Xcal down!!...But wow what a great MD it's been.

[bob.oz]

I've gotten over a hundred hours on the Xcal Blue 1000 since I bought it at the beginning of the year. It's been a great machine and has more than paid for it's self in the time I've been using it. I posted several gold rings, one plat..... and a lot less junk compared to my years spent with the DF. But, it looks like the DF is coming out of the closet and being put back into service this week.
Monday the Xcal was being a little noisy with lots of false signals. I came home with 50 cents from a four hour hunt. Decided to rewrap and retape the coil wire to the shaft...I had not touched it since I got it and was just looking to clean up the old tape job that was beginning to fall apart. Well I should of let it be...five minutes in the water this afternoon and she started going nuts, would not run smooth like I was used too and compared to Monday was totally useless From what I've read on previous posts on here and other forums my immediate thought was the coil. I could not see any obvious cracks in the coil or cable while out at the beach, but upon further inspection when I got home I found the problem in the cable were it goes into the coil.
I know what needs to be done.....new coil, but what would you do, or have you done in this situation?
My thoughts are the smaller 8" coil, it has the 10" BBS. I was thinking of going all out by installing the coil connector that OBN is testing,and while I'm at it pp mod and headphone upgrade. I've got experience in electronics from TV and Stereo repairs although it's been 40 years....but with some guidance I'm pretty sure I can do it.
The Xcal is an excellent MD, and I've really taken to it's abilities of finding the good stuff. I posted all my finds, good and bad, on this forum...all but one bracelet that I found a few months ago.
I checked the paper and CL every day, even asked around the beach service operators if they had heard of someone losing a gold bracelet. Still not going to give up a lot of info or pictures other than it's a known jewelry designer, 18k and weighs 2.75 oz.... By far the best & biggest chunk of gold I ever found. GL ALL

 

[OldBeechnut]

Just send the Excalibur and the bracelet, that will cover you for life on repairs...haha...Beautiful catch....and send that excal to dave at kellyco..they are very good on the coils....

 

[John(Tx)]

My hunting partner has the 8" on his excal, I've got the 10". His is easier to hunt with in the water and he makes outstanding finds. If my 10" ever craps out, I will get the 8". Good luck. HH

 

[ZOFCHAK]

WOW! That has to be one of the best gold jewelry finds I've ever seen posted here!

 

[WIN12MAN]

X-CAL >>>> Minelab = The BEST ... Nice find .. ^5

Win

 

[stumppass]

I like my Xcal's

Great find!

 

[bob.oz]

So who has had Kco replace the coil on their Xcal....What will it cost for an 8" coil and labor? I'll run it over there myself if it will speed up service.

 

[dewcon4414]

Dave and Barry are great to deal with. Me and my hunting partner have had them do repairs. Dont know how far away you are, but seems cheaper and faster to send it over. Only takes a day and its there. Give um a call.... ive got a good idea what it costs my buddy just had one done by them, but im not them. I used a Sov 10" coil when my casing went down. Sounds like you maybe capable of changing out that coil yourself..... in fact youd have to if you use Joes end cap with coil swap and want to add the PP switch. My hunting buddy LOVES his 8" and swears the machine is so much smoother and easier to hunt with. Just remember.... the 8" is really 7 1/4". They get good depth thou and you can run higher sensitivity. To me the Blues are worth every penny spent on them. That PP switch.... to die for. Smooth as butter with all out sensitivity even at the surf edge... flip of the switch and you know if its iron. You get to know iron after awhile, but i still take a bit off to be sure because DEEP signals that would sound like falsing or minerals in disc may have a broken signal like iron.... but once you move a little sand they can change to GOOD targets. Ive gotten some gold that away since having it installed.

If i had your skills, id get a used Sov coil of your choice and get the PP switch and headphones as a package from Joe. Im guessing youd save $100 just doing the coil yourself.

Dew

 

[Kossie]

What a stunner that bracelet. I can't feel sorry for you despite your broken down Xcal. With an 8" it.s easier to locate objects and it performs better in highly mineralized circumstances. When you operate on clean soils a 10" gives more depth.

Regards Kossie

 

[bob.oz]

Sent the Xcal into Kco this afternoon, Should cost @ $330.00....... this includes coil, seals and labor. They should receive it Saturday and I should get it back before the end of next week.
Put new batteries in the DF. So If you step in any deep holes out there this coming week,.....