Omega F5

[Dwayner]

I am sure there are many that have debated
between the two. I've read the reviews posted.
They both have their followers.
If money was tight would you pay extra for the omega?

 

[Hightone]

Hmm

I debated both for awhile, but got a good trade on the F5. The differences are more in the physical design than how they detect from what I can tell.

I like the S rod on the F5 over the T handle. For me it's easier to use my thumb for PP and GB on the fly by the way my wrist is angled on the F5.

I like the GB numbers rather than a 3 point scale to tell where my GB settings are on the F5.

The rounded top of the screen depicting segments is easier and a little larger on the F5.

The head of the Omega is state of the art like the XTerra and not as bulky as the F5.

The Omega takes 1 9v battery, the F5 takes 2 but you get 20 and 40 hours respectively.

Other than that, they're the same machines.

It seems to be easier to shop F5 coils than Omega coils though.

One other thing, I can't remember, but I don't think you can set the threshold separate on the Omega, not sure. But on my F5 I have the ability to adjust both sensitivity and threshold to adjust how the unit reacts to EMI and mineralization, a real plus IMO.

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

I've got the Omega with the 11" DD coil and for me it's a better machine than the T2. Deeper, better audio information, and designed better to name a few. I've never had the F5 but have seen it in action and it's pretty impressive. The F5 was supposed to be the building block for the Omega, and the Omega is supposed to have some improvements over the F5. I think the Omega is much easier to operate initially, but I like the threshold adjustment of the F5. When you turn up the sensitivity in all metal on the Omega, the threshold rises too. It's not adjustable on the Omega, but it is on the F5. Like I said, I have not owned an F5 and hunt with the Omega often. I don't think you can go wrong with either detector. But I have not seen anything in the First Texas lineup that I would trade my Omega for, and that includes the F75 LTD.

 

[Bill_S]

I have owned both detectors. The F5 has some good features as mentioned but the target ID numbers were all over the place. I have owned two seperate F5's and they both acted this way even on shallow targets. I got rid of them for that reason. I now have the Omega and there is a huge difference. For the most part ID numbers are pretty solid. I would definately pay the extra money for the Omega. This is in my ground of course, may be different for someone else.

 

[Hightone]

I can get the same result of the IDs moving all over the place if the threshold and sensitivity are not properly set. The older style detectors say to set the threshold to a soft hum in AM. Not true with this detector. Setting the threshold below 0 (or -1) helps to stabilize the signal even in the Disc mode, when the sensitivity is just below the chatter level, without sacrificing depth. Granted, if you don't want to find that sweet spot, the Omega is preset to follow the sensitivity. I like having the control, some may not want to fool with it. Personal preference, I guess.