Fisher F11 Metal Detector Overview
The Fisher F11 runs at 7.69 kHz, and Fisher sets it up for coin shooting, jewelry, relic hunting and general-purpose detecting on dry land and dry sand. It has three search modes (Jewelry, Coin and Artifact) and notch discrimination by target category. Target ID appears as visual icons and segments rather than a number, with an Fe icon for iron, and a 4-tone audio system (bass, low, medium and high) reports iron with the low tone. Volume adjusts from 0 to 6 and sensitivity from 1 to 6, while ground balance is preset at the factory. A 6-segment coin depth bar shows how deep a coin-sized target sits, and a push-and-hold pinpoint gives a depth readout. The stock 7 inch elliptical searchcoil is waterproof, but the control box is not, so Fisher points to its optional rain cover for wet weather. The F11 weighs 2.3 lb (1.04 kg), runs 20 to 25 hours on one 9V alkaline battery, takes headphones with a 1/4 inch plug and carries a 2-year Fisher warranty. First Texas builds it in the USA.
Fisher F11 vs F22: Which Should You Buy?
The F11 and F22 share the 7.69 kHz frequency, the 2.3 lb (1.04 kg) weight, preset ground balance, a 1/4 inch headphone jack and the 2-year warranty. The F22 adds a fourth mode (Custom), a 1 to 99 numeric target ID, FeTone adjustable iron volume, 10 sensitivity levels and a weatherproof control box, and it comes with a 9 inch triangulated elliptical coil. It runs on two AA batteries for 25 to 30 hours instead of one 9V battery.
If you are buying a first detector for a child, or for occasional park and yard hunts in dry weather, the F11 covers it with the fewest controls. If you want a target number to learn from, plan to hunt in damp weather or work sites with more iron, we recommend the F22. One step further, the F44 adds manual and Ground Grab ground balance for mineralized soil, an All Metal mode and a backlit display.
Fisher F11, Best For:
- First-time buyers and kids who want three preset modes and a simple display
- Coin and jewelry hunting in parks, yards and school grounds, and on dry sand
- A light backup detector that runs on a single 9V battery
Fisher F22, Best For:
- Beginners who want a 1 to 99 numeric target ID to learn target values
- Hunting in damp weather with a weatherproof control box
- Sites with more iron, where FeTone lets you set how loud iron reports
Key Features That Matter in the Field
The three search modes are the main control on the F11. We recommend starting in Coin mode in a modern park or yard and switching to Artifact mode on older home sites and fields where relics are the goal. Notch discrimination works by target category, so you can drop a category you keep digging as trash instead of dialing a number. Because the F11 has no numeric ID, the icons, the segment display and the four tones do the work: a low tone with the Fe icon points to iron, and higher tones point to higher-conductivity targets. Sensitivity runs from 1 to 6. We recommend setting it where the detector runs quietly rather than at maximum, especially near power lines or another detector. Push and hold pinpoint to narrow down a target and read its depth before you dig, and keep a fresh alkaline 9V battery in your pouch, since Fisher recommends alkaline for the rated 20 to 25 hours.
Where the Fisher F11 Works Best and Its Limits
The F11 is built for parks, yards, school grounds, fairgrounds and dry beach sand, and at 2.3 lb (1.04 kg) it suits younger hunters. The waterproof coil can sweep damp grass and puddles, but the control box is not waterproof, so a rain cover or a dry day is the plan when weather turns. Ground balance is preset, so heavily mineralized soil and wet salt sand sit outside what the F11 is set up for. For hotter ground, the F44 adds manual and automatic ground balance. For saltwater beaches, see our beach metal detectors. For relic sites thick with iron, the 19 kHz Fisher F19 adds a 40-point iron discrimination scale.
Coils and Accessories That Fit the Fisher F11
The F11 shares its coil fit with the F22 and F44. The Fisher 11 inch DD elliptical waterproof coil is the step up for coverage, and we recommend a DD coil for mineralized or iron-heavy ground. The Fisher 11 inch concentric teardrop coil is the other larger option. Protect your coil with the 9 inch teardrop coil cover or the 11 inch teardrop coil cover, both listed for the F11, F22 and F44. For the shaft, the Fisher 26.5 inch replacement lower rod fits the F11, and the Anderson 12 inch carbon fiber lower rod is for detectors fitted with an Anderson shaft. The Fisher F11 digital manual is a free download. For recovery, add a pinpointer from our Fisher pinpointers.
Fisher F-Series Comparison: F11, F19, F22, F44 and F75
All five models share a waterproof stock coil, a 1/4 inch headphone jack and Fisher's 2-year warranty, and First Texas builds them in the USA. The differences are frequency, target ID, ground balance, weatherproofing, power and weight.
| Feature | Fisher F11 | Fisher F19 | Fisher F22 | Fisher F44 | Fisher F75 |
|---|
| Frequency | 7.69 kHz VLF | 19 kHz VLF | 7.69 kHz VLF | 7.69 kHz VLF | 13 kHz VLF |
| Search Modes | 3: Jewelry, Coin, Artifact | 2: All Metal, Discrimination | 4: Jewelry, Coin, Artifact, Custom | 5: Jewelry, Coin, Artifact, Custom, All Metal | Discrimination, Motion All-Metal, Static All-Metal (F75 LTD adds Boost and Cache) |
| Target ID | Visual icons and segments, no numeric ID | 1 to 99 numeric (40-point iron discrimination scale) | 1 to 99 numeric | 1 to 99 numeric | 0 to 99 numeric |
| Iron Audio | Iron reported with a low tone | FeTone, adjustable iron volume | FeTone, adjustable iron volume | FeTone, adjustable iron volume | FeTone: Off, Low, Medium, High |
| Ground Balance | Preset | Manual and automatic (Ground Grab) | Preset | Manual and automatic (Ground Grab) | FASTGRAB automatic with manual override |
| Sensitivity | 1 to 6 | Gain 1 to 100 (Discrimination), 5 to 100 (All Metal) | 10 levels | 1 to 20 | 0 to 99 |
| Backlight | No | Yes, 0 to 5 levels | No | Yes, 0 to 5 levels | Yes |
| Standard Coil | 7 inch elliptical, waterproof (11 inch DD on the F11 11DD) | 10 inch elliptical DD, waterproof (11 inch DD on the F19 11DD) | 9 inch triangulated elliptical, waterproof (spec sheet prints 7 inch) | 11 inch elliptical concentric or 11 inch DD, waterproof | 11 inch BiAxial DD, waterproof (F75 LTD adds a 5 inch coil) |
| Control Box | Not waterproof (optional rain cover) | Not weatherproof, optional rain cover (spec sheet; product page: weather-resistant) | Weatherproof, not submersible | Weatherproof, not submersible | Not submersible, no IP rating (spec sheet: not weatherproof; manual: not waterproof; product page: weather-resistant) |
| Power | 1 x 9V, 20 to 25 hours | 1 x 9V, 15 to 20 hours | 2 x AA, 25 to 30 hours | 2 x AA, 25 to 30 hours | 4 x AA, about 40 hours |
| Weight | 2.3 lb (1.04 kg) | 2.75 lb (1.25 kg) | 2.3 lb (1.04 kg) | 2.3 lb (1.04 kg) | 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) |
| Headphone Jack | 1/4 inch | 1/4 inch | 1/4 inch | 1/4 inch | 1/4 inch |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
Our Fisher metal detector buying guide compares the wider Fisher lineup, including the Gold Bug and water detectors.
Why Buy the Fisher F11 Metal Detector from Serious Detecting?
- Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Fisher F11 ships at no extra cost across the continental US.
- Authorized Fisher Dealer: Showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, full 2-year manufacturer warranty and product registration support.
- Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer setup, coil and Fisher F11 questions by phone or email.
