Fisher F22 vs. Garrett ACE 300: Which Metal Detector is Right for You?

When it comes to metal detecting, having the right tool can make all the difference in your treasure-hunting experience. Two popular options for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike are the Fisher F22 and the Garrett ACE 300. Both metal detectors offer a range of features designed to help users find buried treasures, whether you’re searching for coins, jewelry, or relics. However, each has its own unique set of capabilities that may make one more suitable for your needs than the other. In this guide, we’ll compare these two models in terms of design, ease of use, detection capabilities, and more, so you can make an informed decision about which metal detector is the best fit for you.

Fisher F22 Weatherproof Metal Detector

The Fisher F22 Weatherproof Metal Detector is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced treasure hunters. Designed with weatherproofing in mind, it allows you to search for coins, jewelry, and artifacts in various weather conditions, including rain. Its lightweight build (weighing only about 2 pounds) and ergonomic design make it comfortable to use for long periods, while the 9-inch waterproof coil ensures you can search in shallow water or wet soil without worry. One of its standout features is the advanced target ID system, which uses a 1-99 numeric display to help you quickly identify potential finds, whether they’re valuable metals or unwanted items. Additionally, the 4-tone audio system provides clear feedback for different types of metals, making it easier to distinguish between targets.

The Fisher F22 is easy to use, making it perfect for both adults and children, with simple controls like discrimination and pinpoint functionality. Customers have praised its ability to detect treasures buried deep underground, with some reporting success in finding small gold nuggets and relics. Its long battery life, lasting up to 30 hours, also adds to its appeal for extended hunting sessions. While it’s packed with features, it remains affordable compared to other high-performance models, offering excellent value for the price.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features:

1. Weatherproof design for use in various weather conditions.
2. Lightweight, ergonomic design with padded hand grip for comfort.
3. Advanced target ID system with a 1-99 numeric display.
4. 4-tone audio system for clear differentiation of metal types.
5. 9-inch waterproof concentric coil for effective detection in shallow water.

Pros:

1. Easy to use, even for beginners and children.
2. Accurate and reliable with advanced target identification.
3. Weatherproof, allowing use in any environment.
4. Lightweight and comfortable for extended use.
5. Great value for the price with excellent performance.

Cons:

1. Limited depth detection compared to higher-end models.

Garrett ACE 300 Metal Detector

The Garrett ACE 300 Metal Detector is an excellent choice for both beginners and those with a bit more experience in treasure hunting. With its advanced digital target ID system, it makes identifying different metals simple by displaying a numerical scale from 0 to 99, helping you understand the conductivity of the target. The detector also features improved iron resolution, which allows users to better differentiate between valuable targets and iron trash. Its electronic pinpointing mode, in combination with the non-motion all-metal mode, ensures accurate location of buried targets, adding to its precision. Furthermore, the adjustable frequency setting minimizes interference, ensuring a smooth detecting experience even in crowded areas.

Users have found the Garrett ACE 300 to be user-friendly, lightweight, and reliable, making it ideal for beginners. Many customers have praised its build quality and value for money, with some even mentioning it paid for itself after just one outing. Additionally, it comes with several helpful accessories, including the ClearSound Easy Stow Headphones, an ACE Environmental Cover-Up, and a searchcoil cover, enhancing its usability. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, its performance and price make it a great entry-level metal detector.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features:

1. Digital target ID with a 0-99 numeric scale for precise target detection.
2. Improved iron resolution for better separation of valuable metals and iron trash.
3. Electronic pinpointing for accurate target location.
4. Adjustable frequency to minimize interference in crowded areas.
5. Includes accessories like ClearSound headphones, environmental cover-up, and searchcoil cover.

Pros:

1. Easy to use, especially for beginners.
2. Lightweight and portable for long detecting sessions.
3. Accurate target identification and discrimination features.
4. Good value for money with included accessories.
5. Works well in both open fields and crowded environments.

Cons:

1. Limited depth detection compared to higher-end models.

Comparison: Fisher F22 vs. Garrett ACE 300 Metal Detector

When it comes to metal detectors, both the Fisher F22 and the Garrett ACE 300 offer impressive features at different price points. While both models cater to treasure hunters and beginners alike, they have unique strengths and are suited for different types of detecting needs.

1. Design and Build Quality

Both metal detectors are designed for easy handling and comfort, but they differ in their build and weight.

Fisher F22:

• Weight: Weighs approximately 2 pounds, which makes it lightweight and comfortable for extended use.
• Weatherproof: The Fisher F22 is a weatherproof detector, allowing it to be used in various weather conditions, including rain. This makes it more versatile for outdoor use, especially in areas with unpredictable weather.
• Coil: Comes with a 9-inch waterproof concentric coil, which is suitable for shallow water searches and provides good detection range.

Garrett ACE 300:

• Weight: Slightly heavier than the F22, but still manageable for most users, weighing around 2.5 pounds.
• Build: Though not entirely weatherproof, the ACE 300 is well-constructed for dry conditions and features durable components.
• Coil: The ACE 300 is equipped with a waterproof searchcoil, making it suitable for use in wet conditions, although it may not handle deep water submersion as well as the Fisher F22.

Feature	Fisher F22	Garrett ACE 300
Weight	2 pounds	2.5 pounds
Weatherproof	Yes	No
Coil Type	9-inch waterproof concentric	Waterproof searchcoil
Build Quality	Lightweight and durable	Lightweight and durable

2. Target Identification and Detection

Both detectors offer decent target identification capabilities, but they differ in their target ID systems.

Fisher F22:

• Target ID: Uses a 0-99 numeric target ID system, allowing for detailed target identification. It also features a 4-tone audio ID system for easier differentiation between metals.
• Pinpointing: Includes pinpoint mode to help you locate the target’s exact position.
• Iron Resolution: Has an advanced discrimination feature that helps distinguish between valuable metals and iron trash.

Garrett ACE 300:

• Target ID: Like the F22, it offers a digital target ID system ranging from 0 to 99. The target ID helps you identify the conductivity of metals for better target accuracy.
• Iron Resolution: The ACE 300 also features improved iron resolution, helping to separate valuable items from iron trash, which is critical when treasure hunting in areas with a lot of junk.
• Pinpointing: Features an electronic pinpointing system that aids in accurately locating objects.

Feature	Fisher F22	Garrett ACE 300
Target ID	0-99 numeric ID, 4-tone audio	0-99 numeric ID
Pinpointing	Yes, with pinpoint mode	Yes, with electronic pinpointing
Iron Resolution	Advanced discrimination	Improved iron resolution

3. Ease of Use and Comfort

For beginners or those looking for a straightforward metal detector, both the Fisher F22 and Garrett ACE 300 are user-friendly, but they differ in their ease of use.

Fisher F22:

• Ease of Use: The F22 is highly regarded for its simplicity. It is easy to set up and start using right out of the box, thanks to its intuitive controls.
• Comfort: The detector features a padded handgrip and arm cup, ensuring comfort during long detecting sessions. Its lightweight design contributes to overall comfort.

Garrett ACE 300:

• Ease of Use: The ACE 300 is similarly easy to use and features a simple control panel, but it does have more adjustable settings, such as frequency adjustments to reduce interference.
• Comfort: The ACE 300 has an ergonomic design, though the added weight (compared to the F22) might make it less comfortable for some users over extended periods.

Feature	Fisher F22	Garrett ACE 300
Ease of Use	Very easy to use, intuitive	Easy to use, with more adjustable settings
Comfort	Lightweight, padded grip	Ergonomic design, slightly heavier

4. Battery Life and Power Source

Both metal detectors rely on battery power, but they differ slightly in terms of longevity and power needs.

Fisher F22:

• Battery Life: The F22 boasts up to 30 hours of battery life, which is quite impressive for long treasure hunting sessions. This is especially beneficial for users who want to avoid frequent battery replacements.
• Power Source: Uses standard AA batteries, which are easy to replace and widely available.

Garrett ACE 300:

• Battery Life: The ACE 300 offers around 20-25 hours of use, which is a little less than the F22 but still enough for extended outings.
• Power Source: Also uses AA batteries, offering convenience in terms of finding replacements.

Feature	Fisher F22	Garrett ACE 300
Battery Life	Up to 30 hours	20-25 hours
Power Source	AA batteries	AA batteries

5. Accessories

Both detectors come with a set of accessories that add value to the purchase, making treasure hunting more convenient.

Fisher F22:

• Includes a padded arm cup and hand grip for comfort, as well as a weatherproof coil cover to protect the coil.

Garrett ACE 300:

• Comes with ClearSound Easy Stow Headphones for a better listening experience, an ACE Environmental Cover-Up to protect the detector, and a coil cover for durability.

Feature	Fisher F22	Garrett ACE 300
Included Accessories	Padded grip, arm cup, coil cover	Headphones, cover-up, coil cover

6. Value for Money

Both the Fisher F22 and Garrett ACE 300 are competitively priced for entry-level metal detectors, but they offer different levels of performance and features.

Fisher F22:

• Offers more weatherproofing and longer battery life. It is a great option for those who want a reliable detector that can handle various weather conditions without breaking the bank.

Garrett ACE 300:

• Although slightly less weatherproof, the ACE 300 offers a solid set of features, including adjustable frequencies and better iron resolution. Its included accessories, such as the headphones and environmental cover, add extra value.

FAQ

1. What is the main difference between the Fisher F22 and Garrett ACE 300?

The main difference lies in the Fisher F22’s weatherproof design and longer battery life, making it ideal for all-weather use. It also has a 9-inch waterproof coil, which is great for shallow water detecting. In contrast, the Garrett ACE 300 offers adjustable frequencies to reduce interference and comes with more accessories, including headphones and an environmental cover. The ACE 300 also features slightly better iron resolution for separating valuable metals from iron trash.

2. Which metal detector is better for beginners?

Both the Fisher F22 and Garrett ACE 300 are great for beginners, but the Fisher F22 stands out for its simplicity and weatherproof capabilities. Its lightweight design and easy-to-use features, like the 4-tone audio system and numeric target ID, make it very user-friendly for those just starting. However, the Garrett ACE 300 is also beginner-friendly, with easy controls and the added benefit of included accessories, like headphones, which can enhance the user experience.

3. Can the Fisher F22 and Garrett ACE 300 be used in the rain?

Yes, the Fisher F22 is fully weatherproof, meaning it can be used in the rain without issue. The Garrett ACE 300, on the other hand, is not fully weatherproof but comes with a waterproof searchcoil, allowing you to use it in wet conditions like shallow water or damp environments. However, it should not be submerged in deeper water like the F22 can be.

4. How deep can the Fisher F22 and Garrett ACE 300 detect targets?

The Fisher F22 can detect targets up to 9 inches deep, which is suitable for most surface-level and shallow targets. The Garrett ACE 300 can also detect targets at similar depths, but its performance may vary depending on soil conditions, with some users reporting slightly more difficulty in highly mineralized soils. Both detectors offer decent depth for entry-level models.

5. Are there any key accessories included with each metal detector?

Yes, both models come with essential accessories to enhance the user experience. The Fisher F22 includes a padded handgrip, arm cup, and a coil cover. On the other hand, the Garrett ACE 300 comes with ClearSound Easy Stow Headphones, an ACE Environmental Cover-Up, and a searchcoil cover, making it a better deal for those who want more accessories included in the package.

Conclusion

Both the Fisher F22 and Garrett ACE 300 are solid choices for anyone entering the world of metal detecting. If you prioritize a weatherproof design and long battery life, the Fisher F22 would be a better option, especially for outdoor enthusiasts who want a detector for all conditions. However, if you’re looking for a detector with better iron resolution and additional accessories like headphones, the Garrett ACE 300 offers great value.

Enjoyed this guide of Fisher F22 vs. Garrett ACE 300? Then be sure to check out our other metal detector guides.

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