Need Advice - on Backup MD for Excalibur

[OUTATIME]

Just wanted to know what others thought about getting a second metal detector for the Excal 1000?

I was thinking about a PI machine or possibly another Excal.
Maybe an 800, or an Excal with a larger coil.

I'm leaning towards the Whites PI Pro because of the Depth, people talk of digging small gold rings at 12 inches plus...but I've done that with the Excal (when I walk slow).

What machine do ya think would complement the Excal?

Thanks

OUTATIME

 

[Gulf Hunter]

I wonder how trashy your area is OUTATIME? Have you ever spoken to any of the PI hunters around your area? If the ferrous iron content is reasonably low, then it would be a good choice. PIs work better out deeper, but can also be used in wet sand and shallow, but usually it is trashier there. I have used a Garrett Mark II and of course the Goldquest Aquasearch. The Goldquest is very deep and sensitive, but it's also over $1500. A PI PRO or Head Hunter PI would be good compromises for you. I like having a PI, for those times, when targets are deep and the Excal gets too quiet. All you need is a peep! You are hunting for small whispers. Houndawgg and Craig PI, would be good hunters to ask about the PI PRO, on this forum, but I have never used one. John Edmonton, is also having good success with the Infinium, but is running it in fresh water. I would think salt water results would be similar using the unit though. You may also want to consider looking at the new CZ21 coming out soon. It is VLF, but as I understand it, a very serious salt and fresh water contender. I have one on hold from my local dealer, when it releases. GH

 

[jim/wpb]

If I were you I would get another excal 1000 for backup. A larger coil is hard to manuever underwater. The 800 was just too small for me as I like to cover more ground than the 800 would allow.

I backed up with another Excal 1000 and therefore I always feel safe that I'll always have a working unit should I need to send one back.

I should also note that I have the Sovereign GT for land also, and as I'm sure you know, the units are based on the same technology and provide that same sounds.

 

[Bobbie]

My husband (J-man) has the PI Pro as a backup to the Excal. It is good for deeper waters where there is not as much trash. It does go deep but once you get near the shallows then you are digging everything.
We also had the Detector Pro Wader which is a good machine, (it is a discriminating machine) but not quite as deep as the Excal. They do have a larger coil for it now. We both run 12" coils on our Excals, but we are detecting Long Island Sound and that is like a pond, we do not have difficulty using it in water that are calm but I can see that there would be a problem if you are using it in rough surf. Spend the money and get another Excal, or you will be buying and selling machines like the J-man!!

 

[alton]

I labored with this decision 2 months ago. I finally bought an Excal 800 so that my elderly detecting buddy could go with me.

As a result, there were a few benefits that I didn't think of. First, I now have a spare battery and charger. The battery will work in either detector. The smaller coil comes in handy too.

The other units I was looking at were the PI Pro, and the Infinium LS. I was very intriqued by the Infinium. If I were to have the decision in front of me now, I would also be looking real hard at the soon to be released CZ-21. The CZ-20 seems to be a proven performer and the CZ-21 will be the same detector with improvements.

I also considered the Goldquest Aquasearch but it was more than I had to spend. It is still something that I will consider for the future.

I do plan at some point to aquire a PI machine in case I ever have a vacation like I had in April where everything was sanded in. I feel like the Excal has super depth, but there may be times you need that little bit more. Last April was my example.

Good luck on whatever you get!

HH Alton

 

[OUTATIME]

n/t