny, and its quite a bit deeper than any of the Tesoro micromax series detectors. (Yes, I've had a number of them).
Another machine that never got the reputation it deserved is the Whites classic series. The IDX and IDX pro were wonderful coinshooters, and very very good performers for the $$. We still have two of them. (Actually three...a Classic III, a Classic IDX, and an IDX pro). For some reason the didnt have the following that the higher end Whites machines had, and I equate this to whats happening with the F5 for instance. As a pure coinshooter, I'd put my F5 up against my LTD!
Bottom line. I'd recommend the F5 to just about anyone that wanted an easy to use, powerful mid priced machine. Streak!

 

[warsawdaddy]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

The CZ5 I had was probably one of the best units ever made(wish I still had it).I had a F5 and if it said it was down there,it was,no problem.I traded away both of these for other units.I now have another F5.It will be my backup to my MXT and Gamma 6000.I have had no trouble with any of them.

 

[EddieR]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

All the Fishers are awesome....

The 250 is okay but the Fishers do better for me. Lightweight, deep, pinpoint exact, and FAST recovery.

I use the 250 in the tot lots sometimes, but the Tesoro Compadre is better.

The F2 is terrific, the F4 is better, and the F5...well...if you take the time to learn to set it correctly for the area you are hunting....be prepared to dig deep!

 

[Streak!]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

All the Fishers are awesome....

The 250 is okay but the Fishers do better for me. Lightweight, deep, pinpoint exact, and FAST recovery.

I use the 250 in the tot lots sometimes, but the Tesoro Compadre is better.

The F2 is terrific, the F4 is better, and the F5...well...if you take the time to learn to set it correctly for the area you are hunting....be prepared to dig deep!

I like your Avitar....
giggety giggety!!!

 

[Cool Hand Fluke]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

The CZ5 I had was probably one of the best units ever made(wish I still had it).I had a F5 and if it said it was down there,it was,no problem.I traded away both of these for other units.I now have another F5.It will be my backup to my MXT and Gamma 6000.I have had no trouble with any of them.

I agree. The CZ series, especially the CZ5 and CZ6 in my opinion were Fishers best machines. I am going on 15 years with the CZ6. The older Fisher CZ's were all analog displays, not the digital displays that the new Fishers are equipped with. I have had several digital machines, they include Minelabs, Garretts, Teknetics, and Whites. The CZ's with the analog displays just run more stable, that needle will just lock on to a good target. The digital machines will sometimes bounce numbers on a display screen, especially on a deep target. It can get frustrating to see numbers bouncing at 42, 52, 63, 77, 85, etc. on a digital display. Is it a silver dime or a pull tab?

 

[osgood]

Re: Does anyone use Fisher md's

I went from the Ace 250 to the F4. The batteries where an issue as well as the limited tones and lack of volume control on the Ace. I would agree the F4 had better pinpointing, depth, easier to read screen and other features. I bought two other fishers, both higher models, and each was an improvement. Just my opinion. CO