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F-19 Silence
- Thread starter berryman
- Start date
Kickindirt
Member
I asked about the f19 on a fisher fb page and not one user spoke up?? Dirtfishing on utube seemed to like the machine and does a good vid on the f19.
Mike Hillis is the only one I know on this forum that is putting the F19 through the ropes. He has mentioned he is also swamped at work. Might try the "relics" section, since it is geared towards them. I haven't seen much on other forums either other than questions like yours.
master_cat
Member
i know they did recall a bunch of the 19s....
mainly because the lengthy reply I worked on for an hour or two got zapped when I hit a wrong key when proof reading it. 
To make it short I'll simply say that I like to acquire and evaluate any new model on the market that interests me, and the Fisher F19 did interest me.
It is promoted as being a multi-purpose detector that can work for Relic Hunting, Coin Hunting and Gold Nugget hunting, which is why I used to own and use a Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ and Teknetics G2 and White's MXT [size=small](all designed by Dave Johnson, the same lead engineer)[/size] and I liked them all in different ways, but relied on the MXT the most and it stayed in my arsenal. It was replaced by the White's MXT Pro [size=small](now named the MXT All-Pro)[/size] [size=small](which is an original MXT with revisions that enhanced it's versatility and easy-of-use with White's Engineer Manager, Carl Moreland, at the lead)[/size].
The MXT All-Pro is my #1 all-purpose detector but I do have several detectors in my personal carry arsenal, and I felt the F19 might work to satisfy me and become a part of my detector battery and, perhaps, even replace a unit on the back seat.
Well, the F19 is an 'improved' unit over the Gold Bug Pro and G2, in my opinion, for three reasons. To me, it is a better model due to:
1.. The Ferrous/Non-Ferrous Volume control.
2.. The red-light Backlighted Display.
3.. The improved 'processing' of Discriminated targets where you're just barely rejecting iron nails and being able to hit on a desired target.
I worked the F19 against my detector arsenal to include my White's MXT All-Pro w/6½" & 9" Concentric coils, my MX5 w/6½" coil, a Classic ID w/6½" and 4½" Concentric coils. I also borrowed a Teknetics Omega w/10" elliptical Concentric, 5X10 DD and my 5" DD, and a G2 w/5X10 DD and I used my 5" DD with it, also. I used my 5" Tek. coil on the F19 as well as the stock 5X10 DD.
Then yesterday and today I included my Tesoro Bandido II µMAX w/7" Concentric coil. I used my three field-test scenarios which are my Nail Board Performance Test, a 'Rock' similar to a homestead piece for a fireplace hearth or stepping stone walkway, a Dirt Clod of about 4"-4½" height from a local plowed field, and then I worked all the detectors, side-by-side, in a number of different ground mineral and site challenged conditions. Some urban Coin Hunting, but most a 'Relic' type site such as homesteads, old town sites, etc. that have a lot of iron trash.
I was impressed the most with the F19's ability to handle the NBPT much better than the Teknetics Omega and G2, and more favorably than the other Teknetics and Fisher models I have used this past couple of years. I will say that my Tesoro Bandido µMAX, White's Classic ID, MX5 and MXT All-Pro excelled over the F19 on the Nail Board, and the MX5 and MXT All-Pro beat out all the others on the 'Rock' and 'Dirt Clod' tests.
The 'back-lights' are handy because I hunt after dark a lot during hot summer days to take advantage of the calm, quiet, and cooler temps at night. The red light they used on the F19 was pleasant on a few of the hunts as I noticed it made it easy to transition from glancing at the display and then the white colored light cast on the ground I was hunting.
As I stated, I do like the ability to run the Iron Audio weaker than the non-ferrous responses, while still allowing me to hear all accepted targets in the hunt area.
On a good note the F19 worked, as it is designed, and I did find targets at the sites I hunted. It is light weight, well balanced, and the camo treatment of the control housing, arm-cup/stand and coil top was first class and attractive. My preferred settings were Sensitivity 100 [size=small](most of the time)[/size], Discrimination at the minimum setting which is '0' by their use of numbering [size=small](but not a true Zero Disc./All Metal Accept setting)[/size], Volume at '14', V-Break at '40,' and no use of Notch.
Now for my personal 'bad' thoughts, and keep in mind this is just personal opinion of what I do and don't like in detectors, accessories and field performance.
1.. The F19 is only designed to work with Double-D coils and, while I like my round 5" Teknetics DD, I prefer a good smaller-size Concentric coil for most of the hunting I do.
2.. I like a VCO audio for Pinpointing targets w/o a fast auto-tune, but I am not particularly fond of the VCO audio in general search operation for accepted targets that don't produce the low Iron range audio.
3.. Most multi-tone audio ID's don't excite me, but I do like a 'functional' 2- tone audio similar to the MX5, and MXT All-Pro in 'Relic' mode, and even the Omega, A VCO with a slower auto-tune is bearable, and a good single tone without a very rapid auto-tune is another I like.
4.. I prefer to use AA batteries instead of one 9V battery because I can get longer run-time, and costs for quality alkaline batteries is less.
5.. My preference is to be able to push a button or touchpad or flip a trigger or thumb toggle to quickly switch back-and-forth from a Threshold-based All Metal search mode to a Discriminate search mode and not have to turn a knob to shift modes and reset the Threshold level [size=small](examples are the G2/GB Pro, F19, Omega)[/size],or Discrimination level [size=small](example is the Tesoro Vaquero)[/size].
I wanted to compare two specimens of the F19 and coils for any obvious differences, but found none. I worked an extra week with the F19 using my sub-5" DD coil against my Classic ID using a 4½" Concentric coil to see if I wanted to keep the F19 in my arsenal to use exclusively with the small round DD. In the end I decided the Classic w/4½" I already had, plus I also use a 6½" Concentric on it, and it meets other criteria I had, so as light weight, attractive, and comfortable as the F19 is, I reboxed one I opened for display and I'll just sell it or trade it in search of something different.
I am sure someone will find the F19 to be just what they are looking for. As I always say, there's no such thing as a 'perfect' metal detector and we just need to find one [size=small](or more)[/size] that suits our personal taste.
Monte
To make it short I'll simply say that I like to acquire and evaluate any new model on the market that interests me, and the Fisher F19 did interest me.
It is promoted as being a multi-purpose detector that can work for Relic Hunting, Coin Hunting and Gold Nugget hunting, which is why I used to own and use a Tesoro Lobo SuperTRAQ and Teknetics G2 and White's MXT [size=small](all designed by Dave Johnson, the same lead engineer)[/size] and I liked them all in different ways, but relied on the MXT the most and it stayed in my arsenal. It was replaced by the White's MXT Pro [size=small](now named the MXT All-Pro)[/size] [size=small](which is an original MXT with revisions that enhanced it's versatility and easy-of-use with White's Engineer Manager, Carl Moreland, at the lead)[/size].
The MXT All-Pro is my #1 all-purpose detector but I do have several detectors in my personal carry arsenal, and I felt the F19 might work to satisfy me and become a part of my detector battery and, perhaps, even replace a unit on the back seat.
Well, the F19 is an 'improved' unit over the Gold Bug Pro and G2, in my opinion, for three reasons. To me, it is a better model due to:
1.. The Ferrous/Non-Ferrous Volume control.
2.. The red-light Backlighted Display.
3.. The improved 'processing' of Discriminated targets where you're just barely rejecting iron nails and being able to hit on a desired target.
I worked the F19 against my detector arsenal to include my White's MXT All-Pro w/6½" & 9" Concentric coils, my MX5 w/6½" coil, a Classic ID w/6½" and 4½" Concentric coils. I also borrowed a Teknetics Omega w/10" elliptical Concentric, 5X10 DD and my 5" DD, and a G2 w/5X10 DD and I used my 5" DD with it, also. I used my 5" Tek. coil on the F19 as well as the stock 5X10 DD.
Then yesterday and today I included my Tesoro Bandido II µMAX w/7" Concentric coil. I used my three field-test scenarios which are my Nail Board Performance Test, a 'Rock' similar to a homestead piece for a fireplace hearth or stepping stone walkway, a Dirt Clod of about 4"-4½" height from a local plowed field, and then I worked all the detectors, side-by-side, in a number of different ground mineral and site challenged conditions. Some urban Coin Hunting, but most a 'Relic' type site such as homesteads, old town sites, etc. that have a lot of iron trash.
I was impressed the most with the F19's ability to handle the NBPT much better than the Teknetics Omega and G2, and more favorably than the other Teknetics and Fisher models I have used this past couple of years. I will say that my Tesoro Bandido µMAX, White's Classic ID, MX5 and MXT All-Pro excelled over the F19 on the Nail Board, and the MX5 and MXT All-Pro beat out all the others on the 'Rock' and 'Dirt Clod' tests.
The 'back-lights' are handy because I hunt after dark a lot during hot summer days to take advantage of the calm, quiet, and cooler temps at night. The red light they used on the F19 was pleasant on a few of the hunts as I noticed it made it easy to transition from glancing at the display and then the white colored light cast on the ground I was hunting.
As I stated, I do like the ability to run the Iron Audio weaker than the non-ferrous responses, while still allowing me to hear all accepted targets in the hunt area.
On a good note the F19 worked, as it is designed, and I did find targets at the sites I hunted. It is light weight, well balanced, and the camo treatment of the control housing, arm-cup/stand and coil top was first class and attractive. My preferred settings were Sensitivity 100 [size=small](most of the time)[/size], Discrimination at the minimum setting which is '0' by their use of numbering [size=small](but not a true Zero Disc./All Metal Accept setting)[/size], Volume at '14', V-Break at '40,' and no use of Notch.
Now for my personal 'bad' thoughts, and keep in mind this is just personal opinion of what I do and don't like in detectors, accessories and field performance.
1.. The F19 is only designed to work with Double-D coils and, while I like my round 5" Teknetics DD, I prefer a good smaller-size Concentric coil for most of the hunting I do.
2.. I like a VCO audio for Pinpointing targets w/o a fast auto-tune, but I am not particularly fond of the VCO audio in general search operation for accepted targets that don't produce the low Iron range audio.
3.. Most multi-tone audio ID's don't excite me, but I do like a 'functional' 2- tone audio similar to the MX5, and MXT All-Pro in 'Relic' mode, and even the Omega, A VCO with a slower auto-tune is bearable, and a good single tone without a very rapid auto-tune is another I like.
4.. I prefer to use AA batteries instead of one 9V battery because I can get longer run-time, and costs for quality alkaline batteries is less.
5.. My preference is to be able to push a button or touchpad or flip a trigger or thumb toggle to quickly switch back-and-forth from a Threshold-based All Metal search mode to a Discriminate search mode and not have to turn a knob to shift modes and reset the Threshold level [size=small](examples are the G2/GB Pro, F19, Omega)[/size],or Discrimination level [size=small](example is the Tesoro Vaquero)[/size].
I wanted to compare two specimens of the F19 and coils for any obvious differences, but found none. I worked an extra week with the F19 using my sub-5" DD coil against my Classic ID using a 4½" Concentric coil to see if I wanted to keep the F19 in my arsenal to use exclusively with the small round DD. In the end I decided the Classic w/4½" I already had, plus I also use a 6½" Concentric on it, and it meets other criteria I had, so as light weight, attractive, and comfortable as the F19 is, I reboxed one I opened for display and I'll just sell it or trade it in search of something different.
I am sure someone will find the F19 to be just what they are looking for. As I always say, there's no such thing as a 'perfect' metal detector and we just need to find one [size=small](or more)[/size] that suits our personal taste.
Monte
Monte: Another good write-up - thanks. I notice that youre using a Bandido again. I thought you sold the one you had to a friend? If so, you must have found another good example. I know you like pristine units. I'm looking for one too, but to date have had no luck. I should have kept the one I had.
You're welcome. It was rather brief, for me, and I responded more on my review on the ahrps forum but decided to keep it shorter, closer to the point of what I find as 'good' and 'bad' points, and leave it up to any individual to make a decision on their own. Again, there's no such thing as a 'perfect' metal detector and we just need to find the one, or as many as we like, that seem to be a nice 'fit' in our arsenal for the types of hunting and site selection we choose.berryman said:
I was right on the verge of keeping the freshly unboxed F19 for my own use with just the 5" DD coil [size=small](measures just a touch over 4½" in diameter)[/size], but I only use the dinky-sized 4½" Concentric coil on the Classic ID on rare occasions preferring a 6½" Concentric for the bulk of my hunting on most detectors in my arsenal..
Yes, I just got another back in my arsenal Friday morning.berryman said:
I did, and it was one of the hottest specimens of a Bandido II µMAX I have owned, but he wouldn't sell it back. I prefer smaller coils, as you know, and got a 7" Concentric to use as that was my favorite coil from '83 to '10. I might add a 5¾" Concentric in the future. That was the smaller Tesoro coil I used last for a lot of ghost town work.berryman said:
Very clean and 'spiffy' and at least 95% condition.berryman said:
I needed one for my own use in nasty nail infested sites, but also for my seminars to point out strengths and weaknesses in certain detector circuitry designs.Good luck in your search for a really nice, low-use detector. I have about everything I really need or can use with my very limiting health, and I just hoped the F19 would be an interesting model to work in my arsenal. It doesn't and isn't needed. I thought about getting a BH Land Ranger Pro, but I can tell that it might work better, for me, than the F19, but know it couldn't replace anything I have and use now. About the only discontinued model I might want would be a choice, 'as-new' condition XLT e-series. Maybe somebody has one and a little cash and wants a brand new F19? That would make my search easier.
If I come across a Bandido II µMAX as clean as mine, I'll shoot you an e-mail.
Monte
Dan, thanks for your comments.
While I know some detectors can do reasonably well in a dense iron nail situation, and I have used some models, like the Teknetics Omega [size=small](which I like)[/size], with pretty fair success, I've used my NBPT for over twenty years now to help sort the solid performers from the weak, and even those which totally fail to pass the test. It's surprising how many detectors are out there that are touted as being "quick response" or fast recovery" or "excellent in iron trash" that can't even get 2 or 3 decent hits out of 8 possible on the NBPT.
The MXT All-Pro is my #1 detector as it is very versatile. I keep a 9" Spider Concentric coil on it now and use it mainly in open areas or places with a more sparse trash level. For most serious hunting I switch to the 6½" round Concentric coil and the result is less front-end weight and a nicer balance. It is comfortable.
I enjoy light weight models such as the Tesoro Bandido II µMAX and Teknetics Omega, and I also find the MX5 to be light-feeling and comfortable. It's fine with the stock 9", but since I prefer smaller-than-stock coils for most hunting I keep a 6½" Concentric mounted full time. It is a good feeling unit, and actually lends itself to being a little better to hunt with than the very, very light models, to include my Bandido II µMAX or a Teknetics Delta or Omega. That's because with many of the much lighter weight detectors you can get into a bad habit of sweeping the search coil faster, and that could be too fast for best performance in a trashy site or in very high iron mineral challenging ground environments.
Monte
My Nail Board Performance Test is from an actual in-the-field encounter, as I describe on the AHRPS website, and I have sold quite a few Nail Board Kits to folks who want to have a long-lasting and exact duplicate of the NBPT I often mention. I've used this set-up since Memorial Day Weekend of '94 when I came upon the densely scattered nails with an Indian Head 1¢ in plain sight amongst the nails.Hightone said:
While I know some detectors can do reasonably well in a dense iron nail situation, and I have used some models, like the Teknetics Omega [size=small](which I like)[/size], with pretty fair success, I've used my NBPT for over twenty years now to help sort the solid performers from the weak, and even those which totally fail to pass the test. It's surprising how many detectors are out there that are touted as being "quick response" or fast recovery" or "excellent in iron trash" that can't even get 2 or 3 decent hits out of 8 possible on the NBPT.
Well, I am definitely not "younger," and since I get around with a cane, a knee brace, a leg-long blood clot in my left leg, missing part of my left foot, and have a terribly bad back, neck and shoulder and am not supposed to lift more than 15 pounds ... I think I am not one of the "stronger" hunters who is active in the sport. Weight can be an issue, but I look at the whole package and that includes the search coil used and the overall balance of the detector & coil.Hightone said:
The MXT All-Pro is my #1 detector as it is very versatile. I keep a 9" Spider Concentric coil on it now and use it mainly in open areas or places with a more sparse trash level. For most serious hunting I switch to the 6½" round Concentric coil and the result is less front-end weight and a nicer balance. It is comfortable.
I enjoy light weight models such as the Tesoro Bandido II µMAX and Teknetics Omega, and I also find the MX5 to be light-feeling and comfortable. It's fine with the stock 9", but since I prefer smaller-than-stock coils for most hunting I keep a 6½" Concentric mounted full time. It is a good feeling unit, and actually lends itself to being a little better to hunt with than the very, very light models, to include my Bandido II µMAX or a Teknetics Delta or Omega. That's because with many of the much lighter weight detectors you can get into a bad habit of sweeping the search coil faster, and that could be too fast for best performance in a trashy site or in very high iron mineral challenging ground environments.
On here it was brief. I figured I will still call them as I see them, but tone it down a bit and not get too negative about the things I consider to be weak designs or performance.Hightone said:
Monte