Explorer versus F75

[bakergeol]

Here is a good review listing the advantages of both. It is from the Geotech forum.

http://members5.boardhost.com/MetalDetecting/msg/1174969649.html


Posted by Andy,NM on 3/27/2007, 12:27 am
71.222.226.123

After the first 6 days with the F75 i have to say that this detector is the fastest i ever used. Not only recovery speed and target response...the numbers on the display show up so fast that you can put three different coins in a row 5" apart and swing the F75 over them as fast as you can and it displays every coin separatly. Depth and target ID seems to improve with higher speed too. I have never seen a detector that can do that. I like how hard it hits (bangs) on the coins too.
Here is the tip of the day: Use the Target ID number in conjunction with the depth meter since you have a depth reading when you swing over a target. So if the target ID is 20 and depth shows 8+ inches it can be a nickel. Shallow nickels read about 30 (29 to 31).

I see that Explorer vs F75 question on some forums. Let me say that target ID at depth and beach performance in the wet salt are the only advantages the Ex has over the F75.

The advantages of the F75 over the Explorer are:

1. Less weight and better balance.
2. Recovery speed and target response is lightning fast.
3. Deeper All Metal Mode
4. Better response to small gold and other lower conductors.
5. Easier to use interface.

If you use a F75 after you used an Explorer you get the feeling that your life was in slow motion before.
Not bashing the Ex here...it has its place....at the beach.

OK thats it for now.

Andy,NM



GEORGE

 

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[Born2Dtect]

I agree with 1 and 2 but not with 3 and 4, 5 is just a matter of opinion. I think I can set up my Explorer II to get as good a gold and depth response if not better than the F75. I don,t own an F75 but would not mind getting my hands on one. The first reports on it were interesting.

Ed D.

 

[bakergeol]

Hi Born2Dtect
Here is a plug for the Ex11 vs the F75 as an edge for park hunting. As a former Explorer user I too think it will be hard to beat it for deep coins. Time will tell.

http://members5.boardhost.com/MetalDetecting/msg/1175028897.html

With regards to small gold- Well that probably is dependent on what is meant by small gold. Small gold encountered in prospecting is quite different than jewelry gold. Even though there is a thread on TN that promotes the Ex as a nugget detector my experience is the opposite. It is more than my single frequency detector was far more sensitive to small gold(X5). It was that the Explorer was simply not capable of detecting some gold specimens period regardless of size(Mult-frequency thing- gold chain concept). As seen in the link below the T75 can be used as a nugget detector. May be a good competitor to the MXT.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?37,493164,493164#msg-493164

It also is strange that the other forums are filled with comments and questions about the F75. Here at TN almost nothing is posted.


George

 

[cryptodave]

It also is strange that the other forums are filled with comments and questions about the F75. Here at TN almost nothing is posted.

Not really George. People on this forum are so anti-bounty hunter, I'm surprised that this thread hasn't been blown up yet.
I've read some good stuff on the F75, and I would like to play with one, but I'm also an Explorer guy, so I don't buy ALL the hype yet.

 

[erikk]

I run a couple of EX 2's and are very happy with them but I will still take a look at the F75 after all the hype shakes out. I also have a CZ7a pro that I like and use as well. Bottom line is that it takes time to learn your unit and there will never be a perfect MD. You will always have to use your shovel as the ultimate discriminator .02

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

It also is strange that the other forums are filled with comments and questions about the F75. Here at TN almost nothing is posted.

Not really George. People on this forum are so anti-bounty hunter, I'm surprised that this thread hasn't been blown up yet.
I've read some good stuff on the F75, and I would like to play with one, but I'm also an Explorer guy, so I don't buy ALL the hype yet.

I thought the F75 was a Fisher Labs product??


Oops - never mind. I see that Fisher Research Labs has been bought up/out by BH. But, I also saw F75 topics on the Fisher forum here

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?board=218.0

 

[cryptodave]

It also is strange that the other forums are filled with comments and questions about the F75. Here at TN almost nothing is posted.

Not really George. People on this forum are so anti-bounty hunter, I'm surprised that this thread hasn't been blown up yet.
I've read some good stuff on the F75, and I would like to play with one, but I'm also an Explorer guy, so I don't buy ALL the hype yet.

I thought the F75 was a Fisher Labs product??

Fisher was bought by First Texas who also produces the Teknetics and Bounty Hunter brands.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Well, there may not be cross-product migration, or not for some time anyway. I've worked for places that have been "taken over" and we either went right along making things as we always had or else we were gobbled up piecemeal for patents, machinery and customer base and then closed down.

I'm neutral to either in this one.

 

[cryptodave]

Well, there may not be cross-product migration, or not for some time anyway. I've worked for places that have been "taken over" and we either went right along making things as we always had or else we were gobbled up piecemeal for patents, machinery and customer base and then closed down.

I'm neutral to either in this one.

The F75 is a revised model of the Teknetics T2, the F4 is a revised model of the Discovery 3300.
Fisher Labs closed and moved to Texas into the factory of First Texas. All of this is old news.

Hey, I'm not a BH hater, matter of fact I think they make a heck of a product, especially for the price. I'm just simply stating the fact that alot of the yahoos on this site will not buy Fisher again just because of who they are owned by, and that is very very sad.

 

[Marc]

Hey, I'm not a BH hater, matter of fact I think they make a heck of a product, especially for the price. I'm just simply stating the fact that alot of the yahoos on this site will not buy Fisher again just because of who they are owned by, and that is very very sad.

Yahoos? I don't appreciate SEVERAL of your recent posts DAVE.

I have owned three Bounty Hunters. My first detector was a Bounty Hunter. I liked my Bounty Hunters.

If a company would like to Support this site, it might see a little more Support from our Members!!!!!

Do I try to promote TreasureNet SPONSORS?

YES!

 

[Willy]

Um, from what I gather (reading Dave's post and the quoted section), Dave is actually promoting Bounty Hunter and decrying the people (yahoos) who are slamming Fisher because it's owned by first Texas. When a person says that a company is making 'a heck of a product', I see that as praise; and to say that it's 'very very sad' that Yahoos will not buy Fisher because it's owned by FT is definitely NOT putting down Fisher or FT. ..Willy.

 

[Jack(IN)]

I read Daves post as well...

and didn't see him slam anyone that would not own a Bounty Hunter, think you misread his post. I will post something I dislike about a detector and hope I don't get slammed because its a Sponser made detector I have my own opinion and hopefully free to state it, respectfully of course! If not I might be on the wrong site!

 

[cryptodave]

Hey, I'm not a BH hater, matter of fact I think they make a heck of a product, especially for the price. I'm just simply stating the fact that alot of the yahoos on this site will not buy Fisher again just because of who they are owned by, and that is very very sad.

Yahoos? I don't appreciate SEVERAL of your recent posts DAVE.

I have owned three Bounty Hunters. My first detector was a Bounty Hunter. I liked my Bounty Hunters.

If a company would like to Support this site, it might see a little more Support from our Members!!!!!

Do I try to promote TreasureNet SPONSORS?

YES!

I FULLY support Bounty Hunter and First Texas. Try reading my post slower.

 

[AgileMJOLNIR]

I have seen the F75 and The Explorer SE side by side and at least out here in California soil my hat is off to the Explorer still. The F75 is a T2 with a few minor (and I do say minor) upgrades.

The F75 like the T2 is better for hunting relics from what I have seen versus coinage. The F75 I have witnessed is also prone to electrical interference unlike the Explorer.

Out here in California the Explorer doesn't just ID deeper it IS deeper. The F75 has it's strengths but out performing the Explorer in the depth or ID department is NOT one of them. The F75 is a fast machine indeed and I have yet to see a machine peek between iron the way that it can but from what I know of the Explorer you can do the same thing you just have to sweep alot slower but then again thats part of the Explorers recipe for depth.

So all this being said keep in mind that you need different tools for different jobs. No one detector does it all. An Explorer paired with a T2 or F75 would be a formidable combination.

Not trying to stir the pot here but I know what I have seen with my own 2 eyes. My observations once again are based on mineralized California soil conditions so your results may vary

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Agile....

I have both units. An 5 month old SE (upgraded from my old EX II) and a week old F75.

I LOVE my SE for when it says its a coin, 95% of the time its dead on. However, My F75 is as deep or DEEPER than the SE. When in pinpoint and or jewelery mode it is without a doubt deeper. The machine is allot easier to learn. The weight difference is night and day.

You spoke of minor difference than the T2. I would suggest you do more research on that. Backlight, settings saved after turn off, 3 different hunting modes, depth readout on pinpoint just to name a few off the top of my head. Several tests that I cant confirm for myself says its 1 to 2 inches deeper than the T2.

I agree my Explorer is top shelf unit but the F75 is VERY comperable unit. With its weight advantage, depth, hunting speed, hunting ability in iron and 30 hours on 4 AA's the SE will be gathering dust for awhile while I learn just how good this detector is.

HH, Stoops

 

[bakergeol]

Thanks for your input guys- especially stoopstroop and AgileMJOLNIR

Just trying to get some feedback on a new detector- All opinions welcome.

George

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Here's a site I just came across that tests depths on two specific coins for dozens of detectors.

The Fisher F75 tested above any of the White's, but far from top of the pack. You'll have to judge his credibility for yourself. I know nothing of the site but stumbled across it trying to find reviews for the F75 (which is/was beginning to attract my attention favorably).

 

[AgileMJOLNIR]

Agile....

I have both units. An 5 month old SE (upgraded from my old EX II) and a week old F75.

I LOVE my SE for when it says its a coin, 95% of the time its dead on. However, My F75 is as deep or DEEPER than the SE. When in pinpoint and or jewelery mode it is without a doubt deeper. The machine is allot easier to learn. The weight difference is night and day.

You spoke of minor difference than the T2. I would suggest you do more research on that. Backlight, settings saved after turn off, 3 different hunting modes, depth readout on pinpoint just to name a few off the top of my head. Several tests that I cant confirm for myself says its 1 to 2 inches deeper than the T2.

I agree my Explorer is top shelf unit but the F75 is VERY comperable unit. With its weight advantage, depth, hunting speed, hunting ability in iron and 30 hours on 4 AA's the SE will be gathering dust for awhile while I learn just how good this detector is.

HH, Stoops

Hey Troop thanks for the reply.
I do still feel that the upgrade from the T2 to the F75 isn't all that major to be honest. All the things you mention sound to me like more of a software upgrade than a true performance upgrade. Comforts?

Looking at who designed the F75 it is no doubt a great unit but like I was saying here in my neck of the woods it just doesn't have much of an edge over the Explorer except for it's ability to grab items from iron infested areas, weight and swing speed. Here the F75 is fast becoming a top notch relic machine just like the T2 but it's not grabbing those silver coins out of the ground like the SE or even the older model Explorers are.

I live about 1 1/2hrs from Fisher Labs so I am hoping to get down there sometime soon and speak with some people there more about the unit.

 

[Bart@Big Boys Hobbies]

Yesterday I went over a schoolyard with the F75 I have POUNDED with the explorers. The Ex II pulled a few silver dimes out of it a few months back. When I went over it agian with the SE i pulled a few recent drops of new clad.

Howerever yesterday I pulled 3 wheaties and a silver/nickel ring that the explorers could not pull. 2 of the wheaties were right next to trash (and i mean right next to) that both explorers missed. I hunt in all metal with the explorers so it wasnt nulled out when i missed them. I hope to find some silver with it soon. I know silver air tests VERY well.

The jewelery mode is not just a comfy feature. When you run in that mode it is at least 1-2 inches deeper. Alot more sensitive (chatter) but deeper. I switch to it to comfirm a deep target. When you turn descrim to 25 it is the same as running in jewelery mode (gets that extra depth) but you lose some small gold. Most detectors if you run the sens up to high your depth goes to crap but with the F75 it gets noiser but the good targets usually ring through. I always worry on the SE if i have it to high.


BTW... After yesterdays hunt I put the SE up for sale... $1150 with stock coil and cover, sunray X-8 coil and cover and sunray probe. The best setup for the Minelabs you can get. In my opionion of course. ha ha

HH, Stoops

 

[AgileMJOLNIR]

Yesterday I went over a schoolyard with the F75 I have POUNDED with the explorers. The Ex II pulled a few silver dimes out of it a few months back. When I went over it agian with the SE i pulled a few recent drops of new clad.

Howerever yesterday I pulled 3 wheaties and a silver/nickel ring that the explorers could not pull. 2 of the wheaties were right next to trash (and i mean right next to) that both explorers missed. I hunt in all metal with the explorers so it wasnt nulled out when i missed them. I hope to find some silver with it soon. I know silver air tests VERY well.

The jewelery mode is not just a comfy feature. When you run in that mode it is at least 1-2 inches deeper. Alot more sensitive (chatter) but deeper. I switch to it to comfirm a deep target. When you turn descrim to 25 it is the same as running in jewelery mode (gets that extra depth) but you lose some small gold. Most detectors if you run the sens up to high your depth goes to crap but with the F75 it gets noiser but the good targets usually ring through. I always worry on the SE if i have it to high.


BTW... After yesterdays hunt I put the SE up for sale... $1150 with stock coil and cover, sunray X-8 coil and cover and sunray probe. The best setup for the Minelabs you can get. In my opionion of course. ha ha

HH, Stoops

Sorry to hear your putting the SE up for sale. I am in the market for one I just don't have all the money together yet

Your experience at the park with the SE and F75 shows that 1 detector won't do it all. That most times you need 2 different tools for the same job. My wallet is beginning to cry already because I would love to also have a F75 to accompany my SE eventually!