Explorer XS in the SALT?

[seahunter34]

As a shallow water hunter who uses Excaliburs, I have often wondered if an FBS machine might provide an advantage in the salt? So I recently purchased my first Explorer, a used XS. It has been nicely modified and sits on an S rod with the battery tucked into a small waterproof box mounted under the cuff. I like this XS but have no experience with it at the beach yet. From what I read the XS is good at a salt beach. I can see some possible advantages over BBS, like being able to adjust Iron Mask, or creating a gold pattern...

So now that the wheels are turning, I envision stuffing my XS in a waterproof box. I've seen photos where others have done this. But before I get too involved in doing that, perhaps some good advice is called for? Some have told me that the XS is too sensitive/noisy for the salt? Is this true? I have the XS and would enjoy the project, but will I be happy with the performance of the XS in shallow saltwater? Then which coil would be best? I'm leaning towards the stock 8 inch FBS. But then there is the 10X12 SEF. Perhaps I could even use waterproof connectors for the coils and headphones. Then I could try different size coils as per conditions- such as the Sun Ray 5.5 at trashy beaches?

I realize my set-up would be as simplistic as possible and that I would not have any controls outside the box. But once set, perhaps I would not have to make any changes while hunting? Plus I'm mainly a tone hunter. I have seen an Explorer in a heavy clear bag, but think I prefer a clear box. I kind of like the idea of chest mounting, but know the Explorer coils cables might be too short for that? Then there is hip-mounting. So before I get started I would appreciate any advice, positive or negative. Thanks, SH34

 

[david.di]

Yes , Explorer is just great in salt water, but Excalibur seems right up and as capable. Sold my Excalibur 1 and is obviously a great detector in the hands of the user when they know how to use it.

I still think a chest mounted version is best if you want to use any visual aspects of the Explorer screen, else if you hip mount it, you need a bit of a rubber neck. The underwater version that allows you to submerge the control box and all that Charles(NY)

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?63,1124949,1128002#msg-1128002

, Beachcomber and others have made are just great. Top feats of engineering in my opinion.

I use this chest mounted version(Ex2 mark3, the other 2 Ex XS's died) It's not as slick, a bit rough, but it works) , It would sustain a dunking and if I wanted to , I could make it a complete water waterproof unit for diving, like the Excalibur, but I don't dive, just wade up to my waist and slightly above and I am able to use the screen calculations with out any problems. I use the Coiltek Platypus oil for this version , though the 15inch WOT works well for me to.

Is the XS too sensitive/noisy for the salt? Not that I recall. It seemed just fine.Overcame a lot of problems that were supposed to affect it.

If you decide to make yours a water proof version with or without visual and just audio , it's possible, a little risky but just take care and use common sense in coming up with a way to resemble the unit so as the electronics never get wet or damaged while making the unit.
Putting the handle and control box with the extended coil cable into a waterproof back pack is a good idea. Just make absolutely sure you do that correctly and two or three bags in one might help in ensuring absolute waterproofing. Sealing the Explorer in such a back pack with 2 or three extra membranes would mean you'd need a system that at least let you press the on button without to much trouble but what happens when you need to charge or change the batteries.
That may mean a external battery pack that you put into the backpack as a separate removable chargeable item. Food for thought. Not impossible. maybe make a three cable entry point for coil, headphone and battery wires. Together or three separate entry points into whatever bag/s.

Look in the MODIFICATIONS and Beach and Water / Scuba Dive Detecting Forums of the is site.

.

david di

 

[seahunter34]

Nice Rig! Thanks for the good information. I purposely bought the older XS so I would not end up having too much into such a project/experiment. I have no intentions of getting overly fancy at this point. What I have in mind is a clear plastic waterproof box. Like an 100' depth Otter-box? I have some reservations on the flotation that box might create, but still want to try if for fun. My XS would have to be waterproof in shallow waters. I would never dive with it and envision the box hip/waist mounted towards my back- like an Excalibur hip mount. I also want to be able to quickly remove XS from box and convert back to land/pole mount as desired- in minutes.

I'm pretty sure I can do this project and enjoy having something different. But will it be better than my Excaliburs? My thinking is that it would because I could have the options of interchangeable coils as conditions require- rocks, trash, wide open sand... OK, that could be done with Excal too. But where we hunt the Excaliburs null often on iron trash- at certain beaches where we find gold. Makes me wonder how much I'm missing? On these trips there simply is not enough time to dig every signal as with a PI. I believe with the XS I can reduce or turn off Iron Mask. So that could be an advantage? I could set the tones to my liking and hunt by tones and scooping everything above iron? I often wonder why Minelab has not offered a waterproof FBS machine yet?