How to Use Minelab Excalibur II: Complete Guide for Treasure Hunters

You can be confident that, should you be serious about metal detecting in harsh conditions such as saltwater beaches, wet sand or even a deep dive, the Minelab Excalibur II is a machine that should be known. This famous detector has earned its reputation to be among the most trusted underwater and beach detectors in the market.

The point is, however, with an Excalibur II, though, it is half the battle. Where the magic lies is the knowledge of using the Minelab Excalibur II correctly. We will deconstruct all of these in this guide, including setup and controls, and pro tips, so that you can enjoy the maximum treasure-hunting fun be it walking along the shore or plunging into depths of 100 feet.

What is the Minelab Excalibur II?

Minelab Excalibur II is a multi-frequency underwater metal detector that supports a broad band spectrum (BBS) to search and scan through a broad range of frequencies. This provides it with a massive opportunity over uni-frequency machines particularly in a heavily mineralized field such as saltwater and black sand.

Key Features:

Waterproof to 200 feet (66 meters) - ideal with the divers.
Filtering of junk such as iron nails.
Special multi-tone sound which assists the detection of various metals based on sound.
Rough structural design that is land and underwater detecting.

The Excalibur II unlike the others was constructed keeping water hunting in mind. It is not only splash proof but a serious underwater machine that works like a champion on the ground.

How to Use Minelab CTX 3030

Setting Up the Minelab Excalibur II

You must have the treasure in place before you can go to seek it.

Assembling the Shaft & Coil

Put the coil firmly on the lower shaft, and join the shaft pieces together. Wind the coil cable in a nice pile up the shaft--not too tight, but not so loose that it strains the cable.

Battery Pack

Before your initial hunt, charge the battery to the full (1416 hours). Next attach it to the control pod with the waterproof seal closed.

Headphones

The Excalibur II has waterproof headphones. Make sure it is connected, underwater sound is the key to identifying a signal.

Check Waterproof Seals

When you are going to dive, have a look at the O-rings and seals. The leak may destroy the electronics.

Pro Tip: Have silicone grease to put O-rings in place and provide tight seals.

Understanding the Controls

The Excalibur II possesses a straightforward control panel although it is important to know what each knob is.

On/Off & Sensitivity

This knob activates power to the unit and varies sensitivity. You want too much, and you’ll get chatter; you want too little, and you will miss deep targets. Beginning in middle and change according to circumstances.

Threshold

Adjust the threshold to a faint background hum. That hum makes you pick up weak signals you wouldn’t have picked.

Discrimination

This environment enables you to sort out junk targets. Extreme cases To illustrate, with too high a setting, you may get no iron, but you may miss all small gold rings. Majority of experienced hunters are low discrimination and dig almost anything.

Volume

Tune until you find you can hear signals, even in the windy surf.

Mode Switch

Discriminate Mode: Chucks rubbish and retains useful targets.
Pinpoint/All Metal Mode: The mode that identifies all the metals and assists in zeroing on the target location.

4. How to Use the Minelab Excalibur II on Land

Although the Excalibur II shines in the beach, it continues to perform well on land.

Dry Sand & Parks: Run discrimination low and sensitivity medium. Sweep slowly and overlap each pass by about 50%.
Coil Positioning: Have the coil parallel to the ground--do not tilt.
Tones: Tones of Gold tend to be smooth and round, whereas iron will be broken or Raspy. Coinage generally generates a solid repeatable signal.

In the case of a beginner, you might practice in a park or your backyard and learn how various targets relate to tones.

How to Use the Minelab Excalibur II at the Beach

This machine comes to its own at the beach.

Wet Sand and Saltwater Settings

Reduce sensitivity to cut down chatter.
Minimize discrimination gold jewelry can be lost with great ease and high discrimination.
Keep a consistent limit of maximum depth.

Sweep Technique

Straight forward, swings in opposite directions. Use waves to hold the shaft in place in surf.

Treasure-Hunting Tips

Pay attention to towel lines (people sit and drop things).
Hunt along the low tide areas where there are new sand beds that show left behind jewelry.
Never mind weak signals most of the deep rings and coins begin as whispers.

How to Use the Minelab Excalibur II Underwater

Here the Excalibur II differs with most detectors.

Preparation: Check all seals and make sure all connections are tight.

Settings: Turn sensitivity to max without chatter, maintain a constant threshold and no high discrimination

Sweep Speed: The slow moving sweeps; there are underwater currents that can make you miss the target when moving fast.

Locating: Dive scoop, or hand--sediment may fly in a moving stream.

Safety Harvard: it is always good to have a partner when looking at treasure underwater.

Pinpointing and Digging Targets

The next thing is precision, when you have a signal.

Turn pinpointing to the All Metal mode.
Slowly move the coil across the signal, until you hear the loudest response.
In sand, use a scoop. Underwater, dig with your hand or a specialized dive scoop.

Pro Tip: To prevent losing targets in surf that is on the move, step over or put your hand above the signal location and then dig.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Run Low Discrimination: A lot of pros excavate almost everything. Small gold can easily be disguised when you make discrimination too high.

Know the Tones: The Excalibur II provides audio tones that are different when using various metals. Use your yard to practice burying test targets in your yard to exercise your ear.

Push Sensitivity: by setting sensitivity slightly below chatter onset, sensitivity becomes as deep as possible.

Practice Recovery: Beaches are all about speed; the quicker you recover the more targets you will dig in the best areas.

Maintenance and Care

Excalibur II will not wear out in years when you take care of it.

Rinse Thoroughly: After saltwater hunts, rinse in fresh water.

Check O-Rings: Have them oiled and clean. Replace if damaged.

Battery Maintenance: fully charge but not continually leave plugged.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid leaving it in hot cars.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choking on discrimination: Most novices set the discrimination level high, and they do not hit worthwhile targets.

Running too much sensitivity: Falses and unnecessary digging.

Omitting Faint Signals: Deep whispers are some of the best discoveries.

Failure to maintain: Leaving saltwater use without rinses reduce the lifespan of the detector.

Is the Minelab Excalibur II Worth It?

The Excalibur II is not the least expensive detector, but a powerhouse should you be hunting on a beach and in water.

Pros:

Incomparable to salt water and in underwater situations.
Durable and reliable.
Good record of locating jewelry and coins.

Cons:

Heavier than land-only detectors.
Learning curve with tones.
One may find a high price daunting at the entry level.

The excalibur II is fully worth the money in case you are a beach or underwater hunter.

Conclusion

It is time consuming and needs several practice sessions to master the use of the Minelab Excalibur II, but the results are worth the effort. It can detect gold rings on the beach or historic coins buried in water, because this detector is made to see what other devices with fail to show.

Discrimination is low, sensitivity is high (but stable), and learn the tones, it is the formula of success. Keep your machine in a good condition, and you will have years of treasure-hunting with it.

It is your time now, prepare, go out and the Excalibur II will guide you to your next big discovery.