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Excalibur advice has me confused.......

I

Ivan

New member
Finally, I'm ready to go out and buy an Excalibur 800. Plan was to get one and hipmount it because I hear it weighs a ton. Then, I'm told that the wires are too weak, for hipmounting... that they will not last if I hipmount????? I don't get it, an expensive detector should have good quality cable and be hipmountable. ( I don't know if I should believe this advice as the dealer who warned me about this potential problem, is not a Minelab dealer but he was adamant the he's heard many of these units come apart like a cheap toy if hipmounted). Anyone care to give me the "real goods" on the hipmount situation. What is the best way to hipmount, are there after market kits that are better than the Minelab set up.... thanks for your help on this one!!!
 
It doesn't matter what brand you hipmount.....if you hipmount you will eventually break the coil wire. Plus hipmounting is extremely dangerous when water hunting. If something should happen when you are out in the water the last you want is to be attached to your detector!!!!!!!!!!! THe best and safest way is going with the balanced straight shaft that many people use. JMHO

HH

Beachcomber
 
about the price of the product. When you buy a weed wacker, you have a choice of a straight shaft or offset. So, why doesn't Minelab give you a choice too? I went out and spent another $100.00 for the straight shaft on top of the $1,095.00.

I never used the factory shaft and I can't compare to a hipmount either. I got a "freebie" hipmount in my package and I know other detectorists that have had breakage of the connection using a hipmount. My "freebie" is for sale in my club newsletter!!!!

It was explained to me that the Excal is great if you are diving and underwater. Then it is balanced. On land, all the weight is over the coil and you get tired real fast.

So "Minelab engineers - If you are out there, please offer a choice of shafts". I would bet you would sell more straight shafts!

PS - I would definitely recommend the machine. It is my fourth detector starting with Radio Shack, White's, Minelab Quattro and now the Excal 800. Good luck!

Ina
 
The information that you was given was correct.The seals on the leads do eventually start to leak if you hip mount the machine, this is caused by constantly straining the leads putting stress on the seals.A balanced shaft is the best way to go. Bill babbs makes an excellent shaft, but if you are a handy man they are simple to make I have put an article in the Sovereign and Excalibur section if you are interested on how to make your own at little cost. good luck seeya Neilo:ausflag:
 
Hi Ivan,

There have been many discussions here on this forum regarding the weak wire problems and how to get away from hip mounting using a straight shafts. You might scan a couple of pages or use the search function at the top of the page and see some of the really good information that has been posted.

HH,

Chuck in Cape Coral
 
They might want to look at the wiring problem before they hand out accessories that are designed to make the unit fail.

BDA:cool:
 
Hey Ivan......as a Minelab dealer, I agree.....with those who have responded, get yourself the "lightning rod" and enjoy the best water hunter available.
 
You don't need new shaft-just got Exc. 1000-quick look around, part of a old shaft about 12 inchs long, drill and in 10 min. I had pods mounted and attached to rear of the factory shaft. Will take down just like factory attached pods or one push button and both pods are off still attached to extinsion that could be belt mounted if one wanted to. The balance is in the factory grip. I fell like you could find material for the extention at like a Marine West, Boaters World,what ever is in your area. Save the money and put it in the gas tank.
 
Honestly, all the modifications people do to their Excals just so they can use them properly should be sending some kind of message to the manufacturer that some changes are in order.
I know I'm probably talking to myself in the wilderness here but Jeez Louise, it just bugs me that you can't get a proper machine right out of the box for $1,095.00 US. That's a lot of greenbacks.

I still love my Excal and I'm happy with the results I've had in the 3 1/2 months since I bought it. I also know that I'm at the point where things are starting to come apart on my NEW machine, this is unacceptable in a product that is not even seeing constant usage.

End of Rant,

BDA:rage:

PS: This is what you can find with your Excal in the same time frame.:):thumbup::spin:

[attachment 32767 P8130004-1.JPG]
 
The feedback has already been placed with Minelab to include a straight shaft with the machine. I believe they are listening, and we will see a couple of changes in the future. The new headphones is as a result of them listening. I appreciate the feedback as well, and I make sure it gets to the right people.:minelab::detecting:
 
Thanks Chuck, and yes I believe Minelab is listening. Huntress's new headphones area wonderful. If mine break again, I will request that the factory replace them with the Koss. They look like a GREAT improvement over the old blues. EVERY detector I buy has something about it that could be better. I have broken every model that I have owned out there. It's a hostile environment out there. We just have to stop whining and do what it takes to get the job done, with what we have to work with. Yeh, we're gonna have to spend some money, but who cares, this hobby pays if you put in the time. Tenacious perseverence!
 
Time to sink a little of the gold I've found back into the gold vacuum. I'm planning on a major rebuild for my Excal but it's darn pricey getting the parts here and takes forever to find someone who will even ship stuff this far. Downtime on my Excal is not something I want, may have to get an Eric Foster rig as back up.
Forgive me for demanding quality and good value for dollar but it's basically my job description and I can't help it; it's what I do for a living.

Cheers,

BDA:cool:

[attachment 32810 excal.jpg]
 
Right on GH........no detector or detector manufacturer is perfect, but I have found that Minelab is willing to listen, and do what they can.:minelab::beers:
 
listening to it's customers with both ears.This unit seems to have too many problems for the price tag. And boy is it heavy to use with a straight shaft... so for now i will have to pass on this unit. Thanks for all your replies.
 
I want to buy a metal detector but I don't know which is the best. I found a lot of informations about that on http://www.METAL-DETECTOR-REVIEW.COM and I want to know more about which model is ideal for treasure hunting. Any recommendations would be appreciated, make and model, etc)
 
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