Garrett ACE 400...OR...Fisher F44?

[the Swede]

I am about to purchase a brand new detector.
But after much consideration, there is still a tie in between the two detectors mentioned above. At least as of now...

The detector is mainly going to be used on beaches looking for jewelry.

I have been studying the manuals of both detectors several times and in-depth, making sure that I understand it thoroughly.

But a few questions still remains, however, as follows:

* Fisher F44 has both a manual (via mode) as well as a computerized (via GG) ground adjustment feature.
But why?!
It seems as if both adjustments accomplishes the exact same result. Perhaps the manual one is for users who would like to adjust for a slight positive response?

* Fisher F44 is marketed as being completely weatherproof. You can even "Laugh at the rain", according to the manual.
But why does Fisher then offer a neoprene rain cover as an accessory. It just does not make any sense!

* Fisher F44 was initially equipped with a triangulated concentric elliptical searchcoil. But according to a review by A. Sabisch (https://www.losttreasure.com/Home/FieldTestDetail/14231), the F44 now ships with a DD searchcoil.
Is this true still as of today?

* Fisher F44, according to the same review as above, would benefit from having the ground balance tracking adjusted to prevent the arrows from constantly flickering. And I can not but agree - watching several videos on Youtube, I find the constant flickering of the ground balance arrows to be utmost distracting.
Have Fisher fixed this problem?

* Garret ACE 400 has an iron audio feature.
But it seems as if this feature could be active as default. Because I do not understand why one would NOT like to hear discriminated iron all the time, especially for a detectorist like myself who almost solely hunt in all-metal mode?

* Garrett ACE 400 is marketed as automatically adjusting for ground minerals upon start-up. Sounds good!
But is the ACE 400 automated electronics, compared to the F44 manual/computerized ditto, really up to match?

* Fisher F44 is said to have a true all-metal mode.
Is the ACE 400 all-metal mode of the same caliber?[/quote]

 

[the Swede]

-- moved topic --

 

[MattBullSummerville]

You state your primary use will be for beach hunting. In my opinion a single frequency detector is not the best choice for beach hunting. The Fisher F44 advertises Weatherproof , not waterproof. there is a big difference. Fall down in the surf and submerge the F44 or the Ace 400 and they are going to the repair center to see if they can be fixed. Waterproof single frequency detectors that I am familiar with under say $800 are the Garrett AT Pro and the Whites MX Sport. If you are trying to stay under $500 for a new detector that will perform good in wet sand and the surf say knee deep consider the White's Treasure Pro which runs at about the same kHz as the F44 and has expanded ground balance for the beach. Other wise there are a number of used detectors that will out perform the ones discussed so far. If you do not plan on going into the surf over knee deep, then you may be able to pick up a used Whites DFX which is a dual frequency detector, or a Beach Hunter ID, basically the same detector. Maybe an AT Pro which is water proof if you can put up with some false tones in the surf. If you don't mind digging lots of trash you may be able to get your hands on a waterproof pi (pulse induction) detector that is water proof for under $500.

I'm sure some of the other people here on the forum will also have some good ideas.
HH and good luck.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Get yourself a CZ....dual frequencies work well on fresh or saltwater hunts........

 

[MattBullSummerville]

CZs are waterproof also correct Dan-Pa?

 

[dfmike]

As far as I know, the ground balance of the ACE 400 is set/fixed at a constant value. I find their manual confusing when they mention in the quick start guide that after power on the detector automatically adjusts for ground minerals... How ? They don't mention anything about putting the coil down first and sweeping the ground. It can't adjust for ground minerals just by being on the ground and not moving.

The F44 has a fully adjustable ground balance. Fisher sells a rain cover for it to protect it from dirt and scratches I suppose. I had mine out in the rain more than once with never a problem as long as the headphone jack is covered with the rubber plug. I made a quick search and it seems to sell with the teardrop coil at major detector dealers at least in the USA.

The flickering ground balance display bars are common to other detectors. The Omega does the same thing. You have to set the ground balance and forget about the constant flickering. That's one of the reason I like the F5 more. It shows the ground phase number in real time and you can compare it to your ground grab number and do a ground grab from time to time when the numbers start to be way off which is rare.

 

[slingshot]

CZs are waterproof also correct Dan-Pa?

Only the underwater CZ. The rest of the CZ's aren't.

 

[Dancer]

If your primary a beach hunter, and like to hunt in "All metal" than your looking at the wrong machines. It's almost guaranteed you will be lured to the wet sand and get slapped with a wave. End of hunt. Sounds like you might want to look into a Tesoro Sand Shark. Not much difference in $. (Pulse Induction) Waterproof. Or as mentioned above, a used pulse you might find for sale.
Anyway depending on how much you hunt, the difference in price will be picked up rather fast.

Quote from some movie.
" Don't bring a knife to a gun fight. " Lol

 

[MI-AuAg]

Hello Swede,

dfmike is correct in his opinion on the 400's ground balancing method. To the best of my knowledge, all the ACE series detectors are fixed ground balance, factory pre-set to a pre determined avg. ground phase. I think it is a bit misleading by them, to infer that it "adjusts automatically". Something that is preset in a fixed position cannot "adjust". One can easiy get the wrong impression it has some auto adjust ground tracking system as their AT series.

If you are intending on searching saltwater beaches, I don't think either machine would be a good choice. Do some more research on the difficulties in searching saltwater beaches. There was some good advice given by others above.

Happy Holidays!

 

[pasttom]

If the 2 detectors are the only choices and you want to see the sea the F44 is clearly your best bet. Splashproof/weatherproof means just that and should be okay if dropped in water and recovered right away- just don't submerge it deep or long! In five years (6,500 hours est.) of beach and surf hunting with mostly an Excal, but some others too, I have NEVER dunked my rig beyond what an F44 should withstand. This is just me at my beach and my style of hunting of course! I'd not chose a single freq vlf for serious wet salt/ocean hunting. Because I hunt the beach so much I have the Excal, ctx 3030, CZs and PIs in my toolbox. Virtually any machine is fine in the dry. Hit the wet salt and watch the game change is huge! If you are serious about hunting the beach, either get a used multi-freq or stay dry IHMO. A PI has a long learning curve for a newbie and some beaches are just too iron/trash riddled to dig EVERY beep until you learn its language. Again its just my opinion but I have an HHPI and 2 TDIs trust me here.
Bottom line:
If all you want to do is jewelry in dry, either one will do just fine (take the F44). Going wet eliminates the 400. Submerge below a few inches or for minutes and the F44 is eliminated. The next option is a more expensive and heavier, but a far superior detector.
Best of luck and happy hunting in the new year! Merry Christmas!

 

[tincan302]

Had 2 Ace 400 and sent t hem back and got a new 350 thing about 400 is you dont have to dig bottlecaps when it says quarter.Just hit the iron and if its a cap it will grunt. I can run hotter with 350 without noise. 400 have to turn sens. back