New to metal detecting, buying first machine for beach hunting, sovereign gt?

[mcshaner2k]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking into purchasing my first machine soon. I've been researching beach machines for quite some time, and now ready to buy. I have a few questions I have not seen covered too much, and hoping to get some feedback.

I'll only be hunting salt water beaches, and dry sand.. It seems that the GT is the king of the beach from what I gather, and the excal is great for water. I'm wondering why Minelab discontinued the Sovereign series detectors seeing they are so highly regarded, and what's out there to replace it?

My budget is $1000

 

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[Treasure_Hunter]

Minelab discontinued them because sales fell to low....

Are you sure you will never go in the water? You can't beat the Sov GT for wet sand but it isn't waterproof and in the water is where we find most of our gold in the long run. I own a Sov GT myself and I love it, but if I could only have 1 detector for the beach I would choose my excals since they can hunt from dry sand to 200+ feet under water. I don't dive but I know if I took it up or if I wanted to go down 15 feet using snorkel detector still good..






American by birth, Patriot by choice.

I would rather die standing on my two feet defending our Constitution than live a lifetime on my knees......

 

[mcshaner2k]

Minelab discontinued them because sales fell to low....

Are you sure you will never go in the water? You can't beat the Sov GT for wet sand but it isn't waterproof and in the water is where we find most of our gold in the long run. I own a Sov GT myself and I love it, but if I could only have 1 detector for the beach I would choose my excals since they can hunt from dry sand to 200+ feet under water. I don't dive but I know if I took it up or if I wanted to go down 15 feet using snorkel detector still good..






American by birth, Patriot by choice.

I would rather die standing on my two feet defending our Constitution than live a lifetime on my knees......

Ok, this was the answer I was looking for. Now if I can find a used Excal for under 1k

 

[Fletch88]

Watch forums and EBay they come up almost daily for 6-$800.

 

[RustyGold]

The Excal is an awesome beach and shallow water machine that will work just about any place you take it!
I was able to pick one up on eBay in excellent condition for $900. It had a problem with the charger and charger adapter which are costly to replace at about $100! For balance and extended use, a straight shaft is recommended!
It came with an extra battery pod so, all in all, it was a good purchase and I love it!
Best of luck!

 

[lost items recovery]

I agree on the above posts. I've owned quite a few different detectors and finally got a excal!
After researching for a while I decided that I would wait until I found a older blue model excalibur 1000 and am glad I did. Stumbled across one for $900 and would not part with it or replace it with any other machine. Left the pi world to stop digging so much trash but if I want all metal mode I just flick the switch! It's true that they do pop up on eBay like clock work and if I could I buy all of them. Excal 1000 are awesome for all of the beach but as previously mentioned you have to make or buy a straight shaft or you'll look like a fiddler crab! Lol! good luck in which ever you choose Hope you get what you want.

 

[mcshaner2k]

I agree on the above posts. I've owned quite a few different detectors and finally got a excal!
After researching for a while I decided that I would wait until I found a older blue model excalibur 1000 and am glad I did. Stumbled across one for $900 and would not part with it or replace it with any other machine. Left the pi world to stop digging so much trash but if I want all metal mode I just flick the switch! It's true that they do pop up on eBay like clock work and if I could I buy all of them. Excal 1000 are awesome for all of the beach but as previously mentioned you have to make or buy a straight shaft or you'll look like a fiddler crab! Lol! good luck in which ever you choose Hope you get what you want.

Thanks everyone for all your feedback!

How are the blue 1000's in comparison to the new version?

 

[Fletch88]

I like the blue 1000 better, but that may be because I have pinpoint mod and Grey Ghost headphones on it. The electronics are supposed to be the same, maybe it's just the color that makes it seem better. I see II's regularly with almost no use when someone purchased a water machine and discovered it wasn't for them.

 

[Sir Gala Clad]

If you are going to modify it ( remote pin point switch, improved headphones) anyway, I would think that the newer Excalibur ll 1000 would be a better choice
as it is more stable (added shielding).

Further, electronics deteriorate with time, even if not used - so the newer your detector the better.
Cable wire also crack and become unusable.

IIRC, an even older Excalibur, the one with Red Headphones is the one that had the best tones.

Thanks everyone for all your feedback!

How are the blue 1000's in comparison to the new version?