It's quiet !!! ... So let me ask owners and users of the Omega 8500 some questions.

[Monte]

How long have you had and used the Omega 8500?

Did you own one of the Omega 8000 versions before, and if so, what are your opinions of the pros and cons of the newer 8500?

If you had an Omega 8500 and parted with it, Why? What didn't you like performance wise?

Thanks,

Monte

 

[Gamma_Joe]

It sure would be good to get some discussion going on this.

Any important differences? What's better, and why?

... Omega 8000, Versions 4, 5, 6 ...

... Omega 8500 ...

Cheers,

Joe

 

[RichW]

I've had both. I'd have to go with the 8000. Just didn't like the 8500 tones, they seemed very clipped. I think Technetics should redo it. The 8000 was a very popular machine.

 

[Monte]

I've had both. I'd have to go with the 8000. Just didn't like the 8500 tones, they seemed very clipped. I think Technetics should redo it. The 8000 was a very popular machine.

I tried an 8500, briefly, and have looked into getting another new specimen and see if I might like it. I probably won't due to the audio based on my brief check-out and from what I have heard from others.

I have an Omega 8000 V.6 coming this week but that's mainly for loaner use and because it is hard to find a clean, new specimen of a Version 4 Omega 8000.

The FTP ground has spent too much time, effort, and internally too much $$$ paying people to come up with new decals to rename their decision to shuffle models around between the three brands and simply re-label and name them. If a maker would just offer a decent unit and then spend the time to promote it and not concentrate on their high-dollar models, it would be great. I agree totally that they should start making the Omega 8000 again ... Version 4 .. and if they did anything different, use a more durable, scuff-free display plastic. Also offer the 7" Concentric coil that is used on the Fisher F11 with the screw-on connector.

I just posted about my reasons for preferring the Version 4 over the Version 5 or 6 Omega 8000 so you can read my comments there at this link:► Answers to Gamma Joe and jim_tn

Monte

 

[jim tn]

I have the 8000 version 5 and my now 2nd 8500. Monte, don't feel there is any improvement with this later 8500 over the 1st one I had. Like you, I was hoping. The later one my actually run a little quieter, but the tones are still clipped and simply just don't seem clean. When I want to coin shoot, the 8000 is the one I grab the most. HH jim tn

 

[Monte]

Had a chance to check one out and some ideas were okay, but I still prefer the Omega 8000, even any version, over the 8500. So my 8K-V4 is ready-to hunt and on the back seat of my vehicle with a couple other favorites I tote along, and the 8K-V6 will be here Wed. or Thur. and will be at-the-ready here in my den. On both I will keep the 7" Concentric coil mounted as it is working quite well for me. I should have the surgeon's OK to ditch this neck brace Wednesday, have to hang around home for a detector delivery Thursday and possibly Friday, then I'll make up for the sluggish past few months and take a 4-day detecting jaunt. The 8K-V4 will likely get used for most of my Coin Hunting thanks to its very light weight and comfortable balance as I finish mending.

Sure wish FTP wouldn't have discontinued the V4 and can only hope someone in El Paso will spark a rebirth of that model/version.

Monte

 

[marcomo]

Monte, how about adding better EMI shielding to that wish list for a new 8K. Excellent acronym you came up with, btw.

 

[TheHunterGT]

I prefer the 8500 over the 8000 (had a 4 and 5). Performs better in my garden....air tests better....smoother threshold....just as good on nickels at depth.

I do agree the tones are shorter, but I have never found them "clipped" to the point a sub 7-8 inch coin did not scream dig me. I do feel the 8000 has a more "analog" feel while the 8500 has a more "digital" feel. I can see how some may prefer one over the other.

In d2 and d3 is it 100% deeper than the 8000's I had. Tested them side by side in 6 bar Colorado dirt (T2 Classic scale). The 8500 hit targets the 8000 would completely miss.

The 8000 "felt" deeper because it was so hot and sparky - but my numbers told me a different story. Seen guys where they said their 8000's tested better....so who knows.

I have never used any version in an iron infested site, or for prospecting, so have no opinion of it for those locations.

All that being said....I do have 100+ on the 8500 and perhaps 25 total on the 4 and 5 combined. So grain of salt needed. The guy buying the 8000 V4 wanted me to give it a test run before sending to him - so I hunted with it and ran it through the testing paces. I found a faceplate issue that needed fixing. They sent a V5 as a replacement....tested that one as well with a hunt or two....and testbed stuff....before shipping to buyer.

I am skeptical more hours would have made me choose it over the 8500 however. I saw enough to realize the 8500 would be my choice. Only seen 2-3 other guys on the internet say that. I suppose we are the minority.

 

[jim tn]

I do agree with you on the D2, D3 depth comment. Those modes in the right ground are a little deeper then the 8000. I think if one didn't have a smooth running 8000 or whatever, one would be happy with the 8500 IMO. HH jim tn

 

[TheHunterGT]

I can't disagree Jim...I run a fairly hot T2 Classic that can get into internal circuit noise above 90 gain. I love it.

That V4 at times...I wasn't sure if I had said something to upset her.

 

[jim tn]

Same with my F 75 LTD2 DST. About 87 the internal circuit noise kicks in. I like em when they get a tad sparky. HH jim tn

 

[Mike Hillis]

There are several things I like about the 8500. I like the reliable discrimination in Deep 0. I like the way I can adjust the audio of the segments, I like the way I can invoke the non-modulated d5 tone when I need to check a deeper target. I like the better EMI handling of the 8500. I also like the audio modulation when I'm using a compatible set of headphones on it such as the Whites ProStars.

Speaking of the d5 tone, I also like the way it tells me what is going on at my location, both ground and EMI. I can use Deep 1 and d5 and find out about my site conditions pretty fast. Am I sparky in hot rocks? Hows the EMI situation? Then I can change my settings accordingly.

I also like the way I can do a one button press and check a target in all metal mode and it profiles well.

I also like the huge coil selection.

HH
Mike