Looking for a Comparison opinion.

[Galen1066]

Hi All,

I'm looking for a comparison opinion, the boss (The wife) said I can get a metal detector, so I figured I'd ask for opinions, I've narrowed down the search to the following (Fisher F75 and a White Spectra V3i). What I'm looking for in a detector is one that can tell me the depth of a find, along with size (I.E single object or multiples) (or do all detectors do this?) Had a little experience with using them mostly in the military and an uncles old White many years ago, that's why I've asked. I chose the two listed after researching them online, didn't want a basic one, but didn't want an expensive pro model just yet, so any help, ideas, suggestions will be welcomed. If this helps, I'll be searching parks and beaches and maybe some forested areas here in the US and mostly broken terrain and rocky soil in Europe, thanks in advance for the info.

Galen

 

[vlad]

The V3i allows you to customize the detector-like no other outside a factory, it would be helpful though if you were an engineer.
It is complex to the point you are never sure if your setup is the best possible one because the variables are endless. (the standard 10"DD is not too good)
The F-75 Ltd is easy to set up, has different processes (modes) for situations and is deep-its also on sale with a huge discount. (two loops, $800).
I have both and both will find coins.
You might repost on the Metal Detecting Forum to pose the question.
(also both detectors can be found preowned from Finds Classified Forum, or sometimes from Finds Dealers list-see Announcements)
*While almost any detector can you you an idea of an objects size, the only one that truly shines with a great special feature is the Garrett Gti-2000/2500.
Garrett calls it "treasure imaging"-which it sized the targets. When centered over the target, the smallest size is correct. This feature can be intermittent,
in pin point only, or constant and will work in disc.

 

[Galen1066]

-- moved topic --

 

[MarkCZ]

All the mid to upper range detector gives depth reading, but that's based on what the detector ID's the target as which isn't always correct (certain items often fools them)
Now detecting multiple targets in the same target area ges even more complicated, metal detectors do not COUNT items! they can either,
average them together and give you a single ID number or tone,
or they attempt to give multiple tones and ID numbers. (metal detectors like we're talking about do NOT X-Ray the ground and display an image)

Back to the depth reading, lets say there is a crushed aluminium pop can can at 5" according to just how its laying the detector will often times ID it as a penny/Dime at 1" the best way I've sorted this out over the years is if its a penny/dime at 1" and I've dug down to the 2" to the 3" mark I'm pretty sure its a pop can (beer can)

These detector are amazing but in the field they are LOTS of stuff that fools them.

Also, I'm with "vlad" above when it comes to the V3i If your not extremely experienced with it you can get lost in the HUNDREDS of settings, so you end up having to do resets to default all the time.

Now if you have a fair amount of time detecting and your ready to move up into a more advanced detectors them your on the right track, but if your making your first dive into this hobby then you might consider a little more mid level detector.

Mark

 

[amberjack]

I agree the V3i can do the most experienced detectorists head in but people like and use them....

not used a F75 only what I have read but a lot easier to set up in most conditions I am sure..

people have their favourites and as much as I like spending other peoples money

drive yourself insane reading forums before buying here's my suggestion get your top 5 write them each on a piece of paper same size and put them on a wall close your eyes throw a dart at them and buy the one you hit then come back and start asking questions and I am not joking reading on before hand could and may make your head explode

good luck in what ever you choose.

AJ

 

[Architex]

I agree with everything said by others. You have to realize that no detector will always give you the correct ID or even the correct depth. Target material and position and proximity to other targets, as well as soil conditions, will modify what any detector shows you. Basically, if you really want to be sure you don't miss anything, you have to dig everything that beeps. A lot of experience and a good memory of what the detector told you on the last hundred targets will help. The machines with all the bells and whistles are tempting, I have two, but equally important is listening to the "beeps"...... they vary with all the variables listed above. When you get really good at that you will have as much target information as any screen can give you. Above all READ!!! That includes the manual as well as forum listings for whatever you buy. There's a lot of experience out there available on this and several other forums. Any major name brand mfgr has decent detectors, but YOU will be the biggest factor in your success.

 

[kansas_jayhawks]

Hi All,

I'm looking for a comparison opinion, the boss (The wife) said I can get a metal detector, so I figured I'd ask for opinions, I've narrowed down the search to the following (Fisher F75 and a White Spectra V3i). What I'm looking for in a detector is one that can tell me the depth of a find, along with size (I.E single object or multiples) (or do all detectors do this?) Had a little experience with using them mostly in the military and an uncles old White many years ago, that's why I've asked. I chose the two listed after researching them online, didn't want a basic one, but didn't want an expensive pro model just yet, so any help, ideas, suggestions will be welcomed. If this helps, I'll be searching parks and beaches and maybe some forested areas here in the US and mostly broken terrain and rocky soil in Europe, thanks in advance for the info.

Galen

If you are looking for one check out www.metaldetectors.com

Easy to work with and competitive prices.

 

[kansasexp2]

F75 is a beast of a detector. Like others have said the V3I is on the complicated side. I would personally go with the F75.

 

[jd88047]

Owning the F75 I will say it has a very fast recovery rate so you can hear more than one target. But you have to swing slow if they are on top each other. Depth is ok, but anything over 5 inches seems to be a limit for accurate depth for a VLF detector. I dont know your area or dirt. I also dont know what you want to find. F75 is light and easy on batterys. There is a learning curve. You can run it wide open but I do just the opposite. Coil selection for F75 is great.

I dont own a whites. I have nothing bad to say about the Whites. They dont do too well here from what I have seen personally hunting with a few guys who have them. The MXT seems to be a favorite. You are talking about two high end detectors, that will hunt. Just be ready to read, watch videos, and practice what ever you choose. My purchases has been driven by what I see others use successfully. I have 3 metal detectors and various other gear, I use it all. Some just more than others.

With all the programs of the F75, you wont lack for hunts. You need confidence in your machine. I dont think I would want to guess if I had the Whites set up right or not. I would also let you know there is a lot of new and renamed detectors out there which will do you a good job too. With all the modes on the F75, I only used about 3 modes.

I'll ask you this, where are you going to hunt? I will tell you which detector I would take and why.

 

[Galen1066]

JD,

Thanks for the info, the area I'm currently in is Northern VA between Fredericksburg and DC, but hopefully will be headed to Europe. As for what I'll be searching for since I'm new to the hobby it would be anything I suppose (Relics I hope), Have a friend and fellow hunter that swears by his Minelab 4500, he's also been doing this for some time, just to much machine / cost for a beginner I think. Do have a question, I was told that the larger the coil the deeper the search as well as the bigger the freq. range, not sure if that's true or really what it means but if you have any advice I'd love to hear it thanks again.

Galen

 

[ROBOCOP]

When you said beaches did you mean saltwater beaches? Multi frequency machines versus single frequency are better on saltwater beaches.

You seem very interested in depth notification but that's not a primary concern for a detectorist. Target ID is important to avoid unnecessary digging of iron.

Your friend's Minelab 4500 is a very deep PI but gives no target ID to avoid digging iron.

A Minelab Sovereign will work in saltwater environment and in land detecting. With a meter it will give target ID and also once you learn the tones you can ignore the meter. You can use different size coils for different environments. As you become more experienced you will find it is just as deep as any more modern detector. They are no longer in production, they are not waterproof, they are reasonably priced used and they will probably hold their value.

Yes, larger coils go deeper and on a Sovereign especially so, but you will probably want to use a shoulder harness to avoid fatique.

Keep doing research, the most important thing in detecting is putting in about a 100 hours to learn your machine.

ROBOCOP

 

[sprchng]

You have created quite a dilemma for you to find yourself dealing with here Galen. Your price range puts you in the realm of almost all flagship type detectors with the exception of the CTX. Even good used etracs and new Safaris would fit the bill , not to mention closet queen Deus units with gobs of warranty left and they're very popular in Europe for a reason. amberjack pointed out your best option is to put the names of all these detectors in a bag and draw one. Be sure to enclose the yet to be released Nokta Impact , Garret ??? , and , of course , the Fisher Corazon we have been hearing about as they will be all around the cost of a V3i I imagine. I also imagine many detectors in your future

 

[MarkCZ]

He also said RELIC!
Now relic hunters are for sure in a different class of detecting.
Why don't you sort of start over,
What's your primary detecting interest, Relic, Coin, Beach/Land
What a realistic price range for a detector and other needed equipment, diggers, sand scoop, pinpointer, headphones,

If, you have NO real interest in coin shooting then you may not really need a visual target ID machine.

Mark

 

[vlad]

Check out the Garrett ATX-it has some iron i.d., (but it i.d.'s iron correctly only to a certain depth) is a hi power unit, & has ground balance.
You can still find the Whites TDi, which allows classifying conductors into either high or low, by tone; and using the
ground control you can reject iron-I've read of some in Va. stating that nails drop out (in many areas) before the ground balance
point is reached for the matrix you are hunting.
Both detectors have forums here so there is lots of information available. (both DD & mono loops of various sizes are available)
Plenty of people have used the two I mentioned & the various ML. (John-Edmonton & Steve Herschbach come to mind)-don;t be afraid to ask them questions.

 

[vlad]

I have found that CZ's, and ML Sovereign's & Multi's probably have the best i.d. accuracy at depth-and if any unit gets more target info from a bigger loop, that helps.
Plus, its an advantage that many detectors seem to bump a deep target up a notch in i.d., as opposed to dropping it down.
And i.d. is just a guide; if I'm hunting a place with very old coins any deep trash signal, tab for example is coming up. I learned with a Mk-1 that a deep nickle
will read tab, and so forth-so I did not use the notching feature. Today I follow that rule on i.d also-in many places shallow trash/zincs stay, deep come up.
Over a certain depth-my TID becomes a beep/dig machine.
(remember the std loop on an F-75 is 7" wide; from what I'm told width is the determination of depth-in general, and more so with a DD)

 

[vlad]

this is what comes up in a search...
http://www.lavanguardia.com/r/GODO/LV/p3/WebSite/2016/12/24/Recortada/20161223-636181291287829097_20161223223517-k1zB--992x558@LaVanguardia-Web.jpg

 

[vlad]

Here is an answer Kellyco puts out:
https://www.kellycodetectors.com/blog/using-large-metal-detector-coils-pros-cons?utm_source=email&utm_medium=BlogBUTTON&utm_content=BlogLargeCoils&utm_campaign=MSTRBlogLargeCoils20170408&utm_term=Lead_NewsletterSubscribeAjax
But I somewhat disagree on the ground noise. George Payne wrote that a properly designed oscillator & search coil, in resonance can be very very quiet-and
a proper ground balance is a must-a fixed ground balance unit may not be of much use in mineral. The lower the operating frequency, the less problem with mineral.[relative]
The larger loop will see a bigger disturbance in the form of a frequency shift from a target in the receive winding. But as the loop gets bigger, and the targets
smaller, some resolution is lost on the smallest objects. At some point it becomes a tradeoff.
If you are hunting artillery projectiles, use the biggest loop, but not for prospecting tiny gold nuggets [VLF; P.I. can differ]

 

[jd88047]

That helps me a lot. I am told the dirt there is very hard to hunt due to red clay. The F75 will work there and at the beach. It will also perform overseas for you. My understanding is guys use a PI for a relic hunt in VA. Not that you can't hunt with a vlf detector like the F75.

A large coil can cover more area and the science of it says you will get more depth usually. Generally, larger coils are not as sensitive as a small coil. Problem with a big coil is maneuvering around bushes and coil over load if too much signal is received. The F75 large coils have a slightly different Ground Balance sequence also. I have the 15 inch fisher coil and it will find coin sized targets no problem. I am using the stock coil as it does a great job since I upgraded to the LTD 2.

One thing I forgot to mention, you can swing the coil above several inches above the ground in a certain modes. This would be helpful in rocky, or weedy terrain. All Metal mode is the deepest mode. Get a good relic shovel if you run All Metal.

 

[vlad]

and he said the ground there is very bad, and uses an X-terra in 3 kHz in many places, but in others a Tesoro [guess some ground is not bad].
I heard the problem with the Fisher 15" is not the depth so much, but the weight.
I ordered a Nel Storm, instead. {Wanted a Mars, but they do not answer their email.}

 

[Mike Hillis]

Hi Galen,

I like both of the units you are looking, own and use both on a regular basis. They are different.

The F75 is easy to pick up, set up and go dig targets with. It is easy to stand behind the door and grab and go as you want to. There is a good selection of coils available for it and it has plenty of power and setting options to handle almost any site condition you might run into. Easy to swing for long periods of time. Lots of power and sensitivity.

The V3i requires more up-front effort before you can stand it behind the door as a grab and go unit. It has the best visual discrimination system available today and has the ability to be configured to meet any site condition. Large selection fo coils are available for it. Lots of power and sensitivity. Can feel heavy on the arm after a few hours. By the time you get it all figured out you will be a metal detector engineer.

Overall the V3i offers more versitality but that versitaliy comes with the cost of a much long learning curve as compared to the F75 LTD.

If I could only have one, I would pick the F75 LTD with DST. If I could have two, then I'd add the V3i to the mix.

Good luck.
HH
Mike