Another F5 convert Mike H

[Mississippian]

Just a quick shout out to Mike Hillis, wanted to say thank you for all the detailed info on the Fisher F5.
That was a hard decision to make, I'm not rich but I wanted something special to hunt with so saved up
and bought the F5 after reading your thoughts about it on here. I could not be happier. I'm sure there are
other detectors just as good so not cutting down anyone else's decision to go in another direction. For me
this detector was perfect, love it love it love it. Thanks Mike.

Tony Hoover
Laurel, MS

 

[Treepharmer]

Another Mississipian,and another F5 user . I got mine about a year ago Mike Hillis sold me on it too , and he is right about it's a great machine. Nathan Stringer MS

 

[Mississippian]

Hiya Nathan, glad to see another Mississippi guy on here. I just got into the hobby about a year ago, started with the garrett ace 250 and while it was good enough to begin with, I wanted something that had better target identification, discrimination and depth. The Fisher F5 has delivered on all counts. I really love my new baby.

 

[BobbyBridge]

Just looking back on some older posts I missed, and yes Mike's reviews convinced me to buy the F5 a few years ago. Very happy with the choice I made for the money. Sure, an up grade would be cool but I realy have no reason too.

 

[BRYANT1969]

New member here fellers and i also found Mike's reviews. i had purchased an ACE 250 and my wife became interested in detecting. After reading Mike's reviews i bought the F-5 and convinced my wife it was a hard machine to use so she picked the ACE. Now i am a F-5 user for life

 

[Mike Hillis]

I guess I'll bury another nugget here.

You know the F5 has an audio boost feature for weak signals, right? It is located in the Threshold control. Settings of +1 to +9 boost the audio response of weak signals, making them more robust. It is a great feature.

Now to use the Audio Boost feature, you have to get your threshold up to 0 (zero), which means the detector is wide open to the smallest of signals, which include electrical interference. Moving the setting past 0 (zero) and activating the audio boost feature also increased the audio response of the interference. This often results in lower Gain settings due to the noise, which in turn made the Gain and Threshold control settings a balancing act, which can sometimes be hard to learn (but well worth it).

There is another feature to this audio boost feature that has been discussed in the past, that I thought must be a bug or limitation of a potentiometer. But I now I treat it as it is a part of the audio boost program. That is the +9 threshold setting. The +9 audio boost setting is a two part setting. If you just barely rotate into the +9 setting, it works just like the +1 through +8 settings. But if you rotate the dial into the hard stop, like you were going to a +10 setting, you invoke a different setting. This setting still performs the audio boost function, but it raises the audio threshold response point to where electrical interference type signals are too small to cross over. The end result is that you get the audio boost benefits without the electrical interference chatter - which translates to higher usable Gain settings and a quieter, more stable detector.

It is easy to set up. Raise your Gain to 75. Raise your threshold to +5. You will most likely hear electrical interference. Now rotate your threshold control into the hard stop at +9 setting. The electrical interference chatter should be gone. If not, rotate the Threshold control counter clockwise a little and then back clockwise into the hard stop. Once you get it activated, you can just leave it there and it will still be there. Even if you turn the unit off, or remove the batteries for storage, once you turn the unit back on, it will still be in that mode. Now you can raise your Gain, often max it out in place and get the ultimate performance out your F5 for coin hunting (ground mineralization permitting, of course).

If you are a coin hunter, you should be in this mode as it will make a significant difference stability and increase the depth potential of the F5.

HH
Mike

 

[Steve O]

Wow, that's more than a tidbit of info. Mike,is that in the manual or a stumble across?

 

[autopilot42]

I have noticed with my F5 I have to turn the threshold pot quickly to the max to invoke the chatter less mode. The last time I hunted I was able to hunt all afternoon at max gain. the dirt meter was 1 or 2 bars the whole hunt. It allows for a very pleasant hunt when you are not getting chatter.

Bob

 

[Mike Hillis]

Steve, this is not in the manual. It basically allows you to access the real F5 power with a touch of the Omega simplicity for coin hunting in those places where electrical interference would normally prevent you from activating the weak signal audio boost feature.

HH
Mike

 

[Mike Hillis]

Hi Bob,
Yes, it makes for a nice hunt, and you still hit hard on targets and get good depth.

I first thought this was a flaw...but after several software revisions it is still there and still functions the same. I have come to the conclusion that it is a feature (unintended or not) and a very useful feature at that. Glad to see that others are using it that way too.

HH
Mike

 

[hihosilver]

I guess I'll bury another nugget here.

You know the F5 has an audio boost feature for weak signals, right? It is located in the Threshold control. Settings of +1 to +9 boost the audio response of weak signals, making them more robust. It is a great feature.

Now to use the Audio Boost feature, you have to get your threshold up to 0 (zero), which means the detector is wide open to the smallest of signals, which include electrical interference. Moving the setting past 0 (zero) and activating the audio boost feature also increased the audio response of the interference. This often results in lower Gain settings due to the noise, which in turn made the Gain and Threshold control settings a balancing act, which can sometimes be hard to learn (but well worth it).

There is another feature to this audio boost feature that has been discussed in the past, that I thought must be a bug or limitation of a potentiometer. But I now I treat it as it is a part of the audio boost program. That is the +9 threshold setting. The +9 audio boost setting is a two part setting. If you just barely rotate into the +9 setting, it works just like the +1 through +8 settings. But if you rotate the dial into the hard stop, like you were going to a +10 setting, you invoke a different setting. This setting still performs the audio boost function, but it raises the audio threshold response point to where electrical interference type signals are too small to cross over. The end result is that you get the audio boost benefits without the electrical interference chatter - which translates to higher usable Gain settings and a quieter, more stable detector.

I wonder if any one from First Texas has commented on this special mode in the F5?

It is easy to set up. Raise your Gain to 75. Raise your threshold to +5. You will most likely hear electrical interference. Now rotate your threshold control into the hard stop at +9 setting. The electrical interference chatter should be gone. If not, rotate the Threshold control counter clockwise a little and then back clockwise into the hard stop. Once you get it activated, you can just leave it there and it will still be there. Even if you turn the unit off, or remove the batteries for storage, once you turn the unit back on, it will still be in that mode. Now you can raise your Gain, often max it out in place and get the ultimate performance out your F5 for coin hunting (ground mineralization permitting, of course).

If you are a coin hunter, you should be in this mode as it will make a significant difference stability and increase the depth potential of the F5.

HH
Mike