Fisher F2 Newbie could use some help.

[mikeraydj]

I have had my Fisher F2 for a couple of weeks now. I used to swing a Bounty hunter Quick Draw 2. I have been running the machine in quarter and dime mode a lot because I have a hard time getting stable VDI numbers on anything. Is it my machine? I have seen guys use the Fisher F2 and get stable readings at depth. For me, anything over 2 inches deep is usually all over the place. Even in Quarter and dime my Fisher will show dime on clad pennies. I live in Montana and I guess we have high mineralization here, should I trade up to a better machine or am I just not experienced enough on this machine?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[fella]

Quarter & dime mode? Does that mean you notch out all the other segments?

I live in an area where most of the sites I hunt have highly ferrous ground. The F2 handles it all just fine so I doubt it's ground issue.

Could it be a source of EMI? Does it act the same everywhere? Have you tried more than one location? Lower the sens?

First I'd make sure your coil plug is seated properly. Check for damage to the coil also. Eliminate EMI or compensate by lowering your sensitivity.
If you're still have issues, I'd call Fisher direct and talk to tech. The F2 should be stable well beyond 2".

 

[mikeraydj]

Yes I have been notching out all other segments. I find the jumpy id's wherever I hunt. My coil cable is secure. I usually hunt a 4 sensitivity unless I do get high EMI in the area, then I will back it down to as low as 2. I can put a quarter on the ground on the surface and get anywhere from a 68 to a 99. I was told that these numbers shouldn't deviate more than 2 especially on the surface to at least 4 inches down if there is no other metal masking it. I bought this F2 as a used demo unit from Kellyco with the 8" and 4" sniper coil. After testing I found that the 8" coil is the problem as the 4" correctly identifies targets and the 8" is all over the place. Thanks for your help. Fisher says they will replace the coil. The $60.00 I saved at Kellyco over a new 2 coil package is not as good a deal as I thought. I know people swear by this company, but I received this unit dirty, (it had food in the lock rings grooves and they forgot to send me a pinpointer which I had to wait another week for and now the coil. Not such a great deal.

 

[steve1357]

Yes I have been notching out all other segments. I find the jumpy id's wherever I hunt. My coil cable is secure. I usually hunt a 4 sensitivity unless I do get high EMI in the area, then I will back it down to as low as 2. I can put a quarter on the ground on the surface and get anywhere from a 68 to a 99. I was told that these numbers shouldn't deviate more than 2 especially on the surface to at least 4 inches down if there is no other metal masking it. I bought this F2 as a used demo unit from Kellyco with the 8" and 4" sniper coil.

I got out my F2 to check....

Using 8" stock coil, default sensitivity, a clad quarter is 77-79 solid to 7.5".
I also had the discrimination set for everything out except the top two dime and quarter segments.

Using the 4" coil, default sensitivity, solid 77-78 to 5.5"

Discrimination setting didn't seem to affect depth.

I'd recommend resetting the detector each time you swap coils. When off, hold the power button down for ten seconds. You won't see anything, but it will have reset.

Imho, send it back and get a refund, unless Fisher will take care of it under warranty, your choice.

 

[mikeraydj]

Yes I have been notching out all other segments. I find the jumpy id's wherever I hunt. My coil cable is secure. I usually hunt a 4 sensitivity unless I do get high EMI in the area, then I will back it down to as low as 2. I can put a quarter on the ground on the surface and get anywhere from a 68 to a 99. I was told that these numbers shouldn't deviate more than 2 especially on the surface to at least 4 inches down if there is no other metal masking it. I bought this F2 as a used demo unit from Kellyco with the 8" and 4" sniper coil. After testing I found that the 8" coil is the problem as the 4" correctly identifies targets and the 8" is all over the place. Thanks for your help. Fisher says they will replace the coil. The $60.00 I saved at Kellyco over a new 2 coil package is not as good a deal as I thought. I know people swear by this company, but I received this unit dirty, (it had food in the lock rings grooves and they forgot to send me a pinpointer which I had to wait another week for and now the coil. Not such a great deal.

 

[Sandman]

Sorry for your troubles. This is why I don't advise people to buy used, especially from Kellyco. Fisher has great customer service and should make it right. good luck.

 

[fella]

The $60.00 I saved at Kellyco over a new 2 coil package is not as good a deal as I thought. I know people swear by this company,

I've never dealt with Kco and I never will. I hear mostly negative reviews. Good on Fisher for sending you a new 8"!

 

[Fletch88]

My experience with Kco was not positive. Keith at Fort Bedford has been exceptional to me.

 

[mikeraydj]

Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragement!
Living here in Montana there are hardly any detecting groups. Knowledgeable detectorists are even harder to find. All your help is very much appreciated. I love this hobby.
I regularly hunt 4 or more hours a pop (when I can) and have at least $60.00 in clad, 2 silver rings and a bunch of miscellaneous relics. I found most with the Bounty Hunter Quick draw 2 I got cheap. That is why I was excited to get the F2 because it had a few more features I was wishing I had with the Bounty hunter. Watched all of the videos and liked what I saw for the price. Sadly my start has been rocky since I was sold a machine with a bad coil. I thought it was me, but will be happy to get a good coil and see what this machine can do.

 

[mikeraydj]

Since I have your input. Will the F2 work with rechargeable batteries. If so what kind? My manual says only to use alkalines. I have seen some good prices on 9 volt rechargeables and chargers on Ebay. They have 300 and 600 Ma.

 

[fella]

I use rechargeables in mine. I use the RadioShack brand. They're not the best but I've never had an issue. Just remember to keep em charged up. When they die, they die fast unlike alkalines.

 

[crazy4coins]

I have had my Fisher F2 for a couple of weeks now. I used to swing a Bounty hunter Quick Draw 2. I have been running the machine in quarter and dime mode a lot because I have a hard time getting stable VDI numbers on anything. Is it my machine? I have seen guys use the Fisher F2 and get stable readings at depth. For me, anything over 2 inches deep is usually all over the place. Even in Quarter and dime my Fisher will show dime on clad pennies. I live in Montana and I guess we have high mineralization here, should I trade up to a better machine or am I just not experienced enough on this machine?

Remember, copper pennies SHOULD read up as dimes.
Good Luck!
C4C

 

[MickeyMaguire]

My KellyCo experiences have all been positive, but I've only bought new product. Buying used is always a risk. I'd prefer to buy off Craig's List from someone in my immediate area rather than an online retailer. That way, it is not sight unseen.

 

[mikeraydj]

To be fair, I must tell you that even though I had a rocky start with Kellyco, Gene made sure to fix any problem I had. He sent me a new detector, which was good enough in itself. But he also upgraded the coil to a DD in case it was a mineralization problem, and gave me a Vulcan pinpointer. He didn't charge me a dime and paid for the shipping for my old detector and the new one. He didn't have to do that, but I believe he sincerely wanted me to know that Kellyco is a good company and stands behind their customers. Thanks Gene !

 

[madforclad]

To be fair, I must tell you that even though I had a rocky start with Kellyco, Gene made sure to fix any problem I had. He sent me a new detector, which was good enough in itself. But he also upgraded the coil to a DD in case it was a mineralization problem, and gave me a Vulcan pinpointer. He didn't charge me a dime and paid for the shipping for my old detector and the new one. He didn't have to do that, but I believe he sincerely wanted me to know that Kellyco is a good company and stands behind their customers. Thanks Gene !

Glad to hear it worked out. I would like to beleive that any of the dealers/sponsers on TN Forum would be reputable and professional to deal with.