Tony

Yep......same down here as well 😤

Do we know where Platinum falls......it’s usually marked 950 but registers quite low on typical VLF machines. I know I have skipped over Platinum with my Excalibur.....my TDIBH eats this stuff for breakfast in AM mode. Platinum is popular down here with the Japanese which means there is plenty lost in Hawaii I’m guessing ? Tony

I’ve tried the ones listed on the website......maybe they are closed this time of year. I might try calling direct. Thanks Tony

Does the Anti Rotation Mechanism lock the coil in place....if so, then any wear/abrasion should be minimal ? I’m looking at the small notched red male parts and notched female part of the coil bracket. Looks promising 👍 Excessive coil movement would probably override the design but if it offers good resistance then that should be sufficient.

I have been trying to contact Detectorrepair for information on the GG Amphibian headphones.....trying to find out if the ones they sell for the Excalibur are the version II’s. The stock photo shows the originals with the volume control. I am after the version II. I have tried emailing from Australia several times with no response. The company is https://detectorrepair.com If anyone could contact them on my behalf that would be very helpful. i want to order the GG Amphibians II.....comes with the potted plug. Thanks, Tony

It’s also important to remember that “still” saltwater allows for quicker delays than “moving” saltwater. Working in 5 feet of calm saltwater is far easier (in terms of running shorter pulse delays) than 1 to 2 feet of fast moving saltwater.

I’m starting to appreciate the flexibility in the operation of the AQ......but for me and my hunting conditions, I can see the pure AM mode the one to use. Beaches down here have very little iron targets (big or small) We have quite a lot of Asian gold = 22 K as well as the big, hairy guys with the ounce plus nuggets around their necks. 😳 I can find quite a lot of money because of our $1 and $2 coins which need to be “captured”.......maybe this is possible in one of the ID modes. These coins are quite high up on the conductivity scale. Thanks Tony

Even considering the potential to pay off the detector, I feel anything over $2500 USD may turn off people right from the start.......they need to sell to a wide range of hunters and not just the ones who feel they can easily and quickly pay off the unit. It is comparable to those who purchased expensive GPZ 7000’s......how many of them have paid off their machines? Hopefully the mindset at FT is not to try and recoup all of the expense in one model but spread it out over time and maybe further machines.......they really need to get AQ’s out the door in what is a niche detector (PI) in a niche hobby (beach/water metal detecting). I do want one though....👍

Definitely the case...I suspect Minelab already has a range of advanced prototype technology that can be brought to market whenever the need arises. Their R&D budget is...........a lot. Tony

That particular test was somewhere in between the wet and dry......I used to hunt parallel to the water but with the TDIBH, I have had to change to hunting perpendicular to the water (so I am either facing the water or have my back to it). I only hunted parallel to the water to maximise coverage of the towel lines but with max power settings then a bit of salt signal will be heard when the swing is at its closest to the water. When hunting the “correct” way then no salt signal on the hard pan.👍 Tony

If it does then there will be no one happier than me.......wish the Aussie dollar was stronger against the US dollar 💵 If you need any Aussie testers then just let me know.....assuming I’m still alive after granny reads this thread 😳 Tony

I always take the time to rest the detector on the ground.......on the hard ground, my dive boots make for a great pillow for detectors. 👍

Looks like a killer unit. I don’t think the cable management at the back will be a problem as far as being exposed to “ blunt trauma”. I’m liking everything that I’m seeing. I WANT TO SEE THIS UNIT BEAT THE TDIBH FOR RAW DEPTH 👍 I am expecting sticker shock BUT any performance gains over current beach PI’s will then be justified ! Raising funds now.......Will be selling my grandma on eBay shortly 😳 Good luck with the testing.....and thanks for sharing on this great forum (I’m sure Steve won’t mind if all of your posts are just here 🤫) Tony

I’ll have to update my profile.......thanks Santa !

Now that’s a package I would love to own.......😙

Thanks Sven Not sure about the pots but I made sure to only tighten the screws to slightly compress the O ring.

My cleaning regime after an ocean detecting session is meticulous but I got a little careless when I got home. i always rinse the unit really well at the beach showers and always look for signs of water ingress immediately afterwards and everything checked out fine. When I get home, everything is submerged in a long plastic tub full of warm fresh water where it soaks for about 15 minutes. I also add some mild liquid soap to help get all the salt out of every knock and cranny. I normally add the soap to the bottom of the tub and then blast the water in to get it mixed up......and THEN I place the detector in. Well today, I got careless and placed the detector into the bottom of the tub first and then for some unknown reason, proceeded to fill the tub with heavy water pressure.........yep........the force of the water got past the orange gasket and forced itself into the detector body. Luckily I noticed it straight away and no damage was done at all. I did have to disassemble the whole unit and dried it all out completely. Not too much water got in as you can see in the third photo. The biggest hassle is getting the gasket back on and securing the 8 screws evenly otherwise the gasket can bulge out in a few places. Lesson learnt........go easy with the water pressure when using the snap on hose connector. I’ve only made this mistake once and didn’t get away with it. Anyhow, now you all get to see a disassembled TDIBH. Interestingly, the battery compartment is completely separate from the electronics top half. As far as a waterproofness weakness.....it is the orange gasket but only from high dynamic water pressure. Tony

If you mean depth of water then latest specs have it rated to 1m.....👎

I would back my TDIBH to get that medallion at that depth too. For now, I don’t accept that the AQ is “much deeper” than the TDIBH at 14.4v. From what I have gathered, the AQ is comparable or MAY have a slight depth edge but nothing suggests it is “much deeper”.......for now. Time will tell....and if the AQ is “much deeper” than the TDIBH then there will be no one more happier than me and the current pricing would be somewhat justified. Tony

After conversion and taxes.......these will be about $4500 Australian or the equivalent of 3 TDI Beachhunters. I’m guessing they will sell about one unit based on that price here in Australia. Serious hunters may consider the AQ if there is a significant depth increase over what is currently available........in my opinion, highly Unlikely but I’d be very happy to be proven wrong 👍 Also, if the unit is only rated to 1 metre depth of water........it’s not “if” but “when” the detector will be compromised. For that sort of money....the waterproofness needs to be far better. Look at the Seahunter battery setup.....probably the best going. Tony

Thanks Steve.......good information on that thread ! Tony

Hello all Has anyone come up with a decent design for a coil/loop stabilizer bracket for the Excalibur coil? Because the coil ears are flush with the side of the coil, the standard design doesn’t work (typical Whites style of loop stabilizer) Love the detector but the thin loop bolt provides very little tightness and I’m not going to ruin my coil but over tightening which is futile anyway. Can’t find much on the net which is surprising for such a popular machine. Thanks in advance for any ideas or pictures (even better). Tony

Agree about Alkaline quality. The Varta brand are very good.....always very good voltage and fresh plus I’ve never had any leak on me or die prematurely. I’ve had problems with Duracell and Energizers on a regular basis......these are nearly always made in China or Indonesia. I’m amazed at the Varta price.....it’s possible they are so low in order to get you into the store and get you to buy something else...........Is that why I have 48 hammers ?

Bunnings.......sometimes on special for $5........crazy cheap. Tony

The batteries are Varta......Made in Germany. I should mention that I’m in Australia. 30 cells for about $6 US. Good old Bunnings is where you can get them. The batteries are always fresh stock too 👍 Tony