Attention NEW F2 owners.

[Coin Machine]

The Fisher rep said "we're getting some bad ones". So, that brings to mind (at least to me), that they are having mfr. problems. In mass produced electronics, soldering is one of the most troublesome aspects. Cold joints can give intermittent problems that will drive you nuts. JMHO
Fortunately, some touch up with a soldering iron and a little solder fixes it easily.

That was the Fisher tech guy that said that.

I'm in the manufacturing biz as well....even I make mistakes...rarely..but it does happen.

 

[Coin Machine]

Testing new F2 today

FedEx just dropped off the new F2.
I'm either going Beach hunting today, or to a new park....the weather will dictate.

I'll be able to use BOTH F2s side by side, so that should really be a big help.

I'll report back later today on its performance.

Cross fingers.

 

[pescadore]

Hope the new one works out well for you !!! I had a F5 and it was very sensitive to EMI.. my cell phone would drive it crazy !!!

 

[Coin Machine]

Drats.....and it JUST started pouring rain........
I'm getting ready to go, my friends on his way..and BAM....pouring rain (Better than snow I guess)

So, rain delay today. We're going to wait a couple of hours in hopes it clears up. And the Beach is a no go..it'll be to wet..and I haven't finished drilling the holes in my "Grain Scoop".....dang

I can't even go out in the back to try the new unit.....and i=neither of them work well in the house.

Waiting......

 

[pescadore]

I understand, I went out yesterday after work and was planning on hunting an old playground where I found a silver half. About 10-15 minutes into the hunt, the rain and lightning started and I had to leave. Made me mad because I drove an extra 20 or so miles out of my way to get to the location.

 

[Coin Machine]

I understand, I went out yesterday after work and was planning on hunting an old playground where I found a silver half. About 10-15 minutes into the hunt, the rain and lightning started and I had to leave. Made me mad because I drove an extra 20 or so miles out of my way to get to the location.

Bummer....20 miles to get rained out...next time...theres always next time.


Looks like the rain stopped...for now. So we're about to head out to a small park I found recently that coughed up some good coins...

I took the F2s out back. My first one wasn't going crazy like it normally does..but its spuratic...but the NEW F2 was a quite as could be while the old one was chirping away..same settings. And no, I didn't have them both on at the same time or near each other. So..looks like an improvment

 

[Coin Machine]

OK...back from my trip to the park with both detectors. It started out nice but then started to rain again. The ground was very wet, muddy and the F2 didn't like the rain...wasn't too bad. I put plastic 1 gallon freezer bags over the head unit to protect it from water..it worked great.

The old F2 acted up after 15-20 minutes, doing its dancing thing, the new F2 was GREAT. So...after all Id say that the first one was defective.

So, time to box up the old f2 and send it back.

I'm happy now.

Todays take.
Me. 3 pennys, One chucky cheese token, lots of trash.
My friend. 3 reg Qtrs, 2 pennys and lots of trash,

 

[DirtyRob]

It was very odd to watch....on the swing from center to the right...if he swung hardly any to the right...it would "go nuts"!

But from center to the left...nothing. Try detecting like that swing all the way left as normal but have to stop when you get back to your center.

I thought all the same issues...coil plug loose...or too tight...or something wobbling...it was odd.

We did notice that the placement of the coil cord plug-in is very unfriendly to tighten or untighten. My little plump fingers couldn't tighten or loosen it. I doubt if a small wrench could either. Just a thought.

 

[forfun]

Flat nose pliers work quite well to turn the nut on the connector. Trying to turn that nut tight with fingers just did not work well. I use a pair with rough jaws. (serrated)
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/KNIPEX-Flat-Nose-Pliers-10N844?Pid=search
This was just a example for the picture. You can get similar style pliers from HF for a couple of bucks.

 

[Coin Machine]

Standard pliers work...just gotta go S L O W...

I wish rthere was a quik disconnect..for changing coils....as doing this in the field has to be a PITA

 

[forfun]

Yes, I wish it were some kind of quick disconnect. Maybe something like connections on a computer for a monitor. Getting a tight connection is a absolute necessity. I just think it could be easier. Even mounting it on the back of the case would have helped immensely. I bet it's a cost issue for assembly.

 

[Coin Machine]

Also wish there was a volume control......

 

[Silver_Seeker]

I have not read all the posts but I did figure out how to fix a few "problems" with my F2.

I noticed that my machine would occassionally "go nuts" and signal on anything even with the coil held up in the air, over my head so the coil was literally over 9 feet in the air. In the end, it came down to one thing. The coil cable was loose. Where the coil jacks into the head unit, it seems to have a tendency to slip and get loose, then the machine signals on anything.

This problem was easily remedied with a piece of electrical tape wrapped aound the connection.

Hope this helps.

 

[Coin Machine]

That cable has to be TIGHT...and Fisher did a poor job of designing the connection access.

 

[flatlander~]

This problem was easily remedied with a piece of electrical tape wrapped aound the connection.

Hope this helps.

Your F2 didn't come with a piece of velcro, mine did and I assumed it was to help keep the cable tight

 

[richbat]

Great info.and i'm sure it will help out anyone looking at this machine.

 

[forfun]

The coil cable was loose. Where the coil jacks into the head unit, it seems to have a tendency to slip and get loose, then the machine signals on anything.

The newer F2s have a connector with a screw-on collar that keeps it tight. Mine doesn't back off at all. Many complain that it is very difficult to tighten, and rightly so. I have been experimenting, and I find that a pair of bent needle nose pliers will tighten that collar easily.

 

[Coin Machine]

And it's huge pita to change coils...esp in the field.

 

[forfun]

With the bent needle nose pliers, I can do a complete coil change and be back in action in less than 5 minutes. That includes wrapping the cable and securing it with Velcro strips. Once you get the collar started ( by holding the detector upside down to help align the collar ) it wil spin on with just fingers. 30 seconds to tighten with the bent needle nose pliers, and I'm back swinging.

 

[Coin Machine]

Gotta get my bent nose pliers...

Both of my F2s..the collars didn't screw on with my fat fingers..I'm using pliers but I only get 1/32(lol) turn at a time....

Different pliers like you said.....I'll go get me a pair today