Gave up on Fisher F75

[BamaBill]

This was the second machine I got from Fisher and it acted horrible around any kind of EMI. I tried everything I could, but I wound up only able to hunt in all metal the couple of times I took it out. It was probably the machine I had, but I just decided I needed to get on with my summer and traded it in on a Minelab. I took a hit, but I won't purchase any more Fishers until somebody indicates that their Quality Control has gotten better. I have a Fisher 70 and its a good machine (thank heavens). Also, I was kidding myself on the build quality. I have a scratched up MXT because when relic hunting I go where others usually avoid and I couldn't afford to take such an expensive machine into the brush. I know that people only like to read positive things on here, but I'm simply telling of my experience. I considered not posting this, but I hope Fisher reads this and knows that they need to find a way to balance profit with quality. For those people that have a great running F75, I'm happy for you. It just didn't work out for me.

Bill

 

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[Keppy]

This was the second machine I got from Fisher and it acted horrible around any kind of EMI. I tried everything I could, but I wound up only able to hunt in all metal the couple of times I took it out. It was probably the machine I had, but I just decided I needed to get on with my summer and traded it in on a Minelab. I took a hit, but I won't purchase any more Fishers until somebody indicates that their Quality Control has gotten better. I have a Fisher 70 and its a good machine (thank heavens). Also, I was kidding myself on the build quality. I have a scratched up MXT because when relic hunting I go where others usually avoid and I couldn't afford to take such an expensive machine into the brush. I know that people only like to read positive things on here, but I'm simply telling of my experience. I considered not posting this, but I hope Fisher reads this and knows that they need to find a way to balance profit with quality. For those people that have a great running F75, I'm happy for you. It just didn't work out for me.

Bill

..Bill...I seen so many bad reports on the F75 and the new fisher the only way i would get one is if someone would give me one ...then i would sell it on Ebay...... ..the joker knows what is going on with the F75 and the new Fisher and now you also know........And Felixthecat here on fisher forum just paid Fisher $400.00 to fix his detector..I never had to pay that kind of money to get a detector fixed that's insane.....

 

[La Beep]

I know many will disagree but I think Fisher need to go back the the original manufacturer of the control boxes and use the same plastic but produce a similar but smaller classic box. The plastic used by the classics is tuff. I think this is doable. Mounting will be the tricky part so it not knocked off.

Now for the lighter side:
All you current F series user need to take you detectors to rhino lining and get a coat applied.

 

[Sandman]

Bill, your not the only one having trouble with the F series detectors since First Texas, the Bounty Hunter People, took over Fisher. It is good that we now have forums where we can learn of poor service from anyone, not just detector manufactures. If they screwed with people before, nobody else knew about it.

 

[stevesno]

I have always been one to look forward to the new machines being put out by Fisher...the F75 was no exception. i was just about ready to purchase one when I started hearing about problems.....I thought to myself, well....Fisher just needs time to work out the kinks! I have since given up on Fisher working out the kinks....and have erased any thoughts of buying an F75....just hearing about way too many problems from owners. I will keep the old Fisher models I have and search for new technology in other brands.....until I start hearing something positive about Fisher on this forum....Steve

 

[ALABEAR]

Well BamaBill I guess you will be using the MXT this fall when we meet up in Scottsboro. I was going to get a MXT before I got the F75. We will put them to the test. I may be getting a MXT after you show me what it will do.

 

[BamaBill]

You are absolutely correct about me using the MXT, since its the machine I know. I now have an Xterra 70 too, but I don't think I'll be confident enough with it by then. What I'm looking forward to is seeing you use that F75, so I can see how its supposed to work.

 

[Sky Pilot]

BamaBill, I like almost everyone I've read about, purchased an F-75 and likewise couldn't use it around ANY source of E.M.I. Read the warranty, decided it was pointless as well to try to have the same folks fix what they couldn't(?) get right in the first place. Sooo, I said to heck with the warranty, took it apart and found (To my horror!) that the so-called Faraday shield in this machine consisted of a graphite coating applied to the inside, and I couldn't believe the wire connecting the electronics to the housing wasn't paper-clipped but SIMPLY stripped of insulation for approximately one inch and SPREAD OUT LIKE A PEACOCK'S FEATHERS and TAPED, yes, taped my friends to the graphite coated housing! Now at first I did not even see the coating as it is only a bit more matte than the rest of the box, checked it out in my Mouser catalog and found that this form of shielding is the cheapest and also least effective needless to say, so recalling that several stellar Fisher models in the past had aluminum shields, I've placed several layers of aluminum duct tape for a/c vents inside the housing, and when I tape the wire on this time, at least it will be taped on with metal not PVC. Between detecting and running the family "taxi", I haven't boxed it up yet but when I do, if anyone is interested I'll post the results of my success/failure. Best Regards, good hunting, and good luck to all!!!!!!! skypilot02

 

[liquid1]

skypilot great info..Did you happen to take pic when it was apart, and have you had a chance to use it for comparison..My unit runs
pretty stable around power lines and such..It seems to be more noisey and chattery only when I turn up the juice in hi-gain above 95 sense
with low Disc..Its a sensitive little buggar...thanks james

 

[Sky Pilot]

James, Hello!! Good to talk to you and glad my little bit of input might help. I haven't had the chance to put it back together yet, (I'm making a hipmount out of it and also made a mount so the screen can be turned at angles, both up and down and left and right, also I've added a heavy duty switch to the modified Tesoro rod, so when I'm ground balancing and pinpointing the switch will stay in place instead of returning to center.) It is still disassembled so I haven't tried it yet, but if possible;e I'll take some pictures and try to post them showing the new shield and the microprocessor. Thanks for reading! I'll definitely post my test results since you are interested! Regards, skypilot02 ( Richard)

 

[BamaBill]

I too am dying to find out if improving the shielding the way did, was enough to stop the incessant EMI interference. I had great hopes for this machine and their skimping like this is what caused me such heartburn.... I won't finish that statement as it will probably get me banned. I applaud such people as yourself that are willing to get the root of a problem and do something about it. Who knows maybe I'll yet own another one when they're going cheap and I can afford to do the mods myself.

 

[Michigan Badger]

You know what I think, Bill? I shared that with you in a PM.

I might as well post it here. I could be wrong but I think Fisher (and others) are having most of their detectors partly or mostly made for them by the various firms in China.

The F series even looks Chinese.

And the Chinese excel in build quality issues.

They may be making the coils here and some other parts but I say it's a classic case of China or some other country.

I have tested Chinese units and some work very well. That is, if you happen to get a good one minus factory defects.

That's my take on all this.

Badger

 

[Sky Pilot]

BamaBill, Great to talk to you. I REALLY hope this takes care of the EMI issue. I, like yourself and many others had great expectations for the F-75. It has potential to be a great machine, if only First Texas would have finished what they started! I really believe they built a great detector and gave it a sorry place to live! If this fix is successful, it is really easy, and inexpensive, just time consuming and something we shouldn't have to do to a thousand dollar piece of equipment. P.S. IF this works well enough, I'll try to post my mods if y'all want them! Thanks for reading! Regards, and good luck hunting. Richard.

 

[La Beep]

Sounds like maybe I can make a few bucks doing shielding mods for the new F series. I will have to look into it. I don't want to get into repairs but mods may be just the ticket. Guess I need to find a low cost F75 to experiment with and see what I can do.

Maybe a kit mod. for do it your selfers.

However the timing may not be just right as I might be going back to work soon.

Might be doable as a weekend project on a detector by detector basis.
Alum tape or metal screen material or both as a Faraday shield.

 

[Michigan Badger]

Mods? Now we're sounding like the Nautilus group

I'll never forget my first IIb.

I used it and posted on the Nautilus forum that it nearly broke my arm and back after a couples days of long hunting. They said I had to lay out like $130 (back then) to get a Whites rod modification kit plus mounting brackets.

Then I got tired of the red retune button being in the wrong place so they taught me how to build one into the Whiltes handle.

Then I tired of the machine getting turned on while sitting in the car trunk so they taught me how to install a new protected ON/OFF switch.

Then I got tired of the metal case always getting condensation and messing up the unit so they taught me how to deal with that (take it home and blow it out with a hair dryer).

Then I got tired of it always falling over when I sat it on the ground so they taught me how to make a stand for it.

Then I got tired of supporting the battery industry so I bought a rechargeable battery unit (takes (4) 9 volt batteries).

Then I got tired of dirt causing battery problems so they taught me how to inclose the exposed batteries with a plastic box from Allied Radio.

Then I discovered that the coils get out of adjustment very easily so they taught me how to send them into the company to have have them returned in the same or worse condition.

There's more but now I'm tired of typing.

Lets just end it with...Yes! It sold on ebay 8)

Fisher/Nautilus?

I think I'll go hug my Silver uMax & Sovereign GT 8)

 

[Sky Pilot]

Badger, I wouldn't doubt that the whole machine isn't "farmed out" to several different suppliers. I do KNOW that on my particular unit, it is clearly identified as "Assembled In Mexico", so could be parts come from any where. I will say that my coil cable broke four different times at the connector before my machine had 20 hours on it, where the coil wires (and shield wire) were soldered to the board, EVERY one was a "cold solder", i.e. dull gray instead of shiny. So I guess only First Texas knows for sure! Thanks for reading and good hunting!! Regards, Richard.

 

[Sky Pilot]

Jim, great to talk to you!! I have done quite a bit of research on this, and like your unit and Jame's, mine also was totally erratic without the coil being plugged in. That and the fact that my machine wouldn't function AT ALL in town, led me to look for an EMI problem. When I am finally finished with this, I'll be more than happy to report my results and the step by step solution. Thanks for reading and great hunting!! Regards, Richard.

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

Sounds like Zeb wasn't that hot on the 'ole Nauty, if I'm not mistaken. I do agree that for a top all around unit you can't beat Minelabs or Tesoros. Now I recently got a new T2 that I have no complaints about so far. But it is certainly no better a performer than my Xterra 70. That's the total package.

 

[Michigan Badger]

Badger, I wouldn't doubt that the whole machine isn't "farmed out" to several different suppliers. I do KNOW that on my particular unit, it is clearly identified as "Assembled In Mexico", so could be parts come from any where. I will say that my coil cable broke four different times at the connector before my machine had 20 hours on it, where the coil wires (and shield wire) were soldered to the board, EVERY one was a "cold solder", i.e. dull gray instead of shiny. So I guess only First Texas knows for sure! Thanks for reading and good hunting!! Regards, Richard.

Okay, you're the first person I've read that told where the machine is really made. It's not U.S. made and Mexico is even worse than China.

And too, your post completely settles this whole long discussion on all the forums and various threads.

Cold solder on a board means extreme manufacturer negligence. That's it...period.

I permanently scratch F75 off my list. No wonder there are loads of these showing up used on the forums.

Badger

 

[stevesno]

Badger, I wouldn't doubt that the whole machine isn't "farmed out" to several different suppliers. I do KNOW that on my particular unit, it is clearly identified as "Assembled In Mexico", so could be parts come from any where. I will say that my coil cable broke four different times at the connector before my machine had 20 hours on it, where the coil wires (and shield wire) were soldered to the board, EVERY one was a "cold solder", i.e. dull gray instead of shiny. So I guess only First Texas knows for sure! Thanks for reading and good hunting!! Regards, Richard.

Okay, you're the first person I've read that told where the machine is really made. It's not U.S. made and Mexico is even worse than China.

And too, your post completely settles this whole long discussion on all the forums and various threads.

Cold solder on a board means extreme manufacturer negligence. That's it...period.

I permanently scratch F75 off my list. No wonder there are loads of these showing up used on the forums.

Badger

DITTO!