fisher 1280x

[dladams76]

does anyone know how much fisher charges to go through one of these.meaning mainly seals.i just bought one today and have never owned a water machine before.im kinda scared to put it in the water without having it checked out.also its a los banos machine with a 13xxx serial.can you tell an approximate age by this.i want it mainly for swimming holes here in south alabama.never any salt all fresh thanks daniel

 

[Goldak]

Don't know about your first question. My 1280-x has "Los Banos" and serial # 14xxx. It is probably 15-20 years old (don't know for sure as I bought it used) It has served me very well in the fresh water and I have never had a leaking seal. The only "problem" I've had is some wear in the area where the coil and shaft connect causing the coil to get a little "floppy" at times. Some people wind up putting epoxy on this joint to create a "fixed" coil position. BTW, I usually run the "discriminator" setting low at around 2-3. Any higher and you may lose gold rings. At 2-3, bottle caps and other iron will give a "shorter", "clipped" signal and better targets will have a "smoother" sound to them. Good luck!

 

[Sandpiper]

Wow, you got a good deal on that one. if this is the one i'm thinking of.

 

[grumpyolman]

You can flood the battery compartment and it won't damage the electronics inside. The battery contact posts will get corroded but that can be cleaned. All you need to do if that happens is to buy a new battery compartment gasket from Fisher and put it on the machine. Be sure to use some "O" ring lube so it can slide a bit while being seated. I have found the 8 cell AA battery holders from Radio Shack are identical to the one inside the fisher. It's also the same kind of holder in my Dual Field and if I remember correctly, it also fits the Tiger Shark. Buy one of those for about $2 and fill it with batteries. Then when you need to change one you don't have to mess with stacking batteries in and out with your hands probably wet. The packs only seem to die when you are in a hot spot about belly button deep and your car is 200 yards down the beach.

If the unit leaks through the control knobs inside the unit, then you have a major problem that is probably better to advertise it in the condition it is in and get what you can for it. Mine is at least 20 years old and I just recently replaced the "O" ring. I have never heard nor read about one leaking around the control knobs, but it surely must happen sometimes.

You can still download the operating manual from several places on line. I haven't used mine anywhere except in freshwater. I know it works fine there but hear it's not good in the highly mineralized sand and salt water. jim

 

[dladams76]

i spoke with tech at fisher today.he was very helpful.he told me how to get the front panel off and check for any leakage....clean as a whistle!!there is no doubt now about whether it has leaked or not.i think ill go ahead and send it to them and let them reseal it and pressure test.although he told me the 4 things to check and they are pretty straight forward.i was thinking that if i sent it in that they would hook it up to some diagnostic machine and tune it up but thats not the case.they just do basic tests by ear.he told me that i could do it with an airtest here and told me what a penny sized target should read(distance)for 100 dollars i think it was a good deal.it also came with hard case with keys original paperwork and belt clip

 

[Jackalope]

My Los Banos 1280X has a serial # of 26xxx and I bought it 4/99. Has always worked perfect, although I have only used it in fresh water. It is a very special machine because it uses Voice Freq. (VF) rather than VLF (Very Low Freq). I believe it is extremely underrated as a water machine and not used enough as a land/relic hunter. Mine has the 10 1/2 spider coil and will detect a dime 10" to 12" deep. No kidding!

Get it fixed if it needs it, and keep it. Do a side by side depth comparison with any high end detector and you'll acquire a greater appreciation for the 1280X. Just make sure the other detector is off while you are checking targets to eliminate any interference or cross-talk.

Ron

 

[Sandpiper]

That's the one, good buy a that price!