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First Texas is the company that owns the Bounty Hunter, Fisher, and Teknetics metal detector brands. KInd of like Chevy and GM putting out similar models under different brands you can often find similar Fisher and Teknetic models. My choice for an affordable high performance all around VLF detector with an emphasis on gold prospecting has been and continues to be the Fisher Gold Bug Pro. Lightweight, inexpensive, hot on gold, and good and dealing with dense ferrous trash. Great for nugget detecting, plus relics, coins, jewelry, etc. Right now the Fisher Gold Bug Pro with 5" round DD coil sells for $649 online. The main problem with the Gold Bug Pro is it comes with the 5" round coil, which is a great little coil for sniping small areas, but no good for covering large areas. You can also buy the Gold Bug Pro with an 11" x 7" DD coil - it is the exact same detector but they call it the Gold Bug DP to indicate it comes with the larger coil. It also tacks $50 onto the price and so you see it online at $699. The problem even then is I think perhaps the best coil for all around nugget detecting with the Gold Bug Pro is the 10" x 5" elliptical. Great all around sensitivity, covers ground well, and pokes around in nooks and crannies without getting hung up like an open design coil. The problem? Fisher does not sell the Gold Bug Pro with just the 10" x 5" coil as stock. The only way to get it is as part of a dual coil package. That's fine but guess what - the price goes up another $50 and so you see the dual coil package advertised at $749 online. You can find more information on various Gold Bug versions past and present at this thread. It turns out the Gold Bug Pro is a great relic detector (Best Ever Made! according to Fisher) but the name was a problem. Overseas especially Gold Bug Pro is an odd name due to the "Bug" part not translating well, but it also says the machine is a gold prospecting detector and not a relic detector. Fisher sidestepped this initially by coming out with the Teknetics G2. This is the exact same detector as the Gold Bug DP above but with a different rod and grip assembly. OK, long lead in! Fisher took the 19 khz Gold Bug Pro and added a few features and called it the Fisher F19. This machine is marketed as a relic detector, but it is still the same 19 khz Gold Bug Pro under the hood. Extra features include: Adjustable volume, both master volume and ferrous volume. The Gold Bug Pro runs at max volume at all times. No volume control built in. The F19 adds a normal 1 - 10 volume control. It also adds a secondary 1 -10 control that only affects the ferrous 0 - 39 region of the id scale. So you can have gold nugget make a loud beep but a nail make a very soft ground. This is great when working in lots of ferrous trash as it lowers the barrages of ferrous signals. The Gold Bug Pro has a very loud external speaker, and the ability to lower the volume when working without headphones is welcome. Red meter backlight. The meter can be lit for low light conditions, with the red tone chosen to not affect your eyes low light capturing ability (same as in aircraft cockpits). The backlight is adjustable and can be turned off. Notch discriminate. A discriminate "window" can be created of variable size, and set to either "notch out" or "notch in" any certain segment of the target id scale. For instance a certain pesky pulltab reading can be individually blacked out. The Gold Bug Pro lacks this ability. But here is the big one - the F19 comes standard with the desired 10" x 5" elliptical DD coil! The catch is that the Fisher F19 normally sells for $799 though it has seen recent price reductions in some versions to $699. Still, at that price I still have in the past recommended the F19 as an option to the Gold Bug Pro due to the stock coil and extra features. Fisher Gold Bug Pro Owners Manual Fisher F19 Owners Manual First Texas just went ahead and made this all a real no-brainer. Until the end of November or until stocks run out you can now get the F19 for only $449. That is less than a Gold Bug Pro or even basic Gold Bug model sells for. For anyone interested in a Gold Bug Pro, this is a real bargain and an opportunity to pick up the extra features of the F19 at an actual savings over a Gold Bug Pro. Finally, the Teknetics G2+, which is exactly the same machine as the F19 but with a different rod assembly and coil (11" x 7" DD), can also be had now for only $449.

Hello everyone.----Steve, I respect your input & opinions--always have!----Here's a couple of questions I have for you.---Considering detector performance---With the Nokta Impact running at 20 kHz and the G2+/F-19 with their 19 kHz---IYO, which one of these detectors would give the best performance for hunting for (smallish) gold?-----Also, there has been a lot said (hype?) about the Impact with its 5, 14 & 20 kHz frequencies being able to replace other detectors running in that range.---A sort of "one for all" (if you will).-----Do you feel that could truly be the case?-------I said two questions---here's another one! What is your "overall" opinion of the Nokta Impact?-------Thanks--------------Del

Is there any usable difference with the Teknetics G2+ when used for nugget hunting?

When the Fisher F19 was first announced, the official flyer showed it in a standard black and gold color scheme. Then two "Limited Edition" camo versions were announced, green camo, and pink camo. There never yet has been an actual black and gold version you could buy. Frankly, I am not a fan of the camo. Mainly because you pay extra for it and I am not willing to pay extra just for a different paint job. So I was happy in January when Fisher announced: "The special camo used on the F19LTD was ordered in limited numbers and we are nearing the end of stock on those parts. New part number, F19 will replace the camo version and have a standard black finish with a stock white coil and be available at a lower cost. If you are a fan of the camo version, don’t wait too long, when they are gone, they are gone forever. Here are the prices for the F19: MSRP $799" That is $50 less than the camo version which has a MAP price of $799 so this black and gold version has a MAP price of $749. Only problem seems to be that the limited supply of camo units never seems to run out? I have yet to see anyone advertising the black and gold units for sale. Why do I even care? Because the F19 comes with the 10" x 5" coil stock, which you can only get as an accessory on the Gold Bug Pro. The Gold Bug Pro Dual Coil package with 5" round coil and 10" x 5" coil is $749. Now granted you get two coils, but I think you are better off getting the F19 with 10" x 5" coil instead for $749 because of the extra features like backlight, iron tone volume, notch discriminate, etc. I can't swear this makes it any better at finding gold but overall it is just a better all around detector than the Gold Bug Pro and getting rid of the camo makes the F19 at $749 the same price as the Gold Bug Pro dual coil package, also at $749. So do you want two coils, or extra features? The best way to learn the exact differences between the Gold Bug Pro and F19 is to study the owners manuals carefully. Fisher Gold Bug Pro Owners Manual Fisher F19 Owners Manual

The Fisher 5x10 DD coil hasn’t been my most favorite coil because, in my mind, it always seemed to be lacking something. I have suddenly found myself owning several different higher frequency detectors, each equipped with a 5x10 or 6x10 DD coil. As a result I have decided to spend some time bench marking this particular coil size. Is the Fisher 5x10 DD coil really lacking something or is its performance in line with other brands similar size and type coils. Since my 5x10 DD coil came with my Fisher F19, I have elected to stay with higher frequency detectors for my bench marking. Nothing lower than 15 kHz. This allowed me to use comparable detectors and coils; the F19 with 5x10 DD, the Lobo SuperTraq with 5x10 DD, the DFX with 6x10 Eclipse. The targets consist of a modern nickel, a clad dime, a very thin (the band is perhaps 5/32” wide by maybe a 1/16" thick), 18K white gold ring that a penny will fit perfectly inside, and two halves of a fired .177 lead pellet. I cut the pellet in two, separating it into the solid head, and the hollow tail. All detectors were tested in Disc mode: The F19 operates at 19 kHz and fitted with the stock 5x10 DD coil. The settings were Disc at 40, no notch, Volume at default, Sensitivity maxed out at 100. At this setting there is an ongoing threshold like response at fringe depth that can be heard in air tests for a couple of more inches than what I recorded. I do not consider this to be a true audio response and I ignored this response. The responses I used to measure with were what I considered a real audio response. In other words, it approximated a beep type response rather than a threshold like response. The Lobo Supertraq operates somewhere above 18 kHz and fitted with the stock 5x10 coil. There are apparently two versions out with slightly different operating frequencies above 18 kHz. I do not know which one mine is but I am assuming it is 18.75 kHz. Settings were Disc at 2 to reject iron, Normal Soil setting, and Sensitivity at 10. I did not go into the Max Boost Range. Threshold settings play no role in Disc mode. The Lobo ST has a great audio response at fringe depth. As you review the results, keep in mind that the Lobo ST still had the availability of the Max Boost sensitivity settings available for use. Note that the dime response is a little bogus as I have the preset ground balance in Disc mode set negative but it still shows coil performance similarities. The DFX was tested in the 15 kHz single frequency Prospecting mode with the 6x10 Eclipse with Silent Search turned on to remove the threshold response. Pre-Amp Gain at 3, AC Sensitivity at 64, tone Id turned on and iron discriminated out. As with the Lobo, there is additional sensitivity available for use. The AC settings were rather tame but I wanted a rock solid response. The results of the bench marking told me that the 5x10 DD coils tested share the same basic performance and that my Fisher 5x10 DD is operating as it should be. This has increased my trust and understanding of the coil. Or should I say I feel more comfortable using the coil now. I'll add the GoldStrike 5x10 DD coil results to the mix tomorrow. HH Mike

Hi Steve, maybe you can clear something up for me. I recently sold my GB Pro in anticipation of buying a Nokta Racer or Gold Racer. I wanted a coin and relic machine that would be a back-up for my Deus, a spare detector for guests, yet also function as a VLF gold nugget machine for areas too trashy for my GPX 4500. I thought from early reports the Nokta machines would fit the bill. It seemed to be a turn on and go detector with many attributes a coin and relic hunter yearns for. It also has 3 tones(important to me for times when coin hunting is the only detecting available) which my GB Pro lacked. Just recently on Tom's forum there was a video posted, kind of a shoot out between the F19 and Racer. In it the Racer VID's almost every high tone target at 82-84, regardless of composition or shape. What is the sense in having a nice big VID display if it calls everything the same number? Did you find this to be so in your evaluation? Does the Fors Core also lump many targets into a small VID window? I already own one VLF detector that you must audibly discriminate every target because the VID is poor. I was hoping to purchase a detector with better VID than the Deus yet still perform well in coin, relic, and prospecting applications. After watching that video I must question if I lent the Racer to a newbie if they would not just end up with a pocketful of aluminum when coin shooting. I know there is no perfect detector for all uses. Also this is only one video and opinions can be manipulated although I don't think this videographer has an agenda other than providing info to help people. I am just wondering if this VID lumping is a deal breaker for me.

Should I worry about using my F19 in the rain?

I got my hands on a prototype of the new Fisher F75 and was very impressed with the improved EMI (ElectroMagnetic Interference) resistance more than anything. I also liked the new ferrous tones option that allows the operator to set the volume of the ferrous tone lower than the tone from non-ferrous targets. This makes the non-ferrous targets stand out better and is less fatiguing to listen to. The new FA fast mode is something I do not need as much as some people. It is intended to improve separation of adjacent items while detecting. For me I had sold my previous F75 for no other reason than EMI issues and let it go in favor of my Gold Bug Pro, which is exactly the opposite when it comes to EMI. The big attraction for me in the new F75 is the EMI resistance. I had to send the prototype back but was told I would see a production unit eventually. I must have been last on the list because it kept not showing up. Questions raised in the meantime really got me to wondering about things, so while I was waiting I found a deal on a never used 2013 F75Ltd version 7.0A. I figured it would give me a baseline for comparisons to the new unit when and if it ever arrived. Recent posts also got me wondering about the new Fisher F19, and on an impulse I picked up one of those also in like new condition. So I am sitting around playing with these two detectors when my new 2015 F75Ltd2 shows up a few days ago. Only one problem. The ground is frozen here. Now, I would love to say I went out and tested the heck out of these three detectors, head to head, under stringent test conditions, witnessed, verified, and on video. Given the circumstances it seems almost criminal not to. The reality is however that I am about burned out on the whole Fisher upgrade saga and just wanted to make a personal decision and move on. I do not feel like waiting around for the ground to thaw. The F19 is a sweet little detector and does hit tiny low conductors better than the F75. The new F75 seems just marginally better than the 2013 F75 in that regard but still not as good as the F19. Since I have other machines that trump them all for small gold I decided what really mattered to me was larger item performance and overall features so the F19 got kicked to the curb. My only real issue at that point was trying to determine if there was anything about the old F75 versus new F75 that would make me hesitant to upgrade. Again, I wish I could give you some kind of in depth report but I think I have learned my lesson reporting on machines where I have got one for free (sort of). The extra effort is kind of wasted so all that really matters is satisfying myself. I bench tested as best I could and the simple take away for me once again is the new F75 is remarkably more stable and interference free at higher gain levels than the old F75. I noted no significant loss of depth in all metal mode or anything else to cause me concern. I may very well have missed something, not saying I did not but it does look like I got a properly functioning F75Ltd2. I have decided I am happy with the new detector and that it is time to move on. I am getting pretty busy with getting ready for the prospecting season and in fact am headed to BLM right now to spend the day on claims research. So for what it is worth it is new F75Ltd2 for me. If anyone is interested in like a like new F19 or F75Ltd they are both for sale at http://www.detectorprospector.com/forum/classifieds/ The F19 I am including my 5" and 11" DD coils from my Gold Bug Pro that I held onto just in case the F19 ended up being the keeper. They can go now also. It really for anyone interested comes down to Fisher F19 vs Fisher F75Ltd2. From a prospecting perspective it is a no-brainer. The F19 is everything a Fisher Gold Bug Pro is along with some extra features like a backlight some people may like. It would be a bit better than a Gold Bug Pro at getting nuggets out of a pile of nails. The key issue is the F19 comes with the coil the Gold Bug Pro should come with but does not - the 5" x 10" DD coil. To get a Gold Bug Pro with that coil will cost you almost as much as just getting the F19 anyway, so I would tend to push people towards the F19 over the Gold Bug Pro for that very reason alone. I also for gold prospecting would recommend the Gold Bug Pro or F19 over the F75. These two models are slightly hotter on little gold nuggets than the F75 and for quite a bit less money do everything a gold prospector might want. So why am I going with the F75 myself? The reality for me is I have other detectors I will use if I am chasing small gold nuggets. They would be the Fisher Gold Bug 2 for low mineral ground and Minelab SDC 2300 for high mineral ground. Having these two detectors makes my having the F19 or Gold Bug Pro overly redundant. What I am more interested in is a good VLF for looking for larger gold nuggets in trashy tailings and cobble piles using a larger coil. The F75 is slightly better suited for this task than the F19 or Gold Bug Pro but more importantly for me it is also a good urban coin and jewelry detector, especially with the new resistance to electrical interference. It used to be the big weakness in the F75 was urban use, and all of the sudden that is now a strong point for the machine. I am glad to have put that all aside as the whole F75 thing has been dragging on for far longer than it should have. As seems to be usual for Fisher these days they need a bit of time to sort things out when they release a new model or even an upgrade to an old model. At this point it is probably safe for anyone wanting a new F75Ltd2 to get one or if they have an older model and want to have it upgraded I also think things seem to be sorted out on that end also. Those who are interested in upgrades can get details at http://www.fisherlab.com/hobby/upgrade.htm

Steve, I just watched Keith Southern's video on the F19: That unit is a definite performer at 19 kHZ, great V-break, hot with a 5 x 10" DD coil and good air sensitivity. When will you be getting one for gold prospecting? Bill

Anyone have any info on the F19 as a prospecting Detector, heard that it was an updated Gold Bug Pro?

Hello all, I got out today with the F-19 to detect bedrock in a creek that has been producing the last few weeks. I had an issue losing the ground balance when I put the coil underwater. I don't know if it was the temperature of the water or the sheer amount of hematite that was lodged in the bedrock. Once I was over a target I did get a good response. The hematite showed up from 85 to 95 on the big screen number. The gold was right where it was suppose to be, 40 to 50 and no ferrous bars. I ended up with ten small pieces. The weight was two grams or 1.29 pennyweight for Shep... Thanks, TRINITYAU/RAYMILLS

Hello all, I was able to get out with the Fisher F-19 for a few more days. I am using it in the Redding area of Northern California. Local results may vary depending on your location. This is by no means a technical paper, just the differences that I see between the F-19 and the GB Pro. The F-19 comes with a ten inch elliptical coil that is stock. The GB Pro comes with a five inch round coil that is stock. Both coils are very sensitive to sub-grain pieces of gold. I prefer the ten inch coil over the five inch coil because it will cover more ground in less swings. It will also fit into crevices better. I have not noticed any difference in the effect of EMI or ground noise on either coil. I did not notice any false signals from either detector. To me Pin-Pointing appears to be a quicker process with the ten inch coil. I feel that the tip of the ten inch coil is more sensitive than the rest of the coil.This applies to both units. The control boxes on both units appear to be the same, however there are differences. If I were to use the F-19 to detect for gold I would use the same settings that I use on the GB Pro. The difference that I noticed with the F-19 is that I can turn the gain up to about the two o’clock position and maintain a steady and even threshold. With the GB Pro I could only go up to about the eleven o’clock position and maintain a steady threshold. Both of these scenarios are without headphones. When using headphones I was able to set the Gain to the maximum setting on both detectors. I like to use both of these detectors without headphones because I can hear sub-grain pieces when both are set to the above Gain settings. I come across lots of rattlesnakes in my area so I like to hear all around. Because I can set the gain a bit further on the F-19 it seems to be just a tad more sensitive. I say a tad because it is almost not noticeable I don’t know why this is occurring as I was told that this was not one of the improvements or additions. The other difference is the signals are softer and I was not getting the loud audible on trash with the F-19 that I was getting with the GB Pro. Both units have continuous ground condition readout. Both units are 19 kHz operating frequency. Both units show ground phase values indicating the amount of mineralization. Both units have computerized Ground Grab. The F-19 has a manual override. The F-19 is recommended for: Relic, Beach, Coin and Gold. GB Pro is recommended for: Gold The F-19 offers a Menu on the screen. Both units weigh in at 2.5 pounds, and are considered Ultra Lightweight. Both units have Static pinpoint with depth indicator. The F-19 has a Backlight display. Both units will accept headphones. The GB Pro has a variable Break point tone discrimination system, TM The F-19 has an enhanced Break point tone discrimination system, TM. The F-19 has Notch Window with Adjustable Notch Width. Both have independent control of Threshold and Gain The F-19 will Ground balance all the way to Salt. The F-19 has unmatched Target Separation in Iron and Trash. The F-19 has an Adjustable Iron Audio. The GB Pro has VCO Audio in All Metal and Discrimination modes. The last five items that are bold and underlined are added features for the F-19. These items increase the effectiveness of this unit when used in the Relic, Beach or Coin mode. These items vary with the GB Pro. Overall, the F-19 appears to be just a GB Pro in camo with a ten inch coil. However, the additions shown above can be favorable for the gold prospector. When detecting for gold in high trash areas or tailing piles the F-19 may be better fit for the job. Remember the F-19 is not being touted as a gold machine. It is a Relic, Beach and Coin machine. I consider it a great crossover unit. The F-19 comes in Green Camo and Pink Camo. I opted for the Green Camo as it was the better choice for me. I believe there would be a change in my performance and concentration if I had gone pink… Thanks, TRINITYAU/RAYMILLS

New post on Fisher's Facebook page - notice the 6x10 elliptical coil. Fisher Research Labs about an hour ago Our new Fisher F19 models on display at IWA in Nuremberg Germany! The F19 will come in pink camo, green camo and fisher gold. Stay tuned for more information, these things are going to be AWESOME relic hunters!