CTX & Excal questions

[garyflal]

Another hunter here deciding between the CTX & Excal. I've read many of the pros and cons on both. Understand that the type of saltwater beach/water hunting I'll be doing is probably the biggest consideration since the CTX wasn't designed as an underwater detector. A few of questions I haven't seen are;

-Which one has a faster response, ie, which one can be swung faster in both all metal and disc while wet sanding? By faster, I mean faster within reason.
-Will either or both have falsing in the wet sand in the disc mode with higher or highest sensitivity?
-How accurate is the vid on the CTX with zinc pennies, both new and corroded? Basically the same question for the Excal though I guess it depends on how well one can differentiate tones that sound very similar. The zincs are really annoying with my CZ20. I use to be able to bob the coil over the target once acquired to get a pretty good idea if it was a zinc, but that method doesn't work anymore with the newest type of pennies, at least with my CZ.
Thanks

 

[dewcon4414]

In dis no doubt the CTX takes that round.... but in PP where you can run full sensitivity id take the Xcal. Running in PP also allows you to move with as fast a sweep as u want. Yes the CTX has good pennie id...but iwouldnt over look a signal like that if deep. Dug one 2 days ago that sounded like a pennie. Turned out to be abeauty of a 14k with oynex. I understand ML is coming out with a better battery and gasket.... but now the Xcal is less likely to leak and u can go deeper. In dirt id get a CTX. in the water the Xcal is a simple machine to use.

 

[Atlas]

I have both machines and tend to run the CTX because it is faster in disc and deeper also. However, like Dew said you can run the Excal in PP(all metal) mode and go deeper and sweep faster. I would say that signals can be softer in the PP mode on my machine.

I run a very open screen with the CTX only rejecting the highest Iron line and use combine tones. I also toggle to a more aggressive disc level on the iron but my tone bin cut for iron is around 18 I think. Any way big Iron and bent nails will false on the CTX where The Excal in low disc (iron mask) will null out. I find the threshold and tones more pleasant to listen to on the Excal but I have had it longer so I may be biased.

Still I run the CTX more. It is better balanced than the Excal with the factory shaft. You will need to get or make a straight shaft for the Excal if you run it on the beach.

I have no real issues either machine falsing but if you are in active surf and water is coming and going over the coil that will cause falsing as the machine tries to rebalance to the salt water.

CTX has faster recovery time but both can be swept at a comfortable pace -- CTX a bit faster.

CTX can ID zincs with the meter 12/35-37 but I have dug fat gold rings at 12/35 so you could loose some gold.

The thing is that the Excal is a really good machine and if you went that way you save yourself ~$1,000. CTX gives you coil options, a meter, GPS. I mark my better finds with the GPS and try to map out hot spots. I used the GPS to grid off an area and recovered a ring for a lady. but it is also helpful when just plain searching a grid pattern anywhere.

HH

 

[dewcon4414]

Hates off to the CTX... its a superior machine to the Xcal in a lot ways. But a lot of those must haves I dont use. I run pretty smooth in PP, can run full sensitivity without falseing, and even with coil flip wont false, and goes as deep or nearly as deep. Dont miss a lot of targers with in coil range. But some see the modes putting the price range near the CTX new. Personally id go used.....u can find the CTX noew in the $1500 range with a good bit of warranty. Where the Xcal you get a year new...and if u dont have Kelleco do the mode that bills on u. Thats why I take my chance on used.

 

[John(Tx)]

mainly use the excal II which has found me many gold rings. As far as zincs go, I have found heavy gold rings that come in as zincs on my metered machines. HH

 

[Rob in (Ca)]

The Large heavy set rings come in at the zinc range........Dig It All

 

[OldBeechnut]

I love the Excalibur but I sure would like to be able to have the use of a GPS so I could take off from where I left off. Set the GPS to go off at a way point, maybe they sell a hand held like this?

 

[Jim Robertson]

I have owned both and at the same time. I would pick up the CTX 3 to 4 time more often. L love the 17 inch coil on the beach. It id great on ringa and very deep. But it is also a great land machine. For the most part the meter is very true. Just a great all purpose detector.

 

[robinb]

Tricky question.

I have both, the excal with 17" coil on. 3030 with 11"

I tend to use the excalibur when want to cover a lot of sea and things are not so deep. (i.e. in summer)

The 3030 with 11 coil is great (I did not like 17 at all) and tend to use mostly especially when sites are trashy.

Both are great machines and use them upto my neck underwater.

 

[KinTN]

I take my CTX+17 unless I know I am going to dunk my detector that day. Love the 17 coverage/depth but its too much resistance to swing underwater for my tastes.

 

[Dig]

Used CTX 3030 in classifieds!

 

[dobbratacus]

Best answer to a spot I've seen in a long time. Thank you.

 

[garyflal]

-- moved topic --

 

[jerseyjim]

I don't own the Ex-cal. I do have the CTX. Like all the guys above, you will never regret owning a CTX 3030. Consider how often you will be in the water. I use very little discrimination and would dig the zinc hit. If I was getting a lot of hits from zinc pennies then I might block them out. This is another good reason to get the CTX. You can easily program a mode to block out the zinc pennies. I never had a problem with falsing on wet sand where I hunt. I put it on Sea Water when I am in water and If I am hunting the wet sand line. You can also adjust you sensitivity, that will help. Both are good machines, if you do more under water hunting, deeper then 10 feet go with the Ex-Cal if you do more land or equal land and under 10 feet of water go with the CTX.Good luck
If you do get the CTX, get Andy Sabisch book The CTX 3030 Handbook. If I were you I would talk to Andy, if you are undecided. He has a site www.sabischBooks.com He is a good guy Email him.

Jim

 

[Jim Robertson]

CTX hands down. Great detector and the only reason I would own a Exc is to dive. I don't dive so I love my CTX. Also a great land machine not just beach.