Fisher F22 Metal Detector Review: Worth It? (November 2026)
The Fisher F22 is a strong beginner metal detector if you want simple controls, numeric target ID and a weatherproof design for land and shallow-water searching. Its main limit is that the coil is weatherproof, not a fully submersible detector.
On this page (9 sections)
- Is the Fisher F22 a good beginner metal detector?
- What does the Fisher F22 include?
- How weatherproof is the Fisher F22?
- How do the Fisher F22 controls work?
- Fisher F22 target ID and depth
- Should you add a pinpointer to the F22?
- Fisher F22 versus F44
- What should you know before buying the Fisher F22?
- Fisher F22 metal detector review verdict
The Fisher F22 is a strong beginner metal detector for land and shallow-water searches when you want simple controls, numeric Target-ID and weather protection. It suits people who want to start detecting without facing a steep learning curve on day one.
Its 9-inch weatherproof coil helps cover ground in a steady way on parks, yards and open areas. That size can feel manageable for new users, while still giving enough reach for general searching around the home or at shared outdoor spaces.
The lightweight and balanced design also matters during longer walks. A padded hand grip and arm cup can help you keep a steady sweep, and a steadier sweep often makes sounds and readings easier to interpret over time.
The F22 fits adults and children who want an all-purpose detector for coins, jewelry and artifacts. It is described as easy to use, with discrimination, sensitivity, notch and pinpoint controls for adults, yet simple enough for a child to operate with guidance.
That mix gives beginners room to grow in stages. You can start with basic detection, then learn how target categories, the 0-99 Target-ID and 4-tone audio respond to different objects and ground conditions.
In daily use, those feedback options can reduce guesswork before you dig. They will not identify every target with certainty, but they can help you focus first on signals that seem more promising.
The main trade-off is easy to understand. The detector is weatherproof for rain and shallow water, but it is not described as a fully submersible detector for deeper underwater searching.
Set-up stays simple because the F22 uses turn-on-and-go operation. That can suit first-time owners who want to spend early outings learning sweep habits, recovery skills and local rules, rather than learning many menu options.
Care is also straightforward for most users. Dry the detector after wet-weather use, keep it clean, and store it in a dry place so the coil, cable and controls stay in good condition.
For a beginner who wants one detector for general land searching with some shallow-water flexibility, the F22 presents a clear and practical starting point.
Is the Fisher F22 a good beginner metal detector?
The Fisher F22 is a good beginner choice because it combines turn-on-and-go operation with useful adjustment controls. You can begin with simple settings, then learn to reject unwanted metals and check promising targets more closely.
The detector uses Target Categories, a 0-99 numeric Target-ID and a 4-tone Audio-ID system. Those signals can help you compare targets before digging, although no target number guarantees what is underground.
The F22 is also described as detecting jewelry, coins and artifacts on land and in shallow water. It can find surface targets and buried targets up to 9 inches deep, depending on the object, soil and settings.
If you're comparing several models, our guide to the best Fisher metal detectors gives the F22 more context within the brand's range.
What does the Fisher F22 include?
The Fisher F22 includes one detector with a 9-inch weatherproof search coil. Its product information identifies the model as the F22 and lists Fisher as the brand and First Texas Products, LLC as the manufacturer.
The detector is battery powered and has a red color. Its listed dimensions are 8 in long by 5 in wide by 22 in high, and its listed weight is 3 lb.
The product description also describes the design as about 2 lb, so check the exact packaged or configured weight before planning long hunts.
The hand grip is padded, and the arm cup is designed for a comfortable hold. Those details matter when you sweep for a long time because balance and grip affect how steadily you move the coil.
Fisher F22 Weatherproof Metal Detector with 9 Inch Weatherproof Coil: Best for beginner all-purpose detecting
- 9-inch weatherproof coil
- 0-99 Target-ID
- 4-tone Audio-ID
- About 2 lb design
The F22 combines beginner-friendly controls with discrimination, sensitivity, notch and pinpoint functions. It suits adults and children who want land and shallow-water detecting in changing weather.
Pros
- Numeric Target-ID from 0 to 99
- 4-tone Audio-ID system
- 9-inch weatherproof coil
- Lightweight padded grip and arm cup
Cons
- Weatherproof rather than fully submersible
- Battery powered
The F22's strongest fit is a new detectorist who wants one tool for general searching. The controls give you a path from simple detection to more selective searching as you gain experience.
When should you choose the F22?
Choose the F22 if you want a weatherproof detector with a 9-inch coil and beginner-friendly target information. It is a practical match for parks, yards, fields and other places where you want an all-purpose detector.
It also makes sense if you want a detector that a child can operate with adult guidance. The controls are approachable, but safe digging habits and local detecting rules still matter.
Consider another type of tool if your main goal is underwater searching. The F22's available protection details support weather and shallow-water use, while the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT is described as submersible to 20 ft.
How weatherproof is the Fisher F22?
The Fisher F22 is weatherproof with an IP54 rating, and its 9-inch search coil is described as weatherproof. That makes it suitable for detecting in rain and changing outdoor conditions when you protect the detector according to its instructions.
Weatherproof does not mean you should fully submerge the complete detector. Keep the control housing and other parts out of water unless Fisher gives clear instructions that allow deeper immersion.
For wet grass, light rain and shallow-water edges, the weatherproof design can reduce concern about normal outdoor conditions. Dry the detector after use and store it in a clean, dry place.
Inspect the coil cable, control housing and connection areas before each hunt. General care cannot turn a weatherproof detector into a fully waterproof one, but it can help you notice damage before moisture becomes a problem.
How do the Fisher F22 controls work?
The F22 uses discrimination, sensitivity, notch and pinpoint controls to help you manage targets. These settings are useful because ground conditions and unwanted metal can make a simple beep difficult to interpret.
Discrimination helps you reduce responses from target types you do not want to dig. Notch gives you another way to accept or reject selected target ranges, while sensitivity controls how aggressively the detector responds.
Start with moderate settings and learn the audio and Target-ID responses in a test area. Raising sensitivity too far can make the detector respond to ground noise or nearby metal, so adjust it only when the detector remains stable.
Pinpoint mode helps you narrow the target location before digging. Sweep from more than one direction, mark the strongest response and recover the target carefully.
The how to use a Fisher F2 metal detector guide can also help you understand the basic sweep and recovery habits shared by beginner Fisher detectors.
Fisher F22 target ID and depth
The F22 provides Target Categories, a 0-99 numeric Target-ID and 4-tone audio responses. Together, these features give you several clues about a target instead of relying on one sound alone.
Use the number as a guide, not a promise. Different objects can produce similar readings, and one object can read differently when its position, depth or surrounding soil changes.
The stated detection depth is up to 9 inches. Large or favorable targets may respond differently from small or irregular objects, so depth expectations should stay flexible.
A careful recovery method matters as much as the number on the screen. Pinpoint first, cut a small plug where appropriate, and refill the hole after checking the target.
For ideas about possible finds, read what you can find with a metal detector. The detector can indicate a target, but you still need local permission and responsible recovery habits.
Should you add a pinpointer to the F22?
A pinpointer is useful with the F22 because it narrows the target area after the main coil finds it. This can reduce unnecessary digging and help you locate a small object in loose soil.
Garrett Pro-Pointer AT Waterproof Metal Detector: Best for precise recovery
- Waterproof to 20 ft
- 3 sensitivity levels
- Single-button operation
- Built-in inch and centimeter ruler
This compact pinpointer helps narrow a target after a larger detector finds it. Its 3 sensitivity levels and 20-ft submersible design suit beach, river and underwater recovery work.
Pros
- Submersible to 20 ft
- Orange casing improves visibility
- Single-button controls
- Holster and 9-volt battery included
Cons
- A pinpointer, not a replacement for a full-size detector
- Battery life is about 60 minutes
The Garrett Pro-Pointer AT is the better fit when water depth and visibility are priorities. It is orange, weighs 8 oz, uses one-button operation and is described as submersible to 20 ft.
Its 3 sensitivity levels help with small targets and changing conditions.
The pinpointer includes a woven belt holster and a 9-volt battery. It also has an inch and centimeter ruler, a lanyard loop and a built-in lost-probe warning system described in its product information.
Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector: Best for tone-based target checks
- Waterproof to 10 ft
- 5 sensitivity levels
- Ferrous Tone ID
- Built-in flashlight, holster and lanyard
The PRO-FIND 35 is a pinpointer for detectorists who want ferrous and nonferrous tone responses during recovery. It also adds 5 sensitivity levels for different ground conditions.
Pros
- Ferrous Tone ID
- 5 sensitivity levels
- Audio and vibration indication
- Built-in flashlight, holster and lanyard
Cons
- A pinpointer rather than a full-size detector
- Less water depth than the Garrett pinpointer
The Minelab PRO-FIND 35 suits users who want more sensitivity steps and tone-based checks. It is waterproof to 10 ft, offers 5 sensitivity levels and uses Ferrous Tone ID to help distinguish ferrous and nonferrous responses.
It includes a built-in flashlight, holster and lanyard. Audio and vibration increase as the probe approaches a target, which can help when visibility is poor or you need to focus on the recovery area.
Neither pinpointer replaces the F22's larger search coil. Choose one as a recovery companion, then match the water depth, sensitivity controls and target feedback to the places you plan to search.
Fisher F22 versus F44
The F22 is the better starting point when you want simple beginner controls and weather protection. The F44 may suit you better if its extra features match your search style, so compare the two before buying.
Read our Fisher F44 metal detector review for a separate look at that model. You can also compare the main decision points in Fisher F22 vs F44.
The right choice depends on more than the model name. Think about your experience, the ground you search, how much control you want and whether weather protection is enough for your routine.
A beginner who wants a lighter-feeling, straightforward setup may prefer the F22. A detectorist who wants to compare additional control or performance details should review the F44 information before deciding.
What should you know before buying the Fisher F22?
Buy the F22 if you want an all-purpose detector for coins, jewelry and artifacts with a 9-inch weatherproof coil. Its numeric Target-ID, 4-tone audio and adjustment controls give beginners useful feedback without requiring advanced setup.
Check your local rules before detecting on public or private land. Permission, protected areas, recovery practices and disposal of unwanted metal can all affect where and how you search.
Plan for the detector's battery-powered design. Carry suitable spare power for the length of your outing, and follow Fisher's care instructions for storage and moisture.
If you want a more specialized Fisher model, our Fisher F75 metal detector review is a useful next comparison. The F22 remains the simpler choice when beginner controls and weatherproof general-purpose use are your main priorities.
Fisher F22 metal detector review verdict
The Fisher F22 metal detector is best for beginners who want weatherproof general-purpose detecting, a 9-inch coil and clear target feedback. It gives new owners useful tools for learning, without making the first hunts feel overly complicated.
Its discrimination, sensitivity, notch and pinpoint controls give you useful ways to learn as your experience grows. You can begin with simple settings, then adjust your approach as you become more confident with sounds, numbers and sweep technique.
The 0-99 Target-ID and 4-tone audio help you decide which targets deserve recovery. Used together, they offer more information than a single beep, even though no reading can promise exactly what lies below the surface.
That feedback is especially helpful when you are learning to separate promising signals from common unwanted metal. Taking time to observe patterns in a test area can make later hunts in parks, yards and fields feel more relaxed and focused.
Pick the F22 for parks, yards, fields and shallow-water edges where an all-purpose detector fits the job. Its weatherproof design and 9-inch coil suit everyday outings in changing weather, as long as you keep the control housing out of deeper water.
For deeper water work, think of a pinpointer as a recovery companion rather than a replacement detector. Add the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT for deeper underwater pinpointer use, since it is described as submersible to 20 ft and has an orange casing for visibility.
Choose the Minelab PRO-FIND 35 if Ferrous Tone ID and 5 sensitivity levels matter more to your recovery style. Its audio and vibration feedback can help you narrow a target once the main detector has done its scanning work.
Before you buy, match the tool to the places you will actually search. If your routine is mostly land with wet conditions and shallow edges, the F22 remains a sensible choice.
If your routine often involves water recovery, a pinpointer may become just as important as the main detector. Planning for both scanning and recovery can save time and reduce messy digging.
That balanced approach is the strongest reason to consider the F22. It offers a simple path into the hobby, with room to add gear as your targets, sites and skill level change.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fisher F22 a good beginner metal detector?
The Fisher F22 is well suited to beginners because it combines turn-on-and-go operation with discrimination, sensitivity, notch and pinpoint controls. Its 0-99 Target-ID and 4-tone Audio-ID system give you more information than a basic detector, while the weatherproof design supports land and shallow-water searching.
Is the Fisher F22 fully waterproof?
No. The Fisher F22 is weatherproof and has a weatherproof search coil, with an IP54 rating in the listed specifications.
It is designed for use in rain and shallow water, but the available information does not describe the complete detector as submersible to a specific depth.
How deep can the Fisher F22 detect?
The Fisher F22 is described as detecting targets on the surface and buried up to 9 inches deep. Actual depth can vary with the target, soil, detector settings and sweep technique, so treat 9 inches as the stated maximum rather than a guaranteed result for every object.
What is the difference between the Fisher F22 and a pinpointer?
The Fisher F22 is a full-size metal detector for scanning an area and identifying targets with a search coil. A pinpointer is a smaller recovery tool that narrows the target location after you dig.
The Garrett Pro-Pointer AT and Minelab PRO-FIND 35 are pinpointers, not substitutes for the F22.
