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What's Happened to the ID Edge?
- Thread starter Relic
- Start date
Jackpine Savage
Active member
a couple prototypes are still making the rounds of the dealers. Bill L just got another one, which I can only assume is closer to an actual production version to use for writing up the field test for the Fisher website.
All reports on the prototypes are very positive so far.
HH Tom
All reports on the prototypes are very positive so far.
HH Tom
Hmmm... It's interesting that the December issue of a W&ET has a half page ad for the ID Edge and yet nothing is really known about it. Looks like a rush to market for the holiday spending orgy before the product is ready. According to the ad copy, it has some nice features, but how well does it work? And, it's the same price as the X-Terra on a well-known dealers Web site...
HH
Relic
HH
Relic
BarnacleBill
New member
it can be found at this link:http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/IDEdge.htm
If you would like the opinion of someone in your region follow this link:
http://www.ronsdetectors.com/fisher-id-edge.htm
I have never found VHS tapes or DVDs to be much more than promotional in nature. i.e."These are the coils we'll have available, so please buy them."
In reality the X-Terra was not ready. I say this because the main feature being promoted, was the high/low frequency coil set-up. Those coils are not in production, therefore this product was not ready for market. If anything, Minelab is having technical or production problems with the high frequency coils. So if your DVD contains references to the high frequency coils, then I suggest the DVD is more along the lines of a fairy tale.
No doubt Minelab has done a very good job of promoting this line of machines. I believe they took real notice of the ACE 250, and if you look at the feature set, it is essentially an upscale/upmarket ACE 250. This is probably the machine that Garrett should have produced next, and who knows, they may have it on the drawing board or even further along. Maybe that's why Minelab jumped before the high freq coils were ready, they might have gotten wind of another Garrett release. And based on the reaction to the ACE 250, a new Garrett in this mid market segment, would have sucked all the revenue out of it for the Xmas season.
The irony of the high frequency coil system is, that the underlying design of the detector thwarts the usefulness of the high frequency coils for use in detecting low conductivity items such as gold jewelry, and maybe nuggets. The X-Terra is not a linear or stepped discriminator, it is purely a notch discriminator. And when dealing with the disc range between iron and nickel, you want as fine a resolution as you can get when going after gold. So you live and die by the width of the notches.
Therefore the numeric X -Terra disc ID number is really rather meaningless when thinking about a disc setting. The X50 has 15 non-ferrous segements spread all the way up thru silver. In comparison the Edge has 22 non-ferrous numbers up thru zinc. This gives twice the disc resolution in that oh so important iron to zinc area for finding brass, lead, and gold mixed in with iron.
More recent reactions from actual users, suggests that the X50 does not particularly shine in iron or other trashy locations. In contrast, if the Edge has the same iron capabilities as the Excel, with even a 2" increase in depth, the machine will be formidable, if a 4" increase, the earth will move.
HH
BarnacleBill
If you would like the opinion of someone in your region follow this link:
http://www.ronsdetectors.com/fisher-id-edge.htm
I have never found VHS tapes or DVDs to be much more than promotional in nature. i.e."These are the coils we'll have available, so please buy them."
In reality the X-Terra was not ready. I say this because the main feature being promoted, was the high/low frequency coil set-up. Those coils are not in production, therefore this product was not ready for market. If anything, Minelab is having technical or production problems with the high frequency coils. So if your DVD contains references to the high frequency coils, then I suggest the DVD is more along the lines of a fairy tale.
No doubt Minelab has done a very good job of promoting this line of machines. I believe they took real notice of the ACE 250, and if you look at the feature set, it is essentially an upscale/upmarket ACE 250. This is probably the machine that Garrett should have produced next, and who knows, they may have it on the drawing board or even further along. Maybe that's why Minelab jumped before the high freq coils were ready, they might have gotten wind of another Garrett release. And based on the reaction to the ACE 250, a new Garrett in this mid market segment, would have sucked all the revenue out of it for the Xmas season.
The irony of the high frequency coil system is, that the underlying design of the detector thwarts the usefulness of the high frequency coils for use in detecting low conductivity items such as gold jewelry, and maybe nuggets. The X-Terra is not a linear or stepped discriminator, it is purely a notch discriminator. And when dealing with the disc range between iron and nickel, you want as fine a resolution as you can get when going after gold. So you live and die by the width of the notches.
Therefore the numeric X -Terra disc ID number is really rather meaningless when thinking about a disc setting. The X50 has 15 non-ferrous segements spread all the way up thru silver. In comparison the Edge has 22 non-ferrous numbers up thru zinc. This gives twice the disc resolution in that oh so important iron to zinc area for finding brass, lead, and gold mixed in with iron.
More recent reactions from actual users, suggests that the X50 does not particularly shine in iron or other trashy locations. In contrast, if the Edge has the same iron capabilities as the Excel, with even a 2" increase in depth, the machine will be formidable, if a 4" increase, the earth will move.
HH
BarnacleBill
Jackpine Savage
Active member
about the Edge's improved performance over the Excel and C$ proves out in the produtcion versions, then it will be a major player. The same bad ground handling along with improved depth of detection and more stable ID. I don't know what more you could ask for.
HH Tom
HH Tom
December is the release date. That was mentioned a bit back.
Fisher did not send out dozens of "test" units to selected users to promote. They did have a few testers that they, (Fisher), listened to about their recommended changes. Their implementing those most recent suggested changes into the production run right now.
Mr. Bill
Fisher did not send out dozens of "test" units to selected users to promote. They did have a few testers that they, (Fisher), listened to about their recommended changes. Their implementing those most recent suggested changes into the production run right now.
Mr. Bill
I am not bashing Fisher, there to little info for a unit coming out before the holidays.I did down load the manual and specs sheet the day it hit Fisher and then emailed they that there man was wrong on somethings,a mistake this is understandable,I just dont want to dish out the money and then see problems or even another unit come out in Feb.I know they have to sell detectors,when we spend good money out for something so they can kill the resale on other units its wrong,I will keep all Fishers I buy,why sell if you have lifetime.Some buy and sell units like changing your underware. The FU email about my post was not cool.
Seems like Fisher is trying prototypes to improve the unit before it hits the streets, while Minelab is doing a good job advertising their machine which hit the streets rather quickly..I am sure both will have their plus and minus attributes and waiting for some good feedback from seasoned hunters that weren't given one which naturally would influence their feedback...Best advice I can give is read all you can and wait till Spring to make a decision as the snow will be falling soon and personally feel no perfect machine and no perfect advertising ploys..Do remember the edge it not a cz and the x-terra is not an explorer. I am sure we all have our favorites and both will be a competent unit. Myself don't want to be the first to own either and hopefully our club members will try both to give me an unbiased opinion and perhaps a hands on demonstration of the good or bad of each particuliar unit...By the way perusing the posts I see some good thoughts.
mtdoramike
Well-known member
and if its as good or better then the Coinstrike then I will definately own one, but I would find that hard to believe, just like the Excel, its a great unit, but I wouldn't put it in the same league with the Coinstrike.
BarnacleBill
New member
I haven't owned a C$, but recently put the Excel thru it's paces at a moderately mineralized Maine beach.
The day I did these tests I had a very highly touted single freq machine that had been reported to be stable on NE beaches. From initial turn on to half an hour later of trying various settings, the coil could not be moved 2 inches without constant noise. That was on a very mild portion of this beach in damp sand the tide had not touched in six hours. I have also tried various other machines there including the Tejon, no single frequency machine has done as well as the Excel. Would the C$ do better? Unknown, but if the Edge is as stable as the Excel, then no problem.
Below are excerpts from two posts I made on the C$/Excel forum.
"Previously I had used the Excel at this beach in the dry sand, but not taken the time to really see what it could do in the damp/wet. Most of the day I used the CZ20, but I did take out the Excel for about 1.5 hours. The Excel will not GB, so FP is the only choice. But what a sweet machine, I was at the waterline w/ wet foamy sand Sens = 5 and she was dead quiet. At Sens =8 about every third swing she would false mildly, easily useable with a little effort.
There are sections of the beach where the black sand causes the Excel to read -08 to -15 for 20 to 30ft at a stretch. There are also positive hot rocks, dug one with the CZ today(pinpointed like a half-dollar), and then throw in the salt. It is so bad that you can't use the pinpoint on the Excel(reads 50 constantly), to use AM is masochistic, and yet the Excel in Disc will run quiet, and ID correctly, plus get decent depth. I paid $260 used, and put a new touch pad on for $18 shipped. My only theory as to why this single freq machine can operate on this beach is the Excel
The day I did these tests I had a very highly touted single freq machine that had been reported to be stable on NE beaches. From initial turn on to half an hour later of trying various settings, the coil could not be moved 2 inches without constant noise. That was on a very mild portion of this beach in damp sand the tide had not touched in six hours. I have also tried various other machines there including the Tejon, no single frequency machine has done as well as the Excel. Would the C$ do better? Unknown, but if the Edge is as stable as the Excel, then no problem.
Below are excerpts from two posts I made on the C$/Excel forum.
"Previously I had used the Excel at this beach in the dry sand, but not taken the time to really see what it could do in the damp/wet. Most of the day I used the CZ20, but I did take out the Excel for about 1.5 hours. The Excel will not GB, so FP is the only choice. But what a sweet machine, I was at the waterline w/ wet foamy sand Sens = 5 and she was dead quiet. At Sens =8 about every third swing she would false mildly, easily useable with a little effort.
There are sections of the beach where the black sand causes the Excel to read -08 to -15 for 20 to 30ft at a stretch. There are also positive hot rocks, dug one with the CZ today(pinpointed like a half-dollar), and then throw in the salt. It is so bad that you can't use the pinpoint on the Excel(reads 50 constantly), to use AM is masochistic, and yet the Excel in Disc will run quiet, and ID correctly, plus get decent depth. I paid $260 used, and put a new touch pad on for $18 shipped. My only theory as to why this single freq machine can operate on this beach is the Excel
Fisher sent out just a couple proto's awhile back. I got to try one. The testers gave thumbs-up, reccomended a couple tweeks, and then Fisher announced a target release date of Dec. 1st & began taking pre-orders. Rather than a huge hype parade on every forum, or weak, 1 paragraph "field tests", I'm carefully working on an in-depth test as we speak. Fisher listened to their customers & made sure they get it right & make it the best it can be. The Edge is going to be damn good....no hype needed. Yes, I'm sure they are now beginning to assemble them to be out for Dec......
The EDGE manual can be downloaded & read already on FRL web page which is a first. If anyone has any specific questions I have been trying to answer them here on Findmall.....
HH, Bill
The EDGE manual can be downloaded & read already on FRL web page which is a first. If anyone has any specific questions I have been trying to answer them here on Findmall.....
HH, Bill
There's no big hype campaign necessary. Fisher has been doing this since 1931. Single frequency TID design, in a lightweight package is not brand new for them. Instead, Fisher has listened to real experienced folks in the field, & their have been several improvments since the first rough proto made the rounds. I think this should be commended! Think about it. Fisher could have released an Edge months ago just to be the first one on the block & beat out the others. But, in my opinion the unit would not have been the best new detector FRL can produce. Doing it right will eliminate the so-called "bugs" fears of new units. I could release a poor 1 page field test today, but like Fisher I'm also trying to get it right.....
HH, Bill
HH, Bill
An operations manual goes over every button, notch, etc., & was available for the first time to be read and downloaded online. In the past you had to pre-order, take a chance, & wait to read a manual when you opened the box. Look at any field test. More than half of it will be just like the manual...a condenced version of it's operational features (w. some added "in the field" stuff). I have made several posts on the C$/Excel forum about the Edge, & answered many questions. Feel free to ask some. Since Fisher dealers are now taking orders, and W&E magazine runs 1 month behind, why not include a picture of an Edge in their 2 page Christmas ads? Some folks really dig getting a detector under their X-mas tree. I don't get all the fuss really...
Why is Fisher doing away with the dual freqs.Only reason I got rid of mine was because the DFX came out with dual freqs.You can't beat the multi. freqs on saltwater.It's nice have one unit that will operate anywhere's.It sounds like a lot of the guys like their Cz's.Why not put a feature on them like the DFX.Adjustable freqs.Use both 5 and 15 together or use just 5kz or 15kz by themselves.Or maybe even an optional freq in the middle.Personally,i think if they go to all single freq units,they'll lose a lot of diehard users.Dave
I'm not as in the know about whats going on with CZ's, but here's a couple guesses. I think they are just scaling down their hobby line some, maybe looking at how things are selling as opposed to how much it costs to get foreign parts that have gone up in price, and also just moving forward with their new engineer. Maybe CZ's sell less for FRL nowadays? I think the 3D will stay though....
Yes, I love my CZ's too & will always have a couple on hand for certain sites. They have been around many years now & there's lots a them out there. So I don't think they will ever be extinct, and Fisher will continue to warranty them to folks who had the warranty card. But the future looks very bright with the much faster, real time TID's like the new Edge.....
HH, Bill
Yes, I love my CZ's too & will always have a couple on hand for certain sites. They have been around many years now & there's lots a them out there. So I don't think they will ever be extinct, and Fisher will continue to warranty them to folks who had the warranty card. But the future looks very bright with the much faster, real time TID's like the new Edge.....
HH, Bill