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First time at the beach with my Excal 2

B

Barry NY

Member
Finally made it to the beach late today (low tide was 5:30pm got there at 4) since receiving and setting up my new unit.

A couple of things to say after reading through most of these posts:
1. if you're out of shape, this hobby will kick your butt - between working the rig and the big scoop those unused arm muscles will be worked hard
2. digging in the water (even in 6") takes skill and speed
3. finding targets is not easy
4. i greatly admire the guys here that have made great and frequent finds - it ain't easy to do no matter what they tell you

Met 2 other Detectorists while out there, one a nice guy, Chris, who chatted for a bit; the other went about with his business - and you guessed it, they both had Excaliburs...
Now the good news - this popular beach on Long Island has the western most parking and beach access area closed. I didn't know why that field was closed but the western part of the area that was open where I was had some severe cuts (at least 4') right up to the dunes, then the beach sloped straight out. Looking parallel down the shoreline, you could discern the scallops and the indentations.
When I asked Chris why his buddy blew by me so quickly hustling west he told me that he was working his way down to the closed field where the cut was well over 10' high!!! He said that the 4' cuts I was looking at were at least 8' high just 2 weeks ago - what a spectacular way in which mother nature can work her magic...making the big cuts over the winter and filling them in during the summer.
Anyway, Chris went on to say that after working this beach for about 5 years and finding his share of gold here and there - he found a Spanish 2 reale coin about 6" deep last fall after a storm - who wudda thought finding something like that here on Long Island??
Needless to say - I'm into it - and with my sore forearms will be looking to get out there again tomorrow at low tide...
 
Barry, i just went out for the first time with my Excal as well and loved it. My thought after my first Excal water hunt was similar to yours, man that is a work out. I was happy with the machine but pin pointing in the water I found will take a while to get used to, I was working up to my waste in fresh water. Came away with a dog angel ( FOR THE DOG COLLAR) 6 in down and a # of coins + a silver toe ring 9.25. All and all I am happy with the machine, but a little disappointed with trying to figure out a dime, nickle, penny or a quarter sound. My other detector is a Whites MXT with a VDI..
Question for you PRO'S, do you hunt in pin point (all metal) or in the Discrim. mode and what setting?????
Gerry in WA
 
Gerry, that is a question you will have to answer for yourself, but the answer is yes to both, conditions dependent. Read Clive's Excal books, last 2 editions, stick to Disc initially. Don't worry too much about what everything is, just dig it all. You will figure that stuff out later, but I have been a pretty faithful Excal user, since Jan.'06 and I still get fooled, savvy? For starters, set to Disc, barely audible threshold, Volume wide open, Sensitivity as a starting point around 1-2 o'clock and Discrimination on 1. Sweep slowly, about 1' per second. Read, read and re-read the books again, till you actually absorb the material. I am like 4-5 times through each one and still soaking it all in, LOTS OF INFORMATION THERE, Clive knows his stuff! Then go out there and put the information into practice. Wish I had those books, when I started the game in '06. OBTW, I'm the guy who went 25 straight hunts, without finding gold, on page 17, in the 1st volume, LOL! Best of luck to ya!
 
Hey..You Couple Of Mad Sea Dogs..Good Work On the First Time's Digging for Loot! Listen to GH Guys..He Gives Great Advice..Keep us informed on your hunts...And the GOLD................Good Luck...Obn
 
Went back out today - was there by 6am. my wife came along with a chair, a paper and coffee.
Was the only MD there - unreal on a gorgeous day on a 5 mile long perfect beach!!

Listened to the new Excal audio CD on the way there - let me tell you, as a good introduction and indoctrination to the Excal tones - it is worth the buy.
I will be listening to it a number of times - as well as reading the 2 Clive's books I have - again plus i have the other 2 on the way.

Practiced both ways today. I will say in pinpoint it finds everything and i mean everything - if it's out there, you will find it. then just pop it over to disc and listen to the result.
try to guess what you got, how big and deep it is by the tone. it will take time.

working the ocean water it tough. tomorrow i'm trying the LI Sound side of the island at a different state beach. i will try the water there - up to waist deep to start. the ocean is just too kick ass for a rookie like me. if you dig - you better be sure it's a good target. the sand fills it hole in 15 seconds...

Gulf Hunter - you would love it here.
 
Hi guys, love reading posts like barryny and Gulf Hunter, OBN, and all the others. I am just wondering on the Excals if you are using the 800 or 1000? I just got Clive's books in the mail today and can't wait to dig in (after I clear this mountain of paper on my desk). I bought the books to read first before I buy the Excal. I can tell just skimming them that they are very well done. Anyway just wondering what you all prefer, the 800 or 1000. Going way back through the posts, it looks like most guys are using the 800? I could be wrong. Let me know. Hope everyone is having a great summer. Congrats to barryny too. Hope we see many more posts from you!
 
i got the 10" - great coverage on the beach - a liitle tough to keep situated in the water with the smashing waves tho...
spoke to Clive about the 10 vs 8 as he makes a few comments in the book about it - he said no worries on the 10 - need to practice a little more...
 
It sounds like either works fine. I go back and forth on what to buy but it is probably splitting hairs! Continued good luck and fun barryny!
 
GPete I had both, just recently sold the original 1000 that I started with(Jan. '06). Sometimes I miss the coverage, but the 800 handles the ground and REALLY most everything else better out there, imo. Currently we have 2) Excal 800s, not IIs. It is nice to have one of each (eventually maybe you can afford both), there are times where each could be potentially beneficial. In extremely trashy areas, the 800 will pick apart a 1000 on separation.
 
Hi Gulf Hunter! I really like reading your posts. Very informative and knowledgable! I am pretty well settled on the 800. I am reading Clive's books right now actually. Definitely one I will be reading again, again, then a couple more times. Lots of info and is well written. Thanks for the input! I always click on your posts! Continued good luck!
 
GH, when you say sensitivity at 1-2 o'clock do you mean on the number 1 or 2. I am a retired pilot and a posn. of 1-2 o'clock has relative position meaning as opposed to a number meaning.
I am not being a jerk just trying to get the meaning of 1-2. You guys that hunt regularly have so much knowledge, I look forward to reading your posts :please: I have contacted Clive and will order his books, by Nov. I will be up to speed for some serious Mexico detecting. I have also took your advice and bought a wet suit areal must in our area.
I understand Disc at number 1 and work on sound recognition, if I understand you correctly it will come with time and much practice (i have the sound CD). The sensitivity at number 1 or 2 or at the relative position of 1 or 2 o'clock /
GH thanks muchly for the encouragement.

Gerry Birch Bay WA
 
Thanks GH, I have ordered Clive's books and waiting for them. I have been out twice, one toe ring and numerous coins, I was using sens. in auto, went out and reread M/Lab manual and it states "may have to run sensitivity on number 4 when using in the water". I will leave discrimination at number 1, sensitivity at number 4 with a slight hum on the threshold, volume midway and in the Disc mode.
I look forward to trying theses settings.
Gerry
 
OH MY, you are in for a SERIOUS performance gain, just getting out of AUTO, I NEVER use it, you will lose more than you will ever know running AUTO!
 
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