I owned a 1280X with the 10 inch coil. I owned it for over 20 years. Bought mine new in 1989. It is old technology but it is good technology. Found lots of stuff with it.
The 1280X is not really good at the surf line in salt water. It will false like crazy when a wave runs over the coil. It does calm down some when in calmer salt water away from the beach wave wash. It is a very good dry sand machine.
It is one great fresh water machine. As stated by others, it is built like a tank. It will run a long time without putting in new batteries. It is kind of heavy and swings with some effort. If you have problems with arms or shoulders, then the Fisher 1280X is not for you. It is well balanced but it is heavy.
I bought mine new for $750 including the hard case. Sold it about a year ago for $450. Used the money for another Excalibur II 1000. I am more into salt water hunting and shoreline hunting so the 1280X had to go.
I would recommend the 1280X for fresh water and land hunting. It is a classic that is still being made today. One of the longest production runs for a metal detector. They must have gotten it right the first time because they have not made hardly any changes to it since it was first made.