Inside the Minelab EXCALIBUR II 1000
The Minelab EXCALIBUR II 1000 runs BBS (Broad Band Spectrum), which transmits 17 frequencies at once from 1.5 to 25.5 kHz. Minelab says BBS uses those 17 frequencies to improve depth and target ID under water, and it lists RCB (Receive Coil Boost) among the detector's key technologies. The controls are rotary dials for threshold, sensitivity (Auto or manual 1 to 10), discrimination and volume, plus a switch between Discriminate and All Metal and a Pinpoint mode. Ground balance is automatic, so there is no manual ground balance pass. There is no display and no Target ID number: every target is read through the audio.
The EXCALIBUR II 1000 ships with a hard-wired 10 inch round Double-D Smart coil, hard-wired waterproof Koss headphones, a standard shaft that adjusts from 114 to 122 cm (45 to 48 inch), a dive shaft that adjusts from 82 to 91 cm (32 to 36 inch), and a rechargeable 1000 mAh NiMH battery with charger, which Minelab rates at 14 to 19 hours per charge. The detector is IP68 rated and waterproof to 60 m (200 ft), and it weighs 5.1 lb (2.3 kg). Minelab covers the control box and coil for 12 months.
EXCALIBUR II vs EQUINOX 900: Which Should You Buy?
Both are Minelab multi-frequency detectors that stay workable in salt water and wet sand. The EXCALIBUR II goes to 60 m (200 ft), runs on a removable NiMH battery and gives you audio only. The EQUINOX 900 is IP68 rated to 5 m (16 ft), has a screen with a -19 to 99 Target ID, Beach 1 and Beach 2 modes, wireless headphones in the box, a built-in lithium-ion battery and a 3 year warranty, and it weighs 2.8 lb (1.27 kg).
We recommend the EXCALIBUR II if you dive below 5 m (16 ft), hunt in the surf with the coil under water most of the time, or prefer audio-only operation with simple dials. We recommend the EQUINOX 900 for dry sand, wet sand and wading, if you want a number on the screen, or if the same detector also has to cover parks and fields. The MANTICORE adds a 2D target display with the same 5 m (16 ft) rating.
EXCALIBUR II 1000, Best For:
- Divers working reefs, swim areas and wreck sites deeper than 5 m (16 ft)
- Surf hunters who keep the coil under water through the wave zone
- Wet salt sand and black sand beaches
- Experienced water hunters who read targets by ear
EQUINOX 900, Best For:
- Beach hunters who work dry sand, wet sand and wading depth
- Hunters who want a -19 to 99 Target ID on the screen
- Detectorists who move between beaches, parks, fields and goldfields
- Buyers who want wireless headphones and a 3 year warranty
BBS and Audio Target Reading in the Water
In wet salt sand and black sand, a multi-frequency detector stays stable where a single-frequency VLF has to give up sensitivity or starts to chatter. That is why we recommend the EXCALIBUR II for dedicated saltwater work: the automatic ground balance and BBS let you swing slow and steady through the surf line without stopping to rebalance.
All target information comes through the headphones. In Discriminate mode the discrimination dial sets which targets the detector rejects; All Metal accepts everything; Pinpoint helps you locate the target for recovery. The audio takes time to learn, and the dials ask for more interpretation than a screen, so we recommend the EXCALIBUR II to intermediate and experienced water hunters rather than first-time buyers. If you are new to detecting, start with our beginner and intermediate detectors.
Where the EXCALIBUR II Works Best, and Its Limits
The EXCALIBUR II is at home in saltwater surf, on wet salt sand and black sand beaches, and on dives down to its 60 m (200 ft) rating. The dive shaft shortens the detector to 82 to 91 cm (32 to 36 inch) for working close to the bottom, and Minelab describes the 10 inch coil as slimline and lightweight. Compare it with other waterproof metal detectors if you are still choosing a water machine.
The EXCALIBUR II has limits. With no screen and no Target ID number, it is slower to learn than a detector with a display. At 5.1 lb (2.3 kg) it is heavier for long days on dry sand than the 2.8 lb (1.27 kg) EQUINOX 900, and its warranty is 12 months against 3 years on Minelab's newer multi-frequency detectors. For recovering targets under water, pair it with a waterproof pinpointer rated for the depth you dive.
Batteries, Shafts and Accessories That Fit the EXCALIBUR II
The EXCALIBUR II coil is hard-wired to the detector, so the parts that change are covers, batteries and shafts. Our EXCALIBUR II collection holds the 10 inch BBS coil cover, the complete NiMH battery pod, the alkaline battery holder for running on disposable cells, battery chargers, a 12 V car charger and an Ikelite charger adapter.
For shafts and mounting, we carry the Minelab upper shaft, lower fiberglass pole and 90 degree side mounting shaft, the Minelab hip mount kit, plus aftermarket extension and stork leg shafts. Replacement knobs, caps and coil hardware keep the controls and seals in working order; our EXCALIBUR maintenance guide covers care after salt water.
EXCALIBUR II 1000 vs EQUINOX 900 Comparison
Both are Minelab multi-frequency detectors with automatic ground handling for salt water. The differences sit in waterproof depth, target display, audio, battery, weight and warranty.
| Feature | Minelab EXCALIBUR II 1000 | Minelab EQUINOX 900 |
|---|
| Technology | BBS, 17 simultaneous frequencies, 1.5 to 25.5 kHz | Multi-IQ, plus 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 kHz |
| Search Modes | All Metal, Discriminate, plus Pinpoint | All Metal, Park 1 and 2, Field 1 and 2, Gold, Beach 1 and 2 |
| Target ID | No target ID number (audio only) | -19 to 99 (119 segments) |
| Sensitivity | Auto and manual, 1 to 10 | 1 to 28 |
| Display | No display | Monochrome LCD, red backlight |
| Ground Balance | Automatic | Auto, Manual, Tracking |
| Included Coil(s) | 10 inch DD round Smart coil, hard-wired | EQX 11 11 inch DD round + EQX 06 6 inch DD round |
| Wireless Audio | No (hard-wired waterproof headphones in the box) | Low-latency, ML 85 headphones in the box |
| Waterproof (control box and coil) | IP68, 60 m (200 ft) | IP68, 5 m (16 ft) |
| Weight | 5.1 lb (2.3 kg) | 2.8 lb (1.27 kg) |
| Battery | 1000 mAh NiMH, removable, 14 to 19 hr | 3.7 V, 5100 mAh Li-ion, built in |
| Warranty | 12 months control box and coil | 3 years control box and coil |
Read our underwater metal detector guide for how the EXCALIBUR II compares with other detectors built for diving, and our BBS technology explainer for how Broad Band Spectrum works.
Why Buy the Minelab EXCALIBUR II 1000 from Serious Detecting?
- Free Shipping on Orders Over $99: Your Minelab EXCALIBUR II 1000 ships at no extra cost across the continental US.
- Authorized Minelab Dealer: Showroom in Ypsilanti, Michigan, full 1-year manufacturer warranty and product registration support.
- Help Before and After You Buy: Our staff answer setup, coil and EXCALIBUR II 1000 questions by phone or email.
