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CZ-20 Upgrade....Is it worth it?
- Thread starter chinacash
- Start date
Congrats on the gold posted in the other post.
What I'm doing; still hunting with my old trusty CZ-20 ... but it does share time with a couple other water proof detectors. If the CZ-20 breaks or dies, I'll update it. I don't plan to update it until it is not working properly and must be fixed. I just hope the update prices are still similar to current prices.
Cheers,
tvr
What I'm doing; still hunting with my old trusty CZ-20 ... but it does share time with a couple other water proof detectors. If the CZ-20 breaks or dies, I'll update it. I don't plan to update it until it is not working properly and must be fixed. I just hope the update prices are still similar to current prices.
Cheers,
tvr
Tvr, I cannot remember specifically but I was looking at buying a used cz-20 and paying for the upgrade/conversion and several people (I don't remember which forum or specific names) all mentioned that Fisher may not continue this indefinitely. I would think a call to Felix at Fisher would be the best way to find out for sure.
When mine broke I upgraded it.
It's well worth the money. You basically end up with a new machine. My CZ20, now a CZ21 came with a 1 year warranty. I do miss the lights that were usefull for testing battery strength; but the new pinpoint button is a real step up in my opinion.
If however, your machine is working fine I'd leave it alone.
It's well worth the money. You basically end up with a new machine. My CZ20, now a CZ21 came with a 1 year warranty. I do miss the lights that were usefull for testing battery strength; but the new pinpoint button is a real step up in my opinion.
If however, your machine is working fine I'd leave it alone.
OK - I checked in with the Mothership.
Mike Scott of First Texas told me that they are not about to discontinue the upgrade program.
When they get your unit, they go through it.
Best case, they inspect and test, put it in the new case with the new PP and no light.
It is then re sealed and pressure tested.
If the internals are corroded or damaged, they are repIred or replaced.
Sounds like a good deal.
Mike Scott of First Texas told me that they are not about to discontinue the upgrade program.
When they get your unit, they go through it.
Best case, they inspect and test, put it in the new case with the new PP and no light.
It is then re sealed and pressure tested.
If the internals are corroded or damaged, they are repIred or replaced.
Sounds like a good deal.
bjones8103
Member
I've got a CZ-20 that I bought new and I've used a lot. No diving, primarily surf and beach hunting. It looks new (I've really babied this toy); and as for as I can tell, it still performs like it's new. The S/N is1024xxxx so it's probably a Los Banos production. I've decided to do the Fisher upgrade but I have questions Fisher hasn't answered. Does anyone know if this involves changes to the circuitry and what they are or it strictly a container change out? Does Tom D. calibrate CZ-20s? I really hate to put my baby in the mail and I hate to send it back to a company that I have some serious doubts about. bjones
If it ain't broke, why fix it?
The upgrade is a fixed price deal - they do what is necessary and no more, but if your machine is junk, you get essentially a new one!
If yours works great, you would be spending money for nothing.
I'm curious however about your statement about Fisher not answering your quwstions. What did you ask and who and how did you ask them? Usually a phone call to Felix clears that,kind of stuff up.
Just wondering.
The upgrade is a fixed price deal - they do what is necessary and no more, but if your machine is junk, you get essentially a new one!
If yours works great, you would be spending money for nothing.
I'm curious however about your statement about Fisher not answering your quwstions. What did you ask and who and how did you ask them? Usually a phone call to Felix clears that,kind of stuff up.
Just wondering.
bjones8103
Member
Hi Rick,
I called and left a couple of voice mails. I might not have given them time to answer. Some of the other hunters on this board are having the same problem. Check out the "What's up with First Texas" thread. I did email them and the reply was very to the point, $299.00+, no explanation of services performed. I guess my doubt comes from Dan J.'s comment about Fisher's final days in Los Banos and how the calibration of new detectors was iffy at best. Mine is a 1024xxxx which I think was built about that time. I've hunted with a Minelab Excalibur and performance wise it bettered my Fisher. The problem with the Excalibur is that it was broke more than it was operational. From 2002 until 2008, I hunted gold on the beaches and in the surf of Galveston and Freeport and did quiet well with the Fisher. Thanks for asking. bjones
I called and left a couple of voice mails. I might not have given them time to answer. Some of the other hunters on this board are having the same problem. Check out the "What's up with First Texas" thread. I did email them and the reply was very to the point, $299.00+, no explanation of services performed. I guess my doubt comes from Dan J.'s comment about Fisher's final days in Los Banos and how the calibration of new detectors was iffy at best. Mine is a 1024xxxx which I think was built about that time. I've hunted with a Minelab Excalibur and performance wise it bettered my Fisher. The problem with the Excalibur is that it was broke more than it was operational. From 2002 until 2008, I hunted gold on the beaches and in the surf of Galveston and Freeport and did quiet well with the Fisher. Thanks for asking. bjones
icurabeachguy
New member
bjones8103 said:
I agree with this assessment. My excal was a little better than the CZ, but after the 10" coil cracked I replaced it with a Sunray S-12. Then the battery pod cracked and that was replaced with a new pod and aftermarket battery. That pod also cracked in less than one year and I just about had it with the excal. It's a great little machine when it works, but the Fisher broke once and continued to work flawlessly after I sent it in for the upgrade to a 21.
Reliability matters, which is why I used the CZ over the excal for a long time.
Hey BJones
If you recall who or what number you left messages at, I'll forward the info to Mike Scott of First Texas Products in El Paso. He's the Marketing Manager and likes to follow up on stuff like this so that they can improve their customer service. It's one of the things I like about them!
Tried to PM you, but I guess that doesn't kick in till you have a certian number of posts.
If you recall who or what number you left messages at, I'll forward the info to Mike Scott of First Texas Products in El Paso. He's the Marketing Manager and likes to follow up on stuff like this so that they can improve their customer service. It's one of the things I like about them!
Tried to PM you, but I guess that doesn't kick in till you have a certian number of posts.
I have found all the FT guys mentioned to be stand up and never had a problem with FT's repair facility. I have heard from several CZ 20 owners who did the upgrade and felt the old machine had a better tone (pretty subjective). Personally I'd go with the advice to fix it if it needs it and if not wait. I believe all 20s were Los Banos made. 
bjones8103
Member
Pastor Tom and Rick;
I'm going with the advice "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." However, I'll always wonder if this machine's doing all she can do. I would like to be able to co-relate the S/N with the date of build. I'm not even sure what a calibration would do for it. I dug a small brass zipper pull out of wet sand at 14" yesterday. This girl hunts deep. If the tones are out of synch -- well, I already speak her language. I have a lightly used CZ-3D (1021) that NASA Tom will be calibrating for me this week. I'll use that to give me a rough ideal of how the CZ-20's working.
I got a message from Arturo with details on a C-20 upgrade shortly after Rick replied to my post (or I replied to his) so I figured somebody called someone. My intent was not to get anyone in trouble. I can't remember when I called Fisher, best guess would be a couple of weeks ago via the customer service # listed on their website. I might also say that my cell phone is one of the few things I own that's older than my Fisher Impulse. They very well may have tried to return my call and it was dropped. I'm never notified when I have a message, I call my voice mail at the end of the day to check messages. I can't afford a new one because I spend all my money on metal detecting stuff and Ham Radios. I really don't have a beef with Fisher and if you tell them anything, tell them to build the F-75 in a water resistant enclosure.
The temperature just went above 50 degrees F.; the dog's waiting at the door, and I'm going to the beach. Retirement's Hell; I just need to figure out a way to survive it. bjones
I'm going with the advice "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." However, I'll always wonder if this machine's doing all she can do. I would like to be able to co-relate the S/N with the date of build. I'm not even sure what a calibration would do for it. I dug a small brass zipper pull out of wet sand at 14" yesterday. This girl hunts deep. If the tones are out of synch -- well, I already speak her language. I have a lightly used CZ-3D (1021) that NASA Tom will be calibrating for me this week. I'll use that to give me a rough ideal of how the CZ-20's working.
I got a message from Arturo with details on a C-20 upgrade shortly after Rick replied to my post (or I replied to his) so I figured somebody called someone. My intent was not to get anyone in trouble. I can't remember when I called Fisher, best guess would be a couple of weeks ago via the customer service # listed on their website. I might also say that my cell phone is one of the few things I own that's older than my Fisher Impulse. They very well may have tried to return my call and it was dropped. I'm never notified when I have a message, I call my voice mail at the end of the day to check messages. I can't afford a new one because I spend all my money on metal detecting stuff and Ham Radios. I really don't have a beef with Fisher and if you tell them anything, tell them to build the F-75 in a water resistant enclosure.
The temperature just went above 50 degrees F.; the dog's waiting at the door, and I'm going to the beach. Retirement's Hell; I just need to figure out a way to survive it. bjones
machinegun48
New member
Friends, help please! Where to find the electric scheme for CZ 20? I thank you!