Is F5 still competitive as mid-level detector?

[Herd79]

Hello everyone,

I finally have the time to get back into the hobby after a 20+ year lapse. My budget is pretty tight but I've been looking seriously at the Fisher F5 - I like the looks, large display and have read what seem to be very good reviews. In short, I'm drawn to the form and function of the unit and see the analog knobs as a plus for me. I'll be hunting mainly farmland and old houses with a few beach trips thrown in 5-6 times a year.

So my question is - since the F5 has been around several years, is it still considered a good competitive mid-level unit or should I consider other options in that same price range?

Thanks much folks !

 

[mudpuppy]

Hey Welcome to the Forum!

Our resident expert on the F5 is Mike Hillis, He's a long time well respected hunter, and he considers the F5 as the Perfect inland coin and jewelry machine...You can go and read a few of his posts just by searching his name...a few questions:

What State do you live in and whats your soil like?

Are you looking for silver coins as your primary target or war/relics, park jewelry, salt or fresh water beaches? This will help everybody steer you in the right direction...I've not heard anybody ever being unhappy with the F5's capabilities here...cant remember anyway if they did...It seems like a solid and steady performer..somebody will be along shortly to assist...
Mud.

 

[foreign object]

There were two things that I did not like about the F5.
First was it/mine was affected by emi really bad.
Second is that the knobs are really close together and I seemed to always bump one while trying to adjust another or pinpoint.

It does have decent depth in my mild soil and separates fairly well for its price point.

To be honest I did not keep the machine long enough because of the emi problems to really get to know it.
There are many that use it and are happy with its capabilities.

I do understand the finance part for sure. I'm not sure what you can get an f5 for but you can get a f70 for around 550.00 it you shop around.
Just a thought.
Can't go wrong with either machine.

FO

 

[Herd79]

Thanks Mud.

I have scanned through Mike Hillis' posts on the F5 and dowloaded a PDF compilation of his comments, hints and tips for the F5. He has some great details on setting up the F5 for optimum performance.
I'm close to Greensboro, NC (Triad area of NC) - hoping to join the local MD club here soon.

 

[Herd79]

Thanks FO.

Good points - I read in a couple of posts that some folks had issues with the F5 and EMI and as you mention, inadvertently hitting the knobs particularly with gloves on. Thanks for suggesting the F70 - I'll check it out. For some reason, I just seem drawn to Fisher products - have looked at the other popular units and still come back to considering Fisher.

Thanks again for your reply.

 

[Hightone]

The F5 was my main detector and the best out of every one I owned. Never had an EMI problem or knobs in the way. The F5/Teknetics Omega has great control of the ground and the main difference between the two are the analog knobs vs the digital settings. The F5 has a 1-20 iron range, the Omega 1-40 (making the Omega a better relic ID machine). The knobs take a little effort to turn, as not to be flimsy easy, so touching them doesn't move them too easily.

I sold mine to buy a CoinGT. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have.

 

[mudpuppy]

I'm slightly familiar with the area...clay/chert amalgam! I hit a little school right across the road from the Deere/Komatsu factory in Kernersville once @4 yrs ago...I really knocked down a heap O clad in a short time I remember...wish I had time to work a bit more of the region...I think I was only there an hour or less...there is some really old dirt in that area, you will learn a lot from a local club..and here too...

I dont remember having any adverse issues regarding my machines behavior, (F70) I do remember trying to punch through that dirt with a screwdriver though...Thats a good location you are in...not far from the beaches, or even a run up into VA or OH...that Triad area could keep a guy busy all of itself...
Mud

 

[Tasrog]

I am in Australia and love my F5. I have had 2 BHs and an AT PRO and consider the F5 the best of them. I know that is a pretty big call on the PRO but mine was prone to chatter and then going silent before it finally died. The only advantage it had was of course it was water proof though ironically it was water that killed it and no I am not sure where it got in. The F5 can be affected by EMI but I find that by lowering the Gain and picking the right frequency I can keep it at an acceptable level. The only other problem I have with it was that it is a bit prone to falling on its side when you set it down. I have reduced this considerably by getting 2 light right angle shelf brackets and bolting them through the hole that is used to adjust the location of the rest. I keep the rain cover on mine which can be a little glary under the light I have clipped to it. Photos attached. I will also write out I will clean my gear better , 1000 times . The set up with the legs is a little rough but will claim that as it is a prototype it is allowed to be
Roger

 

[WV62]

I got a deal on a F5 with 2 coils that I just couldn't pass up, even thought I had several other machines at that time. I took it out 2 times one for each coil and I done some air testing on the machine. So I didn't really give it time to see what I really had. My brother was in in bad need of a good machine, he had been running one that I picked up in a yard sale for something under $50. Long story short I passed on my good deal F5 to my brother early last year and took to the machine like a duck to water. We hunt together for the most part and his silver coin count was over double mine and I was running a F75Ltd. My only win was out of the silver we found I got 2 half $ and he only got one.

So either my brother is real lucky or that F5 really likes silver.

The 2 coils that came with the detector was the 11"DD and the 10" concentric, he tried both and sold the 10".

My brother is on this forum, his handle is Still Looking 52 and his avatar is a picture of some of his silver finds.

Ron in WV

 

[still looking 52]

This machine is fantastic, I've had my f5 for about a year now and wouldn't trade it for any other machine. I run 11" DD coil which has good depth and you can cover a fair amount of real estate with this coil. Like any machine the more you use it the better you get with it, right now I feel like I could go out with this detector and not pass up to many good targets plus this f5 loves silver. Have on trouble with EMI or knob control with this machine. Also you might find it hard to find the f5 used because there just that good of a machine.

 

[Herd79]

The F5 was my main detector and the best out of every one I owned. Never had an EMI problem or knobs in the way. The F5/Teknetics Omega has great control of the ground and the main difference between the two are the analog knobs vs the digital settings. The F5 has a 1-20 iron range, the Omega 1-40 (making the Omega a better relic ID machine). The knobs take a little effort to turn, as not to be flimsy easy, so touching them doesn't move them too easily.

I sold mine to buy a CoinGT. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have.

Thanks Hightone for your report on your F5.

 

[Herd79]

I am in Australia and love my F5. I have had 2 BHs and an AT PRO and consider the F5 the best of them. I know that is a pretty big call on the PRO but mine was prone to chatter and then going silent before it finally died. The only advantage it had was of course it was water proof though ironically it was water that killed it and no I am not sure where it got in. The F5 can be affected by EMI but I find that by lowering the Gain and picking the right frequency I can keep it at an acceptable level. The only other problem I have with it was that it is a bit prone to falling on its side when you set it down. I have reduced this considerably by getting 2 light right angle shelf brackets and bolting them through the hole that is used to adjust the location of the rest. I keep the rain cover on mine which can be a little glary under the light I have clipped to it. Photos attached. I will also write out I will clean my gear better , 1000 times . The set up with the legs is a little rough but will claim that as it is a prototype it is allowed to be
Roger

Thanks Tasrog - It's interesting that you had a PRO but yet favor the F5. I've sort of struggled back and forth between choosing the F5 or the PRO. Thanks also for reporting on the EMI - that's good to know.

 

[Herd79]

I got a deal on a F5 with 2 coils that I just couldn't pass up, even thought I had several other machines at that time. I took it out 2 times one for each coil and I done some air testing on the machine. So I didn't really give it time to see what I really had. My brother was in in bad need of a good machine, he had been running one that I picked up in a yard sale for something under $50. Long story short I passed on my good deal F5 to my brother early last year and took to the machine like a duck to water. We hunt together for the most part and his silver coin count was over double mine and I was running a F75Ltd. My only win was out of the silver we found I got 2 half $ and he only got one.

So either my brother is real lucky or that F5 really likes silver.

The 2 coils that came with the detector was the 11"DD and the 10" concentric, he tried both and sold the 10".

My brother is on this forum, his handle is Still Looking 52 and his avatar is a picture of some of his silver finds.

Ron in WV

Hi Ron,

I see that you are a fellow Mountaineer - I was born in Beckley, went to Marshall Univ and left WV in '79. Was back up there this past weekend. Certainly much cooler there than here in NC.

 

[Herd79]

This machine is fantastic, I've had my f5 for about a year now and wouldn't trade it for any other machine. I run 11" DD coil which has good depth and you can cover a fair amount of real estate with this coil. Like any machine the more you use it the better you get with it, right now I feel like I could go out with this detector and not pass up to many good targets plus this f5 loves silver. Have on trouble with EMI or knob control with this machine. Also you might find it hard to find the f5 used because there just that good of a machine.

Thanks Still looking 52. If I go for the F5 I plan on definitely getting the DD coil. You are right - I've not found any used F5's - and I too take that as most people hold on to them because they are a very good unit.

 

[WV62]

Good morning Herd79,

I just this morning really noticed your forum name Herd79, and thought this guy has something to do with Marshall. I have lived in the Huntington area all my life and the same for my 2 brothers Greg (still looking 52) and Mark (MarkCZ).

WE ARE,

Ron in WV

I got a deal on a F5 with 2 coils that I just couldn't pass up, even thought I had several other machines at that time. I took it out 2 times one for each coil and I done some air testing on the machine. So I didn't really give it time to see what I really had. My brother was in in bad need of a good machine, he had been running one that I picked up in a yard sale for something under $50. Long story short I passed on my good deal F5 to my brother early last year and took to the machine like a duck to water. We hunt together for the most part and his silver coin count was over double mine and I was running a F75Ltd. My only win was out of the silver we found I got 2 half $ and he only got one.

So either my brother is real lucky or that F5 really likes silver.

The 2 coils that came with the detector was the 11"DD and the 10" concentric, he tried both and sold the 10".

My brother is on this forum, his handle is Still Looking 52 and his avatar is a picture of some of his silver finds.

Ron in WV

Hi Ron,

I see that you are a fellow Mountaineer - I was born in Beckley, went to Marshall Univ and left WV in '79. Was back up there this past weekend. Certainly much cooler there than here in NC.

 

[Mike Hillis]

Yes, it is still a competitive, feature rich, nice performing metal detector

HH
Mike

 

[Herd79]

Yes, it is still a competitive, feature rich, nice performing metal detector

HH
Mike

Hi Mike,

Thank you for your reply. I've read your posts on the F5 and they have been very helpful. Still deciding between the F5 or an ATP - leaning more towards the F5 though.
Thanks again.

 

[coast40]

If the knobs are too close for anyone, smaller ones should be available at ... Radio Shack..online or in-store. or electronic parts houses. In my area, Lincoln City, Oregon; the RS franchisee is taking in stock from defuncting stores.
GL and HH
Coast40

 

[sqwaby]

Fun, user friendly analog interface, decent depth, highly tunable for any hunt scenario. Good all around machine, EMI can be an issue around power lines.

 

[marcomo]

Herd, I used the F5 for about 3 years and have been using the AT Pro for over 4 years now. Each has a relatively short learning curve and are a good choice regardless of user experience level.

The AT Pro and F5 were both new platforms when the detectors were released, the F5 in 2008 and the AT Pro in 2010. I wouldn't consider either detector outdated.

Both are very capable detectors that have served me well, but I'd give the advantage to the AT Pro.

Similar depth with both detectors, good but not great. The AT Pro is more stable and less prone to EMI.

More than anything, I prefer the nuanced audio of the AT Pro. The detector's audio is invariably honest. A good sounding target is seldom not a good target. A bad sounding target is seldom not a bad target. When you get that distinctive good coin sound it's almost always a coin and if it's not, then it's a small round item with similar conductivity to a coin. Unlike most detectors that use a DD coil, bottle caps will sound bad more often than not. Zinc pennies with any time in the ground will usually sound bad too. The AT Pro with the 5X8 coil is the best I've used in heavy small iron.

I did prefer the extra 4th (nickel) tone on the F5 compared to the 3 tones of the AT.

If you anticipate keeping the detector for several years, the F5 has the advantage of a 5 year (original owner only) warranty compared to Garrett's 2 year transferable warranty.

Neither detector has been a standout for me when it comes to durability. Fortunately, both Garrett and First Texas customer service departments have been friendly, efficient and easy to deal with. My FT repairs were all under warranty, my Garrett repairs have been in and out of warranty but Garrett's out of warranty repair charges are reasonable. When the problem has been a simple one like a broken arm cuff or a headphone adapter gone bad, Garrett has been great about sending out a replacement.