{"product_id":"fisher-1280x-aquanaut-underwater-metal-detector","title":"Fisher 1280-X Aquanaut Underwater Metal Detector","description":"\u003ch2\u003eFisher 1280-X Aquanaut: The Dive Detector That Refuses to Complicate Things\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReal dive detectors are rare, and most cost four figures. The Aquanaut has been the exception for decades: a genuine 250 ft (76 m) submersible machine, built around one switch-on-and-hunt philosophy, at a price that makes a diver's first detector or a beach hunter's surf machine an easy decision. There is no screen to read in murky water and no menu tree to memorize through a dive mask. Turn it on, set discrimination, hunt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the 1280-X\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree numbers tell the story, and the big-box stores that carry this machine never explain any of them. First, 250 ft (76 m): that is full recreational scuba range and far beyond, with IP68 sealing, in salt or fresh water. Second, 75+ hours: the Aquanaut runs for weeks of hunts on eight ordinary AA alkaline batteries, no charger, no charging clip, no dead lithium pack on a boat ramp at dawn. Third, 2.4 kHz: a deliberately low frequency that stays quiet in mineralized salt water and hits coins, rings, and heavy gold jewelry, exactly the targets divers and surf hunters chase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside the house, the honest ladder looks like this: the Aquanaut is the value dive machine; the Minelab Excalibur II adds multi-frequency target separation at more than three times the price. If you dive a few wrecks and swim lines each season, the Aquanaut earns its keep immediately; if underwater hunting is your main hobby, step up. We stock both and will tell you which side of that line you are on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoil choice: the 8 in (20 cm) coil pinpoints tightly and swings easily in current; the 10 in (25 cm) covers more bottom per pass with more depth on larger targets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications ([A] Fisher factory figures)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpec\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFisher 1280-X Aquanaut\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubmersion rating\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 ft (76 m), IP68\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOperating principle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVLF discrimination, 2.4 kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSearch modes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiscrimination and All-Metal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResponse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAudio and visual target response\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeadphones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWaterproof, included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 AA alkaline; up to 75+ hours\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSearch coil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 in (20 cm) or 10 in (25 cm), interchangeable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApprox 5.4 lb (2.4 kg) with headset\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 years, Fisher Research Labs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEnvironment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSaltwater, freshwater, land\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFisher 1280-X Aquanaut control unit and shaft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSearch coil per variant (8 in \/ 20 cm or 10 in \/ 25 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaterproof headphones\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFisher 2 year factory warranty (First Texas Products)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory Seekers is an authorized Fisher dealer. If you are choosing between the Aquanaut and a modern multi-frequency dive machine, call (256) 284-2247 and tell us where you hunt; surf wading in Alabama and wreck diving in the Keys point to different machines, and we will point you honestly. The story is more important than the artifact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow deep can the Fisher 1280-X Aquanaut go?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is submersible to 250 ft (76 m) with IP68 sealing, which covers all recreational scuba diving. The included headphones are waterproof for submerged use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the 1280-X work in salt water?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Its low 2.4 kHz operating frequency is chosen for stability in mineralized saltwater environments where higher-frequency machines chatter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy does it use AA batteries instead of a rechargeable pack?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eField endurance: up to 75+ hours from eight AA alkaline batteries, replaceable anywhere on earth. For boat trips and travel hunts, that beats a charger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich coil should I choose?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 8 in (20 cm) coil is tighter to pinpoint with and easier to swing in surf and current. The 10 in (25 cm) covers more bottom and reaches deeper on larger targets. Both are fully submersible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does the 1280-X compare to the Minelab Excalibur II?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Excalibur II adds multi-frequency processing and finer target separation at a much higher price. The Aquanaut wins on simplicity, battery life, and cost of entry. Both are true dive machines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I use the 1280-X on land?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it is a capable land detector too, though its low frequency favors coins and jewelry over small relics and gold nuggets.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fisher","offers":[{"title":"8 in (20 cm) Coil","offer_id":48106199908610,"sku":"1280X-8","price":469.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 in (25 cm) Coil","offer_id":48106199941378,"sku":"1280X-10","price":479.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/9012\/8130\/files\/fisher-1280x-aquanaut-underwater-metal-detector.jpg?v=1783727950","url":"https:\/\/historyseekers.net\/products\/fisher-1280x-aquanaut-underwater-metal-detector","provider":"History Seekers Metal Detectors","version":"1.0","type":"link"}