In this article we are reviewing Minelab Excalibur II metal detector. This is a professional device with 17 operating frequencies for underwater treasure hunting, though it is also good for beach hunting. However, the main feature of Excalibur II is underwater search.
Contents
What is this metal detector designed for?
Minelab Excalibur II metal detector was designed to search for lost jewelry, coins, etc. under water. You can submerge the device and go treasure hunting up to 200 ft (60 meters) deep. Excalibur II sees between targets from non-ferrous metals such as gold or silver and ferrous targets.
Proper discrimination adjustment allows setting the device to ignore signals from bottle caps, foil and iron and to detect all non-ferrous targets; the adjustment is performed by means of a controller on the metal detector shaft.
| Model | Minelab Excalibur II |
| Application | Coin, Relic, Jewellery, Beach & Dive (waterproof 200ft) |
| Technology | BBS |
| Weight | 8″ Coil 2.1kg (4.6lbs) or 10″ coil 2.3kg (5.1lbs) (inc NiMH battery) |
| Length (Adjustable) | Standard shaft 1140 mm – 1220 mm (45″ – 48″); Dive shaft 820 mm – 910 mm (32″ – 36″) |
| Batteries | NiMH battery pack 13V 1000 mAh |
| Headphones | Included, Koss 8, hardwired |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Operating Principle | VLF |
| Standard Searchcoil | 10″ Double-D hardwired |
| Operating Frequencies (kHz) | Multiple frequencies: 1.5, 3, 4.5,…25.5kHz) |
| Water resistance | Underwater metal detector |
| Submersion Depth | waterproof 200ft |
| Discrimination | Variable Discrimination (adjustable turn control) & All Metal |
| Ground Balance | Automatic ground rejection |
| Detect Modes | Discriminate or All-Metal (Pinpoint) |
| Target Volume Adjust | Adjustable turn control |
| Audio Threshold | Adjustable |
| Electronic Pinpointing | Yes |
| VDI (0 to 99 scale) | No |
| Build-in flashlight | No |
Last update on 2023-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The shaft
It consists of two sections. Standard shaft 1140 mm – 1220 mm (45″ – 48″); Dive shaft 820 mm – 910 mm (32″ – 36″).
Battery holder and control unit are attached to the upper shaft section. There is also an armrest, but many detectorists take it off as a rule.
Here the thing is, that under water it is convenient to hold the device using its battery holder or the shaft section close to the search coil. Hardly ever the device is used in a standard way, when the user’s hand holds the handler and the elbow is fixated in the armrest.
Also, at that the armrest creates additional resistance under water.
The coil
This metal detector is equipped with a Double D 10″ searchcoil and waterproof stereo headphones. The coil provides fast target response and excellent recognition of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. When using a pinpointer mode such a coil has a very precise pinpointer center!
In addition, the metal detector searchcoil has some extra protection by means of a dismountable plastic protection case to prevent the coil bottom from possible mechanical damage when using it on a rocky bottom, for example.
This metal detector is using a new BBS technology. This is a multi-frequency technology, which allows the device to work using several operating frequencies simultaneously.
Most of metal detectors available on the market nowadays use only one or duplex operating frequency from 1 kHz to 60 kHz. Depending on the operation frequency such devices can be set to detect only large or small targets, they may show good performance in some areas and almost lose their sensitive in others.
Soil mineralization, iron rubbish, sea water, target size – all of these have an impact on a metal detector sensitivity.
Unlike other metal detectors, which use one operation frequency, BBS technology used by Minelab Excalibur II broadcasts a signal on 17 frequencies (from 1,5 kHz to 25,5 kHz) simultaneously. The device demonstrates good performance both in fresh and brackish water.
A signal obtained from the searchcoil is processed by the computer and then it is sent to the user via headphones.
This multi-frequency metal detector can detect and identify precisely targets located on maximum depth regardless of soil mineralization or amount of iron rubbish in it.
Minelab Excalibur II metal detector can increase its detection depth with the help of a special RCB technology of the signal amplification. It improves the signal tone obtained from small and deeply located objects, at that it suppresses phantom signals and various noises.
The headphones
The metal detector is equipped with wireless KOSS headphones. They are those to be used under water and they get filled with water. Therefore, before you start treasure hunting, wait for several seconds till they get filled with water.
The sing is that the filling process is a bit noisy and if you start treasure hunting at the same time, you may miss some signals.
The battery
Power supply for Minelab Excalibur II is performed by means of NiMH accumulator batteries 1000 A/h or by 8 AA batteries, which ensure continuous work of the device throughout 14-19 hours.
Sometimes Minelab Excalibur II package set includes plastic box for batteries, a carry bag and a utility belt to ensure comfortable treasure hunting on land.
Waterproofness
The metal detector is a waterproof one and it can be submerged up to 60 meters (200 feet) deep.
- The unique design of the Minelab Excalibur II allows you to use it as...
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- Features: BBS 17 frequency technology (1.5kHz 25.5kHz), RCB amplifies weak...
- Specifications: Application: Coin, Relic, Jewellery, Beach & Dive, Technology:...
- Pinpoint: Pinpoint mode, Sensitivity Adjust: Auto & manual (adjustable turn...
Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The control unit
The control unit case of this device has rather unusual appearance.
This is completely hermetically sealed, tear-drop body of cylindrical shape. Inside it has all the powerful internals of the device. Manual control of the metal detector is performed by means of 5 adjusting potentiometers located on the control unit.
Since Excalibur II metal detector is a device for underwater search, it has no LCD display and no speaker. Therefore, all the data obtained from the target is received by the user through the waterproof headphones.
The device is easy to control even for beginners.
Settings:
- Discrimination scale from 1 to 17.
- Sensitivity scale from 1 to 10.
- Volume adjustment.
- Pinpointer function.
- Linear discriminator mode.
- Threshold tone adjustment.
If we count from the handle that we use to hold the device, the first sliding bar is
Discriminate / Pin-Point Mode. «Disc» is used to ignore the unwanted targets and Pinpoint is a static mode to define precise target location.
The second controller is Threshold control on / off switch – it is used to adjust the threshold tone and to turn the metal detector on/off.
The third control is Volume, which adjusts volume of the signal obtained from the target.
The fourth controller is Sensitivity to adjust the sensitivity level.
Finally, the fifth one is Discriminate control – this is a scale that allows defining which exactly targets are unwanted. This setting can be used together «Disc».
Pinpoint mode in Minelab Excalibur II functions without considering discrimination. This is an important issue, especially if there are several targets located close to each other.
Minelab Excalibur II has automatic ground balance function, which allows working efficiently without decreasing the detection depth both in fresh and brackish water.
Comparison
Minelab Excalibur 2 vs Garrett Sea Hunter
Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Minelab Excalibur 2 vs Equinox 800
| Model | EXCALIBUR II | EQUINOX 800 |
| Application | Coin, Relic, Jewellery, Beach & Dive | Coin, Relic, Jewellery & Beach |
| Technology | BBS | Multi-IQ, 5F×8, Wi-Stream, Bluetooth, aptX™ Low Latency |
| Waterproof | waterproof 200 ft | Waterproof to 3m/10-feet |
| Frequency | Multiple: 1.5, 3, 4.5,…25.5 kHz | Multi, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 |
| Coil (standard) | 10″ round Double-D hardwired coil | 11-inch Double-D Smart coil with skidplate |
| Audio Output | Headphones (hardwired) | In-built loudspeaker, 3.5mm (1/8″) headphones (included) |
| Headphones Supplied | Koss 8 ohm headphones | Bluetooth and aptX™ Low Latency headphones (non waterproof) |
| Visual Display | No | Monochrome LCD with backlight (Low, Medium, High, Off) |
| Backlight | No | Yes |
| USB Connectivity | No | Yes, via USB connection (Windows and OSX) |
| Depth Indication | No | 5 levels |
| Detect Modes | Discriminate or All-Metal (Pinpoint) | Park, Beach, Field, Gold |
| Discrimination | Variable Discrimination & All Metal | 50 segment (Ferrous: -9 – 0, Non-ferrous: 1 – 40) |
| Timings | No | No |
| Audio Tone | No | 1, 2, 5, 50 |
| Audio Type | No | |
| Ground Balance | Automatic ground rejection | Auto | Manual |
| Ground Balance Type | No | |
| Pinpoint | Pinpoint mode | Yes |
| Sensitivity | Auto & manual (adjustable turn control) | 1–25 |
| Noise Cancel | No | Auto, Manual (-9 to 9) |
| Threshold | Adjustable turn contol | 0–25 |
| Target Volume Adjust | Adjustable turn contol | 0–25 |
| Battery | NiMH battery pack 13V 1000 mAh | In-built rechargeable Lithium-ion battery |
| Low battery alert | Audio alert | Visual indication |
| Length | Standard shaft 1140mm – 1220mm (45″ – 48″); Dive shaft 820mm – 910mm (32″ – 36″) | 1440 mm (56.7″) |
| Weight | 8″ Coil 2.1kg (4.6lbs) or 10″ coil 2.3kg (5.1lbs) | 1.34 kg (2.96 lbs) |
| Warranty | 1 year control box & coil | 3 years control box and coil |
Minelab Excalibur 2 vs CTX 3030
| Model | EXCALIBUR II | CTX 3030 |
| Application | Coin, Relic, Jewellery, Beach & Dive | Coin, Relic, Jewellery & Beach |
| Technology | BBS | FBS 2, Smartfind 2, GPSi, Wi-Stream |
| Waterproof | waterproof 200 ft | Waterproof to 3m/10-feet |
| Frequency | Multiple: 1.5, 3, 4.5,…25.5 kHz | Multiple frequencies: 1.5 – 100kHz |
| Coil (standard) | 10″ round Double-D hardwired coil | 11-inch waterproof Double-D smart coil |
| Audio Output | Headphones (hardwired) | Built-in speaker, standard ¼-inch non-waterproof socket, custom waterproof socket |
| Headphones Supplied | Koss 8 ohm headphones | KOSS UR30 (100 ohm) supplied with detector (non-waterproof) |
| Visual Display | No | Full colour LCD with backlight and adjustable brightness (1–10) |
| Backlight | No | Yes |
| USB Connectivity | No | USB interface for XChange 2 PC software |
| Memory | No | Settings saved automatically while detecting and remain until changed or reset |
| Depth Indication | No | Accurate gauge active in normal detecting and Pinpoint mode |
| Detect Modes | Discriminate or All-Metal (Pinpoint) | 10 fully customisable, including 5 preset (Coins, Beach, Relic, Silver & High Trash) |
| Discrimination | Variable Discrimination & All Metal | Smartfind 2TM 2 dimensional colour discrimination |
| Timings | No | No |
| Audio Tone | No | Customisable Tone ID Profiles |
| Audio Type | No | Normal, Long, Smooth & Pitch Hold |
| Ground Balance | Automatic ground rejection | Auto Compensation and Auto Ground Balance |
| Ground Balance Type | No | |
| Pinpoint | Pinpoint mode | 2 modes: normal and sizing |
| Sensitivity | Auto & manual (adjustable turn control) | Auto and Manual (1–30) |
| Noise Cancel | No | Manual & Automatic (11 channels) |
| Threshold | Adjustable turn contol | Level adjustment (1–50), Pitch adjustment (1–30) |
| Target Volume Adjust | Adjustable turn contol | 1-30 |
| Battery | NiMH battery pack 13V 1000 mAh | Li-ion pack with fast charger. 12 V car adapter supplied with Standard Pack only |
| Low battery alert | Audio alert | Audio & visual indication |
| Length | Standard shaft 1140mm – 1220mm (45″ – 48″); Dive shaft 820mm – 910mm (32″ – 36″) | Min 37 in. (940 mm) – Max 55.3 in. (1405 mm) |
| Weight | 8″ Coil 2.1kg (4.6lbs) or 10″ coil 2.3kg (5.1lbs) | 5.20 lbs (2.36 kgs) including Li-ion battery pack |
| Warranty | 1 year control box & coil | 3 years control box & coil |
Conclusion
Nowadays, Minelab Excalibur II is the best underwater metal detector. Firstly, it is rather user-friendly and settings adjustment process is rather simple.
Secondly, it can work on significant depth. Thirdly, the device uses a multi-frequency technology.
The most essential drawback of this metal detector is its price. However, all underwater metal detectors are quite expensive and this one offers maximal efficiency and functionality for the money.