First day out with the Excalibur II vs. my AT Pro

[signal]

Picked up the Excalibur II for Christmas. Not only did I get an nice package deal from Kellyco (I built my own package), but Minelab throws in a free battery and car charger which is like a $275 value or something like that......(if purchased before Dec 31, 2014).

Anyways, I am very impressed with the Excal. I took it down to the wet, and it just worked awesome. On the AT Pro, here in South Florida, the sand is mineralized enough that the detector would go nuts. Even with ground balancing manually the AT Pro has a "threshold" of chatter that is quite annoying in the wet. The Excalibur was just purring. I hit a ring right away, and then quite a bit of clad. I quickly found out what cans sound like, unmistakable. I mostly bought this rig for scuba, and I can't wait to get it under water.

My AT Pro I like for the sand. Works great, I would say that it works for me, better in the dry than the Excalibur. Why? Because the recovery speed on the AT Pro is so fast, that I can really swing it quick and cover decent ground. I love the iron audio and reduced weight as well. I realize the Excal has hip and chest mount options.

But in the wet/water, AT Pro can't touch this machine! I know for a fact, there is no way I would have been able to get the targets I did tonight with the AT Pro. Even on my first night out with the Excal, I was able to immediately see a difference in my performance in the wet, and I can't imagine how it will be once I learn the machine even more.

I am glad to have the AT Pro for dry sand, parks, relics, etc. And now the Excal for wet/water.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

[sponge]

Picked up the Excalibur II for Christmas. Not only did I get an nice package deal from Kellyco (I built my own package), but Minelab throws in a free battery and car charger which is like a $275 value or something like that......(if purchased before Dec 31, 2014).

Anyways, I am very impressed with the Excal. I took it down to the wet, and it just worked awesome. On the AT Pro, here in South Florida, the sand is mineralized enough that the detector would go nuts. Even with ground balancing manually the AT Pro has a "threshold" of chatter that is quite annoying in the wet. The Excalibur was just purring. I hit a ring right away, and then quite a bit of clad. I quickly found out what cans sound like, unmistakable. I mostly bought this rig for scuba, and I can't wait to get it under water.

My AT Pro I like for the sand. Works great, I would say that it works for me, better in the dry than the Excalibur. Why? Because the recovery speed on the AT Pro is so fast, that I can really swing it quick and cover decent ground. I love the iron audio and reduced weight as well. I realize the Excal has hip and chest mount options.

But in the wet/water, AT Pro can't touch this machine! I know for a fact, there is no way I would have been able to get the targets I did tonight with the AT Pro. Even on my first night out with the Excal, I was able to immediately see a difference in my performance in the wet, and I can't imagine how it will be once I learn the machine even more.

I am glad to have the AT Pro for dry sand, parks, relics, etc. And now the Excal for wet/water.

Congrats on the excal and ring. The free battery and charger are through minelab not kellyco? Thats a sweet deal.

sent from a sending device.

 

[ARC]

Welcome to the Excal 2 Salt life... AND every other detector.
Here are a few tips for care...
#1. Always make sure battery connector is "snug" before using... and especially before submerging it.
#2. Use small amount of silicone grease on rubber grommet at battery connection every time you charge unit, careful not to loose or rip grommet.
#3. When switching from Disc./pinpoint... use "even" gentle pressure... smooth and gentle. this applies to all knobs.
#4. Remove and rinse coil and coil cover EVERY time. Rinse thoroughly and let air dry.
#5. Avoid tugging or any pulling on wires... once good adjustments are made ... leave alone.
#6. Avoid leaving in direct sunlight... idle in sun... if ya set it down... find shade or make shade for it. (cover it)(fine in sun if using)
#7. Do not twist coil wire... make sure it is in its "slack" factory "rolled" position and keep up and away from coil... farther the better.
#8. Rinse head even if it was not in water... Spray and salt in the air will be deposited on and in knobs of unit no matter how long you used it.
#9. IF submerged at all in salt water... RINSE GOOD... then rinse again... let air dry in shade... do not wipe dry. Less chance of "tugging" wires.
#10. Handle unit as delicate instrument.

IF you do this... your Excal and any other detector will last and preform top notch.
If you treat it "half assed"... you will be sending it in.

 

[TheSleeper]

Signal, Congrats on your first ring with the brand new excel. That's a great way to start out.

Perhaps a word of insight, she can be confusing sometimes with what she is trying to tell you, esp at first, don't get discouraged. It might help to start out in pinpoint (acts like a PI unit all metal) then switch to disc to see if the target is worth digging, (although a lot of us, me included always hunt in PP and dig everything)its also a good way to start learning what she is telling you.

When your working the surf, the wave sounds can impede the sound from the earphones, since its under warranty you can't do a lot right now, but a few pieces of 1/4x1/4 duct tape over the drain holes help shield out the noise from the waves,(just remember to remove the tape before you go diving, I always left one hole open so any condensation/water could drain. Mine is way out of warranty so I did the peltor mod years ago, not for diving use though).

I have a harness, so I chest mount mine, removes the weight from your arm, also the pod and battery act like a rudder in the water, with it chest mounted she swings like a breeze in the water, for years I just used the regular shaft/chest mount combo.

Use a thin layer of silicone grease on the rubber seal in the battery connector, if water seeps in she will start to chatter like crazy.

As clear as the fla waters are this may not help you, but in murky waters a lot of people just starting out have a hard time scooping the target. A little trick I found years ago, Pinpoint your target then place your foot next to the coil with the curve of the coil in the curve/arch of your foot, move the coil and place the point of your scoop beside the center of your arch and scoop down, most times if you PP correct your target is in the first scoop.

There are a lot of very knowledgeable people here, with years of experience using the excels who are more then willing to assist you if you need help.

Have fun and the best of luck to you.

LOL ARRC beat me posting so I edited.

I will add this, a floppy coil wire within 12" of your coil will drive you crazy chasing ghost all day long, the currents/water flex the coil wire giving you a false, so secure it at least for the first 12" from the coil up the shaft but leave enough wire for coil movement.

 

[signal]

Congrats on the excal and ring. The free battery and charger are through minelab not kellyco? Thats a sweet deal.

sent from a sending device.

I am assuming yes, because just about every minelab dealer has the same promotion......

 

[metalhealth]

congrats on the excal and finds. i put a straight carbon fiber shaft on mine bought on ebay for $47 shippd. the lower shaft slides into it perfectly and battery and control pods fit outside diameter perfectly. the straight shaft with the control mounted behind your elbow balances it perfectly.
agree with sleeper on marking the spot with your foot to place your scoop. i put my foot behind the coil and scoop at the point of my toe. i think its easy to lose your spot even in clear water with the movement of the water especially if there arent any shells or anything to eyeball your spot. good luck!

 

[jeepGold]

congrats. I just bought an excalibur 1000 of CL for 800.00. Taking it out to the beach tomorrow. CANT WAIT!

 

[chriskellyco]

Congrats on the excal and ring. The free battery and charger are through minelab not kellyco? Thats a sweet deal.

sent from a sending device.

It's an offer provided by Minelab through Kellyco. They ship them to us and we include it in the package. It's an awesome deal. Unfortunately Minelab has had a little trouble keeping up with demand so the extra batteries are on back order but we're sending them out asap to those who got the promo.

 

[chriskellyco]

Welcome to the Excal 2 Salt life...
Here are a few tips for care...
#1. always make sure battery connector is "snug" before using... and especially before submerging it.
#2. use small amount of silicone grease on rubber grommet at battery charging connection... careful not to loose or rip that grommet.
#3. When switching from Disc./pinpoint... use "even" gentle pressure... smooth and gentle. this applies to all knobs.
#4. Remove and rinse coil cover EVERY time. Rinse thoroughly and let air dry.
#5. Avoid tugging or any pulling on wires.
#6. Avoid leaving in direct sunlight... idle for long periods... fine if using... but if ya set it down... find shade or make shade for it. (cover it)
#7. do not twist coil wire... make sure it is in its "slack" factory "rolled" position. try to never even adjust once in position you desire... and keep up[ and away from coil.
#8. rinse head even if it was not in water... Spray and salt in the air will be deposited in unit no matter how long you used it.
#9. IF submerged at all in salt water... RINSE GOOD... then rinse again... let air dry in shade... do not wipe dry. Less chance of "tugging" wires.
#10. Handle unit as delicate instrument.

IF you do this... your excel will last and preform top notch.
If you treat "half assed"... you will be sending it in.

Best advice ever.

 

[ARC]

Best advice ever.

Actually I just re-read what I wrote... I made a few mistakes in wording etc... musta not been awake yet and wailed it out quick...
I will edit and make better.
Appreciate the "like" and comment though.
Thanks Chris.

 

[chriskellyco]

I know the feeling...waiting for my coffee aka rocket fuel to kick in. Only 9:15 EST here. Been up since 6:00 on the forums and Facebook groups! Still stellar advice for sure.

 

[ARC]

Just started a new thread on care using this..

 

[chriskellyco]

Very cool!