Excal v. CZ-21

[Smudge]

Is the $200 or so dollars extra for the Excal worth it?

I am leaning towards the CZ-21. Not entirely sure why. Maybe I'm just spooked a bit about Minelab's customer service, which is a real consideration when purchasing a water detector.

Are these two units pretty comparable?

[therover]

Smudge,

For all intents and purposes, the Excal and CZ21 are pretty much in the same boat when it comes to performance. I think it really boils down to the features of each one and the differences, and whether you like or dislike them.

For instance, some differences between the Excal and CZ are:

DD coil vs concentric
Threshold based vs silent search
Multi tones vs 3 tones
Iron nulling in discriminate mode vs low tone on iron at the lowest discrimination level
Auto-ground balancing vs manual ground balancing

Throw all these features on the table and pick the ones you like the best and would feel most comfortable and confident utilizing.

Having used both, and finding great things with both, I ended up preferring the CZ. Probably because I have been using CZ's for a long time and just feel more comfortable using them.

I don't think you would go wrong with either unit.

[Sandman]

I concur with Therover's thoughts on the CZ vs the Excal. I too prefer the CZ-20 over the Excal now that I am stuck inland. You just have to learn the detectors as I feel they are equal on depth. The Sov GT is like a Excal but with more options which the most important of which is the ability to change coils for more depth yet, but it isn't waterproof.

[Smudge]

Thank you, Gentlemen.

I was hoping to hear from those who have owned and used both.

[OBN]

Have both and each will hold it's own. The CZ is built like a tank, the newer xcal's I'm not sure if they can endure as well. I love my excals and do think the excal performance wise has a slite edge but there are places I will only take the CZ because I know it will out hunt the excal. With the excal My uses for the beach, wetsand and out to knee deep . Lakes, ponds, the Bay..the CZ20..then in the ocean deep it's a tossup. If I have a area where there are tons of targets I will take the CZ, digging the middle tone only. Either machine in the hands of a experienced hunt would be tuff to hunt against. Worth the extra 200..? Right location either machine would pay for itself in no time.

[Keppy]

Have both and each will hold it's own. The CZ is built like a tank, the newer xcal's I'm not sure if they can endure as well. I love my excals and do think the excal performance wise has a slite edge but there are places I will only take the CZ because I know it will out hunt the excal. With the excal My uses for the beach, wetsand and out to knee deep the excalibur. Lakes, ponds, the Bay..the CZ20..then in the ocean deep it's a tossup. If I have a area where there are tons of targets I will take the CZ, digging the middle tone only. Either machine in the hands of a experienced hunt would be tuff to hunt against. Worth the extra 200..? Right location either machine would pay for itself in no time.

That's true the right location............... But any detector brand or model would pay for it's self in no time at the right location..........................

[OBN]

But any detector brand or model would pay for it's self in no time at the right location

True, But matching up the right detector with the right location is the secret

I often wonder if the users of the Vipers have a right location?

[Sandman]

But any detector brand or model would pay for it's self in no time at the right location

True, But matching up the right detector with the right location is the secret

I often wonder if the users of the Vipers have a right location?

Good one Joe.... I am amazed people still believe the advertisements.

[Detector Wars]

With the excal My uses for the beach, wetsand and out to knee deep . Lakes, ponds, the Bay..the CZ20..then in the ocean deep it's a tossup.

So the Excal is better for salt beach environments? CZ better for fresh water?

[Sandman]

No, they are both fine in salt water. It is just at some locations we prefer to use one over the other.

[OBN]

Sandman is correct, Both excellent for most beach or types of water....
The best I can tell you on each is to check with the local's, see what they are using and what works best, and where. Club's are a great place to look and listen. Most are great people and always willing to share some excellent tips......Good Luck Joe/Obn

[bigscoop]

Love the CZ, but did run into a problem up north around Lakes Huron & Superior because of all the heavy copper deposits in the soil/sand. The Excal was the better machine on this trip, it just handled the conditions better. Other then that, I see little difference as far as performance in these machines. Both are top notch hunting machines.

[Keppy]

But any detector brand or model would pay for it's self in no time at the right location

True, But matching up the right detector with the right location is the secret

I often wonder if the users of the Vipers have a right location?

OK you got me there..........

[Keppy]

Smudge ... You mean you are giveing up on Tesoro..??

[Smudge]

Smudge ... You mean you are giveing up on Tesoro..??

No, not at all. Tesoro makes a great PI detector in the Sand Shark. But if you want a dual frequency or multi-frequency vlf detector that offers some discrimination, well, Tesoro doesn't make one right now. Hope that will change one day, but they really don't have a salt water discrimination machine that handles the wet salt sand/surf well. The Tiger Shark just doesn't make it there, even in salt mode. The Tiger Shark is great for fresh water, just not salt IMHO.

I am a dedicated Tesoro land unit user though.

[Keppy]

Smudge ... You mean you are giveing up on Tesoro..??

No, not at all. Tesoro makes a great PI detector in the Sand Shark. But if you want a dual frequency or multi-frequency vlf detector that offers some discrimination, well, Tesoro doesn't make one right now. Hope that will change one day, but they really don't have a salt water discrimination machine that handles the wet salt sand/surf well. The Tiger Shark just doesn't make it there, even in salt mode. The Tiger Shark is great for fresh water, just not salt IMHO.

I am a dedicated Tesoro land unit user though.

I under stand ..... I know that for salt water with a vlf you need multi-frequency ......... I was just pulling your leg.............

[Smudge]

Ya got me!!

[cz70pro]

I think the final cost of the excal would be more than $200. The chest mount or straight shaft will set you back $45 to $100,an extra rechargeable battery is about $120,the alkaline battery pod is $80 and says good only for "wading". I was also torn between the excal and the CZ,I just bought a used CZ21. I feel the CZ is easier to use,comes with the hip mount clip,takes 9v batteries,and the new"stay on till turned off" pinpoint button makes it easier to ground balance when hip mounted.You can run the CZ in auto,and just flip the switch to disc so you can tone i.d. your target. So far I am very happy with the CZ,I live near the beach and use it at least twice per week. I had an origional excal with the horse shoe coil in the mid 90s.I didn't use it enough to get good with it,I lived inland. Thanks.

[Keppy]

WOW from every one that has used both ... i sure was surprised to see the CZ 21 was liked the best.. The way every one talks about the Excalibur i thought it would come out on top....... Live & learn...

[Keppy]

I concur with Therover's thoughts on the CZ vs the Excal. I too prefer the CZ-20 over the Excal now that I am stuck inland. You just have to learn the detectors as I feel they are equal on depth. The Sov GT is like a Excal but with more options which the most important of which is the ability to change coils for more depth yet, but it isn't waterproof.

Sandman ..What do you mean you prefer the CZ-20 now that you are stuck inland............. Do you use your CZ-20 for your inland hunting ?