Might buy a new fisher 1280 aquanat with 10 coil for 663. Need opinions on this

[dfxmatt]

machine and the cost.....I understand it has a lifetime warranty which is awesome with a water detector. I need opinions on operation etc. ........thx.

 

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[TonyinCT]

If it's used the warranty is void. The detector however is good but getting kind of old as far as what else is out on the market.

 

[deepsix47]

Fisher makes a fine unit. I own 2 of the Impulse's and have used them for years. When we were TH'g full time we tried many different brands but for ease of operation, dependability, and being rugged, the Impulse was our choice. We did try the Aquanaut but finally decided on the impulse for everthing. The beach, underwater, land, it served for all.
Deepsix

 

[Sandman]

I still have two 1280's which I used to set up at Volume as high as it would go, Sens. at half way, you might be able to run it higher depending where you are. Disc. set at 2 and no higher. You want it to give a double beep on a bobby pin. The 10 inch coil is better for the area covered per sweep. It's heavy and built like a tank and the best way to use it is to hip mount it or wear it from the neck. Very good on batteries. However it chatters near the waterline in saltwater.

However, there are lots better detectors out there for the water at near the same price. One is the Whites Beach Hunter ID. This has two freq. instead of just one in the Fisher. Three different tones to id the target and lights to match so your not having to use to much disc. and miss a white gold ring which reads like foil, well below pull tabs.

Next is the hot Tesoro Tiger Shark at about the same price. One freq. and tone, but it finds gold chains easy. It is the only water detector that you can change coils. A real Lifetime Warranty too. Not the false one Fisher has. It's my back up and sometimes the only one I take. Has a Saltwater mode so it is great in the surf too.

The upgrades from these are the PI types, very deep, but hardly any good discrimination. Too much deep digging for my old bones. Next is the Fisher CZ20 at near a thousand bucks and not made anymore. Fisher says they are repairing them, but there are complaints from hunters. I have a CZ20 too which I never use anymore.

Top of the line in my opinion is the Excal 1000. It's a Sov. built for the water. Earlier ones had loose knobs and cable problems, but not anymore. I would dive with mine and it has found a ton of goodies. It is the only water detectors I've used that will discriminate out a railroad spike and report on a gold ring underneath it. The Excals are almost as deep as PI detectors, but with out having to dig two feet into the sand for a hair pin.

 

[The Bulgarian]

Re: Might buy a new fisher 1280 aquanat with 10 coil for 663. Need opinions on t

I have new one i won at Daytona hunt
450$ if you like write me.

 

[finderzzs]

I've used that machine for many years in the Great lakes and smaller lakes in Ohio & Mich., with the 10" coil. I have always outperformed everyone I hunted with. It's depth in fresh water is incredible. I've found actually 100's of gold rings. Plus lots of other treasures. I've even used it relic hunting in VA. & MD. Thats my take on this machine. I now live where's theres salt water, so I use the PI Pro, but I still have my 1280-X. Steve

 

[MEinWV]

The 1280X was a great machine that found a whole lot of coins for me. I used it at salt water beaches, and even with the chatter in and around the waterline, I got great depth. I found it hard to get used to for quite a while, but finally fell in love with it.

I found it to be really good in older parks and foundations where there was a lot of underbrush. The 10" coil was never a problem handling, even in thickets. I always hung it on my chest with a harness. Since I got my CZ5 however, I haven't used it. I got the 10" coil also for the CZ, because I liked it so much on the 1280.

You may want to consider getting one of the more modern machines, with some extra features. The 1280 is a rather simple machine in a heavy duty casing. It is basically a slightly spicier 1225 in a waterproof package.

 

[deepsix47]

I still have two 1280's which I used to set up at Volume as high as it would go, Sens. at half way, you might be able to run it higher depending where you are. Disc. set at 2 and no higher. You want it to give a double beep on a bobby pin. The 10 inch coil is better for the area covered per sweep. It's heavy and built like a tank and the best way to use it is to hip mount it or wear it from the neck. Very good on batteries. However it chatters near the waterline in saltwater.

However, there are lots better detectors out there for the water at near the same price. One is the Whites Beach Hunter ID. This has two freq. instead of just one in the Fisher. Three different tones to id the target and lights to match so your not having to use to much disc. and miss a white gold ring which reads like foil, well below pull tabs.

Next is the hot Tesoro Tiger Shark at about the same price. One freq. and tone, but it finds gold chains easy. It is the only water detector that you can change coils. A real Lifetime Warranty too. Not the false one Fisher has. It's my back up and sometimes the only one I take. Has a Saltwater mode so it is great in the surf too.

The upgrades from these are the PI types, very deep, but hardly any good discrimination. Too much deep digging for my old bones. Next is the Fisher CZ20 at near a thousand bucks and not made anymore. Fisher says they are repairing them, but there are complaints from hunters. I have a CZ20 too which I never use anymore.

Top of the line in my opinion is the Excal 1000. It's a Sov. built for the water. Earlier ones had loose knobs and cable problems, but not anymore. I would dive with mine and it has found a ton of goodies. It is the only water detectors I've used that will discriminate out a railroad spike and report on a gold ring underneath it. The Excals are almost as deep as PI detectors, but with out having to dig two feet into the sand for a hair pin.

Hi Sandman: I've heard a lot of complaints on the forum about the fisher warrnty but the one time I had to send a unit to be repaired. I got it back in record time and it's as good as the day we bought it. The units that were sold with the lifetime there seems to be no problem. If I'm correct in my understanding the units now have a five year (not sure about that though). We were also given a CZ20 to field test and it made only 4-5 trips. The kids didn't even like to use it on the beach....lol. I like the impulse for the depth it gets and the simplicity of use. Two knobs, a LED, a bargraph and audio. Even underwater with gloves on a diver has no problem making adjustments.
Deepsix

 

[dfxmatt]

I live in michigan, so i will only be hunting freshwater lakes. I currently have a dfx (hence the name) for land hunting. I was just wondering how the 1280x performed in freshwater. From what all i've heard it does great in freshwater. I won't have to worry bout salt water any. Do you guys think i should still get a different unit other than the 1280x?...I just like the fact it has a lifetime warranty. I can spend up to 700. Do you think i can get a more advanced machine than the 1280 for $700?. thx.

 

[Mike Silver -gold]

I have a 1280 10" and a 1280 8". In fresh water they are super. All kinds of coins and rings. Not so hot in salt water. They run totaly silent until you pass over metal. Nice detectors for the money. Mike

 

[Sandman]

I forgot to mention that the 1280 has a preset Ground Balance which is OK most times. Here in Michigan it will be fine in most areas. They are built like tanks and I found it best to hang the box around my neck to take the weight and water resistance off the arm.

Other machines near the same price with manual GB are the Tiger Shark and Beach Hunter ID. Both are great detectors too. You couldn't go wrong with any of them. Good Luck......

Sorry, I get carried away with Fisher's warranty troubles. I just hope I don't have anymore.

 

[The Bulgarian]

Re: Might buy a new fisher 1280 aquanat with 10 coil for 663. Need opinions on t

I live in michigan, so i will only be hunting freshwater lakes. I currently have a dfx (hence the name) for land hunting. I was just wondering how the 1280x performed in freshwater. From what all i've heard it does great in freshwater. I won't have to worry bout salt water any. Do you guys think i should still get a different unit other than the 1280x?...I just like the fact it has a lifetime warranty. I can spend up to 700. Do you think i can get a more advanced machine than the 1280 for $700?. thx.
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$450-new