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Minelab Excalibur II

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Features
Target Identification
Ease of Use
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9 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [9]

91
Total expert reviews: 9
  • with a score: 2
  • without a score: 7
Highest score by detecthistory.com
92
Average score based on 9 reviews
91
Lowest score by fossickr.com
90

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
Minelab Excalibur II Metal Detector Review
The Minelab Excalibur II is a highly versatile metal detector that is perfect for beach and underwater detecting. With its multi-frequency technology and submersible design, it offers excellent performance and the ability to find a wide range of targets.
+ pros
  • Multi-frequency technology with 17 individual frequencies working simultaneously, allowing for high sensitivity and detection of both small and large targets.
  • Submersible and can be used up to 200 feet underwater, making it ideal for beach and underwater metal detecting.
  • Coil boost technology amplifies faint signals and improves depth and sensitivity.
  • Auto and manual sensitivity settings allow for fine-tuning based on the conditions.
  • Automatic ground rejection with discrimination and pinpoint modes for more accurate target identification.
- cons
  • Power supply confusion, as there is no way to confirm battery life level or if charging is complete, and the need for a special adapter for charging.
  • The weight of 5 lbs may be a drawback for some users.
  • Lack of visual display may require some training to develop audio recognition skills for target identification.
Minelab Excalibur II Review
The Minelab Excalibur II is a highly capable underwater metal detector that performs well in salt water and offers excellent stability. It is a versatile machine with interchangeable search coils, although some users may find the ergonomics of the stock shaft uncomfortable.
+ pros
  • Stable performance even in salt water: The Minelab Excalibur II is highly reliable and performs well even in salt water environments.
  • Good Pinpoint: The machine has a precise pinpoint feature that helps users accurately locate targets.
  • Comfortable Koss headphones: The included headphones are comfortable to wear during long detecting sessions.
  • Versatile 8 or 10 inch interchangeable coil option: The option to switch between different search coil sizes allows users to adapt to different detecting conditions.
- cons
  • Ergonomics: Some users find the stock shaft of the Excalibur II to be uncomfortable, suggesting the use of a straight shaft instead.
  • Discrimination doesn't work as deep as All Metal mode: The discrimination mode of the machine may not provide the same depth performance as the all metal mode.
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Expert consensus

The Minelab Excalibur II is a highly praised metal detector with waterproof capabilities, advanced target identification, and customizable discrimination settings, making it ideal for underwater exploration and scuba diving.

The Minelab Excalibur II is a highly praised metal detector that offers a range of features specifically designed for underwater exploration and scuba diving. Its standout feature is its waterproof capability, allowing it to function at depths of up to 200 feet. The machine uses Minelab's Broad Band Spectrum (BBS) technology, transmitting 17 frequencies simultaneously for fantastic depth, high sensitivity, and accurate discrimination.

It has excellent target identification capabilities, with 17 steps of discrimination and the ability to differentiate between various types of metals. The Excalibur II is highly accurate both on land and underwater, with customizable discrimination settings and the ability to detect coins up to 12 inches deep.

It is considered easy to use and handle, with a sleek design and a rechargeable battery pack that provides 14 to 19 hours of use. Overall, the Minelab Excalibur II is a versatile and reliable metal detector, particularly suitable for underwater exploration and scuba diving.

Features

The Minelab Excalibur II is a waterproof metal detector with BBS technology and a choice of coil sizes, making it ideal for underwater exploration and scuba diving.

The Minelab Excalibur II is a metal detector that offers a range of features to cater to different needs. It comes with two available coil sizes, 8 inches and 10 inches, allowing users to choose the size that suits their preferences. The default configuration includes a round Slim DD hardwired search coil, which is designed to reduce the weight of the machine.

One of the standout features of the Excalibur II is its waterproof capability. It can function at depths of up to 200 feet (66m), making it ideal for underwater exploration while scuba diving or searching in wet conditions. This feature sets it apart as an industry leader in underwater detection.

The Excalibur II uses Minelab's Broad Band Spectrum (BBS) technology as its transmitter. This technology allows the detector to simultaneously transmit, receive, and analyze a broad band of multiple frequencies. It transmits 17 frequencies at one time, providing fantastic depth, high sensitivity, and accurate discrimination on a wide range of target types.

While the Excalibur II does not come with a built-in pinpointer feature, it is designed to detect targets accurately in underwater environments. This makes it a great choice for scuba divers and those interested in underwater exploration. However, if a pinpointer is required, it may need to be purchased separately.

The frequency of the Excalibur II is fixed and cannot be changed. It operates on a range of frequencies from 1. 5 kHz to 25. 5 kHz simultaneously, thanks to Minelab's BBS technology. This allows for high sensitivity and accurate discrimination on various target types. The multiple frequencies work together to provide both low and high sensitivity, as well as shallow and deep detection ranges for small and large targets.

Overall, the Minelab Excalibur II offers a range of features that make it a versatile and reliable metal detector, particularly for underwater exploration and scuba diving. Its waterproof capability, BBS technology, and choice of coil sizes make it a popular choice among users in these specific use cases.

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Target Identification

The Minelab Excalibur II is a highly praised metal detector with excellent target identification capabilities, customizable discrimination settings, and impressive depth performance both on land and underwater.

The Minelab Excalibur II is highly praised by experts for its target identification capabilities. With its discriminator offering 17 steps, it can accurately differentiate between various types of metals, including iron, brass, copper, gold, and silver.

This allows users to discriminate unwanted artifacts and focus on valuable targets. The machine's multi-frequency BBS technology further enhances its accuracy, as it can analyze a broad band of frequencies to provide precise discrimination. The Excalibur II also offers Threshold Pitch, which allows users to distinguish between targets based on the pitch of the audio signal.

In terms of depth performance, the Excalibur II is highly regarded both on land and underwater. It can detect coins up to 12 inches deep on land, and its performance in saltwater is even more impressive. However, it's important to note that the depth of detection can vary depending on factors such as soil conditions, target size, and the user's skill level.

The discrimination settings on the Excalibur II are also highly customizable, with 17 options available. Users can adjust the discrimination level step-by-step to remove unwanted artifacts and focus on specific targets. The discrimination sequence follows the order of iron-brass-copper-gold-silver, allowing users to ignore certain types of metals while searching for specific targets.

Overall, the Minelab Excalibur II is a highly accurate and versatile metal detector with excellent target identification capabilities. It is suitable for various use cases, including coin hunting, relic hunting, and underwater treasure hunting. Its accuracy, depth performance, and customizable discrimination settings make it a reliable choice for both beginners and experienced users.

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Ease of Use

The Minelab Excalibur II metal detector is praised for its ease of use and stability, making it a reliable choice for hobbyists searching for treasure in underwater environments.

According to expert reviews, the Minelab Excalibur II metal detector is considered to be easy to use and handle. It is praised for its stability, making it ideal for underwater metal detecting. The machine is designed specifically for deep underwater searches, striking a balance between necessary functions and avoiding unnecessary features that would add weight and complexity for the user.

This makes it a reliable and user-friendly choice for hobbyists who are serious about searching for treasure on the beach or in underwater environments. The detector does not have padded handles, but its sleek design allows for easy access. It uses a rechargeable battery pack that is fully submersible and provides 14 to 19 hours of use on a full charge.

Overall, the Minelab Excalibur II is highly regarded for its ease of use and suitability for underwater metal detecting.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all metal detectors.

Rank Change Price Metal Detector
Tech Metals Research
Metal Detecting in the USA
ZD Net
BestReviews
The Strategist
Popular Mechanics
Your Best Digs
Bob Vila
money.com
Task and Purpose
1
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2
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Nokta Makro Simplex
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Garrett Ace 300
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Garrett Ace 400
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Minelab Excalibur II ranks #13 out of 17 in this month's ranking:
our pick for saltwater beach hunting
6 Jul 2023 (1 year ago)
Read article
Best for Underwater
25 Apr 2024 (7 months ago)
Read article
Best for underwater detecting
19 Dec 2022 (1 year ago)
Read article

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The Bounty Hunter TK4 Tracker IV is a reliable and versatile entry-level metal detector praised for its reliability, versatility, and ease of use, making it suitable for beginners and casual users. The Nokta Makro Simplex metal detector is a highly regarded and versatile device with advanced features, target identification capabilities, and ease of use, making it suitable for both land and underwater treasure hunting. The Garrett Ace 300 metal detector is a versatile and reliable option for general-purpose metal detecting, with impressive target identification capabilities and customizable discrimination settings. The Garrett Ace 400 metal detector is highly praised for its features, performance, and ease of use, making it a versatile and reliable option for beginners and experienced users alike.
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