I'm having a hard time deciding between the new F75 and the Explorer SE.

[JOHND84094]

I'm new to this hobby. I've seen people out using metal detectors in parks and at the beach and I always thought that that looks like a lot of fun. I am so glad that I found this forum. There has been a lot of helpful information that you guys have been sharing. I will probably be looking mostly for old coins. I was considering getting the Teknetics T2. I had heard a lot of really good things about it, but a few things that weren't so good. Then I heard about the new Fisher F75 coming out. I think that the F75 has the nicest LCD display of any detector that I have seen. I like how long it will run on just four AA bateries, compared to most of the other brands that take eight AA and only get about half the battery life. I haven't held an F75 yet, but the T2's balance and weight felt great. The F75 is supposed to be a very fast detector also. I like the controls on the F75 a lot better than on the SE. Fisher has a five year warranty, as opposed to Minelab's two and the F75 is about $265 less than an Explorer SE.

What I like about the Explorer SE is the 28 frequencies from 1.5 to 100kw. The Explorer is supposed to do really well in a lot of different types of soils and in wet sand at ocean beaches. The Explorers are legendary as to the depth that they can detect targets. I have heard that the Teknetics T2 has some pretty impressive depth as well. The F75 is supposed to even be deeper than the T2.

I just wish that the F75 had been out longer. I'm impressed with the reports that I have read on this forum. I'm anxious to get my new high end detector, but I'm just having a hard time deciding which of the two to buy. Ya, I know that this is a Fisher forum and you guys are probably biased. I'm leaning toward getting the F75, but the jury is still out on it. I'll just have to be patient and wait for some more field tests. So keep them coming guys! I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks

 

[nugget71]

I would wait a little longer m8, nothing worse then getting burnt on a rushed decision. Where do you mainly hunt? Compare the weight of each detector and what coils come with them etc etc. I use the X-Terra 70 and prefer it over the SE. The F-75 is similar to the X-Terra 70 and I will be interested to find out how fisher goes up against minelab with this new battle. All in all go for something that suits your style and detecting area rather then going for the most powerful so to speak. Versatility is more important to me then how deep one goes. Be patient and the right one will fall into your hands soon enough.
Cheers!

 

[David282]

I owned the Minelab EXP II and I sold it. It is a deep detector but VERY slow and heavy + a horrible menu system. I now own an F75 and I'm very happy with it.

 

[Rick in J-ville]

This is just good marketing by Mine lab. Showing a boatload of arrows in the magazines going into the soil deeper than all of our single freq. detectors sold a bundle of units for sure. They said 1-2 freq detectors were outdated technology. Now they have done a 360 and gone back to 1 frequency units that don't weigh as much. Go figure

I don't have a F-75 yet but I'm sure its like my T-2 which is easy to make changes + no programming. As a beginner, you will have a far easier time with the F-75 menu system I believe. The Explorer is very heavy, + very slow. I had to get rid of it as I like to dig all day. yes I got good depth with the Explorer but *legendary depth* is now being reported with the T-2 on relics. If the F-75 is as advertised like an 1.5" deeper, than I think the choice is easy for you.
cheers
Liam

 

[Mike Hillis]

The Explorers do have nice features and work well in any soil type. I loved the 2d discrmination. They are heavy which means you have to harness up if you are going to use them very long. Let me re-state that...for your health, you must harness up if you are going to use them very long. They are good slow motion hunters. let me re-state that....the meter is a very slow responder. Hunting by tones can be done normal but meter use can't. But, they do pull out the deeper high conductor coins. The hope is that someday Minelab will put those features into a much better package. They've been around long enough that aftermarket coils are available for them which expand the coil selection.

The F-75's balanced 3.5lb feels like swinging less than 2lb. They are much faster responding than the Explorers, have more target processing options, and easier controls. They do better in trash, both iron and aluminum. Being new, there is not any accessory coils as yet but that will change as the year goes by. The F-75 is configured to use both DD and concentric coils. As more folks get to use them we will start to see more reports coming in as to how they do in the different area's of the country.

But I have good news.....you can't have just one detector so don't sweat it....buy them both

Good luck with you choice!

Mike

 

[alton]

I have both the SE and the F75. Although there are previous models of the Explorer neither the SE or the F75 have been in use too terribly long, especially the F75.

The SE is lighter than previous Explorer models and is more stable. It has a terrific TID and does well in trash. It has several different coils available for it, including the Sunray probe than many prefer. It has the Smartfind screen that helps identify the ferrous content as well as the conductivity of each target.

Yes, it does have the 28 frequencies that help it work in bad ground. However, even with the newer faster processor of the SE, it is slow. Slow meaning that it has to be swept slow in order for the processor the keep up. When you sweep it too fast you lose the threshold. You have to wait so it can keep up. No deal killer, but a concern never the less.

Some find the SE learning curve a bit sharp. Although the SE is lighter than previous Explorer models, the F75 is notably lighter and well balanced.

The F75 has been had much hype and anticipation. In my opinion, it has lived up to the expectations so far.

I learned the hard way that you do need to take time to read the manual through when (or before) you get your F75. There are a few things that are different or new on the F75. That said, the menu system could not be any easier, and the learning curve takes about 1/2 a day.

The F75 very light and well balanced not just compared to a SE, but to any detector. The processor is fast and you can sweep it fast. TID is very accurate. You don't dig much trash if you don't want too. Of course, on a relic site, or a site where you expect to find gold rings, you are still going to have to dig pretty much everything.

Most people I know hunt using sound to help identify targets. That especially includes the SE. I really like the F75's options concerning choosing which sounds to use. I personally like the 4H which allows nickels to have a high sound. I seldom ever find/dig nickels since they fall in the trash range. I've found more nickels already than I have found in the last 6 months with my other detectors. If you prefer to use the sounds similar to the SE, DFX, ect. you have that option also on the F75.

There are no other coils available right now for the F75 because it is brand new. The good part of that is that there will be. It might take some time.

I don't know how either would perform on a wet sand beach. I personally would not take either and opt for a true water machine. One drop in saltwater and it would be curtains. Others do take them to the beach however, but I could not give an opinion.

I'm a real fan of both the SE and the F75. I never leave home without either of them now. I don't think one has enough depth advantage over the other to make any claims one way or the other. At least not in this red clay soil I have in my area. I have more experience hunting with the Explorer and may prefer it on iffy targets, but not enough to run back to my vehicle and change them out.

If it were my first detector to buy, yet had all of the experience of buying the detectors I've had, I would probably get the F75. I know if I didn't have any experience buying one, I probably would get the SE because it has a great following and still holds a certain intrique about it (to me).

The problem is regardles of which one you get, you will always wonder about the other. If you enjoy the hobby as much as I do, then someday you will probably own both.

The main thing is to get one and start swinging. You can't go wrong with either one of them.

HH Alton

 

[kvusmc]

I Have My F75 Out Saturday To A place Ive been pounding for years The F75 Is awesome ! I ve been hunting over 20 years in central Va. Im A Fisherman ! I have owned them all Minelabs Wilsons I own A A die Hard Cz6a Quicksilver fisher & now I own The F75 in Fact Im the first one to buy from Kellyco ! I had A White Dfx for about A week ! That machine Just isnt made For Va. soils ! The F75 I dug Flat buttons at 15" in the ground Also BB sized Buck shot At 13" That machine is tough & state of the Art ! By the Way All those frequencies on The Minelab Are I guess great But While those guys are Figuring that crap out Im Digging Relics ! Goto my Channel On YouTube kvusmc I Got proof of what old & new Fishers Will Dig Thanks for reading Buy the F75 From Kellyco If you dont like it They will Take it back ! Of course 80 % of your money Restocking fee !

 

[Bill Ladd]

Very nice.......cool you got a US plate too! Must be a rush to hunt a famous site like Cold Harbor. Keep the posts coming in about the F75 and how it does in VA....
I'll be trying the bad red clay ground of Culpeper Co. soon myself....
Then I will have a full report on how the F75 runs in bad soils (as that's the worst). I'll be in all metal the whole time...
HH,
Bill

 

[Hotcz70]

Keep us informed of your future experiences with the F75. I'm sure their will be a few others who own both detectors...including myself. I would be interested in a side by side depth test on silver coins in a test garden or actual field target depth test comparisons.

 

[kvusmc]

I agree with you totally Onthe frequencies ! It is to many gadgets ! I ve used them My cousin used with Me side by side I had my old Faithful CZ6A Quicksilver Beside Him I wipt him almost everytime ! The truth is when you get used to machine you just get good at it ! Now My Cousin is using A T2 He is the one That inspired me to get the F75 ! I used mine again today But now Im taking A break geting ready to hit The Ground Again Im gettin ready to go northern Petersburg Va. !

 

[MattR]

Get a decent length of rope.

Find a tree with a stout branch.

Put a noose at both end of the rope.

Throw it over the branch.

Put your head in one loop, and the F75 in the other.

(1)..Now set the detector swinging at the rate of one metre per second for 5 minutes. Make a note of how you were affected.

(2)..Then make your will, and repeat the process with the SE......

(Only joking Des)

p.s.

I honestly think that some of the basic theoretical principles involved in the Minelab Multi frequency detectors, are the finest contribution to metal detecting technology.

Unfortunately, the 'slow' characteristics that retard its operational speed, are an aspect of its design that have yet to be solved.

Also its problem of weight.
That mostly relates to the search-head design and the problems of trying to efficiently deliver the wide bandwidth of power.

IT IS THE BEST WET SAND DISCRIMINATOR AVAILABLE......MattR.UK

 

[rob]

Kellyco is ok I guess but you get better service from the small guy. Besides that they are sponsoring this site....

My opinion...

 

[JOHND84094]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Ya, your probably right, that I couldn't go wrong with either the SE or F75. I'm going to have to give the F75 some more time and see how ya'll do with yours. Just save some coins for me!

HH, John

 

[JOHND84094]

n/t

 

[kvusmc]

Thats True Buy from the local guy But My local Guy doesent sell Fishers Anymore !& If you Bought A machine from him your stuck with it ! I ve heard replies like yeah Bubba I can sell it for you Or I'll trade it in for you & you get Less than half value Of a machine you paid A thousand dollars for ! But I agree buy from A local dealer If they sell Fishers !But in my case the closest Fisher dealer is probably 40 miles away ! In fact my local dealer I must have bought 15 machines from him in The past 13 years ! He is A minelab man I owned 1 of every moal in the Minelab & Wilson's / Northstar & Treasure Barons & Bounty Hunter ! But he is the one who put me on Fishers So I credit My local Dealer alot He knows his Stuff on Relic huntin !

 

[Bill Ladd]

or are not supposed to be listed below $934 & change....so why not support the guys who pay lots of money to keep these forums up & available for all this good free information...
In the old days there was no forums....you just looked at pictures in the magazines & took a chance....
HH,
Bill

 

[Cody]

Good post MattR........I have an SE and will order an F75 in the next day or so. If I had an F75 and no SE I would be ordering and SE in the next day or so. Once I get the F75 I may then order a T2. Man it never ends.............hopefully.

 

[JW]

n/t

 

[kvusmc]

Jw you are the man He's the one who sold my metal detector to me the 1st one from Kelly co thanks JW The F75

 

[JW]

n/t