Is it hard to ground balance the Fisher F4

[Stu10711]

I have nearly decided on the Fisher F4 but was wondering if it is hard to ground balance
I'm new to metal detecting

 

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[Phantasman]

I think the F4 is antiquated in it's GB system. There is talk of a newer detector process to replace the F2/F4 line by FTP.

If you are new to MDing, I'd suggest a Bounty Hunter Land Ranger Pro (or even a slightly used Teknetics Gamma) for the same price range. The GB is one button auto and the numerics are larger.

But if your intent on the F4, you press the "autotune" button, and pump the coil over an area with no metal, turning the GB knob until you no longer hear the metals in the ground. Hit the autotune again and hunt in disc mode. The advantage of the others, is to hold down the ground grab button, pump the coil and the computer beeps and your balanced.

 

[adamBomb]

I think the F4 is antiquated in it's GB system. There is talk of a newer detector process to replace the F2/F4 line by FTP.

If you are new to MDing, I'd suggest a Bounty Hunter Land Ranger Pro (or even a slightly used Teknetics Gamma) for the same price range. The GB is one button auto and the numerics are larger.

But if your intent on the F4, you press the "autotune" button, and pump the coil over an area with no metal, turning the GB knob until you no longer hear the metals in the ground. Hit the autotune again and hunt in disc mode. The advantage of the others, is to hold down the ground grab button, pump the coil and the computer beeps and your balanced.

Sounds just like my cz21. Its simple to do and takes 1 sec.

 

[digger27]

Are you sure the F4 is the one you want, and that you absolutely need the manual GB?
Manual or auto GB can be an advantage in difficult soil for sure, but I used the F2 in both good and extremely bad soil and still found a ton.
If you compare the F2/F4, they are identical in what they are and how they work except for the DD coil which you can get on the F2, an all metal setting and that manual GB.
Be aware that the ground balancing will only work on the all metal side, when you switch to disc it is preset GB, exactly the same as an F2.

Personally, the F2 worked so well for me in both good and bad soil that I never considered the F4, but I never was interested in major depth either so that might be something to consider if your soil is bad and deeper targets are what you are after.
For what the F4 offers for the money I would rather have the F2 or save up a bit more and get an F5...both have more bang for the buck value-wise in my mind.
Much more.