Metal Detecting Online

and it seems to me that you are just looking for problems, even when they dont necessarily exist.
I use a Fisher F75, a LOT, and have experienced no problems I havent had with any other machine/manufacturer. I use and own Fishers, minelabs, Whites,Troys and Garretts, and to tell you the truth...................fishers quality control and customer sevice is right up there with the best of them.
You mentioned the "upgrade". If you truly understood what the upgrade was....you wouldnt consider it a "ripoff". it WASNT to correct any defects or flaws, but to offer current users enviromental sealing. Nothing more.... nothing less. MOST machines dont come with enviromental sealing, unless they are water machines. If you sent yours in for the sealing upgrade, and they discovered anything else wrong, they would fix it under the warranty. Consider it a ripoff if you want, but I think its a good deal, and it was great of them to offer it in the first place! On the occasional mistake issue ( a guy getting the wrong machine back by mistake)........tell me.....have YOU ever made a mistake??? Hmmmmmm??? the folks at First Texas are people just like you and me, and it stands to reason that they might screw up every now and again.
Do us all a favor huh?? BUY a machine, spend a few months in the field with it, and THEN bitch if you dont like it....K?
I use and love the 75, as It PRODUCES...and thats exactly WHY I bought it. Truth be told, its one of the better machines out there today, for a number of reasons. like I said........................why dont you actually TRY one before you go off the deep end on it.