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excal 11 detachable headphones
- Thread starter pi pro
- Start date
GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va
New member
n/t
Gulf Hunter
Active member
Yeah pi, if you can afford the upgrade, just do it, before you even take delivery. Have them install Gray Ghost Underwaters and of course, go ahead and have them install the ikelite connector to the Koss, as well, for back-up. Detector Pro has a lifetime limited warranty on the headphones and their service is really excellent. Joe can arrange everything for you. The fit, comfort, reduction in wind noise and tonal quality is sharper too. I have a set on all 3 Excals, savvy?
My two cents is this: Ikalite plugs are great in that you can switch phones when you like, BUT they are also a LOT more vulnerable to tugs / twisting and unless you want to carry a kit to service them (complete with know-how) you may wind up "for want of a shoe"...
Said kit consists of:
-small screwdriver
-soldering gun (fine point and cleaning pad).
- solder
- wicking wire for neat work on small surfaces to prevent shorting.
-good vision and a lot of patience to solder phone cable wire which is really no more than a wisp of hair so it's not surprising that they come apart in Ikalite plugs.
You can also rig a solid strain relief system and hope for the best. Reassembling these little devils is no fun either in that when you try to screw in the metal / rubber seal at the back it wil often twist your work apart.
I've had 12 years of these plugs with my Cuda (s) so take my word for it, they're trouble. The pins and setting holes also lose conductivity over time and need to be filed. This will be indicated when you have to fiddle with the Ikalite flange to get good contact. And furthermore...
cjc (clivesgoldpagehome)
Said kit consists of:
-small screwdriver
-soldering gun (fine point and cleaning pad).
- solder
- wicking wire for neat work on small surfaces to prevent shorting.
-good vision and a lot of patience to solder phone cable wire which is really no more than a wisp of hair so it's not surprising that they come apart in Ikalite plugs.
You can also rig a solid strain relief system and hope for the best. Reassembling these little devils is no fun either in that when you try to screw in the metal / rubber seal at the back it wil often twist your work apart.
I've had 12 years of these plugs with my Cuda (s) so take my word for it, they're trouble. The pins and setting holes also lose conductivity over time and need to be filed. This will be indicated when you have to fiddle with the Ikalite flange to get good contact. And furthermore...
cjc (clivesgoldpagehome)
GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va
New member
in mine 12 years or so, i have owned like 5 excals, one for over 8 years. never had to carry a soldering gun with me.
every excal i have had i have sent back to minelab for the add on plug like on the battery pod - take minelab phones and toss in back of garage or truck for a spare set and bought new gray ghost underwater phones and plug in and go. - sounds are much much better
i have had a problem with the plug on the battery, but never any of the phone ilkelite plugs...........they are the same............maybe i am lucky.
my one cents worth
every excal i have had i have sent back to minelab for the add on plug like on the battery pod - take minelab phones and toss in back of garage or truck for a spare set and bought new gray ghost underwater phones and plug in and go. - sounds are much much better
i have had a problem with the plug on the battery, but never any of the phone ilkelite plugs...........they are the same............maybe i am lucky.
my one cents worth
Steve from Ohio
New member
Just upgraded my Excalibur myself with the battery pack cap and Gray Ghost Underwaters. What a difference! I can really hear the differences of coins such as dimes to pennies. The tone ID is so much better when you have a quality headphone like the Gray Ghosts. And hardly any wind noise. And really comfortable too! Plus they stay on your head much better.
I would highly recommend getting the GG underwaters and if you have the ability, it is easy to change out the end cap of the control pod. But you will have to do some modifications to the battery end cap to make it work. Really simple.
I would not recommend doing it yourself if your machine is new and under warranty.
My total cost to change the control box end cap was $39.00. The Gray Ghost Underwaters I got a good deal at $129. For a total of $168. Well worth it. This mod alone will pay for itself with more finds in my opinion. I really love using the Excalibur now as just liking it before with the stock Blues.
I would highly recommend getting the GG underwaters and if you have the ability, it is easy to change out the end cap of the control pod. But you will have to do some modifications to the battery end cap to make it work. Really simple.
I would not recommend doing it yourself if your machine is new and under warranty.
My total cost to change the control box end cap was $39.00. The Gray Ghost Underwaters I got a good deal at $129. For a total of $168. Well worth it. This mod alone will pay for itself with more finds in my opinion. I really love using the Excalibur now as just liking it before with the stock Blues.
Steve from Ohio
New member
As far as strain on the wires........
I took a cable tie and tied the Gray Ghost's wire to the knob guard. That took any strain off the connection. The Gray Ghosts are not coming off anyway so tying them down is not a problem for me.
I also put some silicon plumbers grease on the connector. That should keep any corrosion away by sealing up the connector.
Putting the end cap on was far easier than what everyone was saying. Not a real big deal. Needed to be modified slightly. Took me about a half hour.
I took a cable tie and tied the Gray Ghost's wire to the knob guard. That took any strain off the connection. The Gray Ghosts are not coming off anyway so tying them down is not a problem for me.
I also put some silicon plumbers grease on the connector. That should keep any corrosion away by sealing up the connector.
Putting the end cap on was far easier than what everyone was saying. Not a real big deal. Needed to be modified slightly. Took me about a half hour.
GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va
New member
n/t
GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va
New member
better than sliced bread like steve said
Max
Don't forget, not everyone hipmounts. I guess it all depends on how good of an installation you had done. With a proper job the wire is souldered around to the side of the brass bolt and is a bit more sturdy this way. I will say this though, if they do come apart, you would need some tools and bench experience to put them back together. Not everyone lives on the beach either. I fly for four hours to hunt sometimes and would never dream of trusting Ikalite plugs except for the battery-- (thicker wire). I hate weak links. Just my opinion.
cjc
Don't forget, not everyone hipmounts. I guess it all depends on how good of an installation you had done. With a proper job the wire is souldered around to the side of the brass bolt and is a bit more sturdy this way. I will say this though, if they do come apart, you would need some tools and bench experience to put them back together. Not everyone lives on the beach either. I fly for four hours to hunt sometimes and would never dream of trusting Ikalite plugs except for the battery-- (thicker wire). I hate weak links. Just my opinion.
cjc
Steve from Ohio
New member
The only difference between the Excalibur 800 and the 1000 is the coil size and the sticker on the side of the machines. So the very same parts can be used to modify for the Gray Ghosts.
GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va
New member
see ya in the lane one day
Steve from Ohio
New member
I called Ikelite and they were of no help.
They said they do not sell to retail customers and have no one to offer any help as far as making modifications for their products.
I even had the president of the company call me and he told me that. But they were nice enough to call back.
They said they do not sell to retail customers and have no one to offer any help as far as making modifications for their products.
I even had the president of the company call me and he told me that. But they were nice enough to call back.
GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va
New member
The #4101 MSRP is $ 25.00
#4105 MSRP $ 15.00
Please forward check, money order or Phone 317-923-4523 with a credit card number. Visa & Master Card accepted. Fax # 317-924-7988
PO Box 88100, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Thank You
Ikelite
Tom
#4105 MSRP $ 15.00
Please forward check, money order or Phone 317-923-4523 with a credit card number. Visa & Master Card accepted. Fax # 317-924-7988
PO Box 88100, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Thank You
Ikelite
Tom
Steve from Ohio
New member
I called them about that post a few weeks ago and they said that they no longer will sell those parts to individuals. Only to dealers. And the Tom that was on that post is no longer with Ikelite according to the president of the company.
Best bet is if you want to do it yourself, buy the alkaline battery pod and modify it to make it work on the control pod of the Excalibur. It is very easy and it works great.
Best bet is if you want to do it yourself, buy the alkaline battery pod and modify it to make it work on the control pod of the Excalibur. It is very easy and it works great.
JOHNMARKHAM
New member
hey all
I'm interested in the gray ghost headsets too,after reading this article, I'm still asking which way is better:have attached as factory ones are or be able to disconnect them?
i do most of my hunting along the beach and when in north Carolina on land too.i dont like the stock ones for various reasons,this article has my int rest here.please let me know
I'm interested in the gray ghost headsets too,after reading this article, I'm still asking which way is better:have attached as factory ones are or be able to disconnect them?
i do most of my hunting along the beach and when in north Carolina on land too.i dont like the stock ones for various reasons,this article has my int rest here.please let me know
The coil on my Excal 1000 has been acting up for a while, plus the harness for my headphones snapped clean in two BUT I'd prefer not to send it to the States for modifications and then back to Bermuda. Electronics get damaged in overseas shipping so it would be safer, I think, to buy a W.O.T. 12" and a set of Grey Ghosts, have them shipped to Bermuda and then connect them with Ikelite Connectors.
My only concern is that I prefer to hunt the Mine and heavy surf doesn't discourage me unless it gets unsafe, that means that my Excal is subjected to a lot of punishment and I'm not sure that the Ikelite Connector was made to handle that much punishment.
Can anyone speak from experience on this question?
Thanks,
BDA
My only concern is that I prefer to hunt the Mine and heavy surf doesn't discourage me unless it gets unsafe, that means that my Excal is subjected to a lot of punishment and I'm not sure that the Ikelite Connector was made to handle that much punishment.
Can anyone speak from experience on this question?
Thanks,
BDA