Fisher F19 Coin and Relic Metal Detector with 10 Inch DD Coil

The Fisher F19 is optimized for coins, relics, and small gold nuggets in mineralized soil and iron-trashy sites. The 19 kHz operating frequency gives you better sensitivity to low-conductivity targets (colonial-era coins, brass buttons, small gold) than lower-frequency detectors, and the 40-point iron discrimination scale lets you reject nails and fence staples without losing mid-conductor keepers. We've used the F19 successfully on Civil War camp relics, old homestead sites, and beach dry sand for jewelry. For modern clad coins in parks, browse our best metal detectors for coins guide to compare options.

The Fisher F19's 10 x 5 inch DD elliptical search coil is waterproof, so you can hunt shallow creeks, wet sand, and puddles without concern. The control box is not waterproof and should not be submerged or exposed to heavy rain without a protective cover. For dry beach hunting and field work in light drizzle the F19 handles well, but if you need full submersion capability for surf or freshwater wading, you'll want a detector with an IP68-rated control box.

The Fisher F19's Ground Grab is a computerized one-touch ground balance system. You hold the coil a few inches off the ground, press and hold the trigger, pump the coil up and down a few times, then release the trigger. The detector samples the soil mineralization and locks the ground balance setting automatically. When soil conditions change (you move from red clay to black loam, or hit a hot rock patch), you can re-run Ground Grab or switch to manual ground balance mode and fine-tune the setting with the control xxxx . The continuous Fe3O4 bar graph on the display shows ground mineralization level in real time, so you know when to re-balance.

FeTone is Fisher's adjustable iron audio feature that lets you control the volume of ferrous target tones independently from non-ferrous tones. When you're hunting an iron-infested site (old homestead, battlefield, farm field), you can turn FeTone down so iron falsing doesn't blast your ears, but you still hear a faint grunt to confirm the target is ferrous. This keeps you aware of iron density without the full-volume distraction that masks adjacent good signals. You adjust FeTone volume with a dedicated control, separate from the main volume xxxx .

Yes, the Fisher F19's 19 kHz operating frequency makes it sensitive to small, low-conductivity gold nuggets, especially when paired with the stock 10 x 5 inch elliptical coil or an optional smaller DD coil. We've used the F19 in Arizona goldfields and North Carolina creek beds where sub-gram nuggets are common, and the high frequency picks up targets that 7 kHz or 10 kHz detectors miss. The 2-digit target ID helps you distinguish gold (typically ID 10-25 depending on size) from hot rocks and trash. For serious nugget shooting in highly mineralized ground, a dedicated pulse induction or multi-frequency gold machine will outperform the F19, but for relic hunters who occasionally prospect, the F19 is a capable crossover.

The Fisher F19 runs on a single 9V alkaline battery and delivers 15 to 20 hours of runtime depending on your settings. If you run the backlight at level 5 and max sensitivity in All Metal mode, you'll be closer to 15 hours. If you hunt in Discrimination mode with the backlight off or at level 1, you can stretch runtime to 20 hours. We recommend alkaline batteries over rechargeable 9V (NiMH) because alkaline voltage stays more stable as the battery drains, which keeps the detector's performance consistent. Carry a spare 9V in your pouch if you're doing multi-day hunts.

V-Break is Fisher's audio breakpoint system that divides targets into low-tone and high-tone categories based on conductivity. You set a breakpoint on the target ID scale (say, at ID 40), and targets below that threshold get a low tone while targets above get a high tone. This lets you isolate mid-conductor relics (brass, lead, colonial coins) from iron and foil without constantly watching the display. You can shift the breakpoint up or down depending on what you're hunting, and the V.C.O. audio (variable pitch) in All Metal mode gives you additional target depth and size information. For relic hunters working trashy sites, V-Break is a faster way to sort signals than notching individual ID segments.

Yes, the Fisher F19 includes a non-motion pinpoint mode with a depth indicator. When you get a target signal in Discrimination mode, you press and hold the pinpoint trigger, sweep the coil slowly over the target without moving your feet, and watch the signal strength bars on the display. The bars peak when the coil center is directly over the target, and the depth indicator shows approximate target depth in inches. Pinpoint mode is all-metal (no discrimination), so you'll hear every target under the coil, but it's the fastest way to locate a target precisely before you dig.

Yes, the Fisher F19 has a standard 1/4 inch headphone jack. Using headphones extends battery life (the internal speaker draws more current) and helps you hear faint signals in noisy environments (wind, traffic, surf). Any headphones with a 1/4 inch plug or a 1/4 inch to 3.5mm adapter will work. We recommend over-ear or on-ear models with good isolation so you can hear the subtle tone breaks that separate iron from brass in trashy ground.

The Fisher F19 is ideal for intermediate to advanced detectorists but can be used by motivated beginners who are willing to learn the settings. It offers intuitive controls (Ground Grab auto ground balance, preset discrimination patterns, adjustable sensitivity), a clear digital display with numeric target ID, and a lightweight frame that won't fatigue you on long hunts. The learning curve is steeper than a true turn-on-and-go detector because you'll want to experiment with FeTone, V-Break, and notch settings to get the most out of the 40-point iron discrimination. If you're new to the hobby and want a simpler entry point, explore our metal detectors $200-$400 collection for alternatives.

The Fisher F19 accepts Fisher-compatible search coils with the standard 5-pin connector. Optional coils include the 5 inch DD concentric (better target separation in trash), the 11 inch DD open-frame (more depth and ground coverage), and the 8 inch concentric (balanced all-around coil). You can also add a rain cover for the control box (the coil is already waterproof), a coil cover to protect the coil from abrasion, and any 1/4 inch headphones. For a full range of Fisher coils and accessories, visit our Fisher F19 metal detector 10 inch DD coil collection.