F-70 First Time in the Field Today (Bad News)

[Leo234]

Hello,

Took my new F-70 to an old 'trashy" park today to try and get a feel for the new machine.

When I first started out I used the Default settings but I did ground balance the machine using the ground grab button. For the first hour or so the F-70 performed flawlessly. Being a long time TH'er I had no problem with the chips as I have grown accustomed to hearing them in very trashy places like parks. My first impression was that the F-70 was no more chattery than many other high end detectors I have owned over the years. For the first hour or so I was starting to feel comfortable with the F-70 and my confidence in the machine was growing by the minute. Just when I was starting to get comfortable with the F-70 the LCD display became corrupted for no reason. The top bar on the confidence indicator was now staying on and would not go off, and one part of the left number was staying on. When I swept the detector over the ground the numbers looked like an alien language. I turned the F-70 off and then back on again but the problems continued. I did a software reset in the field but the display would not correct itself. The F-70 appeared to be working correctly but the LCD was totally useless. I finally decided to call it a day and go home. On the way to the truck I turned the F-70 back on and for some reason everything look normal; however, after about 10 seconds the display started flaking out again. When I got home I turned the F-70 back on and again tried a software reset but still no joy. When I got inside I noticed that the display was not working at all and this was confirmed when I took the F-70 back outside in my yard.

Well, I guess my new F-70 is going back to Fisher for repairs. After reading all the F-70 posts over the last few days it appears that Fisher has some quality control issues. Hopefully, they will make it right because I think the F-70 has the potential to be an awesome detector. Am I bummed? Yes. Am I ready to unload the F-70 for something else? Not just yet. It all depends how the repair go's and how satisfied I am with the Fisher support. I will keep everybody posted on how the repair process was handled and will post a brief field test report once my F-70 is repaired. If anyone has any comments I would love to hear from you.

Thanks,
Leo234

 

[Leo234]

Ok,

A follow to the original post. Took the F-70 back outside after sitting inside in the cool house for around 30 minutes. Factory Reset was OK this time and the display was working normally. However, after only after a few minutes in the direct sunlight the display started to fade until it was no longer working. I felt the control box and it was indeed warm from the sunlight but certainly not hot by any stretch of the imagination. I did confirm this time out that the F-70 was still detecting properly so it appears that this is a LCD display problem. I know LCD are "heat" sensitive.
I am wondering if this could be a heat problem? Hmm? Frustrating. I am afraid that when I send the detector back to Fisher they will send it back telling me there is nothing wrong with it. Intermittent problems can be a disaster!!

Leo234

 

[tony (Orlando FL)]

Leo, do you have another set of batteries JUST to try it and see what happens.

I detect in sunny hot florida and have not had this happen as yet.

Make sure the batteries are fully seated in the back row too.

Keep us informed

Tony

 

[Leo234]

Thanks Tony,

The batteries were new and when the LCD is working properly the battery indicator indicates "full charge". However, I will try another set just to see. What could it hurt.

Leo

 

[D&P-OR]

Hi Leo----Batteries can do "crazy" things.---Try batteries from a different pack & see what happens.---Also, have you checked your coil cable to make sure it is firmly all the way in & tightened to the control box?----If that doesn't help, you may have to send it in.--Fisher was pretty good about keeping on testing a detector I had with an intermittent problem I had.--If it comes to that (sending it in)--just tell them to keep testing it and test it long enough to duplicate the problem you're haveing.---I know it's a "bummer" haveing to send a new detector in for repair-(hopefully you won't have to).---Del

 

[BJ in Okla.]

Call Felix at 1-800-685-5050-ext.118 and ask for Felix,,,he will take care of you.
He had FedEx come by my house on a Saturday and pick mine up and a
couple weeks later I got it back.
BJ

 

[Bill_S]

n/t

 

[jackintexas]

My F70 is at Fishers now. 2nd time. They have had it for three weeks now.....Jack

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

My F70 is at Fishers now. 2nd time. They have had it for three weeks now.....Jack

What's wrong with it?

They really need to get the bugs worked out in the F-70's. They're a great detector when they are working right. Fisher has always had great quality detectors. I wonder what happened that their quality has dropped. It seems like it has happened since there co. got taken over. I bet the true regular Fisher workers are frustrated.

 

[Leo234]

Thanks to everyone who has been following this post. It is nice to see that there are others out there who are willing to lend a hand.
I have checked everything and have done everything I can to try and correct the problem. There is really only so much you can do. It looks like this F-70 truly has a problem that can only be fixed by sending it back to Fisher. I will continue this post and update everyone on how the repair process go's and post a brief field test on the detector once it is returned from Fisher.

Thanks again for all who tried to help,

Leo

 

[D&P-OR]

OK Leo,let us know how you come out on it.---Tell Fisher to keep it and test it till they can duplicate your problem & address it.---It's frustrating to have to send a detector in (especially a new one)- but even worse to get it back un-repaired with a note saying they can't duplicate the problem.--To insist that they keep it & test it till they can duplicate the problem--at the same time-a person doesn't want to be without a detector till next JULY.---Before you send it in--call Fisher up on their toll free # and talk to Felix or Danny (or both)--they're good people.--------Del

 

[Waterdog]

Sure hope this is just a bump in the Road for Fisher. I have a F 70 an older fisher cz and both work Great. I have had my F 70 to some ToT lots and have been going into the dirt below them to get the signals at over 8 inches. I think that once you get your machine working you will have more confendence in it.
HH

 

[jackintexas]

Mine was one the first ones. Several things were wrong with it. But before I sent it in the first time it was very deep. I buried a mercury dime at a measured 9 inches. And got it good. Even at lower gain settings. When I got it back I could not get a dime over 4 inches and a quarter over 5 inches. That is why I sent it in the second time. I hope they get it right this time......Jack

 

[Dan-Pa.]

I sent mine in because of the software problem indicated by blocks when you turned unit on..About 3 weeks later came back with software update, new coil and yep something nobody mentioned new hardware for the battery compartment so my guess is as good as anybodies and the battery compartment may be malfunctioning..In any case you have the info so get a RA number from fisher and they will send you a Fedex lable(they paid for shipping) and it came back good to go in several weeks and worked fine. Good luck as its sure a bummer but Fisher will get it going good as new. Unfortunately it appears many of this unit had problems from the factory and hopefully Fisher has the situation well in hand..

 

[Leo234]

Update:

Thanks to everybody who is following this post you guys are awesome! I called Fisher today and got to speak with Mike Scott. After a short introduction I was pleasantly surprised that Mike was already aware of my F-70's problems. Wow, I was blown away when Mike told me the support team at Fisher had already discussed my F-70's
problem before I even called. You guessed it, the guys/gals from Fisher are monitoring this forum so they can read first hand what people are saying about their products pro and con.

So far I would have to give fisher an "A+" based on today's conversation.

Leo

 

[Waterdog]

That is Great to hear that they are on TOP of things... Keep us posted on what happens next

 

[BJ in Okla.]

Mike and Felix helped me a lot.
I called Bobby, got her voice mail, told her that I need a couple of manuals for my CZ's,left her my shipping info, she never called back, she just mailed me what I ask for.
They are trying.
HH...BJ

 

[davkeene]

Jack, my F70 is back to Fisher for the second time also and it has been there for at least three weeks. Mine will not signal coins that are burried in my test garden at 7" to 8" deep. I have been detecting successfully since 1973 so I do have all kinds of experience with a variety of detectors. I can honestly say, this is only the first and SECOND time that I ever had to send a detector
in for repairs. I bought it new in July and never got to use it outside of my own yard. With the purchase of the F75 DD coil and the
small 6" oval coil for it, I have $950.00 invested in it. Sorry for the long post. I just had to get it off of my chest. It just isn't fair. I received a call from Mike Scott and he promised me that I will be satisfied this time.

 

[Danny-n-WV]

I would like to know as a beginner that I have invested good money into a machine that performs.........but how as a beginner will I ever know or understand whether or not my Fisher F70 is performing as it should?

 

[Rissa]

I would like to know as a beginner that I have invested good money into a machine that performs.........but how as a beginner will I ever know or understand whether or not my Fisher F70 is performing as it should?

Danny

Recommendation to a new detectorest would be read the owners manual, and take the unit out hunting.
It looks to me like your trying to read into your learning curve something that most likely doesn't apply to you. 99% of all detectors, from all manufactures perform as they should. Your F70 is a good unit. Take it on out, and enjoy it. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Rissa