Why has Fisher Lab made an egg-shaped coil? Responding to Minelab Go-Find’s square one? The manufacturers have started the metal detectors race and the prize will be our wallets. Here’s all about the Fisher F44: good and bad.
The Fisher F44 metal detector has two advantages – a large screen and moderate power supply with 2 AA batteries. In all other respects, it’s a usual low-end machine.
An S-shaped shaft comes with the mono control box (battery compartment, screen, controls – all in one housing) mounted on the upper part. It’s adjustable to user’s height.
The shaft can be disassembled in three parts. There are locking collars excluding a play in connections between these parts (say hello to the new White’s TreasureMaster and White’s TreasurePro that still don’t have such twist locks).
The Fisher F44 has a simple handgrip… The main problem with such handles is that with lapse of time the foam grip gets loose and starts spinning.
As for the Fisher F44 armrest, the manufacturer has used a ready-made one – from the Fisher Gold Bug DP machine. It’s convenient, simple and breaks down like all other plastic armrests. Allows the use of a fixing strap. There are supports underneath the armrest for the metal detector not to overturn. And there is a metal detecting secret concealed in these ones.
The Fisher F44 has a headphone jack located on the side of the housing… Not the best location. If the detector gives a lurch, it will bump the jack plug. I like when a headphone jack is positioned at the end of the upper shaft – the most practical solution.
The battery compartment is closed with a door. There is a container for 2 AA batteries underneath. The manufacturer promises up to 40 hours of continuous operation. Only 2 batteries! In my opinion, it’s a real plus for the Fisher F44.
One more advantage of this detector is the large screen. I like machines with large screens. Also, there is an adjustable screen backlight.
Almost all things you need while hunting are displayed on the Fisher F44 screen. 9 segment discrimination scale. Your chosen search program (there are both factory preset programs and a user mode). Target depth indicator. VDI and battery level indicator. The thing that is missing is sensitivity scale.
The Fisher F44 features include: search programs to choose from, ground balance, sensitivity adjustment, volume control (the setting that is often missing in inexpensive detectors). And the pinpoint mode. It’s strange to see some modern models without this mode (for example, the Golden Mask 5). The pinpoint is a really helpful thing and must-include for any machine.
The buttons are arranged in a row and are almost identical, with a small space between them. I haven’t liked the Fisher F44 controls. Try to press the ‘+’/’-‘ buttons when wearing gloves.
The Fisher F44 has an egg-shaped coil. The manufacturer tells us how this shape makes it possible to pick up more finds. But… The coil type is concentric and in practice you won’t notice any advantage of this shape.
The advantage of this coil lies in its weight – 350 grams. As for the 11-inch one, it really weighs not much.
But the disadvantage of the coil is that its working face is closed with a cover (but not sealed as other coils). With the lapse of time, such coils can be affected by moisture penetrated to the inside and will require additional sealing.
Why has Fisher Lab produced this detector? What machine must the Fisher F44 compete with? I’ve got an impression that the F44 metal detector is designed to replace the already existing Fisher F4-F5 models. And nothing more… The usual ground search detector.
And a few words about waterproofing quality of the Fisher F44… If the manufacturer could have made an amphibian metal detector that isn’t afraid of water, they would have written about it in big letters. When it is said that the device is not afraid of rain (weatherproof), it’s not an IP standard, it’s just words ))
All about the Fisher F44 is collected here (news, tests, comparisons with other devices, different reviews and opinions). Plus, on Knowledgebase pages there is additional information you should know before buying the Fisher F44. The experience of others will help you save your time and money. Happy hunting to everyone!
