CZ20 vs Excalibur Today?

[cabochris]

Hi, both machines have been around for some time now. Since Fisher stopped CZ20 production and I have never owned one, I'm thinking about purchasing one while I still can. I am an Excalibur user and know what they are all about. I also understand the differences between the two technologies. From what I read there are tings I like about the 20. And from use there are things I like about Excaliburs. Also things I do not. But putting all that aside, I'm more interested in what works better and not brand loyalty.

So, on and in a saltwater beach side by side- 8 inch coils, which machine is better? Which goes deeper? Which more sensitive to gold? Like a prize fight, one should be a clear winner? Or is it a draw? Who owns both and what say you? Thanks, CC.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

I have used versions of the land CZ and the Sov. which is a land Excalibur for all purposes on salt water beaches in N.J....Even though the CZ20 is locked in salt mode it would go deeper and the Excalibur would probably handle the conditions better..Probably locked in the salt mode a CZ20 and Excalibur would be awful close relative gold jewelry....We have to realize all saltwater beaches are not the same or for that matter the same everyday depending on the wave action..Taking all the above into consideration too close to call and would feel confident with either...although in your neck of the woods may indeed come down to personal preference or one just may be better in the conditions at hand..

 

[cabochris]

Hi and thanks for your info. Do you feel that the CZ20 is a faster machine than the Excalibur? I tried a PI Pro once and found it to be very fast for a pulse unit. It just nails the targets, even on a fast swing! But no discrimination and the headphones not comfortable for me with extended use. On the other hand I see my Infinium as slow and it has to be swung slower. Personally I think I prefer a faster machine. Seems like I can cover more ground? But that's just me.

If the CZ20 is a fast response machine, then perhaps I should try one? I'm leaning towards an 8 inch coil, even though a larger coil might cove more ground?

Thanks, CC.

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

Hey Cabochris, I have both units, but unfortunately I have never done a side by side comparison. I am more partial to the Excalibur, because of the auto tracking, and the built-in Iron Mask. The CZ-20 is a great machine, gets great depth, but like alot of cz's, it is especially partial to round bottle caps. Alot more than an Excal.
I would say that hunting speed is about the same, because I use a CZ-70Pro as my land hunting detector. VERY IMPORTANT: In my humble opinion, if you are going to do any water detecting, that is hip deep or more, than I would recommend an 8" coil, because to me, it is lot easier to pinpoint in MURKY WATER, than a 10" Coil. I found this out first hand after water hunting for (5) straight yrs. But, if you are going to primarily beach hunt, than you want the 10" coil for the bigger footprint that you will get with a 10" coil. I hope this helps, and best of luck in whatever you decide. HH

P.S.: I don't know if you are interested or not, but I do have a completely refurbished Excalibur with a new 10" Tornado Slimline Coil on it, and in addition, it has been completely refurbished with alot of new parts. if interested, go to Used Metal Detecting Equipment Forum, scroll down to F/S: REFURBISHED MINELAB EXCALIBUR UNDERWATER
METAL DETECTOR W/ACCESSORIES. I'm reducing it to $800.00 shipped Insured UPS to lower 48 states. If interested, call me, and I'll try to answer any questions you may have. Take care.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

To me both are slow swing machines if you want maximum depth....
However guess there are exceptions as one of the young fellows in our area swings a Sov. quite fast when looking for deep silver and wanting coverage. He of course has excellent hearing and just listens for the spike audio of a silver coin and then slows down to investigate further..Myself always felt a slower swing did the job for me and most swing slow for maximum efficiency...

 

[cabochris]

Thanks for your help. I guess I'm now leaning more towards the Excalibur for my water hunting over the CZ 20. I think you are right about the 8 inch coil in the the water. And perhaps for beach use one with a 15" WOT? But then for beach/wet sand use would the Sovereign GT be better than the Excal? CC.

 

[cabochris]

Oh, I forgot to ask. On the CZ20 I thought the 3 tones indicated metal type- So on iron and bottle caps, would they not give a low iron tone most of the time? In such case, one could utilize tone to make a dig decision? And the fact that the Excalibur has iron mask becomes moot? I do like the 3 specific tone concept. Seems to make things more simple than the many tones of the Excalibur? Or do bottle caps respond different? CC.

 

[Anonymous]

Another thing to consider is the wave action on the total loop surface. I use a 10.5" on my CZ70-Pro on the beach, and an 8" in the water, because even small 2 or 3 foot waves will beat you to death in a roiling surf with the 10.5". Its a different situation with the CZ-20 loop being hard-wired to the electronics. I think the guy from NASA recommends using the 10.5", and turning down the sensitivity if you get into situations where there is more thrash.

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

Hey Chris, In response to your other questions, my personal experience with my CZ-20 and also my CZ-70Pro is that many times the detectors will ID BOTTLE CAPS, especially SCREWCAPS WITH A HIGH COIN TONE, whereas the EXCAL WONT. That is why I personally put my CZ-20 up, and haven't used it for the last (3) yrs. However the ExCal will ID both those targets in a TRASHIER SOUND, other than a SCREWCAP could ID in the NICKEL/RING/PULLTAB RANGE. But, if you are not going to be detecting in a heavy bottle cap/screwcap area, then the CZ-20 should do just fine. Also, with only (3) tone ID on the CZ-20, if you dig the MEDIUM TONE and the HIGH TONE, then you are not going to MISS ANY GOODIES EITHER. It all boils down to personal preference to how much trash you want to dig on the beach, especially if you are a DRY SAND HUNTER, where there always seems to be ALOT OF BOTTLE CAPS/SCREWCAPS. Mainly, I just LOVE THE TONE ID on the EXCALIBUR!
In regards to the WOT COIL, I personally DO NOT WANT TO DIG-SCOOP 20" Zinc Pennies. Even though there maybe a slight tone difference between a zinc penny, and a regular penny. I have personal trouble distinguishing between the two. Plus, I would not even want the headaches of trying to detect in a ROUGH CURRENT SURF with a WOT COIL. ROUGH CURRENTS create enough headaches with the smaller coils, and 10" is definitely as big as I want to go. But again, that's is my personal opinion. Best of luck with whatever you decide. HH

 

[cabochris]

Thanks for all your help. I have made my decision and am going with the CZ20- 8" coil for my shallow-water hunting. I have never owned one and want a new one while I can still get one. I have looked at a 1280X and am impressed with the quality of manufacture- built solid. I like the way the housing slips right off for hip or chest mount. The headphones do not pinch my ears. I also like the CZ20 style rod. It is well balanced unlike the Excalibur- with Excal I would also have to purchase after market rod. Plus I really like how easy the CZ rod shortens and will fit in my 31" suitcase with ease for travel, without taking anything apart! From what I read the CZ20 has a great reputation, goes deep and I think I prefer 3 distinct tones, rather than the many Excalibur tones. I know the gold tone on the Excalibur, but one really should dig all tones above iron anyway?

I am a bit apprehensive about manual ground balance of the CZ20 and concentric coil rather than DD on Excal. But I like my Gold Bug II and have little problem balancing/tuning it. I think for now I will use my Infinium with 14" coils for beach hunting and tough ground.

The Excalibur is a wonderful machine and I may go back to it, after I try out the CZ20, then again perhaps not? I also hope that Fisher develops a new water machine, with interchangeable coils soon. I'll buy one or 2 of them!

Thanks again, CC.