Vaquero, M6, or F5?

[Rainyday101]

Which one? To be used strictly for coin hunting in very mild ground. Need to get deeper than my Silver uMax. Don't get me wrong, I love the silver, but in the sandy areas and a few others the silver is just out of it's reach. I would like to get 6-11 inches deep in the mild soil. Seems I can currently reach 6" with the silver, maybe deeper but the response is really faint. It is already getting faint at 6". What are the pros and cons of these detectors and which one do you feel will getter done? I know the Vaq doesn't have a display and being a Tesoro user that is not an issue for me.

 

[5900_XL-1]

I would go with the M6. Martin

 

[tabman]

F75SE or T2SE. Both are deep and well balanced. You can swing them all day long without pain.

The M6 is way out of balance and is a pain to swing for long periods of time. Other than that, I really liked that detector.

They should have moved the control box further back on the rod to get it to balance better. What were they not thinking.

tabman

 

[sqwaby]

If depth is what you want, get the Vaquero, I don't own one any more, but 10+ inches was not a problem for it. The F5 will only get to about 8"

 

[Rainyday101]

Tabman, I am hesitant at the Teknetics or Fisher because of the EMI issues they have. If it were not for this I would probably buy a F70 tomorrow. Do you have EMI issues with your Omega or T2SE? How would you compare your Omega to the Vaquero for depth?

 

[CladDog]

The Omega was the only detector I owned and returnd within 24 hours.

It was unstable, with constant EMI interference no matter where I went.

The TID was jumpy, you name it.

I really wanted to love that detector but unfortunately I hated it for all the reasons above.

But I have to admit several very good good detectorists use the machine and love it.

Just goes to show not every machine is for every person.

 

[Mike Hillis]

All good detectors.

I have never used a Vaquero so I can't say anything about it. I have owned a M6 and presently own a F5. I liked the M6. It is a good detector. But I like the F5 better; more user control and options to allow better fit to site conditions.

HH
Mike

 

[Rainyday101]

Hi Mike, I was hoping you would see this and chime in. I have been reading your stuff all winter and value your truly unbiased opinions. One concern about the F5 or even F70 is EMI interference. I have an electronics background and do understand that a super sensitive receiver like those in the f5, f70, and f75 will be more susceptible to EMI, but that is a the trade off for the depth of these machines. What is your take on EMI with these vs. other detectors?

 

[mojotrout]

Hi Rainyday, I dont have much experience with the F5 yet, but Ive used it around many powerlines, transformers, etc., and messing with the Gain/threshold settings has always calmed it down--at least so far. As far as depth goes, I have dug clad at 7 inches with a good solid signal. no silver with it yet though.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[Mike Hillis]

Rainyday101,

Its all a combination of operating frequency and circuit design. The design engineers try to pick a operating frequency that offers good response on both low, middle and high conductors. Sometimes that operating frequency can fall in a range that makes it more susceptible to EMI than another frequency that could be used. Look how long many "general purpose" metal detectors were made that operated around the 6.5 kHz range. And 6.5 kHz is a rather EMI free frequency (exceptions always exist). But 6.5 kHz has some limitations and its not really the best all purpose frequency. Witness the move to 7.8, 8.2, and 13 kHz by some of the mfgs.

So the frequency changes are bringing in some new response to EMI. Now add to that the new High Gain circuitry and coil designs. The high gain detectors can now be operated wide open to the faintest of responses, be it a deep target, ground minerals or EMI. High gain comes with a price, they can become very noisy. The real key is what does the design engineer make available to the operator to help mitigate the noise? Most only have one mitigation feature; the sensitivity control.

The Fisher units you specifically mentioned have multiple noise mitigation features. Speaking specifically to the F5, having the sensitivity control split into its two components, Gain and Threshold, offers superb fine tuning to mitigate noise. Added to that is a frequency shift that allows 3 different frequency offsets that can be selected to make it more stable. It also includes a very unique design around the ground signal so that EMI noise that limits Gain/Threshold settings with the coil held still vanishes when the coil is in motion over the ground. This feature requires that there be some ground minerals present but it allows the user to set up with much higher Gain and Threshold settings than would normally be the case and still keep a stable detector.

So when looking at high gain detectors, regardless of brand, that have a reputation of being noisy, review what features they offer to help adjust for the noise that will come with the availability of that higher gain.

Also here is a good read about EMI. http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/davejohnson/Electrical%20Interference.htm

Good luck,
HH
Mike

 

[cal]

I will tell you up front I have never use a F5, so I don't know. I have used the M6 and in my opinion it is solid. It is well balanced,easiest,best ground balance,stable, good target Id ( as good as I've used),easy pinpoint,great choice of coils,built like a tank and the best finish job in the business. This machine is real good at getting jewelry as well as coins. While no detector is perfect, for me it was close. The 2 things I didn't like were the 7 tones (which I never used anyway) and the weight. This is not a extreme heavy machine,but I have a wrist and shoulder problem on my right side and couldn't adapt using my left hand ,so I traded for a Vaquero. The Vaquero is what the doctor ordered (for me), it weights 2.2 lbs. I saw this video of 53' Silver using one on you tube and was convinced enough to give it a try. The ground balance is manual, but was very easy to balance. The discrimination is good also very good and this machine has been very stable around EMI enviroment. This machine is very deep when supertuned and no slouch when not. So far, I have really enjoyed hunting with this unit and hoping to log more hrs. in this weekend. Good luck and HH

 

[SpiritRelic]

Weight with great performance is what i want also.The designers i feel should also rethink the rod designs.With new age high performance plastics and carbon fiber material i really think a lot of weight could be subtracted from the detector.We need ultra light weight detectors to evolve quickly because we are getting older and weaker plus broken bones and torn ligaments. A lot of serious detectorist are choosing there next detectors on weight,balance,performance,energy demands etc over heavy uncomfortable battery draining metal detectors.