Excalibur II: A Question of Aesthetics vs Function?

[Higgy]

Hi All,

New guy (new to beach hunting) here,

I really want to get an Excal II, but I just cant get over those knobs just sticking out on top. My question is, do they get in the way? Do they get bumped? Are they a pain in the patootie?

From everything that I have read, the Excal is a sweet machine, but no one seems to address the weight and handling, etc.

Would any of you lucky Excal owners care to expound on this? Thanks!

 

[lost items recovery]

Hi All, New guy (new to beach hunting) here, I really want to get an Excal II, but I just cant get over those knobs just sticking out on top. My question is, do they get in the way? Do they get bumped? Are they a pain in the patootie? From everything that I have read, the Excal is a sweet machine, but no one seems to address the weight and handling, etc. Would any of you lucky Excal owners care to expound on this? Thanks!

I've owned quite a few machines and I think you're on a good path in considering an excal. There's a lot said about the knobs but I can honestly say that I've never had a problem with mine... Knock on wood! No problems with bumping either. You can save a few hundred by buying a excal 1000 blue or 800 which some people like over the new model. There's a few on eBay as we speak. The mods that can be done really pack an extra punch but not advised on a new machine until warranty is up.
Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone using TreasureNet

 

[redcobra8u]

I've had one for about 8 months now and have zero to complain about. I would recommend mounting the unit around your waist. The actual unit rest comfortably on my lower back and the Excal is a dream. They sell a kit for $25 I think.

 

[lost items recovery]

Good point redcobra. That or a straight shaft would be a smart thing to do. Either or

Sent from my iPhone using TreasureNet

 

[bigscoop]

The Excal is a great machine, for sure, but out of the box it isn't exactly balanced all that well. When hunting over the wet sand it can be like swinging a log, just too much forward weight. In the water, depending on the conditions, this same below hand weight can create a lot of drag. This is why most users eventually go to a straight shaft or a body mount of some type for the main control and battery pod assembly.

Personally, I'm often hunting in the surf and currents and I don't like the idea of having things attached to my body in the even that I might step into a hole or get caught in a strong current, this only needs happen to you once before you'll abandon the notion of having to deal with cables and straps, etc. Given this, I use a straight shaft, mine being a bit longer then most and I do this for a couple of reasons. First, I mount my control and battery pod above the elbow as this helps to reduce drag and it also limits the amount of time the unit is submerged in these turbulent waters, thus this hopefully reducing the possibility of water related issues and possibly even extending the life of the machine. The second reason I mount my control and battery pods a bit higher then most is because this provides me something of a pendulum, or counterbalance effect, which actually helps quite a bit when swinging in or against currents.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

The Excal is a great machine, for sure, but out of the box it isn't exactly balanced all that well. When hunting over the wet sand it can be like swinging a log, just too much forward weight. In the water, depending on the conditions, this same below hand weight can create a lot of drag. This is why most users eventually go to a straight shaft or a body mount of some type for the main control and battery pod assembly.

Personally, I'm often hunting in the surf and currents and I don't like the idea of having things attached to my body in the even that I might step into a hole or get caught in a strong current, this only needs happen to you once before you'll abandon the notion of having to deal with cables and straps, etc. Given this, I use a straight shaft, mine being a bit longer then most and I do this for a couple of reasons. First, I mount my control and battery pod above the elbow as this helps to reduce drag and it also limits the amount of time the unit is submerged in these turbulent waters, thus this hopefully reducing the possibility of water related issues and possibly even extending the life of the machine. The second reason I mount my control and battery pods a bit higher then most is because this provides me something of a pendulum, or counterbalance effect, which actually helps quite a bit when swinging in or against currents.

I use a harness on my excal, I can disconnect the bungee that hooks to my camelpac in less than a sec so the cable is not a problem, on top of that the camelpac acts like float...

If you buy excal you will want a straight shaft as Scoop says it is far better balanced plus you cover more ground per sweep. Straight shaft will not affect your warranty either...

 

[lost items recovery]

[QUOTE="Treasure_Hunter; Straight shaft will not affect your warranty either...[/QUOTE] Good point Treasure Hunter Straight shaft not voiding warranty Sent from my iPhone using TreasureNet

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

I got 2 both on straight shafts. I'm pretty short, only 5' 1". I'm usually in the water with one or the other one, neck deep. No harness or nothing, just floating and bouncing around, trying to stay cool. LOL!
They work real good in the wet sand and seem to do fine on dry beach, too. But, like one of the other posters said, they can tend to get a little heavy after a while on dry beach, even with the straight shaft. I bout can't take the heat and burn of a summer beach, I usually go straight for the water.

GL & HH!

 

[s1u2r3f4]

Great advice from the best! Get a knob guard also.(Anderson)

 

[sponge]

Now I read about the Excalibur, one day I will own one. One day. Not today,but one day. Beeeeep

sponge using smoke signals.

 

[RustyGold]

Plus-1 on the straight shaft and knob guard!

 

[gamiller]

I had an excal in the past. Like bigscoop said the straight shaft when properly configured acts as a counter balance, very helpful. The knob guard as other have said is a must.

 

[TheRingFinder]

I have 2 Excals and switch off using one for diving one for shallow water. I have never had a problem with weight and or the knobs. The Excal has brought me many treasures and countless hours of peace and excitement in the water!!!

 

[Higgy]

How about the Anderson Excaliber Over Under shaft? Do any of you have this, or do you think that it will be a reasonable compromise to the balance issue vs the hip-mount issue? I don't like the idea of having anything attached to my person.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I perfer to make my iwn, cost me $25.00 each to make one for my excals...

 

[Sir Gala Clad]

How about the Anderson Excaliber Over Under shaft? Do any of you have this, or do you think that it will be a reasonable compromise to the balance issue vs the hip-mount issue? I don't like the idea of having anything attached to my person.

The advantage of the Over Under Shaft is that you have better coil control as it is more rigid and there are two shafts to hold on to.
It is better suited for sweeping larger heavier coils, while wearing a harness such as a WOT 15" DD search coil or the larger SEF butterfly coils.

I chose the Anderson Tall Man shaft (the over under shaft is much shorter), as I am over six foot tall, and I did not want to increase the drag in the water.
The longer shaft provides better pendulum action, and allows you to sweep wider arcs (cover more surface area) in a swing of the coil.
I also choose Carbon fiber, over aluminum as the carbon fiber shaft is lighter and requires less maintenance (far less likely to sieze) than aluminum.
I have used mine for almost two years and it has held up well.

 

[BOXING63]

get the Excalibur ll and the Anderson straight shaft and start finding gold & silver everything else will fall in place you will be glad you did good luck...