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It’s like that pop song...

IowaRelic

Well-known member
With some recent new products and news in the detecting world, I feel like I’m in that pop song from a couple years ago. You know, the guys is like crying “ say something, I’m giving up on you”.
THATS ME TO YOU, FT. You have to give us something that says your still alive under there. That some new fire is gonna lite up through the coals. No more rebadging ( even though I like it)!!! Just at least announce SOMETHING. You could even just say “yeah it’s coming, 2 years” anything really, to shut me up.
 
With some recent new products and news in the detecting world, I feel like I’m in that pop song from a couple years ago. You know, the guys is like crying “ say something, I’m giving up on you”.
THATS ME TO YOU, FT. You have to give us something that says your still alive under there. That some new fire is gonna lite up through the coals. No more rebadging ( even though I like it)!!! Just at least announce SOMETHING. You could even just say “yeah it’s coming, 2 years” anything really, to shut me up.
Yeah i agree and I don’t think that impulse AQ is gonna cut it for most normal detectorists
 
Yeah i agree and I don’t think that impulse AQ is gonna cut it for most normal detectorists
I don’t even consider that machine for so many reasons. It’s just a one-off type deal to me. It doesn’t fit my hunting style, the coil setup is strange, it’s waaaayy to expensive, it’s built off another individuals design and Fisher seems to be just the muscle to get it out there. It just has a bad taste to me and surely they are not relying on it as a flagship machine or to carry them along the T2/F75 has
 
With some recent new products and news in the detecting world, I feel like I’m in that pop song from a couple years ago. You know, the guys is like crying “ say something, I’m giving up on you”.
THATS ME TO YOU, FT. You have to give us something that says your still alive under there. That some new fire is gonna lite up through the coals.
No more rebadging ( even though I like it)!!! Just at least announce SOMETHING. You could even just say “yeah it’s coming, 2 years” anything really, to shut me up.
Iowa Relic, I am in agreement that we would like something new, from both Fisher and Teknetics. I also agree that some of the rebadging has been OK, but there are so many models that things get 'cluttered up' so to speak. But the new-model offerings today can make it interesting to see what a manufacturer might come up with to compete. For example, many manufacturers have gone to a round 11" DD coil as 'standard' and, to me, that was the wrong direction, at least for here in North Americas. The bulk of the mtl detecting hobbyists are urban Coin Hunters who deal with modern-day trash at parks schools, sports fields, etc., or they hunt close to metal structures in tot-lots and playgrounds. A smaller-size to mid-size search coil would be much better as a 'standard' coil.

Then look at how many detectors are offered that are submersible. Garrett has the three 'AT' series models in the upper-hundreds. Minelab has the Equinox 600 and 800 (looking at under $1K prices), and Nokta / Makro has them from the under $300 Simplex + to the Kruzer series and under $900 Anfibio Multi. Garrett has now purchased White's so the current MX-Sport is also in that group at under $800. And those are all in the multi-purpose detector category for both water and land-use. Is FTP going to compete in the submersible race? Just stay mostly in the land-based group, which is perfectly fine with me.

We have models with Iron Audio Volume control and other adjustment features, but in reality, not all of them are that needed or really that functional. In-the-end what we really want is a detector that is comfortable, well balanced, has good accessory coil choice, and will provide good in-the-field performance for the type of hunting we intend to do. Typically, I have added a few detectors to my Detector Outfit this year during a span when I am working to thin-out some excess models I don't use much or don't need or find uncomfortable. Not counting 5 old models I keep on-hand for use in my seminars to show folks what we had in order to get to where we are today, my personal inventory this evening includes: 2-Garrett, 1-Minelab, 6 Nokta / Makro, 3-Tesoro's and 2-White's units ... some being duplicates of favorite models. On Monday I should have delivery of thre brand new detector I bought earlier in the week, to include 1-Fisher and 2-Teknetics.


'Why?'... some might ask. Well, for a few reasons. One is that I happen to like certain models I have had, parted with, but want to re-fill the voids. A second reason is that I have been planning on thinning out some of what i have, or have recently acquired, but want to use them first for some evaluation purposes. But the main reason is because I want to do some side-by-side evaluation of a good assortment of current models that consumers can buy brand new, that are priced at just used $550 on down. We are at the end of hunting season for some, and just getting into hunting season for others .... and then there are those who live where they can hunt every month of the year. Plus, not only are some people shopping for something new as a primary-use detector, but a lot are looking for a 'back-up' or special model for them to hunt 'fringe areas' of old-use sites away from the dense iron debris.

Some folks are looking for a new detector for a spouse or one of their kids, or even for a friend. Add to that it is coming up on a holiday season and a lot will use that as an excuse to 'go shopping.' In my personal detector group the highest MSRP of my currently-offered detectors is $549. All the rest retail for less, or a few are very proven but discontinued models. One thing that the FTP approach offered-up wasn't a 'new' model, but they reduced the prices of most of their product line to make them more competitive in today's world.

I think they could maybe trim one or two units out of their line-up, keep the very proven performers they have at impressive prices, and perhaps slide one or two new upper-end models into the market for consumers in both the Fisher and Teknetics brands .... how what o get some thing new and pay higher retail prices. Most of the people I have been communicating with the past 2-3 months have expressed an interest in certain feature they like, and also how they usually set up their detectors, and mentioned search coils of interest and also wanted to keep their shopping budget at 'around five-hundred dollars or less.' I decided to bump my evaluations to include models that are buy-able new for $550 or under. I hope to have all the different model comparisons and review posted in about a month, or a week before the USA Thanksgiving Holiday.

Hoping to work in some hunt-time tomorrow as we have one more very nice day, and I'll be using a few of my 'affordable-range' detectors that work quite well.

Monte
 
What would of be the interest level for a new FT model with ergonomics of the f/75 and t2 but also collapsibility , with the famous trigger pinpoint and ground-grab, selectable frequency’s like the Deus, anfibio or multi Kruzer As well as some well thought out preset Programs and software update Potential. Would it be worth it if priced under $800?
 
What would of be the interest level for a new FT model with ergonomics of the f/75 and t2 but also collapsibility , with the famous trigger pinpoint and ground-grab, selectable frequency’s like the Deus, anfibio or multi Kruzer As well as some well thought out preset Programs and software update Potential. Would it be worth it if priced under $800?
The T2, which came before the F75, is still my favorite of the two. With the latest variant of the series, the T2+, going for $549, it's one of the three detectors I just bought that will be delivered Monday. Partly for the multi-detector product review I am working on, but mainly because I regretted letting mine go this past spring. I've mainly use the T2's with the 5" DD coil because it works great in and around the dense trash, weeds, rocks and brush where I most-often hunt. I'm also going to be taking my new T2+ to some very open grassy parks with an aftermarket coil to hopefully chance upon some silver or other older coins.

The T2 physical platform has to be about the best in overall configuration and comfort, and for most hunting needs we really don't need all of the so-called 'modern' functions. For example, I like having Iron Audio Volume on my Apex, Racer 2, V-540, Relic, Simplex + and MX-7 because I often hunt in iron-contaminated sites and I like to listen for any ferrous debris so I can work the coil around it to see if there might be a partially-masked non-ferrous keeper. But if I know I am not likely to encounter much iron I don't need that function, and sometimes run with the Disc. set to just reject ferrous trash. Matter of fact, the majority of average hobbyists out there do not like trash at all and use a high Disc. setting to avoid iron and even higher to zap small foil, etc.

I have used Simultaneous Multi-Frequency detectors since the mid 90's from four manufacturers and I know there are times when they might provide us with an 'edge' in performance. But I also know they have their drawbacks at times and a Single-Frequency might have the advantage in certain applications. So I wouldn't mind if FTP used the same platform and similar control unit with the well-positioned trigger-toggle, and even use minimal controls like the one-button and one-knob approach of the T2 and F75 to bring us a model with Multi-Frequency, SMF and Selectable, add Iron Audio, and a decent white back-light would be great as well. Not a lot more features as we don't need stuff to mess up performance. Then, offer it at a ± $899 price-point. I'd b in line to get one.

Monte
 
My new t2 classic which I bought a Mars 6”x10” coil for ( and which came with a cors shrew which I haven’t yet tried) Is a joy to use. Not even a hint of EMI even at 99 Sens
 
My new t2 classic which I bought a Mars 6”x10” coil for ( and which came with a cors shrew which I haven’t yet tried) Is a joy to use. Not even a hint of EMI even at 99 Sens
i am one of the fans of the Teknetics T2 series. I've enjoyed using them since 2006 and while I have periodically parted with some at times in recent years, letting my T2+ go this past spring, I have corrected my wrongful ways and have another brand new T2+ due to be delivered today. Through the years I have mainly used their 5" DD for the nastiest of trash places I hunt, but am likely to acquire a 5X9½ DD NEL coil by next spring. I do have some freshly harvested and plowed fields around now where I am going to work a bigger-size NEL 'Super-Fly' on the T2+ and that will be interesting. Also an old and well-used city park. I hope to find the areas where older coins might be after the major renovation it got 30-35 years ago.

And one of the things I have enjoyed with most of my T2's was not being bothered by EMI as much as several other detectors I had along with me. I run '99' Sensitivity almost all the time and seldom have an issue.

Monte
 
My 2015 T2 SE with DST gets some EMI pretty bad sometimes. I’ve never tried anything but the Tek coils though. I can say that the Cors stuff really cut EMI on the Omega and allows the Goldbug to wear a 13” coil under the largest of towers and lines. Even near transformer stations the GoldBug is unstoppable. I’ve developed a key form of hunting with good success by finding older sites near large lines and towers. Many CW bullets through the noise with the Goldbug.
 
My 2015 T2 SE with DST gets some EMI pretty bad sometimes. I’ve never tried anything but the Tek coils though. I can say that the Cors stuff really cut EMI on the Omega and allows the Goldbug to wear a 13” coil under the largest of towers and lines. Even near transformer stations the GoldBug is unstoppable. I’ve developed a key form of hunting with good success by finding older sites near large lines and towers. Many CW bullets through the noise with the Goldbug.
I had four of the original T2's and later, in late 2014, I bought two of the T2 Classic's. Basically the same detector, and in 2016 I got a Te Ltd. Special Edition. I didn't care for the preset Iron Audio options, the DST I liked and it did help with a couple of EMI sites, but I mainly liked the bP function for depth in the wide-open old park grassy areas. I got rid of it for one main reason .... it was black. Too many black detectors and I am quite partial to the T2 'green' color. I got the T2+ because it has DST built-in and has the selectable bP ... AND it was green. I sold it when I was thinning out my outfit because I was up to 24 detectors. I missed it, but have a brand new T2+ due to be delivered today. It will stay.

I have liked most detector maker's coil instead of aftermarket coils, as a general rule. But I will try a mid-size NEL coil next spring because I bought the 5X10 solid DD from Teknetics and didn't care for it. heavy and the rod-mount was too far to the rear. As for EMI, I stated that I almost always run my Sensitivity at or near max, with '99' being where all my T2's operated and I didn't have EMI issues. I should clarify that was most of the time I didn't have EMI issues. On occasion I did a little but I could deal with it, or I' often just grab a different detector.


You mentioned the Omega and I used several Omega-8000's and really enjoyed them as my favorite urban Coin Hunting detector. I used the elliptical Concentric coil at first, plus the 5" in trashier places, and then I changed to the 8" round Concentric off a Delta, and on my last two I kept my 5" DD on one and really liked the round 7" Concentric on the other for general use. The one issue I had with every Omega 8000 I owned, regardless of the Version, they were really noisy with the slightest EMI challenge. I had to reduce the Sensitivity a lot with them in most urban sites I hunted. I have an Omega-8500 due to arrive today and it will be interesting to compare it with all the detectors I am going to be evaluating. However, even though I had to deal with the noisy behavior and work them at a well reduced Sensitivity level, it was still a terrific urban Coin & Jewelry Hunting device to put to work.

Monte
 
I had four of the original T2's and later, in late 2014, I bought two of the T2 Classic's. Basically the same detector, and in 2016 I got a Te Ltd. Special Edition. I didn't care for the preset Iron Audio options, the DST I liked and it did help with a couple of EMI sites, but I mainly liked the bP function for depth in the wide-open old park grassy areas. I got rid of it for one main reason .... it was black. Too many black detectors and I am quite partial to the T2 'green' color. I got the T2+ because it has DST built-in and has the selectable bP ... AND it was green. I sold it when I was thinning out my outfit because I was up to 24 detectors. I missed it, but have a brand new T2+ due to be delivered today. It will stay.

I have liked most detector maker's coil instead of aftermarket coils, as a general rule. But I will try a mid-size NEL coil next spring because I bought the 5X10 solid DD from Teknetics and didn't care for it. heavy and the rod-mount was too far to the rear. As for EMI, I stated that I almost always run my Sensitivity at or near max, with '99' being where all my T2's operated and I didn't have EMI issues. I should clarify that was most of the time I didn't have EMI issues. On occasion I did a little but I could deal with it, or I' often just grab a different detector.


You mentioned the Omega and I used several Omega-8000's and really enjoyed them as my favorite urban Coin Hunting detector. I used the elliptical Concentric coil at first, plus the 5" in trashier places, and then I changed to the 8" round Concentric off a Delta, and on my last two I kept my 5" DD on one and really liked the round 7" Concentric on the other for general use. The one issue I had with every Omega 8000 I owned, regardless of the Version, they were really noisy with the slightest EMI challenge. I had to reduce the Sensitivity a lot with them in most urban sites I hunted. I have an Omega-8500 due to arrive today and it will be interesting to compare it with all the detectors I am going to be evaluating. However, even though I had to deal with the noisy behavior and work them at a well reduced Sensitivity level, it was still a terrific urban Coin & Jewelry Hunting device to put to work.

Monte
The 8500 really has some awesome features and tone options. I believe d5 is a boost by removing modulation and d0 is a fast mode. I bet if it were to be evaluated today, there really isn’t any reason it shouldn’t be competent.

I remember most 8000 users complaining about the audio being more digital in the 8500.....well by today’s current machines it should not sound to digital. TheHunterGT had a good video review not long ago of the 8500. I almost got one instead of an 8000 v4.

I hardly use the omega. It’s very fussy about certain sites. Forget hunting iron. The Goldbug dusts it bigtime. And for depth the t2 easily wins out using a smaller coil even. For me the omega is a really good park and yard machine. You always know when your on a coin With the omega. It sails through aluminum trash. 8” is as deep of silver I’ve gotten, a quarter and a war nickel sandwiched together using the Cors 12x13. I usually use the 10x5DD.
One mistake I see in the omega’s is not using a 0-15 ferrous range instead of 0-40. It really needs a wider mid and upper range on the ID scale to make non ferrous work easier. Does the F5 use 0-15 scale like other f-series?
 
I still use the Omega 8000 a fair bit for coin hunting. Still like its tone better then my 8500. If I'm hunting very heavy trash and or need more depth then the Omega can do, I use other detectors then the Omega. It definitely likes silver and its 10" concentric hunts darn good. HH jim tn
 
The omega is a flat out coin hound in the first 6-8” depending on coil. I would think the separate threshold and gain on the 8500 would allow for a little more controllable depth. The 8000 when wide open is quite deep on coins and will even get a 12” minie ball in my garden but it can hardly be used at such settings. I like it in aluminum because it actually sounds like trash until you get over a coin.

I was really excited to try the 11x7 dd on mine. Then I did and was disappointed. It didn’t have nearly as good separation as when that coil is on the T2 or GoldBug. The 10x5DD is much better for me on the omega. But I don’t care for it on the 19khz machines. Also excellent on the T2. In fact it’s my preferred coil for coin hunting with the t2. In my soil it’s nearly as deep as the stock coil on coins.

I should get a Cors scout 12.5x8.5 to try out and the 5” round. I let the 11x7 Greek coil and the Cors 6.5x3.5 go with the Time Ranger Pro. So all I have for the Greek stuff is a 13” and 10x5DD coils right now. I need a small coil and stock size coil again.
 
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The 8500 really has some awesome features and tone options. I believe d5 is a boost by removing modulation and d0 is a fast mode. I bet if it were to be evaluated today, there really isn’t any reason it shouldn’t be competent.

One mistake I see in the omega’s is not using a 0-15 ferrous range instead of 0-40. It really needs a wider mid and upper range on the ID scale to make non ferrous work easier. Does the F5 use 0-15 scale like other f-series?
Yes, they did add quite a bit more to the 8500 over the 8000's, and some is useful, too. I just got three brand-new detectors in Monday that I bought last week, and the Omega 8500 is one of them. I came with the 11" BiAxial (Double-D) standard but I also have 4" Concentric, 5" DD, 7" Concentric and the elliptical 10" Concentric I'll be working on it in my multi-model evaluation. And yes, the D5 mode option I make use of in the more open areas where I like to hurt w/o modulation.

As for the Ferrous / Non-Ferrous break-point, there are differences other than jut that break. On my Omega 8000's, V4's, I could reject most Iron Nails with a Disc. setting of '16'/'17'. On my T2's, that also have a '40' Ferrous break-point, it takes a Disc. setting of '21'/'22' to reject the same nails. On the Omega-8550, like one I had a couple of years back, it requires a Disc. setting closer to '25' or so to knock out the same Iron nails. Personally, I can live with the '40' Ferrous / Non-Ferrous break on the Omega-8500 since it's what I have on my Tek. T2 and Nokta FORS CoRe.

Also in my batch of just purchased detectors is the Fisher F5, which I really like, and it does have the '0'-to-'15' Ferrous range with Non-Iron fitting in after '15'.


I still use the Omega 8000 a fair bit for coin hunting. Still like its tone better then my 8500. If I'm hunting very heavy trash and or need more depth then the Omega can do, I use other detectors then the Omega. It definitely likes silver and its 10" concentric hunts darn good. HH jim tn
Jim, I wish I would have hung onto one of th two Omega-8000 I sold last April because, like you, I happen to like the 8000's audio a bit better as well. And i agree, I did well using the Omega-8000's on silver coins as well as everything else where I took them since March of 2010. The Onega-8000, as I've stated often, was one of my favorite TID equipped Coin & Jewelry detectors. Now that I am shifting more of my detecting time to urban coins sites that's part of why i am doing these evaluations. I am wondering if the Fisher F5 or Teknetics Omega-8500 will b the one that starts riding on my back seat with a few other favorites. :shrug: With my hearing loss th audio performance is going to be a big factor. I have all the same coils to swap between these to to figure out which is the more likable, for me.

The omega is a flat out coin hound in the first 6-8” depending on coil. I would think the separate threshold and gain on the 8500 would allow for a little more controllable depth. The 8000 when wide open is quite deep on coins and will even get a 12” minie ball in my garden but it can hardly be used at such settings. I like it in aluminum because it actually sounds like trash until you get over a coin.
Both the Omega-8500 and Fisher F5 feature both a Threshold and Sensitivity control and I'll be checking out any benefits I get from making use of both. I'll be listening as best I can, also, to the audio quality in modern trash sites. Might need to reacquire the hearing I once enjoyed, if I can, to sort out the likely coins from common bothersome trash in modern sites. Thinking back I used to actually enjoy my Omega-8000's over my T2's back then when Coin Hunting around urban sites, both for great response on assorted coin types as well as a workable visual TID on mid-depth targets. Search coil choices, I am sure, was at least part of the reason.

Monte
 
Yes, they did add quite a bit more to the 8500 over the 8000's, and some is useful, too. I just got three brand-new detectors in Monday that I bought last week, and the Omega 8500 is one of them. I came with the 11" BiAxial (Double-D) standard but I also have 4" Concentric, 5" DD, 7" Concentric and the elliptical 10" Concentric I'll be working on it in my multi-model evaluation. And yes, the D5 mode option I make use of in the more open areas where I like to hurt w/o modulation.

As for the Ferrous / Non-Ferrous break-point, there are differences other than jut that break. On my Omega 8000's, V4's, I could reject most Iron Nails with a Disc. setting of '16'/'17'. On my T2's, that also have a '40' Ferrous break-point, it takes a Disc. setting of '21'/'22' to reject the same nails. On the Omega-8550, like one I had a couple of years back, it requires a Disc. setting closer to '25' or so to knock out the same Iron nails. Personally, I can live with the '40' Ferrous / Non-Ferrous break on the Omega-8500 since it's what I have on my Tek. T2 and Nokta FORS CoRe.

Also in my batch of just purchased detectors is the Fisher F5, which I really like, and it does have the '0'-to-'15' Ferrous range with Non-Iron fitting in after '15'.


Jim, I wish I would have hung onto one of th two Omega-8000 I sold last April because, like you, I happen to like the 8000's audio a bit better as well. And i agree, I did well using the Omega-8000's on silver coins as well as everything else where I took them since March of 2010. The Onega-8000, as I've stated often, was one of my favorite TID equipped Coin & Jewelry detectors. Now that I am shifting more of my detecting time to urban coins sites that's part of why i am doing these evaluations. I am wondering if the Fisher F5 or Teknetics Omega-8500 will b the one that starts riding on my back seat with a few other favorites. :shrug: With my hearing loss th audio performance is going to be a big factor. I have all the same coils to swap between these to to figure out which is the more likable, for me.


Both the Omega-8500 and Fisher F5 feature both a Threshold and Sensitivity control and I'll be checking out any benefits I get from making use of both. I'll be listening as best I can, also, to the audio quality in modern trash sites. Might need to reacquire the hearing I once enjoyed, if I can, to sort out the likely coins from common bothersome trash in modern sites. Thinking back I used to actually enjoy my Omega-8000's over my T2's back then when Coin Hunting around urban sites, both for great response on assorted coin types as well as a workable visual TID on mid-depth targets. Search coil choices, I am sure, was at least part of the reason.

Monte
Monte, I’m sure I could search around and find the answer but I’ll just ask....what is your opinion of the 19khz FT machines in your iron loaded sites?I don’t use them much in modern areas, but in a dig all non-ferrous target scenario, they are very good performers on shallow and mid depth unmasking. They have great sensitivity to small bits amongst iron. I was using the Cors 6.5x3.5 DD for 2 years on my GoldBug and it’s tremendous what it can do.
I also tested it in the field against the kruzer with 5” dd and it was right there with it as long as I swept slower. The kruzer can do a faster sweep.
 
Monte, I’m sure I could search around and find the answer but I’ll just ask....what is your opinion of the 19khz FT machines in your iron loaded sites?I don’t use them much in modern areas, but in a dig all non-ferrous target scenario, they are very good performers on shallow and mid depth unmasking. They have great sensitivity to small bits amongst iron. I was using the Cors 6.5x3.5 DD for 2 years on my GoldBug and it’s tremendous what it can do.
I also tested it in the field against the kruzer with 5” dd and it was right there with it as long as I swept slower. The kruzer can do a faster sweep.
A good question or topic, and I have ample time in with several 19 kHz models. Going back to when FTP brought out the original Fisher Gold Bug Pro and the companion Teknetics G2, I was a Teknetics Dealer at the time and used the Omega 8000 a lot, really liked the physical package with the T2 grip, so I got in some G2's. I remember them going through several 'revisions' to get to the final production version and then let folks know they were done with revisions. They fixed what glitches they could and figured they'd live with they they had .... because they were working on other projects. Well, I'm sure one of the 'other projects' was what came out as the Fisher F19 and Teknetics G2+.

Me and my original G2 experiences. I liked some of the performance 'edge' that comes from some higher frequencies, so the 19 kHz design was fine. But I tried all of the available search coils I had at the time, along with the stock coil, and for me and my hunt needs, the G2 was weak on higher-conductive targets, such as silver and even the performance between Zinc Cents and better Copper Cents of higher conductivity. I was working a lot of renovation where I lived at the time as there were about seven older houses being moved, partly moved or torn down and I had the permission to hunt them all.

I relied on my Tek. Omega-8000 and T2 most of the time, and from the get-go with the G2 I noticed it was definitely NOT a deeper-seeking detector in my ground. And the modulation trailed off too quickly as well. It was responsive to smaller target, indeed, as long as they were not very deep. The Omega-8000 was clearly the winner for most of the coins hunting I was doing at those dug-up sites. I did have a few other detectors, naturally, but usually put those two to work and I ended up keeping the 5" DD mounted to the G2 because that combination provided me the better performance.

Fast forward to the F19 / G2 +, and now we can consider the Bounty Hunter Time Ranger Pro as well. When they came out I checked one out a t a Dealer friend's shop, and by the latter end of 2014 I had acquired two F19? Why? For one reason they were newer and I wanted to see if I happened to have a 'hot' specimen and would keep it. It was late 2014 and I had amassed quite a few detectors over the prior year, and still have an Omega-8000 and my G2 in the mix for comparison purposes. For most of my urban Coin & Jewelry Hunting my #1 and #2 units for that, in order, were the Omega-8000 and White's MX-5.

To travel along with me when I worked more homesteads and such, also I had moved in September of '13 and lived close to freshwater beaches and a lot of old homesteads, ghost towns and favorite types of sites and I relied on my Teknetics T2 w/5" DD. I had also acquired two of the Classic models about November or December, and I worked the F19's w/5" DD against my original G2 and really liked the better depth, better responsiveness to higher-conductive coins, and some of the added adjustment features of the F19. I let my G2 go as well as one of the new F19's.

As a rule I haven't been a big fan of aftermarket search coils, even though I used to do evaluations of almost all of the Detech coils for the Minelab FBS models and a few others, sine I prefer to rely on a manufacturers coils for their own detectors .... usually. But I haven't been a fan of the 11" BiAxial, and I found the Fisher 10" elliptical solid concentric to be a heavier-feeling coil and the F19 was nose-heavy. I tried a few other coils on it but, once again, settled on the 5" DD in order to get the best performance out of it in the iron infested old town sites, forts sites and encampment sites I hunted.

The end of 2014 I was curious about other detector on or new to the market and one caught my attention. On January 2nd I had a midnight e-mail from someone at Nokta Detection Technologies who asked if i'd like to evaluate the FORS CoRe. I didn't hesitate, especially with their small 'OOR' DD coil (4.7X5.2) and the packages arrived on the 8th ... all the way from Turkey. It works at 15 kHz and the bulk of the detectors I had relied on from about 1977 to the present operated between 10 kHz and 15 kHz so that was good. I started doing side-by-side evaluation at home, in my test area, and visiting several old school sites, homesteads and a ghost town. Within 24 to 48 hours I had the majority of my detectors for sale, including the two new T2 Classic's and F19 and more. My Omega-8000 was the last to go of what I had planned to part with at the time, and it lasted through June.

Shortly after I received the CoRe I also got an original 14 kHz Makro Racer an in late 2015 I had acquired another F19 for more 19 kHz comparisons. I also had the 19 kHz Nokta FORS Gold Plus to compare, but in January of '16 I received a prototype of a new 19 kHz model, morphed from the FORS Gold Plus but with a 2-Tone mode, as well as a Beach Mode and Deep and Swift modes. When it was finalized it went into production with a new name, the FORS Relic, and from the day I first got the prototype and started comparing the 5" DD to the F19 w/5" DD, I had another detector to clear out. I have since borrowed a friend's F19 a time or two just for some field comparisons, and I sure wish FTP would have done more to that model. Give it a processed 3-Tone mode or something. To me, the F19 is an 'OK' detector but just a little stark or bare when it comes to useful modes. It ended up being more of a 'niche' detector model, in my opinion, rather than a more 'general-purpose' device. They work .. but ....

Monte
 
Tone options and maybe a couple processes would have made the G2+ a pretty ultimate machine. No they can’t touch the depth of a T2 UNLESS it’s mid or lower conductors you’re after. As soon as I am able I will post footage of some deep bullet digs. I have to use a 13” coil and dig whisper targets and it’s very mild white or tan sand soil.
The T2 easily gets these bullets but a few spots have immense power lines and deep targets don’t come through on the T2, it can be at 20 sens and not calm down. And leads me to my number one reason for always having some form of the 19khz machines. They can be run wide open in places others just can’t or won’t.
One thing I never understood, why no pinpoint volume? At least proportionate to overall volume would be nice. Shoot, my goldbug has no volume control forcing me to use headphones.
 
Tone options and maybe a couple processes would have made the G2+ a pretty ultimate machine.
:thumbup: Yep! If they did something to advance it I'd have one in my Detector Outfit.

No they can’t touch the depth of a T2 UNLESS it’s mid or lower conductors you’re after. As soon as I am able I will post footage of some deep bullet digs. I have to use a 13” coil and dig whisper targets and it’s very mild white or tan sand soil.
The T2 easily gets these bullets but a few spots have immense power lines and deep targets don’t come through on the T2, it can be at 20 sens and not calm down.
I can get by without a Pinpoint function Volume control, but make up for it with the T2's by sometimes reducing the Pinpoint Sensitivity. Not enough to lose depth capability, just enough to be less sensitive and that often helps reduce some of the Volume I have to deal with.

And leads me to my number one reason for always having some form of the 19khz machines. They can be run wide open in places others just can’t or won’t.
One thing I never understood, why no pinpoint volume? At least proportionate to overall volume would be nice. Shoot, my goldbug has no volume control forcing me to use headphones.
And that's why, come January, I'll have my 19 kHz Relic to rely on for those times. I have had the Impact, Multi-Kruzer and Anfibio 19 and Anfibio Multi, but they haven't out-performed my Relic at their 19 kHz or 20 kHz settings, so I have things covered for now. Going to work the Apex at 20 kHz at some select locations to see if it provides comparable satisfaction.

Monte
 
:thumbup: Yep! If they did something to advance it I'd have one in my Detector Outfit.


I can get by without a Pinpoint function Volume control, but make up for it with the T2's by sometimes reducing the Pinpoint Sensitivity. Not enough to lose depth capability, just enough to be less sensitive and that often helps reduce some of the Volume I have to deal with.


And that's why, come January, I'll have my 19 kHz Relic to rely on for those times. I have had the Impact, Multi-Kruzer and Anfibio 19 and Anfibio Multi, but they haven't out-performed my Relic at their 19 kHz or 20 kHz settings, so I have things covered for now. Going to work the Apex at 20 kHz at some select locations to see if it provides comparable satisfaction.

Monte
Would you say a Fors Relic has T2 or Kruzer level depth and can handle EMI like a 19khz FT? If so, it’s the machine I’ve been looking for. Too bad none seem to exist, and with me being left handed I’m not sure how well it would work out ergonomically.

there is one for sale...what’s a price for a used unit? What was the MSRP?
 
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Would you say a Fors Relic has T2 or Kruzer level depth and can handle EMI like a 19khz FT? If so, it’s the machine I’ve been looking for. Too bad none seem to exist, and with me being left handed I’m not sure how well it would work out ergonomically.

there is one for sale...what’s a price for a used unit? What was the MSRP?
Some tough questions that I have both asked myself years ago, and been asked by others trying to fill a void or fit a need they might have. Let me take them one at a time, if you don't mind:

Does the FORS Relic have T2 or Kruzer level depth? ... The T2 operates at 13 kHz, the Multi Kruzer at 14 kHz by default, and the FORS Relic is 19 kHz. As we know, at times those frequency differences might cause a little difference in performance. Second, I have enjoyed the Teknetics T2 series for 14 years now, but 98% of the time with the 5" DD coil to best handle dense trash and work in and around heavy vegetation, building rubble, etc. I have never really liked the 11" BiAxial coil , partly because it looks funny to me and partly due to the rod-mount being too far to the rear.

When the FORS CoRe got in my hands in January of 2015 I was living in a small town on the Columbia River i eastern Oregon. I had two welcoming grassy parks and a nice sandy lagoon beach to hunt. I mounted the CoRe 7X11 DD and the 11" BiAxial on my T2 'Classic' to do some side-by-side comparison. The CoRe out-depthed the T2, if that's a good word to describe it, and shortly after I parted with the T2.

Since then I re-acquired another T2 Classic and a T2 Ltd. SE after I got the prototype tin January of '16 that became the FORS Relic. I keep mine at-the-ready with a 5" DD coil mounted because it out-performs all other makes and models working at ±19 kHz that I have tried in some really challenging ghost towns. But during the evaluation of that model I mounted the 7X11 DD to compare it against the two T2's I acquired and, as before, the Relic pretty much matched or slightly inched-out the T2's with their 11" BiAxial.

I think that's partly due to the audio tone quality I like of the Core and Relic, plus they don't modulate out the same as the T2 and T2 Classic's I used. Also, the Relic has the 'Depth' mode which helped on deeper-target detection. That's why I just bought another T2 + in order to have the 'bP' (Boost Process for new readers) or 'Deep' mode. It's also why I am evaluating a new coil that goes against my traditional thoughts on accessory coils .... that is, it' an aftermarket new coil and is doing well so far. But the 'depth' topic can get interesting, or arguable on some recent posted videos, so I'll simply say: "It's a personal thing as to what we want to achieve and how a detector and coil perform." And i like the depth I get from my other Nokta Makro models than I did with the Kruzer because i didn't like the Kruzer's audio quality by comparison.


Can the FORS Relic handle EMI better than the F19? ... Fro my experiences i many locations with both, Yes, I feel the Relic is much less affected my EMI. Most of the time I am working old town sites or other places well away from outside power intrusion so most anything works at or near maximum Sensitivity w/o an issue. But working more urban sites now, I note that most of the FTP products tend to be a bit more EMI susceptible than most of my other brands and models. So it isn't just a plastic housing Vs a metal housing because, today, I am only using one metal housing with my XLT. All the rest are non-metal, but the FTP devices have more issues near power lines, close to schools or businesses, near industrial sites, etc.

How comfortable is it to handle if handicapped, I mean, Left-Handed?😉 A Right-Hander's sense of humor, and UtahRich over on my ahrps Forums knows I'm like that. He/s also a lefty and we've discussed different detectors and the challenges for some to work them well. he had a Nokta FORS CoRe and the FORS Relic is similar in that the trigger or button switches for Pinpointing or for Ground-Grab are the same for either user, but the Relic's main display and mode and settings switches are on the left-hand side. So those would be on the out-board side for a lefty and be awkward to get quick access for adjustment.

What was the MSRP of the discontinued FORS Relic? ... Th Nokta FORS Relic had an MSRP of$799 and that came with the 7X11 DD coil as well as a 5" DD coil.

I've had my CoRe since January of '15 and Relic since January of '16 and they are not replaceable. These are in my 'Specialty-Use Team' of detectors and keep their smallest coil mounted for the nastiest-of-iron conditions. Thy are going nowhere. At rest hanging on my den wall display just waiting for the right site for them to do their magic. It's my 'Daily-Use Team' that rides in my vehicle and sees more regular action in a wide-range of hunt sites. Today, those include my Simplex +, Vanquish 540, Apex and two or three more once I figure out what is staying and what I'll thin out from what I have on-hand now for my evaluation. Too bad you don't live close to Vale, Oregon as it would be great to have you stop by for a day-long visit and join in my testing and evaluation work.

It's high noon, we finally hit 52° with a 6 to 10 mph wind but it's sunny enough to head out for some more evaluation work. This time it is with the T2+ and NEL Super-Fly DD coil. So far this is the nicest aftermarket coil I've used in the past twenty years or so .... and I haven't been an aftermarket coil fan.

Monte
 
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