Headphones and Searchcoil Question- Excalibur- Gray Ghost?

[Surfline]

I have a question about headphones. I have heard that the Gray Ghost headphones are perhaps better than the Excal headphones. Are they waterproof? How do they connect to the Excal? What makes them better?

Regarding searchcoils, I have the 8" coil and it, with the machine, have performed really well. I have not had any issues. Are there any recommendations for a better coil? (depth, discrimination).

Overall, could the performance of an Excal (although it is very good), be improved by modifying it with a different searchcoil and headphones?

Thanks,

Surfline

 

[Gulf Hunter]

Well Surfline, I can comment on half of your inquirey. I mainly hunt IN the water, so aftermarket coils, beyond 10", I feel would be too hard to control, consequently I stick to stock 10" or 8". The Gray Ghost Underwater Headphones were just installed by Minelab. They install the adaptor, like on the battery end, to the top of the control housing and fit the headphones with an ikelite connector, so they are no longer hardwired, but will still honor their warranty. Yes, they are fully submersible. There is NO comparison to the stock Koss or old blues in comfort, tonal quality or wind noise. I can now hear the VERY faintest whispers, almost like running a PI, if you run silent threshold, like cjc recommends!!! Spend the money, get a set and you will not be sorry. You can order them from Joe DeMarco, at Demarco Detector Sales, if you do not have a source for them. If you have any other questions, you may send me a PM.

 

[jim/wpb]

The gray ghosts are awesome.....The easiest way to have it done without going into long stories is to call Joe Demarco. Look up Demarco Metal Detectors. He can make it very easy for you and he knows all the people in the loop that are required to get it done right. I've been using the gray ghosts for two years and they are by far.........the best! They are worth it at any price.

 

[Surfline]

Greatly appreciated. Thanks to you both.

Surfline.

 

[Bobbie]

I have the waterproof Grey Ghosts on my Excal and you cannot beat them for comfort and quality. I also run a 12" Sun Ray coil on the Excal. It is a huge improvement over the stock coil and pinpointing is very good. It is a bigger coil and if you have a strong current or large waves it will be a harder swing......just build up your muscles a bit more and all will be fine. You get a little more depth with the larger coil plus you cover more surface area when hunting. Do not go with the large WOT coil for water hunting.........that is like swinging a trash can lid in the water......but it is very good for the damp sand and I run it on my Sov GT.

 

[Sand Scoop]

If I buy the new Gray Ghost and install them will this void the warranty on the Excal? Is there directions anywhere on the forums showing how to change headphones?
Thanks

 

[Gulf Hunter]

Sand scoop, there are instructions showing how to, but the parts are not readily available to the job right. Minelab has what is necessary to get it done. Send the unit, with the Gray Ghost Underwaters to Vegas, with a note stating what you want done. If they do the installation, then the warranty will not be voided. If you do it, they'll know and it ain't worth it. The impedance has to be set up correctly for the Excal, just send it in, you will be VERY HAPPY with the outcome!

 

[Surfline]

Bobbie,

So from your input and the forum's feedback, an Excalibur with Gray Ghost headphones and 12 " (X-12 or S-12?) Sun Ray coil will result in "hearing" more targets and have a greater depth when compared to the stock Excalibur 800 (will also be fully waterproof).

Thanks,

Surfline

 

[Joe of South Jersey]

well worth the investment. with shipping cost, lost of hunting time, repair time......

think how much time is spent when headphones go south. Weeks to repair in many cases....

the modi. makes it none if you have a spare. and days in most cases and that is just ship time.