Fisher F22: A Weatherproof Metal Detector for All Conditions

Fisher F22: A Versatile and Reliable Metal Detector for Beginners and Experts

If you are looking for a metal detector that can handle any weather and terrain, you might want to consider the Fisher F22. This is the second model in the latest F series from Fisher Research Labs, a company that has been producing quality metal detectors since 1931. The F22 features a professional weatherproof design, a 9-inch concentric elliptical searchcoil, and a user-friendly interface with advanced settings. Whether you are hunting for jewelry, coins, or artifacts, the F22 can help you find them with ease and accuracy.

Weatherproof Design

One of the main advantages of the F22 is its weatherproof design. Unlike most metal detectors that are only water-resistant, the F22 is fully weatherproof, meaning it can withstand rain, snow, dust, and mud. You can use it in any environment without worrying about damaging it. The F22 also has a sealed control box and a waterproof speaker. The only part that is not weatherproof is the headphone jack, which is covered by a rubber cap when not in use. The F22 is also lightweight and well-balanced, weighing only 2 pounds. It has a padded hand grip and an arm cup for comfortable treasure hunting.

9-Inch Searchcoil

The F22 comes with a 9-inch triangulated concentric elliptical searchcoil, which is compatible with the F11 and F44 models. This searchcoil is ideal for detecting metal targets on the surface and buried up to nine inches deep. It has a narrow width for better separation of targets in trashy areas, and a long length for wider coverage. The searchcoil is also weatherproof and submersible, so you can use it in shallow water. The F22 operates at a frequency of 7.69 kHz, which is suitable for finding most types of metals.

User-Friendly Interface

The F22 has a large LCD display that shows all the information you need to identify and locate your targets. It has a backlight for low-light conditions, and adjustable contrast for optimal visibility. The display shows the following features:

• Target-ID: A numerical value from 0 to 99 that indicates the conductivity and identity of the target. The higher the number, the more likely the target is a high-value metal, such as silver or gold. The F22 also has a 4-tone audio system that corresponds to the target categories: iron, foil, nickel, and coins.
• Target Categories: Icons that represent the most common types of targets, such as iron, foil, pull tabs, nickels, zinc pennies, dimes, quarters, and half dollars. The F22 can discriminate between different target categories, meaning you can choose which ones you want to detect and which ones you want to ignore. You can also create your own custom mode by selecting or deselecting any of the target categories.
• Depth Indicator: A graphical representation of the approximate depth of the target, ranging from 2 to 9 inches. The depth indicator is more accurate for coin-sized targets than for larger or smaller ones.
• Battery Level: A symbol that shows the remaining battery power. The F22 uses two AA alkaline batteries, which can last up to 25 hours of continuous use. The F22 also has a battery saving mode that automatically turns off the backlight after 5 seconds of inactivity.
• Sensitivity: A level from 1 to 10 that indicates how sensitive the F22 is to detecting metal signals. The higher the sensitivity, the deeper the F22 can detect, but also the more susceptible it is to interference from ground minerals, power lines, and other metal detectors. You can adjust the sensitivity according to the ground conditions and your personal preference.
• Volume: A level from 1 to 20 that indicates how loud the F22’s audio signals are. You can adjust the volume according to the ambient noise and your hearing ability. You can also use headphones for better sound quality and privacy. The F22 has a 1/4-inch headphone jack that is compatible with most standard headphones.

The F22 has a simple and intuitive menu system that allows you to access and change the settings with the push of a button. The F22 has four buttons: MENU, MODE, +, and -. The MENU button cycles through the different settings, such as volume, sensitivity, notch, and mode. The MODE button switches between the four preset modes: jewelry, coin, artifact, and custom. The + and – buttons increase or decrease the values of the settings. The F22 also has a pinpoint button that activates a static mode that helps you locate the exact position and depth of the target.

The Fisher F22 is a metal detector that has many pros and cons, depending on your needs and preferences. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of this device

Pros:

• The Fisher F22 is affordable and reasonably priced, compared to other metal detectors with similar features.
• The Fisher F22 is lightweight and well-balanced, weighing only 2 pounds. It has a padded hand grip and an arm cup for comfortable treasure hunting.
• The Fisher F22 is very easy to use, with a user-friendly interface and a simple menu system. It has four preset modes: jewelry, coin, artifact, and custom, that you can switch between with the push of a button.
• The Fisher F22 has a large LCD display that shows all the information you need to identify and locate your targets, such as target-ID, target categories, depth indicator, battery level, sensitivity, and volume. It has a backlight for low-light conditions, and adjustable contrast for optimal visibility.
• The Fisher F22 is weatherproof, meaning it can withstand rain, snow, dust, and mud. You can use it in any environment without worrying about damaging it. The F22 also has a sealed control box and a waterproof speaker. The only part that is not weatherproof is the headphone jack, which is covered by a rubber cap when not in use.
• The Fisher F22 has a target-ID system with 4-tone audio, that indicates the conductivity and identity of the target. The higher the number, the more likely the target is a high-value metal, such as silver or gold. The F22 also has a 4-tone audio system that corresponds to the target categories: iron, foil, nickel, and coins.
• The Fisher F22 has a 9-inch concentric elliptical searchcoil, which is ideal for detecting metal targets on the surface and buried up to nine inches deep. It has a narrow width for better separation of targets in trashy areas, and a long length for wider coverage. The searchcoil is also weatherproof and submersible, so you can use it in shallow water.
• The Fisher F22 has a 5-year warranty period, which shows the confidence and quality of the Fisher brand. You can also get good customer service and support from the company if you have any issues or questions about the device.

Cons:

• The Fisher F22 is not very sensitive to detecting metal signals, especially for deeper targets. It operates at a frequency of 7.69 kHz, which is suitable for finding most types of metals, but not for finding gold nuggets or small items. You may need to adjust the sensitivity according to the ground conditions and your personal preference.
• The Fisher F22 has a VDI that is unstable for deeper targets. The VDI is a numerical value from 0 to 99 that indicates the conductivity and identity of the target. However, the VDI is all over the place on any target deeper than 2-3 inches, making it hard to identify the target accurately.
• The Fisher F22 has a preset ground balance, meaning it cannot adjust to the mineralization of the soil automatically. This may cause some false signals or interference from ground minerals, power lines, and other metal detectors. You may need to use the notch function to eliminate unwanted signals, but this may also reduce the detection depth and discrimination.
• The Fisher F22 has a limited battery life, compared to other metal detectors that use 4 AA batteries. The F22 uses 2 AA alkaline batteries, which can last up to 25 hours of continuous use. However, this may vary depending on the settings and usage of the device. The F22 also has a battery saving mode that automatically turns off the backlight after 5 seconds of inactivity, but this may not be enough to extend the battery life significantly.
• The Fisher F22 is not waterproof, meaning it cannot be submerged in water deeper than the searchcoil. The only part that is weatherproof is the searchcoil, which can be used in shallow water. The rest of the device, including the control box, the speaker, and the headphone jack, are not waterproof and can be damaged by water. You may need to use a protective cover or a waterproof case to protect the device from water damage.

Conclusion

The Fisher F22 is a weatherproof metal detector that can detect metal targets on the surface and buried up to nine inches deep. It has a 9-inch concentric elliptical searchcoil, a user-friendly interface with advanced settings, and a target-ID system with 4-tone audio. The F22 is suitable for beginners and experienced treasure hunters alike, as it can be used with its default turn-on-and-go settings, or customized to match your hunting conditions and preferences. The F22 is a versatile and reliable metal detector that can help you find treasures in any weather and terrain.