Experienced feedback PLZ re Excalibur mods 12x10" SEF & GG Amphibs

[Ytcoinshooter]

I'm interested in other users experiences with either or both of the two mods I'm going forward with. I'm having my 12"x10" SEF hardwired as a small upgrade to the stock 10". Also decided on the Grey Ghost Amphibian headphones. I have some experience with Detector Pro headphones and like them, the same with the SEF coil. I figured since my cans were only producing volume from one ear cup it is time to upgrade. The selection of the 12x10 SEF had to do with getting a little more coverage and depth without paying the price in weight or target separation a larger loop would cost me. My goal is to breathe some new life into this Excalibur 2 by doing the upgrades that I normally do to most of my land detectors. I just shipped it out today and would like to read your feedback.
The last couple of weeks I've been absent from the forums. Too much snow, cold, too blah... I did get to Florida 2/8 - 2/15, did a little detecting at Clearwater Beach and enjoy the Florida sunshine on the Gulf coast.
The area around Tarpon Springs has much to offer. Previously I've only been on the Atlantic coast of south Florida. Once my wife retires I'm pushing to change residency and split time between Fla., CT and Cape Cod Ma.
Florida, Less taxes, more sun = ! Three more years - I hate the cold, grey short days, I'm one of those season affected disorder types. I do the exercise and vitamin D but I'm still blah! The ONLY good thing is what the winter storms do to the beaches here causing them to give up some goodies.

HH-Bruce

 

[dewcon4414]

Its a good coil if you can push that thing around out there. Even here in the Gulf during the winter the 10" can get tuff to swing in the longshore drift. It will make it transitioning from the water to the sand easier than bring two detectors. I use a Sov with a 13" for the sand when i cant get in the water. Its a decision much like people make between the 8" and 10".... not much depth difference on gold.... but the coverage is better. During recent drop times you need to cover some sand fast. Tve got the GGA on.... nice pair of a phones especially when compared to the yellows. Tones appear pretty close and they are more responsive to smaller targets. They may be a little louder than the yellows as well, but i have upgraded jell pads and plugged 2 of the 4 drain holes on the pair of yellows i use on the other machine which really increases the volume. But the GGA are just a tad more responsive to targets.... which equates to depth.

Dew

 

[D-Tex]

With any large coil in water there is more resistance, the best technique is to slow down the sweep speed so your not straining

you muscle's so hard. Let your arm decide how fast to swing it not your habit and you will enjoy it a whole lot more.

I use a 12x15 SEF on my Sovereign ( in shallow water ) and learned real quick you can't swing that

size coil the same way you can a 8" or 10". Low and slow is the way to go !

 

[Ytcoinshooter]

Thank you dewcon4414 for your comments and taking the time to comment.
Using straight shafts with the control pod behind my elbow, drag in clean water was seemingly reduced by the counterweight of the pod. I know it will be noticeable, probably similar to myATPro w/11 x 8.5" DD I used in fresh water. In the ocean seaweed (re "clean water") can really be a pain when it comes to drag. Freshwater weeds too. In the open areas I keep the coil on the bottom and try to move slower. My biggest concern is stability of the 12"x10" SEF in the salt water and I understand that wired correctly the coil should work fine. I never noticed any problems when I stuck my bigger SEF in the lapping salt water waves just to see what it would do when on my GT. One of the most skilled, knowledgeable and repeated contributors to the forums posted earlier this year that he's seen a few wired wrong. I've sent mine to a competent facility that has done many swaps.
HH-Bruce

 

[Ytcoinshooter]

Thanks, I do find more the slower I go. I really like the way the SEF coils hit sharply on good targets, little doubt even on deeper, softer signals. I used the 15x12 on my GT in the wet sand and it has to be like a fishing net in the water! I ended up selling the 15x12 and keeping the WOT for my GT.
Thanks!
HH-Bruce

 

[dewcon4414]

The main thing is several of the guys have went back to the 10" just because they felt it was the best coil because of the physical issues a larger coil created for them..... elbows, shoulders ect. I liked the SEF especially on my Exp just because it i didnt find i had to turn down the sensitivity to get it stable in the water. If you find you are reducing the sensitivity.... then you maybe only gaining coverage over the standard coil. Some of these Xcals just react differently.

Dew

 

[Fletch88]

Do the pinpoint mod for sure over the larger coil change and they're both done from same end cap. I did the pp and GGA's myself with kit from OBN. It is a whole different machine and I hit targets deeper than I can dig with stock 10" coil.

 

[Suncoast Kid]

I did the exact mod you are considering after extensive research with no regrets. I hardwired the 12x10 SEF to my Excal II to replace the 10" coil. The 10" coil is a very good coil, but the SEF covers a little more area, goes a little deeper, and is extremely stable to the point I was surprised (in saltwater). Using the SEF in PP/All Metal, it reacts differently than the 10" to targets giving an increase in depth to the point that it was immediately noticeable. I was in the process of doing the Pel%$# mod to the yellows when I decided to go with the DP GG Amphibian Headphones. The amphibians are definitely the answer to the problem of the yellows and fit great, sound great, and they allow you to turn up the volume on the Excal while adjusting it to your liking with the volume knob on the headphones producing max sensitivity. I also went with the long carbon fiber shaft so the pod on one end balances the coil on the other end right at the handle making it perfectly comfortable. The 12x10 SEF is not much different than using the 10" in the saltwater, maybe slightly more resistance, but I swing slow anyway for depth so it is not a problem. After the mod, it is a completely different machine, and one of the best set-ups I have ever used. If only it would have come that way from Good luck if you do it. You won't be sorry. HH

 

[Ytcoinshooter]

Thank you very much for your feedback Suncoast Kid! The exact mods I'm doing and your experience with them - super I was on the phone with the tech today and decided to go with the remote pinpoint mod as well.
Great forum!
HH - bruce