I find it hard to get excited about a new entry level detector like the F2...

[christopher-ohio]

except for maybe my kids. I know it's just all about business these days-$$$$ With the acquisition of Fisher, First Texas is kinda rebranding their BH machines. Granted Fisher was apparently financially in bad times but the general trend for all digital machines leaves a bit to be desired for me. With machines like the CoinStrike, Edge, F-75, F-4 and now the F2-a user will end up digging a lot of trash in general compared to machines that place a target in a general conductivity category like a CZ does. I know everyone out there has their own opinion about their machines and the trash issue (especially bottlecaps). There are some rather ingenious ways some of you guys out there have figured out to reduce this problem with most of these machines but my point is efficiency for the amount time spent and necessary digging in today's modern world like Tom Dankowski discusses especially in one of his Fisher Intelligence articles. For those of you that have the time, patience, and will to dig everything above iron-more power to you. I find the digital machines to be much more susceptible to electrical interference as well which makes it tough hunting around old house sites that I mainly search with active powerlines. I'd really like to see a high end target ID(digital or analog) machine with icons versus all these annoying to me bouncing numbers and often tones too...just a bit too busy on the ears and eyes for me...JHMO...HH

 

[jim tn]

There are pro's and con's to all you say, but as far as coming out with an entry level detector, why not? Look what the Ace 250 has done. Getting a piece of the entry level business with a Fisher brand detector sounds like a good business decision to me. HH jim tn

 

[Mr.Bill]

The detector was designed to compete against the digital Garrett 250 from what I understand.

They still have the CZ-3D, and the soon to be released CZ-21, neither are digital.

Have you taken a look at Whites, or Garrett's ? Most of them are what you would call digital, correct ?

I'm sorry, I have been using some of the detectors you mentioned, Coinstrike & Edge, long before it became the in thing to use, and I can't say I have had unusual problems with them. No more than any other machines you didn't mention. No disrespect meant, but different strokes for different folks.

 

[AndyNM]

I'm happy for the people who start metal detecting or just want to buy a back up detector, because for about $ 250 they can get a good working detector now with features that costs hundreds of $$ more years ago. Yes, the company wants to make money and is going to offer a detector that could be a better value for the money than the Ace 250. Who wins here ? The company makes some money and the buyer gets a great detector for $249.

The Fishers i use now (F75 and F4) work great in trash and i dig less trash than with other detectors. These Fishers are sure NOT re-labeled Bounty Hunter detectors . I tested the F4 side by side vs the BH Discovery 3300 and you can look up the results here: www.fisherf75.com

To me it looks like while some detector companies are sleeping Fisher does its homework.

Andy,NM

 

[SkiWhiz]

I agree 100% with Andy,NM when he said that the Fishers are NOT re-labeled Bounty Hunter detectors. Just look at & hold the 3300 and then the F4 and you tell me the difference in quality. As mentioned the Ace 250 is a pretty good machine but the F4 blows it out of the water in my opinion. I have had a Ace 250 and now using the F4. I will add that I don't dig any more junk with the F4 than with any other detector that I have had, actually I dig alot less junk now. The target ID is very accurate. Every person likes something different be it detectors,automobiles,food,sports,etc. if they didn't it would be kind of a boring world. Steve.

 

[poorman]

As jim tn says, it's all about Market Share. He who holds the greater Market Share makes the most money, all other things considered equal. Garrett has held a huge M/S in the price range of the Ace 250. I consider going after that share nothing more than Good Business and the sign of a Progressive Company. Fisher, in the hands of F/T has indicated to me lately that they are serious about gaining the Market Share in every segment of the Metal Detector Market. I have made the mystake of being Brand Loyal in the past only to wake up after time and realize progress was passing me by. No more will I make that mystake. Kind of like the guy who orders a Carmel Latte every time. Sure, they are great but look at all the other great flavors out there you are missing.

 

[Jason in TN]

n/t