Minelab Excalibur II Side Mounting Shaft (90 Degrees)

The side mounting shaft is compatible with the Minelab Excalibur II metal detector only. It uses a 90-degree pin configuration specific to the Excalibur II control cylinder and battery pack, and it will not fit other Minelab models. The shaft is a direct replacement for the standard Excalibur II shaft and works with the existing control cylinder, battery pack, and coil from your detector. If you are running an Excalibur II and need reduced drag in shallow water or on dive sites, this shaft swaps in without modification.

The 90-degree side mount configuration positions the control cylinder and battery pack parallel to the shaft instead of perpendicular, which reduces the frontal area exposed to water flow. This cuts drag when you are swinging the detector in shallow surf, wading in chest-deep water, or working close to the seafloor on dive sites. Divers who hunt shipwrecks or reef shelves in strong current use this shaft to reduce arm fatigue on long sessions. The side mount also lowers the overall profile of the detector, making it easier to keep the coil tight to the bottom when vertical clearance is limited. For more underwater detecting strategies, see our metal detecting tips and FAQs.

Yes, the side mounting shaft has alternate pin positions that let you attach the control cylinder on either the left or right side of the shaft. This adapts the detector to your dominant hand and balances the weight distribution for reduced fatigue. Right-handed divers typically mount the control cylinder on the right side, while left-handed divers mount it on the left. The pin configuration is the same on both sides, so you can swap the mounting position in the field if you want to test both setups.

Yes, the side mounting shaft works with the standard Excalibur II coil, control cylinder, and battery pack. It is a direct replacement for the factory shaft and uses the same pin interface, so you do not need to modify or replace any other components. The shaft maintains the same waterproof rating as the standard Excalibur II shaft, rated to 60 meters (200 feet). If you already own an Excalibur II and want to reduce drag on shallow-water hunts or dive sites, this shaft is the only part you need to swap.

Yes, the side mounting shaft is waterproof to 60 meters (200 feet), matching the depth rating of the Minelab Excalibur II detector. The shaft uses the same sealed pin interface as the standard Excalibur II shaft, so it maintains full submersion capability for scuba operations on shipwrecks and reef sites. Divers who hunt at recreational dive depths (typically 18 to 40 meters) use this shaft without any depth restrictions. The 90-degree side mount configuration does not affect the waterproof integrity of the control cylinder or battery pack connections.

The previous Minelab part number for the side mounting shaft was 8012-0042. Minelab updated the part number to 3011-0190, but the shaft design and specifications remain the same. If you are looking for replacement parts or accessories for your Excalibur II, check our full selection of metal detector parts and accessories.

To install the side mounting shaft, remove the control cylinder and battery pack from your existing Excalibur II shaft by pulling the pins, then align the control cylinder with the 90-degree pin holes on the new shaft and reinsert the pins. The alternate pin positions let you mount the control cylinder on the left or right side of the shaft, depending on your dominant hand. The shaft uses the same pin interface as the standard Excalibur II shaft, so no tools or modifications are required. Once the control cylinder and battery pack are attached, reconnect the coil cable and test the detector in air before taking it into the water.

No, the side mounting shaft does not reduce the overall weight of the Excalibur II. The shaft weighs approximately the same as the standard Excalibur II shaft because it uses similar materials and construction. The advantage of the side mount configuration is reduced drag in water, not reduced weight. Divers who hunt in shallow surf or work close to the seafloor use this shaft to cut water resistance, which reduces arm fatigue even though the detector weight remains the same. For more information on the full Minelab Excalibur II 1000 detector and its accessories, visit our collection page.

Yes, you can use the side mounting shaft for beach hunting in dry sand, but the main advantage of the 90-degree side mount configuration is reduced drag in water. On dry sand, the side mount does not offer a performance benefit over the standard Excalibur II shaft. Detectorists who hunt both wet and dry sand typically keep the standard shaft for dry-sand sessions and swap to the side mounting shaft when they move into the surf zone or wade into shallow water. The shaft is a direct replacement, so you can change it in the field based on the conditions you are hunting.