Excal OR at pro and sea hunter

[Bejamble]

O now I'm torn between getting a Excalibur II designed specifically for salt water or just getting 2 machines for the same price range. The environments would be about 20% in salt water, 40% wet sand and 40% dry land/rocky land. I live on an island so I have many different environments available. Any insight would be appreciated. I can see pros and cons of both decisions.

 

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[Fletch88]

O now I'm torn between getting a Excalibur II designed specifically for salt water or just getting 2 machines for the same price range. The environments would be about 20% in salt water, 40% wet sand and 40% dry land/rocky land. I live on an island so I have many different environments available. Any insight would be appreciated. I can see pros and cons of both decisions.

One of the machines your considering shoulnt even be in contention for saltwater against the Excal in saltwater or wet salty sand, (I know the website states saltwater use) the other will have you digging tiny pieces of iron at extreme depths and maybe that's what you want to do if there may be any historical artifacts you're looking for. You can use the Excal in All Metal and do that too! Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Bejamble]

The thinking was for the pro as a land only machine and the other for the beaches.

 

[Fletch88]

Oh sorry I misunderstood your post. If you're on an island I would choose the Excaliber. It can be used on land also with good success. It's a little slow on recovery, but great at ignoring junk targets. Good luck with your choice.

 

[cudamark]

As much as I love my Excalibur for the ocean, I wouldn't want to use it in a park or at someone's yard. The At Pro would be a much better choice for that. If you don't plan on going into the ocean deeper than say 2 feet, I'd get an E-trac or Explorer 2 SE. If you need something completely waterproof, I'd go with the AT Pro and a PI machine if you can't go above that price range.

 

[RustyGold]

Used Excalibur and an AT Pro! Then you're all set!
Unless, you're GASin for a PI machine, then you can add one later!

 

[Bejamble]

Thanks Rusty and Cuda. Points well taken.

 

[Fletch88]

Sorry you didn't like my point. I never advised going to a trashy park or yard with Excal, but it is an amphibious machine with good discrimination ability that could be used inland on the island you live on, among dry/rocky land as stated in your original post. Who knows you may find that buried treasure chest! Good luck to you.

 

[Bejamble]

Thanks fletch. Didn't mean anything by it, just trying to clarify. I have heard people using the xcal on dry land but wasn't sure the true performance. No doubt the xcal is a good saltwater piece of gear. Just which would be a preferable setup. Considering you can get 2 detectors for the price of the xcal, it's not meant for dry land really. Guess it just depends on the amount of time one would spend on land. Thanks.

 

[cudamark]

I'm sure others will agree and disagree, but, I like a machine with an I.d. screen and a depth meter if I'm going to make a recovery on turf. I like to have as much info as I can before I make a decision to dig or not. The Excalibur doesn't have either feature and it's tone I.D. is not the best, so, I would not use it for that purpose. Even though it will function fine, there are better choices. Now if you can live with buying used machines, there are all manor of choices in your price range.

 

[Fletch88]

I would just be done with it and buy the CTX 3030. It really is all it's cracked up to be! Better than the At Pro, Excal and PI machine IMO and first hand experience. Waterproof, screened, unlimited tones and disc patterns, interchangeable coil, very compact, great balance, GPS, target trace, wireless headphones, and amazing depth.

 

[Bejamble]

Yeah, the 3030 is rather tempting. Looks like an pretty awesome piece. You have me thinking now

 

[cudamark]

If a CTX is in the budget, then by all means, get it!

 

[harryst]

You would do well with an Excal or a CTX both great detectors. I have used my Excal 1000 for years for both and it worked great. I just got a new Excal ll and use it on salt water beaches and land. Happy hunting.

 

[Bejamble]

Thanks everyone. I have chosen to go with the CTX 3030. Sounds like a pretty amazing machine.


Cory

 

[RustyGold]

Keep us updated on your new CTX! HH!