Just Received Excal II

[cabochris]

I recently ordered 2 new Excalibur IIs, an 800 and 1000. The 800 finally arrived and my initial impressions are favorable. The 1000 is on back-order. I know that BBS detectors do not air-test well, but the new 800 does appear to be more sensitive to gold rings. This observation becomes immediately clear. It was almost as though I was air-testing my 8 inch CZ20- which does very well. I was even impressed with Excal II set in AUTO sensitivity. As I have been told, Minelab added some sort of electronics shielding, plus changed the coil to their Slim Line. I have no idea if they changed any of the electronics, but the Excalibur II does seem better. The small 800 coil seems more powerful/intense. I think that will be reflected positively in the field, and that would be fantastic news! But I will have to wait until February, before I can make my next Caribbean treasure hunting vacation and find out. Since I have successfully used Excaliburs for shallow water hunting, I should know within a few hours of actual Caribbean field use. I do prefer the Excalibur II quality looks and will post my finds as soon as I can. Other Excal II users should do so too. The photo is of last years, 1 week Caribbean Excalibur gold finds. CC.

 

[Gulf Hunter]

n/t

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

BOY Chris, YOU could Open a Jewelry Shop with THOSE FINDS!! WTG!! Les

 

[greenmeanie]

Does it still do the threshold remember thing? When you scan over an object and it keeps playing the annoying threshold sound?

 

[Larry (The Palm Bay Pirate)]

after hitting a target that leaves a dull tone, I swing my aluminum sand scoop over the coil to get a more pleasant sounding higher tone and I turn my threshold way down

 

[greenmeanie]

I did that with the old model but it got quite annoying and I sold it.
I guess they didn't stop it this time around then.

 

[Gulf Hunter]

If it does then the threshold is still up too loud greenmeanie. I run my threshold, just below barely audible on the Excal. No more unnecessary distractions! If you ever decide on another Excal, then I would strongly recommend cjc's new Excal book. He has shared methods to overcome these annoyances and they work very well!

 

[cabochris]

I believe the threshold is exactly the same. One can set a perfect threshold for searching, pass over an iron object/ground, and the iron threshold return comes back too loud! So one must pass coil over scoop for a return to original set threshold. I have never liked this about the Excalibur. I once ask Minelab why this happened, without a satisfactory response.

I do not mind the threshold response tonal change, but not the volume increase! It can be a real joy in an iron infested area, to repeatedly have to pass your scoop past coil every few feet. I guess one just has to learn to live with that? A quick fix might be some sort of threshold reset button?

The iron return threshold volume change, and excessive susceptibility to electrical interference, were my main Excalibur complaints. Well I believe Minelab has fixed one with new electronics shielding, a move in the right direction. And one out of 2 ain't bad! CC.