Lots of good info already posted by my 2 cents is as follows.
The CTX has a edge on depth but misses larger silver UNLESS you know the proper setting. The CTX is delicate. It is hard to pinpoint at times in deeper water. People complained about the Excal but it is a tank compared. After 2 years with the CTX I gave up on it. Twice water in the battery. Once the display went blank. Twice the shaft lock started slipping. I sold it and the new buyer flooded the battery within a month. SO, CTX wet sand OK. Not submerged even with the new battery design.
I now use the Excal only. I have both 8" and 10" but prefer the 10 for in the water. The 8 is deep but I use it for rare dry sand hunts since I can swing it a long time.
So to conclude, the CTX is $2,500. I bought both of my excals used. Paid $1,700 for BOTH. I never have to take the battery off, clean the o-ring charge the battery, replace the o-ring carefully right side out be sure the battery is seated perfectly and then hunt wondering all the time if there is a drip in my battery compartment. Just takes one drop of water. The battery contacts are right where the drop of water settles. Take the battery off and that one drip turns everything green. Time to send it to repair. Again.
The CTX has a edge on depth but misses larger silver UNLESS you know the proper setting. The CTX is delicate. It is hard to pinpoint at times in deeper water. People complained about the Excal but it is a tank compared. After 2 years with the CTX I gave up on it. Twice water in the battery. Once the display went blank. Twice the shaft lock started slipping. I sold it and the new buyer flooded the battery within a month. SO, CTX wet sand OK. Not submerged even with the new battery design.
I now use the Excal only. I have both 8" and 10" but prefer the 10 for in the water. The 8 is deep but I use it for rare dry sand hunts since I can swing it a long time.
So to conclude, the CTX is $2,500. I bought both of my excals used. Paid $1,700 for BOTH. I never have to take the battery off, clean the o-ring charge the battery, replace the o-ring carefully right side out be sure the battery is seated perfectly and then hunt wondering all the time if there is a drip in my battery compartment. Just takes one drop of water. The battery contacts are right where the drop of water settles. Take the battery off and that one drip turns everything green. Time to send it to repair. Again.