Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.
While we’re accustomed to using pulse induction metal detectors for its incredible immunity to mineralization and well-known depth detection for surf detecting, the Minelab Excalibur II is a worthy alternative.
The Excalibur has multi-frequency technology with 17 individual frequencies working simultaneously. It also has worthwhile and convenient benefits that PI can’t match such as high-performing discrimination and a lower price tag.
If you’re metal detecting the beach or diving anytime soon, hunt with the best.
In this case, it means hunting with the Excalibur II.
At a Glance…
✔️ Best Feature: Multi-frequency
❌ Worst Feature: Power supply confusion
👌 Ideal For: Water, Submersion, Diving, Beach, Land, Relics, Jewelry, Gold, Silver, Beginners, Intermediates, Experts
- Multi-frequency
- Submersible
- Coil boost
- Auto & manual sensitivity
- Automatic ground rejection
Our Verdict: Diving. Underwater. Multi-frequency. This sums up the Minelab Excalibur II. It’s a must-have kind of buy for the detectorist looking to have everything in one package.
Who is the Minelab Excalibur II Best Suited to?
Everyone who wants to go beneath the water’s surface should have an Excalibur II – beginner or seasoned vet. The price may be the only drawback for a beginner, but it’s simple to use even though it will take some training to understand the audio-only platform.
While the Excalibur is outfitted for underwater use, it’s excellent for beach hunting, mineralized soils, fields, parks, and woods – if you can swing 5 lbs.
If you’re a seasoned detectorist, you may be well-suited to the audio-only system. If you’re a newbie who has only used visual displays, you’re about to be schooled – it’s for your own good.
How Does the Minelab Excalibur II Perform?
The Excalibur II is often said to be the best beach and underwater metal detector – ever. While this is a subjective opinion, the Excalibur is a solid performer.
It’s rated for 200 feet underwater use which is very impressive. It can be adjusted in length to suit diving, so shipwrecks and seabed detecting is within the realm of definite possibility with comfort and ease.
It has a fluorescent control cylinder with a 5-knob interface. No LED lights are incorporated into its design, but this would only eat more power anyway.
There are some weird quirks about it like all the parts needed to charge the detector and the dependence on audio indication that the battery is low – who knows when and where this will occur since there is no visual indication of battery level.
However, its major benefit is its multi-frequency technology. With it, you won’t miss a good target – large or small, deep or shallow. The Excalibur II is a treasure hunter in every sense of the word.
Features & Benefits
Multi-Frequency
The Excalibur II has Minelab’s BBS (Broad Band Spectrum) technology. As such, it’s a high-performing multi-frequency metal detector with 17 individual frequencies. Its lowest frequency is 1.5 kHz and moves up in 1.5 kHz increments all the way to 25.5 kHz. The frequencies work simultaneously to provide low and high sensitivity and shallow and deep detection ranges for small and large targets.
With this type of frequency range, you can detect all types of desirable targets and in greater quantity. Very little will get past you if it gets past the Excalibur II at all.
Submersible
When it’s not enough to be fully waterproof, Minelab goes all out and provides a completely submersible and diving metal detector system. One of the best things about it is even though it has an extreme 200 ft operating depth beneath the waves, it can still be used on land.
You can change out the lower shaft for a shorter one which is better suited to diving. It has all the iconic features of a waterproof machine from its knob system to its waterproof and sealed connection points. The knob interface consists of advanced features that allows for excellent performance. Even so, it remains easy and convenient to use.
The control cylinder has a fluorescent skin that allows for high visibility under water. Soon enough, you won’t need visual identification of the knobs to know what you’re doing.
The included waterproof Koss headphones are hardwired and will be your eyes and ears under the sea. If you couldn’t tell already, this is a metal detector made to get wet and deliver results.
Coil Boost
RCB (Receive Coil Boost) technology. With BBS tech and adjustable threshold, you’d think that would be more than enough tech to get digging and reaping for treasure. But Minelab goes the extra mile in all things.
This is evident with the coil boost tech in the receive coil. It does exactly what it sounds like it does – boosts coil signals. What is it for? It’s for amplifying faint signals that would normally be too weak to hear or that would be lost in the fray of other disrupting noise sources.
This is Minelab patented technology that also helps to improve depth, reduce electrical noise, and increase sensitivity regardless of the terrain – land or water.
Auto & Manual Sensitivity
The ability to fine-tune sensitivity for the conditions is a must-have, especially if you have a metal detector that is designed for quality performance in every type of terrain. It’s recommended that everyone starts out with the Auto feature that kicks the detector into automatically adjusting sensitivity as conditions demand. This could be grounds with variable levels of mineralization and/or high mineralization.
When you’ve learned the ins and outs of the Excalibur II, you can confidently use manual settings as you see fit. There is a Sub Aqua range from 1-5 that is the recommended manual settings for when hunting underwater, in and around black sand, and while at the beach.
Automatic Ground Rejection
You have both DISC and Pinpoint modes on the Excalibur detector. When you’re in Pinpoint, it’s essentially your All Metal mode. Target signals are short for faster target pinpointing and acquisition, and all target signals will sound off at a single pitch. The discrimination knob will be disengaged while in this mode.
When you activate Discrimination by moving out of Pinpoint/All Metal mode, you can then adjust for discrimination by moving the dedicated knob. You can also tell the difference between targets with the pitch of threshold after a rejected target has caused the detector to blank. Obviously, the Excalibur II offers the beginner the potential to develop advanced skills, and thanks to its design, it can be mastered on both land and sea.
Limitations
Power Supply Confusion
The Excalibur II come with a 10-cell NiMH waterproof battery pod. It can be mounted several ways with additional accessories such as a side shaft mount or hip mount. The battery pod is attachable and removeable and can be charged attached or removed. Minelab states that it provides 14-19 hours of operation but expect approximately 12 hours of realistic and continued operation from one charge.
While it has acceptable battery life, there is no way to confirm battery life level or if charging is full and complete. If you have the threshold knob activated, it will sound off a continuous loud signal and this is audio indication that battery level is low.
You must also use the included special adapter that connects the main charger to the battery, so it’s another component to keep track of and may be considered an unnecessary part to some users.
There is another battery supply available as a separate purchase that takes AA batteries. The AA batteries are not included. It’s also only suitable for land or shallow-wading detecting as it is only water-resistant and not waterproof or rated for submersion.
Popular Questions
What Accessories are Included with the Excalibur II Metal Detector?
Included accessories vary by package. The standard package comes with the metal detector, short shaft for diving, 10” searchcoil, skidplate, NiMH battery and necessary charging components, and Koss submersible headphones.
The Pro Find Bundle comes with the same accessories plus the Minelab Pro Find 35 Pinpointer.
The Charging Bundle lacks the Pro Find but adds Minelab headphones, a car charger, and the water-resistant AA battery pod (AA batteries not included).
Is the Minelab Excalibur II Good for Land Hunting?
The Excalibur II lacks a visual display, so if you can learn the tones to acquire developed audio recognition of targets, it will serve as a high-performing platform on land.
It weighs 5 lbs with the included battery and 10” searchcoil. If its weight is within your ability to sweep comfortably and correctly, it would make a good land-based detector for you.
Can the Excalibur go Deeper than 200 feet Underwater?
While the Excalibur II metal detector is rated for diving and underwater metal detecting, it is only rated for use up to a max of 200 feet. That is the depth maximum for battery pod operation. Since the detector can only operate with its power source, you’re limited to the limitations of the power source.
What is the Warranty on the Minelab Underwater Excalibur II?
Minelab provides a 1-year warranty that covers the control cylinder and coil. Many buyers recommend purchasing the inexpensive extended warranty plan for further protection.
Conclusion
The Excalibur II offers a lot of potential for more productive hunts. It’s also very versatile since it can be used for land-based hunting with its multi-frequency technology, also opening the doors to beach and underwater discoveries.
Everything is there to turn this metal detector into your go-to partner for every hunt here on out. With the type of audio skills you’ll develop with this detector, you could be considered a maestro as mastering audio-only systems is not just a skill, it’s an art.