Fisher Impulse AQ (formerly Aqua Manta) Pulse Induction Metal Detector

[Noah (FL)]

11 hours ago, SLGuin said:

Steve,

What if Garrett and Minelab were spurred to the action you note?

 

Garrett’s response to these new machine rumors appears to have been sending the “HooverBoys” a few ATXs.  They have been releasing youTube vids the last 2-3 weeks with nothing but ATX relic hunting.  If they are pushing those machines it’s doubtful anything new is in the pipeline 

[Guest]

21 hours ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Since the Impulse AQ does not have the capability to handle extreme ground / hot rocks I would be happier with a Garrett ATX in a good ergonomic package.

This has been circling in mind. Is it because it does not ground balance, or is there more to it? The ground is generally milder where I live, it is more discrete sites that make VLF work poorly. Trying to figure out the puzzle of this, and a decent strategy. Things like EMI, bad ground, extreme nails, nearby airports, and unknown factors make some sites challenging even in general geographic areas thought to be mild. 

[Guest]

12 hours ago, Noah (FL) said:

Garrett’s response to these new machine rumors appears to have been sending the “HooverBoys” a few ATXs.  They have been releasing youTube vids the last 2-3 weeks with nothing but ATX relic hunting.  If they are pushing those machines it’s doubtful anything new is in the pipeline 

Noah,

Thanks for bringing this up. It is easy to see how you reached your conclusion, but there was a further lesson for me or rather a concept I am working on for this season. In those videos, the narrator brings up again and again how many of those finds should have been found by the many VLF machines run over them. That those targets, and that many, are still there in a well hunted site leads to another possible conclusion. PI is finding something that VLF does not. I say possible because there is no way for us to know the whole story, but possible nonetheless. No way I am buying an ATX, but the idea stands.

Masking. That is my sense of it. Masking by what is another story, but as a central umbrella theme. Why would silver like that not be hit by any half decent VLF?  Not just there, but lots of places probably. Those boys worked for it though. That is a lot of digging, more than most would do, but it shows the concept. This is what I am going to work on this year, strategies for masking.

It leaves me to wonder how many good targets that should have been in range I have walked over with absolutely no idea. Sometimes we know we are losing depth or our detector will not run stable, but there are times too when we have no idea at all. If ignorance is bliss I should be the happiest guy in town.

S

[Steve Herschbach]

2 hours ago, SLGuin said:

This has been circling in mind. Is it because it does not ground balance, or is there more to it? The ground is generally milder where I live, it is more discrete sites that make VLF work poorly. Trying to figure out the puzzle of this, and a decent strategy. Things like EMI, bad ground, extreme nails, nearby airports, and unknown factors make some sites challenging even in general geographic areas thought to be mild. 

The Fisher Impulse AU apparently ground balances but the current system does not have enough range to deal with serious ground and hot rocks. This has been stated repeatedly by the sources. It appears instead that the ground balance system is tied more to discrimination than dealing with extreme ground or hot rocks. We simply won’t know for sure where the line is until enough people try it. But there is a reason this is being aimed at the beach market only. Anyone thinking inland is going beyond the intended use and really can’t complain if it turns out to be no good for those uses. They are explicitly saying they are still working on inland models for future release. So jump early and you may be selling and getting the more appropriate model later. People buying for beach use only need not be concerned as much, though Hawaii comes to my mind as a location where I have wanted a robust ground balance to deal with basalt rocks embedded in blond sand.

Luckily I am in no rush. I am content with what I have already. It will sort out.

[Steve Herschbach]

17 hours ago, Noah (FL) said:

Garrett’s response to these new machine rumors appears to have been sending the “HooverBoys” a few ATXs.  They have been releasing youTube vids the last 2-3 weeks with nothing but ATX relic hunting.  If they are pushing those machines it’s doubtful anything new is in the pipeline 

And I see signs of just the opposite. John in Edmonton NEVER speaks of anything but Garrett. Ever. His blood runs green. So what to make of this post he made recently.

”But......are there more coming from other manufacturers?”

Looks like a heads up to me from a guy who knows something but can’t say. I’ve done that in the past for people with eyes to see. Another interpretation of the videos is they are pushing the ATX to clear inventory ahead of a release. It just depends how you want to spin it. I sure am not going to hold my breath though. Been doing that for years and I just don't have the lung capacity anymore! 

I can’t say much for Garrett’s VLFs but the ATX is a decent multichannel PI and Brent Weaver is a brilliant engineer. I would not count them out.

[Guest]

Thanks Steve,

I have been paying less attention to the new Impulse. The debate has been going on a while, and looks to continue a while more. Like you, I am content with what I have and am sort of watching it with one eye while looking for little clues for what I will do with what I have. You are a powerful resource, thanks for being out there.

S

[BeachHunter]

On 3/12/2019 at 2:57 PM, phrunt said:

Looks like the Americans are fighting back, this can only mean good things for everybody.  Some healthy competition is always welcome.  I've always pinned my hopes on Fisher.

I will be watching with a keen eye at their new gold detector.

I’m interested in the new gold detector as well. Good luck Fisher!

[Guest]

Does Fisher have a new gold detector coming out too? I am really out of touch here. 

[Noah (FL)]

8 hours ago, Steve Herschbach said:

And I see signs of just the opposite. John in Edmonton NEVER speaks of anything but Garrett. Ever. His blood runs green. So what to make of this post he made recently.

”But......are there more coming from other manufacturers?”

Looks like a heads up to me from a guy who knows something but can’t say. I’ve done that in the past for people with eyes to see. Another interpretation of the videos is they are pushing the ATX to clear inventory ahead of a release. It just depends how you want to spin it. I sure am not going to hold my breath though. Been doing that for years and I just don't have the lung capacity anymore! 

I can’t say much for Garrett’s VLFs but the ATX is a decent multichannel PI and Brent Weaver is a brilliant engineer. I would not count them out.

That definitely is interesting!!!! 

ATX is an excellent machine having used a friends a few times water hunting but like you I have no desire to tote around 5+ lb machines.  

All about the technology bringing us ultra light tools!!!!