HELP!! F5 Will Not Respond To A Silver Dollar:ranting:

[MarkCZ]

Hey Supertraq..they should have hit high, unless you were holding them all in your hand with a gold ring on it......that said, tight spills, stacks and slants of the same denomination are generally 'diggable' targets...its those multidenom stacks and tight spills that can give a guy a stupid signal...I'm gonna try some masked silver dollar targets in the yard, with a buff nickel or something on top to see..I would think theres a lot of silver dollars out there that are masked by other metal in the hole with them that have seen a coil, but threw off such a stupid signal they never got dug...
Mud

Well, mud if you have them try a tight silver coin spill. Your right about the coin spills, I can't tell you how many coin spills I've recovered just buy hunting and recovering zinc pennies in heavy hunted places! seems notching out the zinc leaves coin spills if some zinc's are in the mix.


Mark

 

[Mike Hillis]

This only affects the early versions with the push in plug connections. The current version has no issues. If your F5 has a threaded connector you should experience no issues with high conductors.

HH
Mike

 

[MarkCZ]

This only affects the early versions with the push in plug connections. The current version has no issues. If your F5 has a threaded connector you should experience no issues with high conductors.

HH
Mike

Thanks Mike!

Mark

 

[KennyD]

Thanks Mike.
I'm really loving my F5. She's my goto machine.

 

[gravityrulz]

My F5 has the threaded connector, is the '01' version, and will not detect a silver dollar in the discriminate mode with either the 5" or 11" DD coil. It IDs the silver dollar correctly when equipped with the stock 10" elliptical coil. Not that it should matter since they are officially identified as compatible coils, but both 5" and 11" DD coils are marked for the Gold Bug.

Does the F5 need to be returned to FTP along with one of the DD coils? What can they, or will they do to address the issue?

 

[WV62]

I would say you are in the same boat as my brother Greg, he has called FTP 3 times now and is waiting on a call back. I would say give them a call.

Ron in WV

 

[Mike Hillis]

All you can do is call them and see. If you are the original owner they will most likely treat you well.

Since your "stock" coil works ok...maybe a ground balance offset will help with the accessory coils

HH
Mike

 

[MarkCZ]

The information I came up with is the Greek series coil and the F5 are interchangeable, so sometime back I bought a 5" DD F5 coil for my Omega, well it worked but nothing but it just wasn't right. Well much later on we started hunting an area were I really wanted a little coil so this time I searched for a "Greek Series" 5" DD and when I got it it works fine. So, after that I had decided that for my own use I'm going to stay with the Greek series coils for my Omega. (all this was before the silver dollar issue) I'm thinking that if the F5 responds to a silver dollar with a factory F5 coil but it doesn't with coils from another model that I would question the use of the non F5 coils?

Mark

 

[Hightone]

It is Mike Scott at Fisher that you need to talk to. As he said to me a week or so ago:

1. Fisher is aware of the first generation F5 issues.
2. They tried to fix them all years ago, but some have evaded the upgrade.
3. He wants to make it right.
4. He has read this thread and is aware of it's content.

It appears that there's just a few on here with the early issue. Mike Scott has gone beyond typical customer service for me. Taking care of my issue ( and I called for Mark, Greg and the others just to help out). It was Mike who told me who to talk to at Fisher to get the ball rolling. If Mike isn't getting back to you right away, my thoughts are he may be on something else at the moment, maybe even vacation. But he sounded quite sincere in making sure that the Fisher name was second to none and was willing to go overboard to do so. But if you aren't leaving a message for Mike Scott, your message may be getting forwarded to the wrong people.

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

MIKE SCOTT is D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y a STAND-UP Guy, and has DONE RIGHT by ME on at least (3) Separate Occassions!! He even took a Phone Call from ME at an Airport, when
He was JUST About to BOARD A Plane to GO Overseas!! Customer Svc. DOESN'T COME Any BETTER than T-H-A-T!! If ONLY the U.S. GOV'T had a MIKE SCOTT "Calling Some
SHOTS"!! Are YOU listening President Obama!! Les Robinson.

 

[Monte]

with one two search coils, you ought to return the F5 for service with ALL of the search coils you have for it.

My F5 has the threaded connector, is the '01' version, and will not detect a silver dollar in the discriminate mode with either the 5" or 11" DD coil. It IDs the silver dollar correctly when equipped with the stock 10" elliptical coil. Not that it should matter since they are officially identified as compatible coils, but both 5" and 11" DD coils are marked for the Gold Bug.

Does the F5 need to be returned to FTP along with one of the DD coils? What can they, or will they do to address the issue?

I have had several detectors, not just FTP products, that have had trouble with accessory search coils. With some models I was able to adjust the Ground Balance for that operating mode so that the model would be very functional, but with others, some internal GB adjustments are necessary. If they can mend the problem, they should have all coils to ensure they can get your F5 AND search coils all working in harmony.

Monte

 

[WV62]

Update:

My brother Greg, hunted one last time Friday with his F5 before boxing it up and sending it back to FT. He got his return number and he was looking for a box this past weekend.

Ron in WV

 

[MarkCZ]

The information I came up with is the Greek series coil and the F5 are interchangeable, so sometime back I bought a 5" DD F5 coil for my Omega, well it worked but nothing but it just wasn't right. Well much later on we started hunting an area were I really wanted a little coil so this time I searched for a "Greek Series" 5" DD and when I got it it works fine. So, after that I had decided that for my own use I'm going to stay with the Greek series coils for my Omega. (all this was before the silver dollar issue) I'm thinking that if the F5 responds to a silver dollar with a factory F5 coil but it doesn't with coils from another model that I would question the use of the non F5 coils?

Mark

I hate this when I mess up a post as bad as I did the one above!

When I first got my Omega I got interested in getting the little 5" DD coil for it, the information I came up with was the Greek series coils and the F5 coils were interchangeable. So, I started looking for either a Greek or an F5 5" DD coil, well what came along first was an F5 so I snatched it up but after I got it I wasn't to happy with it at all, it worked, but nothing to write home about and so I sold it, or traded it. Well, as things went along a new to us hunting spot turned up and Its a prime spot for a smaller coil. So, I started in a search for another 5" DD but this time I wanted to make sure it was a Greek series coil and not labeled F5 on it. I landed one and when I tried it out it worked perfect. better depth, better target ID. So, I'm not going to try and use anymore F5 coils on my Omega, I'll just stay with the Greek coils.

Mark

 

[Monte]

First, a guy I know has a latter version F5 w/screw-on connector and a Gold Bug Pro. Coils interchange without a problem for him. I hung onto the 5" DD coil I used with my G2 and Omega and it worked on his F5 in a comparison test we did.

Second, performance can vary from coil-to-coil, even those specifically made for a detector, due to them either being "out-of-spec" or based upon how the coil and detector are calibrated. By 'calibrated' I mean how the Ground Balance is set for the detector with a specific coil mounted. Thus, we either have to find a search coil that is a more compatible 'fit' for the detector we have in-hand, or be able to adjust the Ground Balance for peak performance with the search coil mounted. Wish some makes and models, there is either a preset GB for a Discriminate mode, for both Disc. and All Metal mode, or the Discriminate mode has a slightly variable range, but isn't fully adjustment even with an automated or manual GB control for the All Metal mode.

Third, even though I am not too partial to most Double-D search coils, I do like the sub-5" DD on an Omega in a very trashy environment and mine has worked exceptionally for me since March of 2010. I won't part with it.

Recouping from my fall off the ladder in 2010 and on-the-mend with four broken ribs, a skull fracture and other problems, I had to keep detector weight down for a while. I mounted my 5" DD on the Omega the end of August when I started to get back out detecting, and hunting typical urban Coin Hunting spots, including grassy ball fields or park lawns, etc., I managed to pull 895 coins with that combination in September.

I've always preferred smaller-than-stock coils and wish they had a Concentric in the 6"-7" size, but until they do [size=small](probably never)[/size] I'll keep relying on this Double-D coil.

Monte

 

[MarkCZ]

Well, I have an update, actually two updates!
From the title post first, My brother has a expected shipping delivery of his F5 for tomorrow (Thursday) which is an amazing turnaround in repair and return shipping time! So, as soon as I can get a test report from him I post back here with the results! (as which I'm sure it will be fine)

Next!
I had mentioned in this thread about my Omega dying and me sending it in for repair, well I got it back today and so I'm pleased to say that its ready to go hunting again. First Texas (Teknetics) did me really RIGHT on the service, price, and total turnaround time was just amazing I've already left feedback for them in the "Feedback Forum"

Thank You First Texas!

 

[Monte]

Since encountering glitches in some Tesoro detector designs 2½+ decades ago, and a few long-gone competitor brands, I have used a US silver dollar in some of my demonstrations. Four years ago I started using a few silver coins more frequently. After I got the two Euro-Tek Pros this year, and then hearing from a fellow about his F5 experience and then your initial post that started this thread, I have added one more test when I evaluate any detector.

I had four regular tests I have used for over 20 years, and now there is a 5th field-test scenario I use [size=small](should I encounter some old silver dollar or half or a small stash of coins)[/size]. These Five Scenarios are:

Using my Nail Board Performance Test

Using a 'Homestead Rock'

Using a Dirt Clod (about 4" in diameter)

Using two Smaller Rocks positioned close together with a Zinc Cent just barely visible between them.

Using a 'Silver Short-Stack' consisting of 1 or 2 Silver Dollars and up to 7 Silver Half-Dollars stacked on top of each other.

No, not all detectors I own and use will pass all 5 field-test scenarios, but I use these tests to let me learn the strengths and weaknesses of my detectors, those others use, or any I might consider buying for certain applications. That said, Yes, some detectors DO pass all 5 field-test scenarios quite well, and I am working on another I might use. It's an interesting one.

So, I hope your brother's F5 is working better now and can respond well to a big shiny US silver dollar. How about two of them or seven silver halves stacked on top of a silver dollar? Give that test a try.

As for your Omega, I am sure it is good to have back in-hand. I bought my first Omega in March of 2010 after being encouraged by two dealers after their questions in the same week. I had checked out the Fisher F5 and, honestly, I like the Omega 'package' better. I hope you have some enjoyable weather to get out and put the Omega to work and find stuff before winter sets in and curbs some detecting time.

On the subject of hunting/detecting, I guess I better wrap this up, grab my jacket, Rikki, my pup, and hit the road. Only partly cloudy weather today and I have pheasants and quail to go after this morning, and two older spots to detect this afternoon. The daytime light is sure growing short in a hurry!

Monte

 

[Hightone]

And glad that the guys at FTP came through. Special thanks to Mike and Felix.

 

[WV62]

I agree the service was first class, also would like thank you Hightone for paving the way that was a big help. My brother got his F5 back today but our 85 year old mother being in the hospital he hasn't had a chance to put it together and see what it does on a silver $. I am sure it will be fine but we will let you know what his ID number is on the silver $.

Ron in WV

And glad that the guys at FTP came through. Special thanks to Mike and Felix.

 

[MarkCZ]

Our mother has been in the Hospital the past few days so getting to do metal detector test has been a bit hard.
But, at this point on my brother Greg's F5!
He did receive it back yesterday and so this morning he got it unpacked and somewhat put it together. I talked to him earlier and he is excited at this point He said that from the looks of the detector they also did some fresh'in up on other items,
The foam grip looked replaced, new front label cover on the control housing, added some sealer to that small heal cover on the rear of the coil. So, now me or my brother Ron will need to get a piece of large silver and meet up with him for a target response test.
Greg, also commented about the VERY quick turnaround for the service time.

First Texas service department and the company staff has done really great at taking care of this issue.

Mark

 

[WV62]

I also talked to my brother Greg and he was for sure excited, he told about the items they replaced and he told me the machine looked new. I carried a silver half and $ all day today but we didn't hook up.

Also agree First Texas went above and beyond the call of duty.

Ron in WV