Excal Straight Rod Questions

[UtahRich]

Picked up an Excal II 1000 and am in the process of getting things ready for spring for some lake hunting including beach and shallow water. Will be heading to SoCal this summer for a couple weeks to visit relatives and Micky. Trying to select a straight rod to redistribute weight. Had my shoulder fixed a few years ago, but it definitely doesn't appreciate taking abuse.

Looking a both types out there, the extended rod, which places the housing and battery behind the elbow, and the over / under style which places it under the forearm. I have given some thought to hip-mount but have replaced too many sections of cable on my old detectors due to flex breakage. Don't want to get into mod's until warranty expires.

What are the pro's and con's of each type? Is a knob guard a necessity for both types? I would like to get one that breaks down for travel as long as the connection points are solid.

I'm a lefty, but don't think that will be a problem, but thought I would throw that in just in case.

Appreciate your thoughts.

Rich

 

[bcoop]

Rich, I have a 2 piece plugger shaft. The rod is in 2 pieces and then you add your Minelab lower rod making 3 sections. The unit is very well balance and comfortable to swing. I purchased the Excalibur and the shaft new last year before vacation and used it 6 to 8 hours a day for 5 or six days on the beach. I too swing with my left arm the majority of the time but I do switch over to my right arm occasionally but I am ambidextrous. I throw a ball, bat, shoot a basket ball all left handed. I shoot a gun, sign my name and write right handed. The shaft works well for me whichever arm I am using and I am not a young pup, will be 45 the 12th of this month. Oh, almost forgot, the knob guard will prevent bangs to your knobs for sure because this setup is very long and you can easily bang your knobs on the door facing coming in and out of the house with it put together.


Here is a picture of my setup

BCOOP

 

[muggsc]

Hi Rich, I also have a Plugger shaft and love it. Its an older model that had the the old twist type connectors on the shaft. I think that he installs the new type that are a lot better now. I didn't go with the knob guard but I did have to make up a guard for the connector that sticks out in the back(I broke the plastic threaded part). I'm 66 with a bad shoulder and I can go for hours with it.
I'm lovin' the E-trac , good luck and HH.
Cal

 

[UtahRich]

Cal,

it's great to hear from you. I was wondering just this morning how you and that e-trac were doing. Minelabs little move from Vegas to Chicago and the excalibur shortage blew up my water hunting plans last summer. It has taken me this long to get things back on track. Good thing is that I did get the e-trac replaced and I now have a excal II as well.

Thanks for chiming in, it is appreciated.

Rich