about the F19 early recall

[dfmike]

I found out some of the early F19's were recalled and either replaced or repaired. Since mine says August 2014, I was wondering if it was part of the recall. I wrote to Fisher with serial number containing date of manufacture and this is what I got: "Every F19 was replaced and repaired when they first were introduced." I don't want to nitpick on details as I've had nothing but excellent customer service from Fisher so far but how can they be so sure that every early F19 sold has been either fixed or replaced ? Can't they be positively sure that a model was faulty by the serial number alone ? They should also know and be able to tell if a particular serial number has been fixed. No ?

To their credit they also added that they could look at it if I thought it needed servicing. Like I mentioned though, to dissipate any doubt they should know exactly what serial numbers are affected and if they were serviced or not.

The main issue I have seen in forums is the lack of sensitivity/depth of affected models. I think mine is OK since it seems to air test normally or at least what I would qualify as normal. I've seen numbers thrown here and there but they seem to vary a lot on this model. Much more than the F5 for example. I can't be 100% sure it's OK unless I send it in ?

If someone had a faulty one and reads this, I'd like to know exactly how they knew it was. Thanks.

 

[still looking 52]

dfmike, my only guess about a recall would be based on what I know about tire recalls, I worked for Firestone for over 30 years and we had two ( major) recalls. All the recalls had a time limit set on them for customers to get their recall done and after that the recall was expired, this may be the case with the f19.

 

[dfmike]

Could be. I got another email from Fisher stating that all recalled F19's had been returned to them. Being the doubting Thomas that I am, I find that hard to believe but I'll take their word for it. Perhaps there weren't that many that were recalled. Everything seems OK so far. If I think there's an issue I'll send it back in winter when I can't use it anyway.
One thing I can say about Fisher is that they respond in less than 24 hours all the time. No generic emails either. Personal and to the point.

 

[Wheat Cent]

Could be. I got another email from Fisher stating that all recalled F19's had been returned to them. Being the doubting Thomas that I am, I find that hard to believe but I'll take their word for it. Perhaps there weren't that many that were recalled. Everything seems OK so far. If I think there's an issue I'll send it back in winter when I can't use it anyway.
One thing I can say about Fisher is that they respond in less than 24 hours all the time. No generic emails either. Personal and to the point.

Yep, i like fishers customer service, but i dont like whites they are slow to respond, and its a pain to find the email address to send them a message with Garrett its almost imposible as they dont list a email. I mean i have a easier time getting ahold of AKA in Moscow than i do Garrett which is messed up.

 

[Texas Ed]

What I read on other forums the F19 units with the serial numbers starting out with 0714 where the ones with a depth problem and were supposed to have been repaired. I have one with the 0714 serial number and the business I bought it from told me that they caught the units with the 0714 serial numbers and sent them back to FT before they even sold one. I did contact FT and they told me they were not aware of any issues with any of the F19's and if I thought that mine had a issue to send it in and they would check it out. Anyway my F19 works like a champ and in trashy areas the speration is extraordinary and one machine that when I do get to dirt fish I always take it along. Dfmike I wish you many great finds with your F19 while out dirt fishin.

 

[dfmike]

What I read on other forums the F19 units with the serial numbers starting out with 0714 where the ones with a depth problem and were supposed to have been repaired. I have one with the 0714 serial number and the business I bought it from told me that they caught the units with the 0714 serial numbers and sent them back to FT before they even sold one. I did contact FT and they told me they were not aware of any issues with any of the F19's and if I thought that mine had a issue to send it in and they would check it out. Anyway my F19 works like a champ and in trashy areas the speration is extraordinary and one machine that when I do get to dirt fish I always take it along. Dfmike I wish you many great finds with your F19 while out dirt fishin.

That's what I read also. Mine is 0814 so just a month after. I find it strange that your response from FT was that they were unaware of issues with the F19. They were straightforward about it with me. They did mention that if I thought there was an issue they would look at it. From what I have read, people who had affected models could barely hit 9-10 inches in air tests on just about any type of coin including nickels. Mine can do better but not quite as deep as some guys reported online. Methodology is different from person to person and EMI can affect results so I'm not too worried about plus or minus one inch. I know for a fact that I have EMI issues with the F19 in my house and have trouble testing it at full gain without at least slight chattering. No such issues with the F5 but the frequency is different.

 

[Rob in (Ca)]

The F19 Recall was caught very early (1st week of release) so there was very little F19's on the Market.

 

[dfmike]

Thanks Rob.