I began metal detecting in 2011, and most of that time I used the Fisher F2. I found some cool things with my F2, and it has been a great detector. It’s found gold, silver and platinum, so it is safe to say that the F2 is a capable machine for most detecting conditions.
During the past few years, I’ve learned the F2’s “language” meaning that in most instances I know what the machine is telling me, based on the tones. I dig most targets above iron, and more often than not I can predict what the target is before I dig with fairly good accuracy. In a nutshell, my Fisher F2 and I have grown to understand each other. I understand what the detector is telling me, and the detector understands that I can never dig too many pop tabs, but that’s a blog for another day!
I guess what I am trying to say is that after a few years swinging the F2, I have learned about all there is for this detector to teach me. Am I saying that I am a professional detectorist now? No, not at all, just that there isn’t much more for me to learn about the F2.
It’s time to upgrade my machine, but to what? Well, since I understand the Fisher “Language” it’s only natural that I would upgrade to a detector within the Fisher line-up and ultimately I decided to give the Fisher F5 a try.
It should be here soon, and from my research looks to be a very good machine in it’s class! A higher frequency machine than the F2 at 7.8khz that features manual ground balance, gain, and threshold adjustments, among other things, this machine should prove to be a game changer for my future hunts.
I can’t wait to get it in the field and find out what it can do! With all of the new features on the F5, this machine will both challenge and teach me more than I know now about metal detecting, and as I said, at this point I am ready to learn more.
I’m ready for some new adventures in metal detecting in 2014.
New Year with New Gear, Let’s Get ‘Er Dug!
Ozarks
Metal Detecting the Ozark Mountains 
Good luck with the F5 Rob, I hope it increases your finds. The F2 has been a popular machine and responsible for good digs. Connecting with your machine takes time – I thoroughly believe that any time spent with a machine “wide open” will only benefit the user in learning what not to dig. Then slowly easing back the controls to hone the language only harnesses all they have to offer.
In the beginning, we all dig a lot. I myself spend more time “hunting” – that is looking for deep good tones w/i the garbage. Oh yes, I miss much but I really don’t like to dig clad unless they are quarters!
Some of us like Ford, some Chevy – I have been a Minelab guy for 5 or 6 years. Yes, I believe they are superior but it doesn’t mean it is fact!
Yep, I agree that it takes time to learn any machine. That’s part of the reason I stayed with the Fisher line, to cut some of the learning time down. I hear ya about the Minelab. We like what we like, and whatever works, works! I wouldn’t kick a Minelab out of my trunk if there was one in there….lol 😉
Awesome! Congrats on the upgrade.
Looks like your doing well buddy.
SPARTAN84 aka Monster84
Thanks bud! Long time no see too, hope life is treating you kindly!
Can’t wait to see some video and hear how you like it! Keep us posted.
Thanks for the comment! It’s going to be fun learning a new machine, seeing what carries over from the F2, and finding some neat stuff along the way. I also have a couple new spots scoped out to seek permission from. If all goes well the old F5 will get a workout in some great spots!
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