Fisher F22 Metal Detector Review

One of the best entry-level detectors on the market
Written By: Marc McDermott
Last Updated:

The Fisher F22 metal detector is the new version of the Fisher F2, which ruled the entry-level detector world since 2007.

What we like:

  • Weatherproof
  • Iron Audio
  • Fast Recovery (Processing) Speed
  • Lighter, easier to use

What we don’t like:

  • No manual ground balance

The new F22 was released in 2015 and has several enhancements over the F2 including:

  • Additional search modes
  • New coil design
  • Volume adjustment
  • Iron audio

​All of these features and more are housed in a smaller, more compact, weatherproof control box.

This is a “turn on and go” detector and is best suited for entry-level detectorists looking for a powerful and affordable all-around machine for coin, jewelry, and relic hunting.

Before we dive into the specs of the F22, let’s take a high-level view of the pros and cons:

Now let’s dive deep into the features of the F22!

​Specs

Intended UseGeneral, All around
Skill LevelBeginner
TechnologyVLF
Stock Coil TypeConcentric
Stock Coil ShapeTriangular Elliptical
Stock Coil Size9″
Ground BalanceFactory Preset
Headphone Input1/4″
Batteries​AA (included)
Warranty5 Years

Search coil

Fisher created a brand new coil design for the F22 – it is a 9” triangulated, elliptical concentric coil.

It’s a smaller, more narrow coil which is excellent for picking out good targets amongst iron and trash.

It’s also perfect for moving around in tight spaces like in between large rocks and at playgrounds.

The coil is also fully submersible so you can use in shallow water. Just remember not to get the control box wet as it’s only weatherproof – not submersible!

Modes

The F22 comes with four search modes so you can set your preferred discrimination pattern:

  • Jewelry – discriminates all iron targets.
  • Coin – discriminates all iron targets as well as pull tabs and other trash items.
  • Artifact (relic) – does not discriminate and will include all iron signals.
  • Custom – allows you to set a custom pattern using the notch feature.

LCD target ID screen

The large LCD screen on the F22 has many indicators such as:

1. Target Category ID Numbers which tells you the type of metal you’ve found (i.e., gold, silver, iron)

2. Two-Digit Number Target ID (1-99) which is an even better indicator of the type of metal found.

This number factors in the metal conductivity as well as the target size and positioning in the ground.

Here are a few of the more common number target ID readings for the F22.

  • Iron objects 1-19
  • U.S Zinc coins (dimes and quarters) 50-59
  • U.S Copper Coins 60-69
  • U.S Silver Coins 70-79

3. Iron Indicator helps you discriminate unwanted iron trash signals – ideal for coin and jewelry hunting!

4. Current Search Mode allows you to toggle between modes to change your discrimination pattern quickly.

5. Target Depth Indicator gives you an estimate of how deep the target is.

6. Battery Level Indicator so you never run out of batteries during a long hunt!

7. Menu Category Icons so you can quickly adjust your volume, sensitivity, and notch.

Tones

This detector has four tones – base, low, medium, and high.

Use these tones in conjunction with the numeric 1-99 ID to get a good idea of the target in the ground.

The chart below illustrates how the audio tones match up to the target ID categories in each of the three factory-set search modes.

Iron audio

The iron audio feature (or FeTone) is a technology not usually found in entry-level machines.

This feature allows you to amplify iron signals so you can save time by not digging unwanted targets.

If you’re looking to do coin and jewelry hunting, this feature is invaluable. It will save you countless hours of needless digging – not to mention back pain!

Detector comparisons

Let’s take a look to see how the F22 stacks up to the competition.

Fisher F22 vs. F2

While the two machines may look somewhat similar, there are several significant differences.

The F22 has improved circuitry which allows for faster processing and recovery speed.

It also lets you customize your settings a bit more than the F2, and save the configuration. On the F2, every time you turned off the detector, your settings would erase.

The F22 has the new 9” triangulated coil design whereas the F2 is the simple 8” round coil.

Perhaps one of the nicest new features for some is that the F22 is weatherproof, so you’ll never have to worry about getting caught in the rain or splashing water on the control box when cleaning after a hunt.

F22 vs. F44

When Fisher replaced the F2 with the new F22, they also replaced the F4 with the F44.

The F44 is considered the next step up to the F44 and has additional features that you should consider – budget permitting.

By far the most important feature found on the F44 that’s not on the F22 is the automatic and manual ground balance.

Ground balance is a feature that allows you to get better depth and more accurate target ID by canceling out ground signals such as iron and salt.

This is considered a premium feature that is only found in intermediate and advanced detectors.

The F44 also has a larger, 11” coil which will also help to get slightly better depth than the 9” coil on the F22.

Another great feature on the F44 is the backlight display option – a nice feature to have in low light conditions.

The F44 also has an all-metal mode, as well as more levels of adjustable sensitivity.

See our complete Fisher F44 review.​

F22 vs. Garrett ACE 250

In my humble opinion, I think the Fisher F2 was always better than the Garrett ACE 250. With that in mind, I also believe the F22 is better.

Remember that the ACE 250 is a bit outdated, and has been replaced by the ACE 300.

F22 vs. Garrett ACE 300

These machines are both excellent entry-level detectors, but if I had to give my pick to one it’d be the F22.

I just feel that the entry-level Fisher detectors have always had slightly better processing speed (i.e., recovery time) than the Garretts.

I also like the fact that the F22 is weatherproof, so you don’t have to worry about water damage when rinsing it off.

Accessory coils

All great detectors offer a wide selection of accessory coils, and the F22 is no different.

Here are some of the options you’ll have with the F22:

If you want a slightly smaller concentric coil that’s very similar to the old stock F2 coil, then pick up the 7” round coil.

Need a bigger coil to cover more ground and get better depth? Get yourself the 11” triangulated concentric coil.

FAQ

What comes in the box?

The only items in the box will be the individual pieces of the detector such as the control box, rods, coil, mounting hardware, arm cuff, etc.

Assembly of these pieces is simple and shouldn’t take more than five minutes.

Does the F22 come with a carry bag?

No, it does not come with a carry bag, pouch or any other accessories. Fisher makes some great bags though which can be found here.

What is the maximum depth?

As with any detector, depth is determined by several factors like ground conditions, target size, type of metal, etc. As a rule of thumb, the F22 should pick up a Washington quarter about 7-8” deep in neutral soil.

Final thoughts

Overall the Fisher F22 is a fantastic machine and offers a lot of value for the money. Whether you’re just starting out, or need a backup detector, the F22 would be an excellent choice!

See more Fisher metal detector reviews.