Help me Decide, Excal, Explorer, Whites DFX

[toy4runr]

Hello. I am trying to make a decision about which metal detector would better suit my needs. I live in Milton Fl, about 30 miles from the beach. I don't hunt there because I never had a machine that was for that. I had an Eagle II SL by Whites, but it wouldn't perform on the beach. I spend almost all of my time coin shooting local parks, but I would hunt the beach if I had a machine that could do it, because the parks are hammered and the really good finds are very few and very far between. I figure I could boost my "good find" ratio by hunting the beaches for jewelry.

So I'm considering a DFX because I have always Whites, and my current XLT does not satisfy me. I never liked it's performance enough in parks to bother taking it to the beach. It has very poor depth for what it is billed as, and I think my old Eagle was a better machine to be honest. I understand that both the DFX and the Explorer can be a handful to learn. But what about the Excal? Is it as hard to learn as the Explorer? How does it compare to the Explorer with it's depth and coin hunting ability? The more detail you can offer here the better.

It would be nice to have a water proof machine if I do decide to hunt the beach because I know if go there, eventually I will trip, or a big wave will come, and it would just give me piece of mind if the machine were water proof. So, what say you? Any information will be genuinely appreciated, and I thank you in advance for your input.
Best regards,
Toy4runr

[sandyfeet]

Welcome!!!!

I think the excal. would be the best choice....another det. you may consider is the new fisher CZ21...both are fine machines for the beach

Sandyfeet

[Black Jack]

I had a similar problem as you. I live 90 miles from Myrtle Beach. I hunt inland as well on the beach. I bought the Minelab Explorer SE and have never looked back. It is a super machine not hard to learn just follow the book and there are lots of people here to help answer any questions.
If I had planned to Metal Detect under water I would have gone with the Excalibur 1000.

Hope this helps.
Rodney

[bdahunter]

The Excal is a terrific water and wetsand machine, basically a waterproof Sovereign. What you may miss is the display as it is purely a tone machine. I swing the Excal 1000 and have for over two years now but it's really designed for waterhunting, pinpointing will be a problem anywhere but at the beach. The 8 in coil will narrow things down a little when pinpointing and will only show a marginal loss in depth but you will cover less ground per sweep.
If it's loot you're after then plan on getting into the water, at least up to your waist as that's where most of the good stuff is to be found.

Cheers,

BDA
A used PI unit would also be a possibility, so you could try out beach hunting without a big expense.(say around $300-$400)

[toy4runr]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will see if someone in the local club has an Excal. That way I can meet them and play with the machine to see if I can transition to a machine without a graphic display, and compare it's dry-land performance to other machines. From researching the Explorer it seems that many of the more experienced users rely almost solely on the tone ID to determine whether to did a target or not, so maybe I could get used to not having the visual input too. In all the lurking and reading I have done it seems to be unanimous that to make the most of beach hunting you have to get into the water.

It's funny, I just noticed that I had a post-it note here on my monitor that says "research Fisher CZ-21" I will take a look at it too. I might just get a water proof machine to use at the beach and rely on my old Eagle at parks. That old machine is one impressive dude. Although I think most Minelab users would say the Ultimate solution would be to own an Explorer AND an Excalibur!

Thanks again for the helpful information.

Kind regards,
Toy4runr

[EBCIII]

Welcome to the site! Good luck to you with your choice! I really think if I lived closer to the beach I would for sure have a water machine, Beale.

[Buster]

Welcome to TQ..what ever you decide to get...you will like it...Buster....

[grasshopper]

i've heard great things about the exaclibur, except for the fact that it's really heavy. i have an xlt and am satisfied with it, but good luck on your decision.

[mtpockets]

I too was in the same boat.. I had a XLT and then was going to buy a DFX..
But chose the Explorer SE instead.. And have been a Very happy camper since.. Then I bought a Excalibur.. Now I'm 100% SOLD on Minelab...

But thats just Me..

Good luck with whatever Brand you Choose..

[liquid1]

I have read the CZ21 is good both places and it can be Hip mounted for an easy swing..tinman has one and land hunts he said it Goes very Deep..If I lived close to the ocean I would more than need to scarf one up..Bda and a few others here are the salt water guru and have good advise with years of experiance..good luck with your new Detector which ever one you decide on Excal or CZ21 are salt water Kings..