Buying used XCal

[mrcolin2u]

Thinking of getting a used Xcall 1000. I've read good and so good things about this detector. Question is how much of a risk am i taking getting something used out of warranty. I have a CZ20 I bought slightly used 10 years ago and it has never let me down, would the minelab be asreliable?
I know the xcal is a good machine too but I keep reading about people sending in their units for repair, seems like a lot of peolpe are having problems.
Anyone out there not having issues with the Minelab xcal1000?
Cheers
Colin

 

[Gulf Hunter]

The last 2 Excal I bought were used. Yes, I run the risk of having to pay for repairs, since I don't have warranty, but I'll take my chances. All you can do is look for clean units out there, this forum and some of the other board's classifeds would be good places to look, instead of e-bay. What you have to realize is, that submersibles break and there is no exception. If you actually use the unit, it is going to break, just plan on it. A casualty of war, I say!

 

[thinkin2]

Nature of the beast with all electronics. Things will go wrong no matter the brand or model. The thing to think about is whether the detector will do what you want it to do in the environment/conditions you want to use it and what kind of customer service you can expect if and when something does go wrong with the detector. If you try to make your decision based only on reading people's opinions on this or any other forum you will only become confused because after you read a handful of posts about how wonderful something is you will then read a handful about how bad the same unit is. Different experiences from different people who probably view things differently as well. I know people always refer people who are looking for answers to the search feature and this can be helpful but can also lead to more indecision because of all of the differing opinions just like the posts you may get on this thread. I will only say that I have an Excal II on the way. I like Minelab detectors for what I do. If you look around where you hunt you will probably see certain detectors being used by more people than others. There is probably a reason for this. When hunting saltwater beaches/surf your selection starts to become a little limited. The Excals, CZ's, Beach Hunter ID's, HeadHunter units and PI units are pretty much what we have to use. If we stay on the sand then we can expand our selection a little more but not by too much. There have been and will continue to be problems from time to time with every single one of these machines. It is the rare, lucky individual who never has a problem. jmo to add to your confusion, lol. --Jerry

 

[kered]

If only 1% of a manufacturers machines goes wrong and needs fixing from 1000 machines thats 10, and from 10000, theats 100, i think this is maybe why you here of more excals in for repair, it must be the most popular water machine ever built and also spanning the number of years, some must go wrong (this is no excuse for bad service though)

 

[erikk]

The last 2 Excal I bought were used. Yes, I run the risk of having to pay for repairs, since I don't have warranty, but I'll take my chances. All you can do is look for clean units out there, this forum and some of the other board's classifeds would be good places to look, instead of e-bay. What you have to realize is, that submersibles break and there is no exception. If you actually use the unit, it is going to break, just plan on it. A casualty of war, I say!

What he said: I have 3, A 2 & 2 1000's with a WOT 2 were bought used and one has been sent in for repairs. Water machines take a beating especially in the salty gulf and I hunt them long and hard 3-4-5-6 days a week weather permitting. They are great machines but nothing will keep running forever without repair. BACKUPS R NEEDED if U are a serious hunter!

 

[mrcolin2u]

I've been saltwater hunting for over 12 years with my CZ20 fully submerged and it still works great. However, I want another saltwater machine with a bigger coil to get more ground coverage. I have read about the new CZ21 having prblems, but the CZ20 was bult like a tank and keeps on ticking.
My choice of detector comes down to a used CZ20 with a 10" coil, an Xcal 1000, or a PI machine. Don't know anything about the Whites BH300?
Thanks for the replies.
Colin

 

[Bling]

never had to send any in for repairs.but i will say i think the CZ21 is better made.as with all detectors be carefull not to stress the coil wire and head phone wire.and also the battery wire on the Excal.i use silicone grease on batt door gasket of the CZ21 and on the small battery gasket on the Excal.never had a problem.i hunt 5 days a week!