A Used original Excalibur, what to look for, a good buy?

[MIssouri Secessionist]

I have been unable to find very much online about the original Excalibur from the 90's, other that one poster said it was better than the 1000, and another who said that Minelab no longer services it.

What were some of the issues that a someone should take into consideration in buying a used original Excalibur, things to look for, defects, etc, and/or PLUSES, about the machine?

What would be a fair price for the buyer who has a chance to get one?

I have a Safari, and an Xterra 705. Looking to get into fresh water lake and swimming hole detecting, without a great expense. No saltwater beach around here in Missouri. Not yet anyway. Maybe after 2012, but, not now. Just Missouri clay, mud, gravel, and a bit of sand imported from SW Missouri. Couple of local man made Corps of Engineer lakes, an old swimming hole from the 60's that I remember. Don't have the money for a Excal 1000, or, an Excal II at this time. Have considered the Tesoro Sting Ray II, Fisher 1280x, and Surfmaster II by Whites. Missed out on most by being too slow to react, because did not have qualified information on the performance of these detectors and had to look up reviews. Fisher was over $250, others were at that, or, under. Original Excal is going to be more, that is why I asked what a fair price might be.

Any advice would be appreciated. Hear that it is a good machine, just wondered how good, and if it is underwater worthy.


Thanks,

Dex

PM's welcome

 

[Finderskeeper]

If it has the horseshoe coil, then it will not be able to be repaired by Minelab. But, there are folks with knowledge that can fix them. Any good electronics technician can diagnose and fix if the parts are still available.

I have seen the originals going for anywhere between $350 and $450. I would go on the low side.

 

[MIssouri Secessionist]

Finderskeepers,

THANK YOU, this is the kind of information that I seek. It does have the HORSESHOE coil. Was that a bad design, a flaw? Was the horseshoe replaced with another coil, and could that coil be put on an Excalibur that originally had the horseshoe? It is priced over $400.

Thank you, very much.

dex

 

[OldBeechnut]

[size=large]Picked up one earlier in the year..excellent shape 500.oo, very hard to find a good one..but they do come up once and awhile but now that the price of the excaliburs II's have jumped and WILL BE jumping again the first of the year? A cheap one maybe out of the question.. I would say between the old sword model and the regular excals, not the excal II's, there is very little difference in performance . Mine, Think I'm just going to hang it on the wall in my Pirate Den, they were a work of art. coils can be changed out for the newer, nothing wrong with the older coil, just a little heavier. All were 7.5 in dia.......

things to look for..

Head to toe

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Start with the coil, check it out close for cracks under and near all the supports. Then check out the coil wire for dry rot and cracks..special where it wraps around the shaft, the outer edge will show the rot from the wrapping around. Check out the end caps on the pods, you may have to pull the black covers alittle to see if there is any problem with the O-rings, look for a smooth seal. Turn the knobs, should be smooth, but after 10 years I'm sure there will be issues here..the top O-Rings dryrot from the saltwater. If you can flip over the Pod check thur the clear plastic for water damage, on the main board..might be white stains.....there are small moisture pack's (3 or 4)..if there has been water inside they will break up and there will be granulated particules everywhere. Check out the Pigtail stress supports, most last many years, and save the cables from been yanked on, but check near them for cracks...the knobs are more then likely will be OK, but I have had my knobs knocked off from ruff waters or getting hit on the scoop handle, many of yellow caps go quick..knobs are a easy fix...12 bucks for new..................trace the headphone cable up to the head phones..check for cracks and slices, most of the time these will be free of problems..except the new excal II's seem to have issues...Sounds like she may have the blue headphone, these just wear out in time but are very easy fixed with the Peltors Ear muffs..From this point you want to check and see if she works, here you almost have to have had one to know what to listen for..other then checking to make sure all the knobs turn and operate as they should..Make sure she operates smooth and this could be a problem if not tested in the field, only other tip is once turned on is to move the cables to make sure there is no shorts.........the batteries are outragesly over priced now that gold is thur the roof so try and give her a quick look.....check the seal of the O ring, if the excal functions she is more then likely ok, but could need a over haul..............nothing wrong with the little 8 inch coil..great in some places.....Good Luck

A month ago I pickup 2 excals for $8oo...a 8 and 10, with lots of goodies, 5 batteries, 3 charges, one a car charger, a PPointer, 2 long handle reileys scoops, one is almost 8 pounds, a monster...strait shafts, diving belts back mounts, hip mounts and other junk.....happen to be at the right place at the right time...guys was moving out of the country, and wanted to go lite....they have a few issues, one cracked cables from dryrot, one battery cable has a short, works if you move it tight to the shaft...but all will fit into the Pack, in time and will give me something to do this winter........[/size]

 

[MIssouri Secessionist]

OldBeechnut,

You provided far more useful information than I had ever hoped to receive. Thank you so much. If this one doesn't turn out, I do hope to find a good buy on another. You have set the tone of the argument to get one if one can at a good price.

You were so fortunate to find TWO and all the other goodies at such great price. You can easily make your money back and more. If you decide to sell. Good for you!

Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge with me.

dex

 

[Neil]

Id look into an AT pro for where your at. Ive got two excals and several other minelabs for salt water use but Ive had success with my AT pro in freshwater lakes/streams. Its got alot going for it performance wise and doesnt weigh much at all. The AT pro is a good replacement for your Xterra also, its got the ground balance, notch, mutiple tones, really is a good all around machine.

 

[erikk]

If you are just doing fresh water the 1280x is a good machine. I dove (SCUBA) with one for years in lakes and ponds in the NE and found more gold rings & silver coins than you would believe

 

[MIssouri Secessionist]

Erik, and Neil,

Thank you both for your suggestions. I have looked at the 1280x. I keep missing out on good deals on it. I just called a craigs listing in California, where they wanted to trade for a German Shepard. She had just sold it for $250.

I had not considered the AT pro, because I thought the price was out of my range. I now think that I will keep an open mind to a little more expensive water machine. I would like to go cheap, if I can, why nt get a better machine? Who knows how long we have on this earth, anyway, might as well do if you can.

I will read about both of your suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[ZOFCHAK]

The Tesoro TigerShark is another good one to consider if you are only going to be detecting freshwater.

 

[foiled again tab hunter]

n/t