New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

I'm thinking from what I've read that a Fisher F2 might be a good starting point, but would I be better to go for an F4 because of the 11" coil? Alternatively, for about the same price as an F4 I could buy an F2 with an 8" coil and an 11" DD coil as an extra. What do you think, folks?

Well, as a completely biased person who sells F2's and F4's and various coils, I would say get an F4. The advantage of the 8" coil is that it is inexpensive and being concentric it is easier to pinpont. The 11" coil covers more ground and goes deeper and is pretty much the Fisher standard. The F2 is a great introductory detector, but the F4 is a big upgrade and has among other things manual ground balance and more search modes. So, I would say the F4 with an 11" coil is much more useful than an F2 with two coils.

Oh, and Tonz, Gore is completely picked over, nothing to see here...

Edited by user Saturday, 13 April 2013 9:38:51 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Get yourself the Fisher F2 3 coil package - The 10" will go as deep as the 11"DD - The 8" (standard coil) is perfectly good enough for most area's & the 4" is invaluable in trashy areas -

I dare say even if you do look at getting another detector later, this will make an ideal back-up/loaner

I have also found concentric coils much easier to pinpoint with & also to be deeper - but hey, thats just my OP

Good luck with whatever you decide

I'd spend the extra $190 and get the F4. The adjustable GB and 11" DD coil is worth it and if you want to add to it and get smaller coils you can.

If you did it the other way around got the F2 and the 11" coil you are paying $510, sure you have an extra coil but still no GB

When I was looking at getting a F2 or F4 the price of importing myself was only about $40 cheaper so for the warranty it is a no brainer to buy from Puiaki Supply, not to put you off but a few have had issues with the 11" coils leaking this may have been corrected but if you had to return one then it will cost you more than $40. I'm still working on my next machine and it will most likely be from the Fisher family as you just get so much bang for your buck and I was really impressed by there stability.
something for you to chew over.

Many thanks, all you guys, for your advice. Seems the consensus is that I should go for the F4, so that's what I'll do when I get the necessary $s together. Don't want to invest megabucks until I'm sure my interest isn't just a passing phase.

Edited by user Tuesday, 16 April 2013 11:17:37 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Changed stuff-up.

No idea bud - I get my stuff from overseas - ebay etc

$275.00USD (3 Coil/Pin-pointer/Detector Bag/Headphones etc) + $50USD ship(approx) to your door

if total < $400NZD = nothing to pay GOVT

If this is your first detector then I will stand by my choice of the Fisher F2

But hey - Do the research yourself before you make your final decision - There is a ton of info on the F2's on YouTube & I am sure there is a heap of info comparing both the F2 vs F4 on google..............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCWRPgpGFts
http://metaldetectorreviews.net/fisher.htm

One thing I have noticed is that the F4 is almost twice the price of the F2, so if you were to look at the F4, don't forget to compare that one with others in the same price range

Good Luck & Happy Hunting ;)

Edited by user Thursday, 18 April 2013 8:29:41 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Guardian,

I like the way you think, I might have to send you a free hat.

What I pay customs when I import:

Duty - none on detectors, but 5% on Lesche knives etc. (there is a duty, usually 5%, on anything that is also made in NZ)
GST - 15% - this includes freight and insurance
Import transaction fee - $22
GST on import transaction fee $3.30
Biosecurity levy $11.00
GST on biosecurity levy $1.67

If your package is sent by FedEx or someone as part of their door to door parcel service, they will do the customs clearance and those fees will be included in the freight cost (I would suggest you do this). As was said above if it is under NZ$400 it slides through without tangling in customs, but if it is over you will have to pay what you owe them before it is delivered. If you have it shipped as freight you have to hire someone to clear it. Then after paying the Customs fees and GST, there will be more fees from the freight forwarder for handling it at their warehouse, and then after paying that you will have to arrange to pick it up.

-Robert

-Robert

i find i dont have or get complaints with my 8"

Great feedback, Mikey. Thanks.

I have found over 300 silvers, and 5 gold coins since maybe April last year with my Tecknetics T2 SE with standard coil (11 inch). But maybe its about location (Dunedin) . But every time I go alongside someone with a fishers they seem to do well. I do better on my own.