Newbie with Excal 800, red headphones and seasearch looking for basic operating functions of dials

[atrembla]

Hello, I am sure this is not the first newbie post, so here come my newbie questions.

First dial Disc/Pinpoint, what does it do aside from change tone, does it work with the dial Disc range 0-17, if so how?
Second dial is understandibly the on/off dial and what I relate as the squelch on a CB, what are its' functions
Third dial is volume which is also understandable, if it relates to the function of the threshold please let me know
Forth dial is sensitivity from what i understand is how the unit intereacts with the surface being scanned, more details requested
Finally dial 5 DISC which I think works with dial 1 Disc/PinPoint, help me understand how the two work.

Second item, batteries, I understand that the unit is supposed to work in water up to 200ft, has anyone used a 3rd party battery pack and if so have to been able to reseal the battery pod? So far i have found one company that specializes in batteries, and for this model detector they have a 1400mAh pack for 35.00, and an optional fast charge kit same battery pack but with a fast charger for like 65.00. The describe the removal/installation of batteries, however being new to this hobby i am not ready to rip mine apart until I hear from a more experience source.
http://www.onlybatterypacks.com/items.asp?db=48


Third, this unit from what I also understand is most likely one of the first models and has had a few improvements over the years. Being new, is there anything that I should be aware that was changed out for better performance, or for faulting operation.

Lastly, living in Lake Worth, Fl. is there anyone else who lives nearby that would like to get together and "swing" as they say.


I appreciate your kindness and patience with my newbie questions.


Cheers.
Aaron

 

[atrembla]

wow amazing even, heavens to murgatroy, anyways. Thanks so much for your feedback, very informative! now, to get back on the beach and do some more hunting. so far i found a pair of fish hooks, tiny little suckers, it was awesome though proved to me that the unit works right!!!, Corona bottle cap with a note inside, said he was sorry the bottle was not full and attached, that would be an awesome find ehhh? ummm piece of aluminum, hair barret, (dont need that) piece of thin wire, umm that was it. Aside from nothing of value, it was cool to actually find something.

 

[Gulf Hunter]

Hello atrembla, kered's council is sound and should get you where you want to be. However, it concerns me you are finding fish hooks? In most cases, fish hooks are a ferrous iron target and should be nulling(total silence). For starters, go ahead and hunt in the Disc mode, not Pinpoint till you learn the various tones and how targets sound. You can get to the searching in Pinpoint eventually, but for now stick to Disc only and make sure the unit is NOT in Auto (on sensitivity) too. Try to adjust the sensitivity where the unit is smooth and unwavering, otherwise it is set too hot and you will need to back off, which is counter-clockwise and volume 3/4 on the NY model will be PLENTY loud, as it has MUCH better audio, than the later models of Excals. Good luck out there mate!

 

[bellababe]

Im actually glad I found this forum. I am thinking about making a purchase of
a used excalibur - but i could find any info or pics on this unit. Until now.
The color is black and has red headphones. The seller wants $100 for it
but admits it has a cracked battery pod. Im a newbie and this would be my
first unit. I dont want to spend $$$ for a new one for my new hobby.
But Im afraid i wont find the parts etc. The seller claims it works and should
email more pics on the damage she described. What do you think??

 

[kered]

100 bucks is a gift if it works, even for spares to a person that has one if it doesn't, the coil alone is worth that

 

[Gulf Hunter]

Here is a link to resolve the battery pod issue. http://demarcodetectorsales.com/html/minelab/Acc/Accessories_Excalibur.html Joe D can fix you right up on it. As far as repairs, Minelab has agreed to repair the units, pending parts availability. I will send the latest Minelab bulletin regarding repairs on the NY model of Excal. In working order, the unit should easily bring $800, so imo a good investment. At minimum you should easily be able to recoup your initial investment+.
[attachment 144874 MinelabServiceChanges.JPG]

 

[bellababe]

thanks so much for the info. Im gonna buy it and check out the link you just posted.
i'lll let u know how it goes.