7 of 7 people found this review helpful:

Review by: J-Mann

User Experience: 7+ years

Submitted on: Mar 16, 2010

User Rating:

---

I've been detecting since 1968 (BFO-type machine). I've used just about every brand machine out there and many -- if not most -- were good to excellent. However, I've now settled into a profitable comfort zone with my Fisher CZ-3D.

For a newbie, this machine has all the median settings, i.e. factory settings, well marked. Just align the knobs with the highlighted orange settings and you're instantly in the swing of things.

This detector has very good sensitivity on the factory settings -- and odds are good that a reading, however slight, is something well worth the dig.

Sidebar: Hey, even finding used shotgun shell has a beneficial purpose in the way they indicate a detectorist is hearing readings properly and in a range that could easily lead to the likes of a half cent. It's always good to learn a machine through less-than-golden readings.

The sound ID is so good on the CZ-3D that even a beginner can quickly feel comfortable moving away from the factory DISC (riminate) setting "3" meant to find coins. I prefer the 1. Yes, that allows iron to be heard. However, iron readings come through the headphones as a distinct sound, easily differentiated from nonferrous metals. Nonferrous metals have their own distinct sound signatures, depending on the type material. Sidebar: The top TH'ers feel it is often vital to run with a setting that reads iron, especially when exploring open stretches of woods or fields. Iron is almost always a sign of past activity and areas where prime items might then be found. Once into the iron zone, a quick switch back to a factory set 4 makes the search a breeze.

From a more professional angle, the CZ-3D is as good as it comes when the SENS(itivity) is cranked up beyond the orange FS 3. I go as high as 7 or even 8, depending on the degree of microwave or electric chatter in a given area. This move is not for newbies. It entails learning to listen through false signals. It then comes down to ferreting out repeatable readings. Sidebar: To see how much depth is gained by surpassing the factory sensitivity setting, use a quarter and do an air test. What an increase.

Going high-number on sensitivity not only adds depth to readings but greatly enhances the chances of finding smaller items, like III-cent silvers, dimes and even half-dimes (dismes). It also requires a constant distancing of digging tools from the loop. Tip: Make sure the cable to the loop is tight to the post. Use plastic cable connectors. And don't begin wrapping excess loop cable down near the loop. Go higher up, nearer the machine.

It should be noted that CZ-3D, like most detectors, loves the freshest batteries. Lithium batteries, while costly, give the longest high-quality work window for detecting sessions. They also maintain the same maximum power output before rapidly falling off the edge, power-wise, after lengthy usage. Alkalines tend to begin powering down, albeit ever so slightly, from the minute they go to work.

Did you find this metal detector review helpful?

6 of 7 people found this review helpful:

Review by: Katie Ball

User Experience: 6 months to 2 years

Submitted on: Aug 28, 2009

User Rating:

---

Aspects which pleased me:

I was impressed with the easy to use presets on this detector. There was no need to balance the detector or know the advanced technique before being able to make basic finds using the presents. The salt mode also was helpful for beach hunts. Moreover, this detector has great depth and was able to pick up some old civil war musket balls in mineralized soil at a depth of almost 12 inches.

Negative aspects:

There are unit hardware problems. In two years, I have had two problems with the quality of the CZ-3D. First of all, when I received it, the knob had popped off the discrimination fob and I had to wait for almost a month to receive a new knob from Fisher (Kellyco was great) which I had to install myself. Soon, however, this new knob also fell off and got lost, which says something is wrong with the knob itself. I still cannot adjust the discrimination. Secondly, now, at two years of age, the unit is not producing sound and is currently being sent back to Fisher for servicing. This is frustrating because my summer is being wasted while the unit is being serviced and also because the expense merely to examine the unit ($50) is not insubstantial despite the fact that the unit has a "five year warranty."

In terms of performance, this detector seems to pick up some large rusty metal targets even with the discrimination set to high and the sensitivity down.

This being my first unit, I am not in a position to compare it with others. It has given me some good finds but I've also been frustrated with it. Overall, I'd give it three stars.

Did you find this metal detector review helpful?

6 of 7 people found this review helpful:

Review by: Steven Higbee

User Experience: 7+ years

Submitted on: Mar 18, 2008

User Rating:

---

I have been detecting since 1966 (42 years). I really like the Fisher detectors and have always set a goal that when I purchase a new detector I will make it pay for itself in the first year of ownership. The Fisher CZ-3D certainly did that with the jewelry and coins I found at the various swimming spots around where I live. I also hunt the school yards and parks and have found a lot of coins and jewelry in those areas ( the jewelry is mostly religious medallions).

I belong to a metal detecting club and we have three to four club hunts each year and this is the detector I usually use for those hunts. The hunts consist of a poker hunt which has a silver dime inside a folded playing cad that is stapled shut. When one has located five cards, you return to the main area and "play your hand". The prize for the winning hand is a one ounce silver round. Then everyone races bak inti the fiel to find the remaining cards of the fifty two that were hidden. This is a great hunt for kids because there is no hurry in the begining. They also have just as good a chance of winning the silver round as anyone.

Did you find this metal detector review helpful?

Review by: Clay

User Experience: 7+ years

Submitted on: Mar 26, 2011

User Rating:

---

If you are a newbie, please don't leave a crappy review on here based on your lack of experience. It's neither helpful or fair to judge a specialized machine that does the job it's intended for very well.

The CZ3D is a specialized detector, and it does have a bit of a learning curve to it. But what it boils down to is, if you are a dig everything kinda detectorist then this might not be the detector for you. If you like to go for the silver and not dig up a thousand pennies and pulltabs, this is the detector for you.

I've personally hit silver dimes as far down as 10-12 inches in mixed rocky soil with my CZ3D. The problems that some people are having with this detector are easily overcome with a little practice and by following a few tips.

First study the manual ground balance procedure in the manual and practice it until you can do it. This will give you the best depth and more accurate target identification. The Salt/Enhanced switch isn't just for the beach, if you are having problems getting the machine to balance in heavily mineralized soil turn the switch to Enhanced and you will have better results.

The 4 tone ID makes searching very fast and all high tones are going to be good targets. Most nickels will hit as a high tone as well which makes the CZ3D a nickle killer.

Gold hits in the mid tones. Take a minute to throw down a gold ring and note how it registers as a hit on the detector. Gold, as apposed to pulltabs will register as a very strong tone and if you lift the coil 4-6 inches above the ground you will still get a very strong signal.

The CZ3D will give a positive high tone on large iron objects. Just hit the pinpoint and check the size of the target. If it's a small blip that hits from all directions it's a good target. If you get an erratic or strong tone in a larger area it's most likely a pipe or large metal object.

I would certainly recommend this to anyone. Good Luck and good hunting!

Did you find this metal detector review helpful?