Had a little time to try a few configurations on the f70 today and a few things I learned

[tony (Orlando FL)]

Ultimately the 'facts' that are provided below are that of the taboo air test but it was just to confirm what I saw happening out in the real world today. I could not put a measurement on the findings out in the field, hence the air test results.

Today, I found a target that read 9 inches and it was loud and very clear. It read between 79-81 depending how I swept the coil, it was most certainly a quarter from my experience.

Before I dug it I, switched to slow mode and then back to the default fast mode. Both were good, slow mode was definitely noisier.

I then took the time to see if the threshold settings ranging from -9 to +9 made a difference. I would hate to not hear a good solid target by having any of the settings anywhere but where I can get the best performance from every swing I take.

I heard the coin in every scenario, which was good news BUT I had no idea how much gain or loss I was to expect by the above settings, hence the old air test.

With sens of 10 and 0 threshold, I could easily and reliably detect a quarter at 8.5 inches. With a threshold setting of -9 , the air tests using the same quarter out to 7.5 inches. A threshold setting of +9 allowed me to detect the quarter reliably out to 11 inches. Very nice jump if you can run it that high in the field without the little specs of metal causing unbearable sounds.

Next, using same quarter and Sens still at 10 and Threshold at 0, I was now comparing the Speed option. At the default FAST speed, the quarter read as above, 8.5 inches. When I switched the option to SLOW the f70 was able to detect the quarter out to 11 inches with a solid response.

Now that I have an 'idea' of what might could be expected from these options, I will further try them in the field and try to confirm the same or similar performance out there.

One quirk and some dislikes so far.....

It only happened ONCE but as I was swinging the unit I thought, this thing is really stable and quiet. Then I noticed the screen was dead. I thought great BUT figured out that the on/off switch had turned itself off as I lifted the unit up off the ground. What happened was the knob is located in such a place that as I was lifting it close to my side, the switch rotated and shut itself off completely. Now that I am aware of this, it probably wont happen again.

The one thing I dont care for on the f70 is that when pinpointing, trying to really get an idea of what may be down there in the dirt, the f70 retunes itself before you are done pinpointing. You then, directly over the target now, have to move the coil aside some re-press the pp button and do it again. Its not an issue on shallow targets but when the meter read 11-13 inches, I sure as heck want to be as precise as possible seeing as I am not digging out in the woods somewhere and want the hole to be as small as possible.

ALSO:

If the AutoTune audio was higher pitched, I think it would be more pleasant.

Oh, one more item. The unit does not like to stand up when putting it down. Maybe I should stop trying to put it down as most other units and just lay it down to begin with so it doesnt fall over.

Another thing I noticed. The depth reading makes targets seem deeper than they are by at least an inch but more like 2 inches.

Let me/us know what you have learned about your f70 as well.

Tony

 

[patricka]

I have had the same experience regarding the target depth indicator. Seems target is 2 inches more shallow then indicated.

 

[flbowhunter]

Good post Tony, I was wanting to do some tests like that also but didn't have time to mess with it. Keep us posted with more info on the F70 as you do your field evals.

 

[Digger]

I like to hunt old farmsites. When I am hunting an 80 acre patch of ground, I look for clues as to where the buildings were 100 years ago. Broken glass, nails etc. To help me find those spots, I hunt in all metal or zero discrimination (depending on the detector) and listen to the tones. I like multiple tones so I can ignore the iron for digging. But want to know where it is so I can concentrate on those areas. If I discriminate out ferrous targets, I'll miss those old nails, indicating where the buildings were. The F70 Autotune (all-metal) mode only offers one tone. So for me to have multiple tones, I'd run in the Discriminate mode with zero discrimination.

If you'd try this and let me know what yours does, I'd appreciate it.....
Set your F70 up in Discriminate mode and one of the multi tone modes. Set the Discrimination mode at zero discrimination, so the F70 accepts everything ferrous and non-ferrous. Grab yourself an old nail or something that gives a ferrous reading (below 15) on your display. Sweep over it and make a note of what the F70 provides for audio and TID. Now, turn off the F70. Restart it and see if the display confirms your discrimination is still set to zero. Now sweep the coil over that same old nail and let me know if your audio and TID are the same as before you turned off the detector.

Thanks in advance. HH Randy

 

[Mike Scott]

Hi Digger,

You found a small glitch on some of the earliest release F70s, Your dealer should have contacted you in regards to this unless you received it from Cabela's?
We discovered the software glitch on the earliest F70s and all current production do retain the discrimination settings lower than 15.

This only affects those wanting to run a very low discrimination level---lower than 15--and wanting to hear or find the iron signals as you are doing.

When the F70 is turned off it will automatically reset to 15 even though the visual disc setting level will remain lower than 15 on the detectors ID screen. It will not register any iron targets after being turned off. This is the only setting that is not retained by the F70.

What this means is those wanting to run a disc level lower than 15 will have to perform a factory reset on their detector after they turn it off and re adjust the discrim below 15 in order to detect iron targets. This is done by holding the Menu and Ground Grab button down while turning the detector on.

Customers with units wanting the software rewrite are welcome to have this done free of charge and should have already been contacted by their dealers with this option. On these units we will pick up and re write the software-it is a one day turnaround at the factory.
A few of these early units made it to the Fisher dealer network and very few were sold. All units currently being offered by Fisher dealers are the current production models and retain the discrimination settings below the setting of 15.

Let me know what you want to do and who you purchased your unit from.


Thanks

Mike Scott
ms@frsttx.com

 

[Digger]

Thought maybe I was overlooking something. Glad you got me straightened out. I've figured out that I am able to work around this by resetting the detector on startup. I will likely keep doing that until I get some of the other things (that I have questions on) figured out. I know I could probably get all my questions answsered with a phone call. But I remember it longer if I figure it out myself! Thanks again for responding. HH Randy

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Have known Tony for years as a PC friend and indeed is a knowlegable detectorist who is not afraid to speak his mind whether good or bad and would like to see him publish his field tests which indeed would be more accurate than those paid by Companies to do these tests as they are proof read before being published.Nothing against paid testers as most of them do a good job but usually accentuate the good points and play down the bad points. Keep the info coming my friend as I am sure you will be calling a spade a spade and should provide excellent info in those interested in new Fisher units.

 

[Sonny(IN)]

n/t

 

[tony (Orlando FL)]

Hi Randy,

Mike beat me to the reply, sorry, however, his reply is official, mine would have only confirmed what you are seeing.

Aside from the glitch which most folks wouldnt readily see, how do you like the unit?

Mine is doing well, its a pleasure to use and has been remarkable at waking up old sites to a degree.

Later
Tony

 

[tony (Orlando FL)]

Hi Dan,

Havent seen you in a long while now! Glad you are still around. You know, I just post the stuff I run into while detecting is all. I actually dont go too far out of my way looking for things to share, things just kinda sneak up on me and all I want to do is confirm if others are seeing the same scenarios and how they deal with em.

Are you going to be swinging a F70 too one of these days? Its VERY light and effective. I think you would look good swinging one up there in PA.

Have a good evening

Tony

 

[jmaryt]

i agree!,and this pertains to any one who might be willing to educate others as to the good AND bad in these new units!..to be honest,bill ladd is doing a great job with his you tube videos that leave no doubt as to whether a detector is worth purchasing or not!..we need these honest reports and field experiences to make important decisions..regarding these units!..as you are all aware,the manufacturers are not exactly "giving" these detectors away these days!..we can't really "suspect" a detector is quality,WE HAVE TO KNOW!..thanks tony,bill and others for their "in the dirt" field evaluations!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[jmaryt]

hey tony!..anything you experience in regards to it ia appreciated to those STILL contemplating a purchase!..the experienced hunters on this forum are anxious to get the info in the field,so as to help with the buying decision if it is warranted of course!..thanks again for your input!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[crown cap]

Looks like folks would know by now the Cabelas detectors are never as good as the ones the dealers get. Ever notice the delay between the first release at Cabelas and when they hit the Dealers? New refinements, features, options, etc.... well worth waiting for in my opinion!

CC

 

[Digger]

Tony, Thanks for the response. I'm glad to know that I wasn't the only one who noticed the inability to save the Discrimination setting. I do suppose my style of hunting is different than many. But the ability to hunt in a multi-tone mode, with little or no discrimination, is the way I hunt. And, one thing that attracts me to a detector. I will say, the ability to "double clutch" in the pinpoint mode really helps isolate the target. But frankly, I need to spend more time with the various coils before I make additional comments. In the meantime, I'll just lurk and learn. Thanks again. HH. Randy

 

[tony (Orlando FL)]

Crown Cap,

Mine isnt a Cabelas unit.

 

[crown cap]

your dealer notified you to send it back to 'em for the update... Luckily, I heard, only a few are affected since it was caught early. Mike Scott said in his post the turn around time is pretty quick too. I found on mine that although it causes it to disc. out iron in program 1, it will still be there in program 2, unless I turn it off and back on while IN program 2... plus the factory reset is pretty easy too.

hh

CC

 

[vlad]

For their future update chip{s}. Remember the F-75 & T-2 went through several revisions from the first model
released. [I believe you can buy an after market stand.] You might amost say this is a prototype in the
customers hands, and improvements will be steadily coming out.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Unfortunately just hit the big 70 and with 30 yr. diabetic legs the old pins aren't what they used to be so my detecting time is way down..I think I will stay what I know and my CZ70 pro and XLT should serve me well as surely not the time to learn new units as over the years tried them all..Do keep the good info coming as I am sure it will be an asset to the many forum members. Old guy will just have to do it with old technology and in the old days would have tried the new Fisher units by now..Good luck with the F-70 and if Tony brings up some points you can take it to the bank as its sure a truism at least in his neck of the woods..

 

[jmaryt]

KOOL!... lurk & learn!.....as johnny depp proclaimed!:....i like it!..simple!...easy to remember!

(h,h!)
j.t.

 

[vlad]

And can hunt much longer before fatigue sets in.