Which coil size for the Excal?

[BootyHunter]

Hey everybody, new to this forum but not to metal detecting. I am going to purchase the Excalibur II for water hunting in the next couple of days. I am undecided however on what size coil to get, the 8" or the 10". I will be mainly water hunting in fresh water lakes and streams, swimming holes and such. Have a Hookah system and will be diving some with it too. I have experience with a water machine but it is a PI and I want something to discriminate out the bobby pins and nails and such. If you were getting a new Excal which coil would you choose for the above intended uses and why? Oh yeah it will be going to the beach a couple times a year too. Thanks for your input and help.

 

[Art (NWOH)]

If you are going to hunt mostly in the water then you would probably want the smaller coil.....less drag in the water. Also easier to work around rocks.

HH

 

[Gulf Hunter]

Hello BootyHunter,

You have answered many of your own questions already. You had mentioned, "bobby pins and nails". From my limited experience with fresh water hunting, there is VERY little degradation of iron targets there, so a smaller coil will separate better between the targets and of course be able to manuver easier on an uneven lake bed AND you should be able to run it just a tat hotter, without falsing. Many believe the 800 is a slouch, well lemme tell ya, it is a formidable contender!

 

[Bling]

n/t

 

[BigCatDaddy]

I hunt nearly exclusively in freshwater lakes and the 800 is just great in that environment. Just be sure and get a straight shaft for it, the "S" shaft is dreadful and will wear you out quick!!

 

[snooksion]

15inch