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silver umax vs fisher 1235/1236
- Thread starter Eric
- Start date
>>> I have been using the Tesoro "Silver" line, in one form or another, since the Silver Sabre II. Making a choice between these two is tough, much depending on where you hunt. They both adequately fill the basic 'beep and dig' detector niche. But, given a choice between the current Silver and the 1236-X2...... drumroll please...
I'd take the Fisher. And you gotta know that's not easy for me to say, being a long time Tesoro man.
So, lets compare features and see why I say that
Here's what Fisher says about their 1236-X2...
"Silencer Mode" knocks out chatter for quiet operation
Increased sensitivity
Pre-set iron discrimination mode
Sensitivity/Battery test control
Automatic, turn on and go operation
VLF-slow motion discrimination
VCO Pinpoint Audio
Convertible to hip mount
High-Tech Digital and Analog circuitry
Frequency shift control
Patented, double-derivative electronics
Optional, 3 3/4, 5 inch coils and 10 1/2 inch Spider coil
Lightweight with cushioned arm rest and foam grip
Drop in batteries (2-9v batteries), long battery life = 40 hours
Full range discrimination and sensitivity controls
Double-locking ABS fiberglass stem, Three piece breakdown handle
5 year warranty
Tesoro says this about the Silver:
Microprocessor Technology
MicroMAX Design
Low Noise Circuitry
VLF 10 kHz Frequency
One Drop-in 9V Battery
Push Button Battery Test
Silent Search All Metal Mode
Silent Search Discriminate Mode
8" Concentric Coil
Interchangeable Coils
Built-in Mineral Rejection
Lifetime Warranty
Here's what this ad hype equates to in real life >>>>>
The Tesoro has silent search DISC. The Fisher does, too.
Silver has a preset ground balance, ditto the 1236-X2.
Tesoro offers an all metal, silent search mode.
The Fisher doesn't - it should, but it doesn't. What it
But, it has "0" discrimination... which amounts to the same thing in the field.
The Tesoro has a SENS control and a DISC control... and that's about it.
The Fisher has those, too. It also has an IRON elimination preset and an iron "Silence" switch.
They work a treat.
The Fisher has a volume control, the Silver doesn't
What about coils?
The Silver has an 8" open center concentric; I think it's one of the best of the breed.
The 1236 offers the ever trusty 8" spider coil.
The Silver will take any of the compatible, interchangeable Tesoro coils.
The 1236 will accept any number of small and large coils, too.
Both detcrors will go deeper than you my think with the larger coils.
The Silver weighs about as much as a fly on your sleeve and only takes one 9V battery.
The 1236 takes two batteries and is a tadbit heavier.
The Fisher will hip mount, the Silver won't.
Neither one is heavy enough to matter.
The Fisher can be swept fast or super slow - in fact you'll get a stronger, sharper response on deep targets when you swing it a bit fast.
It's excellent audio is comfortable to use and inspires a lot of confidence.
The Silver can be swept fast, and on shallow targets this is good. On deep targets it doesnt sgive a stronger response on deep targets because of it.
The Tesoro cannot be Super Tuned, as can others in it's family, but it has the SENS boost range.
The Fisher can be driven into the hot, upper SENS range.
The Tesoro has no frequency shift control.
The Fisher has this feature.
This could be useful around power lines or other EMF sources. It also comes in handy in competition hunting.
I haven't found it to matter much, one way or the other.
.
The Silver uses a 10khz field frequency - - this should make it hotter on lower conductive items like brass and gold.
The 1236 uses 5.7khz as it's field frequency - - maybe a little hotter on silver coins.
So far, I haven't seen where it makes much difference.
Price?
Tesoro - $299 retail
Fisher - - $319 retail
Both can be had for discount on the internet
Some User Observations
I personally feel the Fisher 1236-X2 is a bit of a purists machine. I don't recommend it to beginners normally. If you are a rank nimrod, new to this hobby, you can stop reading now and are probably better off with the Silver.
I've been detecting 20 years and used to use a Fisher 1266-X a lot. I think the 1236-X2 is a very much like that model (I wish Fisher would have put the dual SENS feature of the 1266 on the 1236). As such, it is a bit hotter than the Silver, when wound out. Not by much mind you, but a wee bit. This means it gets a bit "chattery" and noisy, which can be disconcerting to newcomers.
It also has an all metal, VCO pinpoint button which I prefer. No detector is complete without this, IMHO. Tesoro left the pinpoint off the Silver, the last Silver model to have it being the Silver Sabre uMax. Bad move, in my opinion.
But mostly I think the Fisher is better in iron. Why? Because it lets you know its there, by popping and crackling as it discriminates ferrous clutter. I like that better than discrimination masking as you get into iron, which can leave you wondering why your detector seems to be getting squirrelly.
If you can't take the bit of noise the 1236 makes, then flick the "Silence" switch to hush the iron chatter.
However, drop the 1236 DISC to 0 and you have, for all intents and purposes, an all metals mode.
I used the 1236 today on a relic hunt and let me tell you, it wont miss iron targets if you are eager to find them!
Run the Silver down into the lowest range and you get about the same effect.
The Tesoro is quieter in general and if you prefer that, then it is a hands down choice. Again, it's a good entry level model for that reason. I personally like it better than the Ace 250 for newbies
They're both hard to beat. But I reckon the Fisher has a bit more going on than the current Silver, with stock coils and all other things being equal.
If you are a school and parks hunter, or a raw newbie, you are probably a bit better off with the Silver.
If you are experienced and/or do a lot of relic or field hunting, I'd opt for the 1236-X2.
Personally, I now have a Vaquero AND a 1236-X2 for the beep and dig role.
After all, if one 'beep and dig' detector is good, then two are better.
I'd take the Fisher. And you gotta know that's not easy for me to say, being a long time Tesoro man.
So, lets compare features and see why I say that
Here's what Fisher says about their 1236-X2...
"Silencer Mode" knocks out chatter for quiet operation
Increased sensitivity
Pre-set iron discrimination mode
Sensitivity/Battery test control
Automatic, turn on and go operation
VLF-slow motion discrimination
VCO Pinpoint Audio
Convertible to hip mount
High-Tech Digital and Analog circuitry
Frequency shift control
Patented, double-derivative electronics
Optional, 3 3/4, 5 inch coils and 10 1/2 inch Spider coil
Lightweight with cushioned arm rest and foam grip
Drop in batteries (2-9v batteries), long battery life = 40 hours
Full range discrimination and sensitivity controls
Double-locking ABS fiberglass stem, Three piece breakdown handle
5 year warranty
Tesoro says this about the Silver:
Microprocessor Technology
MicroMAX Design
Low Noise Circuitry
VLF 10 kHz Frequency
One Drop-in 9V Battery
Push Button Battery Test
Silent Search All Metal Mode
Silent Search Discriminate Mode
8" Concentric Coil
Interchangeable Coils
Built-in Mineral Rejection
Lifetime Warranty
Here's what this ad hype equates to in real life >>>>>
The Tesoro has silent search DISC. The Fisher does, too.
Silver has a preset ground balance, ditto the 1236-X2.
Tesoro offers an all metal, silent search mode.
The Fisher doesn't - it should, but it doesn't. What it
But, it has "0" discrimination... which amounts to the same thing in the field.
The Tesoro has a SENS control and a DISC control... and that's about it.
The Fisher has those, too. It also has an IRON elimination preset and an iron "Silence" switch.
They work a treat.
The Fisher has a volume control, the Silver doesn't
What about coils?
The Silver has an 8" open center concentric; I think it's one of the best of the breed.
The 1236 offers the ever trusty 8" spider coil.
The Silver will take any of the compatible, interchangeable Tesoro coils.
The 1236 will accept any number of small and large coils, too.
Both detcrors will go deeper than you my think with the larger coils.
The Silver weighs about as much as a fly on your sleeve and only takes one 9V battery.
The 1236 takes two batteries and is a tadbit heavier.
The Fisher will hip mount, the Silver won't.
Neither one is heavy enough to matter.
The Fisher can be swept fast or super slow - in fact you'll get a stronger, sharper response on deep targets when you swing it a bit fast.
It's excellent audio is comfortable to use and inspires a lot of confidence.
The Silver can be swept fast, and on shallow targets this is good. On deep targets it doesnt sgive a stronger response on deep targets because of it.
The Tesoro cannot be Super Tuned, as can others in it's family, but it has the SENS boost range.
The Fisher can be driven into the hot, upper SENS range.
The Tesoro has no frequency shift control.
The Fisher has this feature.
This could be useful around power lines or other EMF sources. It also comes in handy in competition hunting.
I haven't found it to matter much, one way or the other.
.
The Silver uses a 10khz field frequency - - this should make it hotter on lower conductive items like brass and gold.
The 1236 uses 5.7khz as it's field frequency - - maybe a little hotter on silver coins.
So far, I haven't seen where it makes much difference.
Price?
Tesoro - $299 retail
Fisher - - $319 retail
Both can be had for discount on the internet
Some User Observations
I personally feel the Fisher 1236-X2 is a bit of a purists machine. I don't recommend it to beginners normally. If you are a rank nimrod, new to this hobby, you can stop reading now and are probably better off with the Silver.
I've been detecting 20 years and used to use a Fisher 1266-X a lot. I think the 1236-X2 is a very much like that model (I wish Fisher would have put the dual SENS feature of the 1266 on the 1236). As such, it is a bit hotter than the Silver, when wound out. Not by much mind you, but a wee bit. This means it gets a bit "chattery" and noisy, which can be disconcerting to newcomers.
It also has an all metal, VCO pinpoint button which I prefer. No detector is complete without this, IMHO. Tesoro left the pinpoint off the Silver, the last Silver model to have it being the Silver Sabre uMax. Bad move, in my opinion.
But mostly I think the Fisher is better in iron. Why? Because it lets you know its there, by popping and crackling as it discriminates ferrous clutter. I like that better than discrimination masking as you get into iron, which can leave you wondering why your detector seems to be getting squirrelly.
If you can't take the bit of noise the 1236 makes, then flick the "Silence" switch to hush the iron chatter.
However, drop the 1236 DISC to 0 and you have, for all intents and purposes, an all metals mode.
I used the 1236 today on a relic hunt and let me tell you, it wont miss iron targets if you are eager to find them!
Run the Silver down into the lowest range and you get about the same effect.
The Tesoro is quieter in general and if you prefer that, then it is a hands down choice. Again, it's a good entry level model for that reason. I personally like it better than the Ace 250 for newbies
They're both hard to beat. But I reckon the Fisher has a bit more going on than the current Silver, with stock coils and all other things being equal.
If you are a school and parks hunter, or a raw newbie, you are probably a bit better off with the Silver.
If you are experienced and/or do a lot of relic or field hunting, I'd opt for the 1236-X2.
Personally, I now have a Vaquero AND a 1236-X2 for the beep and dig role.
After all, if one 'beep and dig' detector is good, then two are better.
I've had a 1236 and now I own a Silver -u-max. The 1236 doesn't like menerial soil but the u-max does. I hunt in Fla. beaches the 1236 has a hard time getting near the wet sand the u-max love it.The u-max go's deeper.is liter and much easyer to use.So if you are looking for Gold or silver and no iorn get the u-max. Ron Lord,Naples ,FLa Happy huntting
The 1236-X2 has gone along way to solving the iron chatter problem. Its not perfect, but it has made some leaps ahead.Eric said:
If I were in Nederland and wanting to detect, I wouldn't hesitate to use one.
As I said though, I like a bit of the noise which discriminated iron makes. I've hunted old house sites with it, where there was nothing BUT iron infestation.
I stand by my feeling that it is a purists instrument.
If I wanted a Tesoro, and that's a good choice, I'd try to get a Vaquero. At least one of their units with manual ground balance... Bandido uMax, Eldorado, etc. The soils can be brutal over there, varying widely in mineralization in just a few meters.
R-n-R Magnolia SpringsAla
New member
In my exp. the 1236x was as close to a tesoro as fisher ever got. 1236x is a good machine not the usual iron magnet as fishers have a rep for. After all these years I'm still using my 1265x for a ultra deep machine. (in clean ground, relics and such) With the "football" coil the 1236x is a good relic machine as it sees items very close or even under trees. But for me a trained user I can use my Bandito 1 (old) with just as much deep finds due to the ablilty to crank the threshold up and see deeper in disc mode. For pure depth go with the 1236x
Seems I always grab my Tesoro machines first.
They are lighter, handier, and do what's expected of them.
Me, too. Have done so for years!
But lately, I've fought that urge and ventured out. The 1236-X2 is just one of my recent excursions.
I find it is the equal of the beep and dig Tesoro's, for the most part. It is different, however, and responds in it's own way.
I traded my Golden uMax not too long ago and I'm starting to wonder if that was a mistake.
They are lighter, handier, and do what's expected of them.
Me, too. Have done so for years!
But lately, I've fought that urge and ventured out. The 1236-X2 is just one of my recent excursions.
I find it is the equal of the beep and dig Tesoro's, for the most part. It is different, however, and responds in it's own way.
I traded my Golden uMax not too long ago and I'm starting to wonder if that was a mistake.