Product Comparison: Garrett Ace 250 vs Fisher Labs F2

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Best Pick

Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector with Submersible Search Coil

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Fisher Labs F2 Metal Detector Pinpointer Kit

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General Specifications

Brand

Garrett

Fisher Labs

Model

Ace 250

Origin

USA

About the Product

Pinpointing with the ACE 250 Pinpointing is one of the most important, but simple to learn, techniques you need when treasure hunting. Knowing how to pinpoint correctly can mean the difference between digging a six-inch hole or a 2-inch plug.

The Fisher F2 is one of the top selling, entry level metal detectors.

Key Specs

Circuitry Type

VLF

Type

Ground

Operation Mode

All-Metal and Discriminate

Search Coil Type

Concentric

Search Coil Size

6.5" x 9"

Adjustment Length

42" to 51"

Fixed length

Search Coil Type
Search Coil Size

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector with Submersible Search Coil

It's a very simple machine compared to the other more expensive models and that's definitely needed for just starting out.
Great detector for the money. Very sensitive unite, and great for beginners. It is fun right outta the box.
Very sensitive detector. Stock coil is sweet. Detects easily to 6~8 inches, deeper in optimal soil conditions.
Coil went bad after only a few uses. The thing pings metal all over the place (including the air). Reset it twice, but nope it's a bad coil. Checked forums about this and it seems like I'm not the only one who has had this problem.
The only issues are the plastic coil cover has an extremely tight fit. I had to pry it off with a flat blade. The weather cover comes up short when trying to velcro it together.

Fisher Labs F2 Metal Detector Pinpointer Kit

The package I bought came with two coils 4" and 8", and a pinpointer. The 8" coil is a good everyday coil, while the 4" works well in small areas or areas with a lot of junk/trash.
The 4" sniper coil is my favorite of the two but the 8" works very well for covering ground fast.
This is my first metal detector. It came with both the 8 and 4 inch coils, headphone, and hand held pinpointer.. Both work well, the 4 inch seems to be more accurate at reading what's down there, but both work very well.
The refresh rate is almost as fast as you can swing the coil back and forth as well.
The sniper coil is OK. Just go VEEEERRRRYYY SLOW and you will find things.

Size & Weight

Height

22.1 in.

21.2 in.

Width

11.1 in.

14 in.

Depth

5.2 in.

7 in.

Weight

2.7 lbs.

2.6 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector with Submersible Search Coil

Detector is very light. Almost comically light. Both me and my wife are able to use it for hours without arm strain or fatigue.
Light weight perfect fit for a cruise ship vacation
it worked as described is very accurate, light weight and ,so far batteries have lasted. I am glad i chose Garrett.
The weight is nicely balanced making it easier to handle all day.

Fisher Labs F2 Metal Detector Pinpointer Kit

The machine is very light and well built so I don't understand why they didn't have that piece aluminum like the rest of it.
Very light works well in most ground except salt water beach ... Just keep it in the dry sand.
When you're using it alot, your very glad it is that light.
Easy to use very light weight made well, I am very pleased with this choice.

Detection

Operation Frequency

6.5 kHz

5.9 kHz

Detection Modes

All Metal, Jewelry, Custom, Relics, Coins, Pinpoint

Pinpoint

Detection Depth

Coins: up to 10 in., Big objects: 24 in.

Sensitivity

8 adjustments

5 adjustments

Ground Balance

Preset Ground Balance

Sensitivity
Ground Balance

What customers say about "Detection"

Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector with Submersible Search Coil

This model was much more sensitive than his previous one, it has settings to filter out metal types so you can narrow down your search.
It's got multiple detection modes, has the ability to change sensitivity and discrimination, displays depth of the find and has the various sounds for the types of metals detected.
First day I received this amazing tool, I took it out into the backyard just to see if it worked. The first thing I found and dug up was a 1980's McDonald's foil lined ketchup packet 6" deep. This thing WORKS.
My favorite feature is the pinpointer. It has saved me lots of digging time.
The pinpoint feature works well, but the artifact depth indication is usually inaccurate. Overall, this detector does a great job of locating artifacts.

Fisher Labs F2 Metal Detector Pinpointer Kit

I think this machine is detecting depths the same as a 500 dollar machine. Now this machine is no AT PRO but Im sure it will give it a run for its money.
It was pretty easy to use. Our first day out we found a nickle, a dog tag, a rusty tent spike and some bottle caps at our local dog beach. Not a huge treasure to be sure but it was fun.
It is designed to detect all metals, with features such as; discriminate, notch, item depth, and sensitivity controls.
It is a good detector. If you are wanting to get into detecting. My advice would be to bypass an entry level detector.
It's a toy. I thought I would get some depth 3 inches is a toy. I imagine that in this price range it's what you get.

Features

Display

LCD display without backlit

Audio Identification

2-Tone

4-Tone Audio-ID

Target Depth Indicator

Yes

Digital Target ID

12 segments

8-Segment

Accessories Included

Batteries

2x 9 volt alkaline batteries

Water Resistance

Waterproof coil

Extras

Electronic pinpointing, Accept/Reject Discrimination, Continuous Coin Depth Indicator, Interchangeable ACE series searchcoils, Expanded Target ID Legend, Pushbutton Controls, Adjustable arm cuff, Quarter-inch (1/4") size headphone jack

Ergonomic S-Handle design, Notch system for accepting or rejecting target categories

What customers say about "Features"

Garrett Ace 250 Metal Detector with Submersible Search Coil

The pinpoint feature was most impressive showing me EXACTLY where the plunge my plastic scoop. 9 out of 10 times, I was right on with the first scoop.
Using this detector is extremely intuitive. Garrett has definitely invested time in engineering and provided an easy to use button layout and an easy to understand display.
My first "real" detector. Takes a bit of practice but very easy to use. Extremely sensitive. Pinpoint feature is very handy. A coin MAGNET! Love it!
The discrimination feature is helpful when trying to target items in areas with a lot of buried trash.
The Ace 250 came with a DVD that really helps get to started quickly. I have had a lot of fun with this already, and am really pleased with the purchase.

Fisher Labs F2 Metal Detector Pinpointer Kit

What I like about this F2 feature is that it allows you to learn from your machine.
The f2 is packed with features for an entry level machine.The numeric target id is very handy once you become familiar with the machine.
You get your signal with the detector, use the pinpoint feature on it, find the area your item is in, drop to a knee, turn on the pin pointer, and the rod on the end of it is sturdy enough to stab right into the ground.
The Fisher F-2 is just such a great machine, the different sounds help me when i am not looking at the screen.
One of the plastic clips that hold the batteries in place broke after about half a dozen uses. And now I have to jerry rig something just to get the machine to turn on.

Power

Batteries

4 AA

Double 9V battery

Battery Indicator

Yes