Is this a good deal for a Fisher 1280X?

[Neil in West Jersey]

I have an opportunity to by this underwater detector for $225. is it a good deal? He says it is in good shape.

What do you think? Should I jump on it?
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[Dan-Pa.]

This unit having a White coil cover may or may not date it to be one of the first out which should be taken into consideration as age tends to shrink rubbers etc. that make it water tight..Always a problem with buying used underwater detectors is do they leak or have leaked comes into play and certainly your call. If its a local submerse in a bathtub if owner agrees and go from there...

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

This unit having a White coil cover may or may not date it to be one of the first out which should be taken into consideration as age tends to shrink rubbers etc. that make it water tight..Always a problem with buying used underwater detectors is do they leak or have leaked comes into play and certainly your call. If its a local submerse in a bathtub if owner agrees and go from there...

If it is not airtight, will it start to bubble?

 

[BJ in Okla.]

You can call Fisher and ask them how much to go thru the 1280 and check it out.
But if you send it in after it has leaked, then you could spend $400 to $500 to get it repaired...
I would not want a water unit unless I had a warranty....
Just my thoughts.
BJ

 

[shooter]

Totally agree with BJ, wet sand at that price I would consider it, but underwater no Warr. I don' think I'd go there, but that my opinion.

Shooter North Jersey

 

[Sven]

After you turn it on. If it works grab it.
Deal with any possible leaks once you own it.
If it does not work and locate targets air testing, offer $125.00, send it to me I'll give you $175.00

The 1280 is one of the best freshwater detectors out there, had one myself.

According to Fisher, main leakage problem the 1280 had was the battery compartment, the electronics are sealed in their own compartment.
About 8 years ago, Fisher charged me $40.00 to fix mine, add a new electronics seal and recalibrate it. I don't know about the current Fisher company....

I would grab it for $225.00 anyways, always make a profit on it if it went ebayishway.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Have had Fisher repairs quite reasonable however things have gone up including hourly rates etc.and also take into consideration Fisher has changed hands with new rates and policies..Personally would call Fisher and perhaps they can tell you how to test relative the leaking factor which may or may not be a factor.
Have to agree this unit has been a freshwater top of the line unit for years and still remains the same..Basically a good price but as one of the posters related hate to buy an underwater unit without a warranty which indeed must be considered as repairs can be expensive on any used unit land or water...

 

[garwha]

That 1280 has a very stout waterproof case, but the biggest problem is many users over tighten the battery covers and leave them that way, and this will warp the battery cover. I traded for a CZ 20 (almost the same case) that had this problem. When I opened it up there was minor corrsion and rust inside but it had not damaged the electonics. I put the battery cover on a flat surffice, it was warped so bad it would rock back and forth. Now this was before 1st Texas bought Fisher.

I called fisher I got them to ship me a new cover and gasket for about 10 bucks back then. While I was waiting I decided to see if I could fix the warped back. I screwed it down gently to a 2X4 with something under the center to force reverse presure on the back. Heated as hot as I could with a hair dryer, and tightened the screws some more. In about 30 minuits I had a nice flat battery cover again, and it still works.

After a hunt with the CZ20 I hang it upside down and back the cover screws all the way off. With it upside down the cover will fall off If I forget to deal with it, I never forget to tighten the screws before a hunt and it has never warped again.

 

[1seeker]

Average price ,only 1 frequency,out dated machine ,go for a cz21 dual frequency, or what im getting ezcal 11 , 8 inch coil , mind lab 17 frequencies, Happy new year

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

n/t

 

[srf2112]

Good call Neil. I Looked at that very same machine when I wanted to break in to detecting awhile back. Even being as new as I was, I did my research as far as what to look for when buying a water machine and when I started asking questions he didn't give me clear specific answers. I ended up paying considerably more ( maybe over payed ) but I got a newer model in unused/mint cond. AND peace of mind. Good machine that taught me a lot. Still have it.
HH
Scott