Many have sold their CZ-20s.

[Sandman]

Many have sold their CZ-20's.

I have heard that many are selling their Fisher CZ-20's as fast as they can to buy other detectors. Two friends of mine have gotten rid of theirs since Fisher changed the repair prices if they will repair them at all. Makes you wonder about the others they make. I still have my CZ20 and CZ6A, though I haven't used the 20 in a while since I always use the Excal in the water now.

Is it a good idea to hang onto the CZ20 till it breaks or Deep Six it afterward?

HH,
Sandman

 

[Cubfan64]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

I've really been struggling with a decision on my CZ20 as well Sandman. It's the only detector I have right now and I use it for both ocean and freshwater. It did a fine job for me in my first season back into detecting this year, but I've also been keeping tabs on the awfully high repair costs and trying to make some decisions.

Since I got the detector used for ~$500, I think I'm going to go the route of picking up a backup detector (BH ID, Tesoro Tigershark or Excal) late this winter/early spring and probably eventually turn the CZ20 into my backup after learning the other one (or use it as my ocean detector if I choose the T-shark).

It's a tough decision because I could probably turn a quick $500-$700 sale of the CZ20 and give me enough $ for 2 detectors starting fresh this spring.

I haven't made up my mind yet - you're in a little bit better situation since it doesn't sound like you use your CZ20 much - if I were you, I think I'd be highly tempted to cash out and sell it on Ebay.

 

[Sandman]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

I am luck in not having to sell anything or let someone else have a detector that will turn out to be a burden on them when it needs repair.

There is no need to use the CZ20 as your ocean detector if you choose the T-Shark. The CZ20 has permanently turned on saltwater mode while the Tiger Shark has a switch for turning on saltwater mode or off for the tiny gold chains. I had a BH ID and didn't like it so I gave it to my brother in law. Now I will only use the T-Shark, or Excal in a wet environment. The CZ20 still works fine and has more than paid for itself, but my love for her has fallen by the wayside when Fisher sold out.

I never buy any piece of electronic ewuipement use, including detectors as you never know what your getting. If your a newbie, how do you know the detector is working as it should?

Sandman

 

[mvSWAT]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

I'm still hoping to get a used CZ20...I keep watching for a good deal on one, the deal with Fisher doesn't bother me at all, although I wouldn't buy one that is knowingly in need of repair.
Happy Hunting. Dan

 

[Cubfan64]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

I am luck in not having to sell anything or let someone else have a detector that will turn out to be a burden on them when it needs repair.

There is no need to use the CZ20 as your ocean detector if you choose the T-Shark. The CZ20 has permanently turned on saltwater mode while the Tiger Shark has a switch for turning on saltwater mode or off for the tiny gold chains. I had a BH ID and didn't like it so I gave it to my brother in law. Now I will only use the T-Shark, or Excal in a wet environment. The CZ20 still works fine and has more than paid for itself, but my love for her has fallen by the wayside when Fisher sold out.

I never buy any piece of electronic ewuipement use, including detectors as you never know what your getting. If your a newbie, how do you know the detector is working as it should?

Sandman

I've read alot about the pro's and con's of all the detectors I'm interested in (T-Shark, Excal and BH ID) and had some conversations with users of each of them. One of the things I've heard about the T-Shark is that it has more falsing issues in salt water and doesn't seem to be as stable unless you turn down the sensitivity to the point where you're losing too much depth. Have you felt that way at all Sandman? When I get conflicting reports on things like this, it makes me wonder if it's the detector or the detectorist.

I agree with you about the buying of a used detector, and if I had to do it all over again I would have purchased something new. I had my heart set on a CZ20 at the time however because I couldn't afford the Excal and the CZ's were already not being made anymore so I gambled. I'll be honest with you - I have no idea if it's operating the way it should or not and that's bugged me from day one, so live and learn I guess. That's why I'm looking to buy new. If I get a warm and fuzzy enough feeling about how the T-Shark will perform in salt water, I may go ahead and sell the CZ20 - I love the lifetime warranty on Tesoro and especially appreciate the ability to speak personally with the guys who make, repair and supply the detectors from a "small town feel" business that Tesoro runs.

Let me know what your feelings are on the T-Shark in salt water.

Thanks

 

[lonewolfe]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

I'm selling my cz20 on ebay very soon -

 

[treasurejack]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

It's true love baby! Getting rid of my CZ-20 would be like cutting off an arm, I've lived with it longer then my 2 ex wives! But from the sounds of things another divorce is in the making so if I must replace her at some point what other machine would even come close? The guy I metal detect with all the time has an Excaliber, a nice unit, but after some lengthy comparisons the CZ still proved to be king when it came to depth and tiny targets. Is the Excaliber the next best or is there something else I should consider?

 

[Tykit]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

I love my CZ20, been my beach detector for 3 years now. It's built like a tank ,and if the electronics ever conk out then maybe I'd just ditch it since it already paid for itself. I set the discriminate at #1 to knock out nails and small iron and it still picks up tiny non ferrous metal at a good depth in dry and wet ocean sand. No problem.

 

[Old Tom]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

Sandman

Where did you find the information on the fisher repair cost? I have been looking because I have been looking to pick up a backup PI machine and a fisher Impulse is on the short list. I am leaning toward the Tesoro sand shark but I have always thought the fisher impulse to be a good machine. I am sure it is a good machine I have use them before, but I don't want to get or hold onto machines that I might not be able to get repaired.

Guess what I am asking is if you have info I can look up I would appreciate it.

Also any idea why fisher quit making the Impulse, seems like it I heard they had dropped the model before I heard they had sold out to bounty hunter.

 

[Sandman]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

Anyone wanting info on Fisher's decision to drop production should contact the company. I was told that they made a decision to drop the CZ20 because of the cost of production and parts. Repairs are not available from Fisher as they don't have the parts and can't get them. Contact http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/contact_form.cfm Bounty Hunter cuts costs in the quality of parts and Fisher's standards were just to high for them business wise I guess. A shame.

I still like my CZ20 and will no doubt cry when it dies. However, life goes on and I have my other detectors, VLF's & PI's.

Sandman

 

[Old Tom]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

Thanks Sandman

Is it cold up there in michigan?

 

[Sandman]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

COLD, you better believe it! Ice on area lakes is near a foot thick and after this weekends sub zero temps. it will be thicker. I am laid up here in the frozen north instead of on the beaches on the coast.

 

[Old Tom]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

My brother is suppose to be finding me places to hunt in the Lansing area, I hope it will be much warmer by May.
I have done really well up there in the past and hope to do it again this year.

A foot thick ... wow .. hey .. do you think those guys out fishing on the ice are losing anything ..

 

[Sandman]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

Losing things on the ice, of course they are. Take off a glove to land a fish and maybe lose a ring. Dropped lighter, car keys, etc.

I love to ice fish in a shelter where it's warm an cosy where you can see the fish down below through the large hole you or strong buddy chopped. Enjoying a brew or Old #7, while letting your cares flow down the line into the water.

Sandman

 

[Eddy1H]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

I have had my CZ20 for years now and like others it has more than payed for its self, I also use a Whites surf PI machine, and it also has payed for its self, when on the beach in south Texas the PI does pick up ferrous but for the most part its not a problem and I usually dig every thing on the beach, every signal, even with the CZ20 I have found rings that were deep that gave and Iron signal, there may have been a nail under the ring but the digging on the beach is easy and I don't mind some extra work, it seems to pay off in the long run. But no I am not selling this machine, I am familiar with it, it works well, like most CZ's. Not a happy camper about Fisher selling us out. I am sure the high quality machines made here(with the exception of Minelab) instead of across the pond will be the norm for those of us who are really into quality machines we can trust to work every time we need them to. I will chose a new detector that is not Chinese with a Quality American name stamped on it for a sales pitch. My suggestion is keep the CZ until it quits, after all they are built very sturdy. Some of Fishers new machines look a bit frail to me, just my take on it though. With Minelab, Whites Tesoro, Garrett, Troy and a few others, I have lots and lots of proven quality and service detector company's to do business with.

 

[treasurejack]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

Eddy,
I agree, for the same reasons my CZ-20 is my main machine until it dies of old age. I am going to buy a quality backup this year in preparation of that event but like you said, "I know my machine" and that's 90% of the game in the first place. I've had mine since day one and I understand what she's saying to me.

 

[luckyduckie]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

i have contacted the customer service department of fisher and was told that they would still be honoring the lifetime warranty on machines bought before they were taken over by first texas. i got one of the last cz-20 machines available new out there and got a chance to use it during the summer of 2006. it is a shame to abandon such a well built machine due to concerns of repair costs. they also told me the newer warranty is going to be 5 years with the option to purchase a lifetime warranty for only 79.99. this is a small cost over the life of a detector.

luckyduckie

 

[Jeffro]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

Did you send in your card?

 

[Sandman]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

I will keep my old CZ20 till it dies. I have the land version the CZ 6a that I can hipmount for water hunting too and I will beable to change coils. I always liked Fisher, but with new owners things remain to be seen it they will keep produceing quality detectors. I don't like the new F-75 now. Looks to cheap even for China.

 

[Jeffro]

Re: Many have sold their CZ-20's.

I'm gonna hang on to my CZ-5 until it dies, too. Darn good machine. 5 years of trouble-free operation, and has paid for itself once or twice!