Fisher Impulse AQ Limited - First Impression

[Steve Herschbach]

Wow! That's my first impression. Wow!

It showed up today in a large box. The detector is fully assembled, simply broke into two halves in the box and packaged up well with headphones separate. That ends up making for a large box, about three feet tall. Only things missing is an owners manual (not ready yet) and a coil scuff cover (don't know if there is one).

Fisher Impulse AQ Limited arrived in box

The label on the side - I paid for an extra battery

People, I am used to using machines like the GPZ 7000 and Garrett ATX or GPX 5000, or SDC 2300. This detector by comparison is like holding an F75, light weight, and perfectly balanced. The grip is really nice. Love at first sight and especially first heft!

Steve Herschbach Fisher Impulse AQ Limited

Quick first impressions. The coil is much lighter than I thought it would be looking at it. It has that heavy epoxy look in pictures, but it is lighter and smaller in real life than I was anticipating. I'll have no problem with this in the water - I've run a CTX 3030 with 17" coil for full days at neck depths. This will be a piece of cake by comparison, especially as regards water resistance. The coil cable is far more supple than I thought it would be. Looks very stiff in the pics, but is very flexible in real life. The over-sized plastic connector to the back of the pod is unique, never seen one like that before, but clicks nicely into place. The power cable is smaller and more supple also than I thought it would be. I'm just too used to huge detectors. This thing - 4 lbs 5.3 ounces on my postal scale.

Performance will wait, but this detector looks and feels great. Once the battery and cable gets the do-over, this will be a real home run. But as is, very finished in feel and appearance. Well done, could not be happier at this point. 

Plan is to go up to Tahoe on Monday for the inaugural run. I have no plans to run to the coast any time soon so those wanting saltwater answers should not be looking to me for them. Maybe someday. If you have other questions, ask on the forum. There is nothing I will say privately that is any different than what I will say publicly. I have no secrets, and sending me a PM or an email will get a "post the question on the forum" response. I'll warn you all right now though that I got this detector to go detecting, so wish lists for tests and videos and whatever... we will see. My plan is basically go do my thing and share any thoughts I have; job one for me is go detecting!

[The Seeker]

Congrats on getting your new toy Steve. The grip on the AQ is it bigger (circumference) or smaller compared to Equinox. Looking forward to seeing your finds with this bad boy.

[Badger-NH]

That's different, how the cable passes over the center of the coil like that.  Is there a reason why they made it that way?

[GB_Amateur]

I'm looking forward to the reviews by you and others.  Glad it's met your expectations so far.  Personally I'm anxious to read your experiences nugget detecting on dry land, but no rush on my part.  (I suspect you're pretty motivated to get to that task, anyway.  😁)

 

[Rivers rat]

I knew you were getting one!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

RR

[Steve Herschbach]

2 hours ago, Badger-NH said:

That's different, how the cable passes over the center of the coil like that.  Is there a reason why they made it that way?

Good question, I do not know. It is odd, but do not see an issue for water use. The gold prospecting model - I shove coils forward hard to get under brush. Bad location for that, I would have to reverse the coil in those instances, and being rear mounted would limit how flat to the ground I could get the rod.

The Equinox grip and AQ are both about 4 3/4” around. But the Equinox is near round 1.4“ x 1.5” and hard.

The AQ grip is reminiscent of the F75, larger at base, taper to center, slight flare again at top, and with some forward curvature, 1.06” x 1.68” and padded. Basically the difference between holding a sculpted custom grip and a post. World of difference, in AQs favor. But need I remind everyone grips are like shoes, what fits me may not fit you.

[Steve Herschbach]

7 minutes ago, GB_Amateur said:

I'm looking forward to the reviews by you and others.  Glad it's met your expectations so far.  Personally I'm anxious to read your experiences nugget detecting on dry land, but no rush on my part.  (I suspect you're pretty motivated to get to that task, anyway.  😁)

Planning water hunts in coming week. Bad timing, doctor appointment Tuesday, cataract surgery. May take it easy Wednesday also. One eye done already so not that concerned about it, just being cautious. Plan is head to desert the following week with AQ and new Tarsacci to try salty nugget location.

[ALEXANDRE TARTAR]

16 minutes ago, Badger-NH said:

That's different, how the cable passes over the center of the coil like that.  Is there a reason why they made it that way?

The main reason is related to technology, I can't really say more.
The secondary reason is related to water sweeping and electrical stability.

[GaryC/Oregon Coast]

What's the 2X Battery on the box mean?  GaryC/Oregon Coast

[Steve Herschbach]

I ordered a spare battery - two batteries.