excal mod headphone question. new machine campared to 5 years ago model

mnruxpin

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May 20, 2013
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so ive done the headphone mod a few times, but its been years, now i got a new excal and it seems different, took the headphones apart and the speaker is siloconed completerly and thickly, used to be you could just pop them out and put them in a 3m shell.

so questions 1) did they improve the headphones for diving, can you here signals above bubbles??? 2) has anyone cut speakers out and put them in the 3m shell with the new excals????

this will be used for diving freshwater only
 

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rc2125

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The last set of newer production yellow excal headphones I looked at, had the piezo's all sealed in some sort of silicone like stuff. Was able to hear the stock ones underwater a lil better than another excal I had put aftermarkets on.
 

OBN

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I think they are still the same, I've not messed with any new machines in several years. Here is a picture from several years ago.. (shows the yellows they used on the later blues and than when the excal ll came out the set it used) You want to keep all intact to keep them 100% water proof. I just cut the piezo plate (Black) to fit the 3M cups.

Excal green L Excal Blue Right Yellow HP.jpg


See if I can find the video I did on this mod....video was 10 years ago..WOW!

 

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Check with Tony Eisenhower. He's still building headphones and can advise you.
 

Calabash Digger

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BONE CONDUCTION HEADPHONES WAVE OF THE FUTURE FOR DIVERS..
 

adventhunter

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Jul 18, 2022
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Hi Guys,
CE02AEE4-CEFB-4768-AE32-D4F4E46B0F3F.jpeg

Can anyone tell me what’s the difference between the Yellow Koss headphones on the Excalibur 1000 and the Yellow headphones for Equinox. My cable is shot on the Excalibur.

 

OBN

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Hi Guys, View attachment 2037417
Can anyone tell me what’s the difference between the Yellow Koss headphones on the Excalibur 1000 and the Yellow headphones for Equinox. My cable is shot on the Excalibur.

Both are the same, other than one is hardwired, excalibur...and the other has a plug to fit the Nox. Both the same internally and externally. The yellows are famous for shredding. Something many have complained about and no one listens since 2005 when they first started putting them on the blue excalibur. I would recommend replacing with GGA's or Tony E's.
 

adventhunter

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Jul 18, 2022
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Both are the same, other than one is hardwired, excalibur...and the other has a plug to fit the Nox. Both the same internally and externally. The yellows are famous for shredding. Something many have complained about and no one listens since 2005 when they first started putting them on the blue excalibur. I would recommend replacing with GGA's or Tony E's.
Thanks-Joe for getting back and answering my question. I’m new to the site , but following you and the guys off and on for years. I was to busy working my job. I only went detecting also off and on to clear my head and get some exercise. Now retired I pulled out the Excalibur and it has some issues, bad cables both ends, coil also. I sent Tony a email today asking how much his new headphones go for. Waiting for him to get back to me. I called the Minelab tech center in PA. , they want big bucks to repair these machines. The tech gave me a ball park number of around $400.00 to repair/replace coil and headphones, plus to replace o-rings, and my machine is a virgin, never opened. I’ll probably try to do the work myself.
 

Treasure_Hunter

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Thanks-Joe for getting back and answering my question. I’m new to the site , but following you and the guys off and on for years. I was to busy working my job. I only went detecting also off and on to clear my head and get some exercise. Now retired I pulled out the Excalibur and it has some issues, bad cables both ends, coil also. I sent Tony a email today asking how much his new headphones go for. Waiting for him to get back to me. I called the Minelab tech center in PA. , they want big bucks to repair these machines. The tech gave me a ball park number of around $400.00 to repair/replace coil and headphones, plus to replace o-rings, and my machine is a virgin, never opened. I’ll probably try to do the work myself.
Actually, that is a good price considering you are buying a new coil and headphones and replacing the O-rings.
.
 

Treasure_Hunter

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The Headphones wouldn’t be new, they would try to repair mine and replace the cable on them.
To be honest, cost-wise it is just as easy for Minelab to replace them as to repair them.
 

adventhunter

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Jul 18, 2022
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Yes - I would also think so. But they offered to repair them with in that price. I haven’t gone diving in the past 20 years or so but I still want to have the option. They are a simple device.
 

OBN

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Yes - I would also think so. But they offered to repair them with in that price. I haven’t gone diving in the past 20 years or so but I still want to have the option. They are a simple device.
If your handy with fixing things around the house, and older cars it might be easier to do yourself. I've guided a few threw replacing O-rings, and all of the cables. You do have to open the machine for the coil cable repair and de-solder then re-solder. That would be the hardest project. I can give you a parts list if needed. I do have a few video's on tips also. Of all machines the excalibur I think is the easiest to repair, but at 400.oo and the warranty of using it diving..it maybe worth it with the peace of mind. Let me know..

 

zigzag

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Thanks-Joe for getting back and answering my question. I’m new to the site , but following you and the guys off and on for years. I was to busy working my job. I only went detecting also off and on to clear my head and get some exercise. Now retired I pulled out the Excalibur and it has some issues, bad cables both ends, coil also. I sent Tony a email today asking how much his new headphones go for. Waiting for him to get back to me. I called the Minelab tech center in PA. , they want big bucks to repair these machines. The tech gave me a ball park number of around $400.00 to repair/replace coil and headphones, plus to replace o-rings, and my machine is a virgin, never opened. I’ll probably try to do the work myself.
Both are the same, other than one is hardwired, excalibur...and the other has a plug to fit the Nox. Both the same internally and externally. The yellows are famous for shredding. Something many have complained about and no one listens since 2005 when they first started putting them on the blue excalibur. I would recommend replacing with GGA's or Tony E's.
I haven't had much luck with the Grey Ghosts but I have Eisenhower headphones on my CTX and they are loud and real comfortable
 

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Treasure_Hunter

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Like OBN said, with ML doing the work you have the warranty, if you do the work and it leaks then it is on you. Just be careful, the etchings on the motherboard are thinner than human hair and easy to damage or destroy.
 

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adventhunter

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Jul 18, 2022
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Like OBN said, with ML doing the work you have the warranty, if you do the work and it leaks then it is on you. Just be careful, the etchings on the motherboard are thinner than human hair and easy to damage or destroy.
I am handy with the electronic work but you have me thinking now about have a warranty also, the just in case factor is worth the piece of mind. Well I have a decision to make. The money is getting tight these days.

Thank you gentlemen for the help.
 

Treasure_Hunter

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I am handy with the electronic work but you have me thinking now about have a warranty also, the just in case factor is worth the piece of mind. Well I have a decision to make. The money is getting tight these days.

Thank you gentlemen for the help.
Was just giving you something to consider... On the headphones, I worked in Minelab repair center and Kellyco repair center for about 5 years, the stock headphones were cheaper to replace than repair with a new cable due to the man hours and stock cost. Repairs came with a 6-month warranty, if they were going to leak they leaked before then.

Good luck sir.....
 

adventhunter

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Jul 18, 2022
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Was just giving you something to consider... On the headphones, I worked in Minelab repair center and Kellyco repair center for about 5 years, the stock headphones were cheaper to replace than repair with a new cable due to the man hours and stock cost. Repairs came with a 6-month warranty, if they were going to leak they leaked before then.

Good luck sir.....
Was just giving you something to consider... On the headphones, I worked in Minelab repair center and Kellyco repair center for about 5 years, the stock headphones were cheaper to replace than repair with a new cable due to the man hours and stock cost. Repairs came with a 6-month warranty, if they were going to leak they leaked before then.

Good luck sir.....
Actually, that is a good price considering you are buying a new coil and headphones and replacing the O-rings.
.
Hi Treasure_Hunter,

Adventhunter here-after reading through my last postings, I have a question for you, am I breaking any rules in my postings. I don’t feel I‘m bashing anyone or anyones equipment , I‘m just trying to find out the different ways from members with the experience that they have repairing their own equipment in the past which I going through now. When I write a post I keep getting notifications that I my be breaking the rules.

Just looking for your opinion.
Thank you,
Adventhunter
 

Treasure_Hunter

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Hi Treasure_Hunter,

Adventhunter here-after reading through my last postings, I have a question for you, am I breaking any rules in my postings. I don’t feel I‘m bashing anyone or anyones equipment , I‘m just trying to find out the different ways from members with the experience that they have repairing their own equipment in the past which I going through now. When I write a post I keep getting notifications that I my be breaking the rules.

Just looking for your opinion.
Thank you,
Adventhunter
You haven't broken any that I have seen.
 

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