Fisher 1280X Aquanaut Submersible Metal Detector with 10" Concentric Coil

The Fisher 1280X, also known as the Aquanaut, is a fully submersible VLF metal detector waterproof to 250 feet, built for underwater coin shooting, relic hunting, and diving in freshwater lakes, surf zones, and dive sites. This version ships with the larger 10-inch concentric coil, which covers more ground per sweep and reaches a little deeper on open bottoms than the 8-inch, making it a strong pick for open beaches, sand flats, and lake beds. It runs at a low 2.4 kHz with automatic ground handling, so it stays simple and stable as you move from dry sand to full submersion. It is one of the best-value underwater and waterproof metal detectors for freshwater, general beach, and dive hunting.

What's included

• Fisher 1280X detector with waterproof control housing
• 10-inch concentric fully submersible search coil
• Fisher submersible headphones
• Two-year Fisher manufacturer warranty

Why hunters choose the 1280X

• Turn on and go. Automatic ground handling manages soil transitions from dry sand to full submersion with no manual tuning, so you spend time hunting, not calibrating.
• Waterproof to 250 feet. The entire unit, control box, shaft, coil, and headphones, is sealed for full submersion, which puts real diving within reach at this price.
• More coverage from the 10-inch coil. The larger coil sweeps more ground and reaches a bit deeper on open bottoms, ideal for clearing wide beaches, flats, and lake beds.
• Full-range discrimination. Reject iron and foil while accepting coins and jewelry, cutting dig time on trashy swim beaches and busy surf zones.
• Long runtime. Up to 75 hours on alkaline batteries, so you carry fewer spares on multi-day trips.

Where the 1280X with a 10-inch coil performs best

Open beaches, sand flats, and surf

The 10-inch coil is at its best on wide, open ground where coverage and depth matter more than tight separation. The waterproof housing and submersible coil handle wave splash and full immersion, and the discrimination circuit filters bottle caps and pull tabs so you are not chasing every piece of aluminum in the trough.

Freshwater lakes and river bottoms

Hunting swim areas, boat ramps, and old bridge pilings, the low 2.4 kHz frequency penetrates silt and clay without losing depth. Our team has pulled silver coins from muddy lake beds where higher-frequency machines chatter on mineralization, and the turn-on-and-go operation means no ground balancing every time the bottom shifts from sand to clay.

Scuba diving and deep-water wrecks

Rated to 250 feet, the 1280X is one of the few deep-water and dive metal detectors that can work wreck sites and offshore structure beyond recreational dive limits. The submersible headphones deliver clear audio at depth, and the visual meter backs you up when regulator or current noise masks the tone.

Which coil should you choose, 8 inch or 10 inch?

Both are genuine 1280X waterproof coils. Pick by where you hunt.

Consideration	8-inch coil	10-inch coil (this page)
Ground coverage	Less per sweep	More per sweep
Depth on open ground	Good	Slightly deeper
Maneuverability in trash	Better separation	Bulkier in tight trash
Best for	Trashier sites, tight spots, pier pilings	Open beaches, flats, lake and dive bottoms

Short version: choose the 10-inch coil for open ground and maximum coverage, or the 8-inch coil for trashier, tighter sites. For heavy saltwater surf where stability matters most, consider the dual-frequency Fisher CZ-21.

Specifications

• Operating frequency: 2.4 kHz
• Coil: 10-inch concentric (submersible)
• Waterproof rating: 250 feet (76 meters)
• Discrimination: VLF full-range adjustable
• Battery life: Up to 75 hours (alkaline)
• Audio: Submersible headphones included
• Target response: Audio and visual meter
• Country of manufacture: USA (Texas)
• Warranty: Two years

Why buy from Serious Detecting

As an authorized Fisher dealer, every 1280X ships with an authentic serial number and the full two-year Fisher warranty backed by Fisher's US support. Our team runs Fisher metal detectors in surf zones and freshwater sites across the country and stocks replacement coils and accessories for the 1280X line. Free shipping, 30-day returns, and a price-match guarantee.