Customer Reviews

Zircon 54921 VideoScanner 5.5

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I have owned two of these the 5.0 and 5.5 neither one lasted more than a month past the short warranty. They did work but they weren't idiot proof. Part of the problem was the switch on the face of the unit. How hard you pressed on the switch would affect its calibration for finding studs etc. I would positively look elseware. I presently own a Stanley which is more accurate and longer lived.

If Amazon.com's software would allow a rating of "No Stars" this stud finder would get it!

As the other writer pointed out, the switch on this thing is terrible. It is too sensitive. Also, you can't put this in your tool apron because the switch kicks on everytime it bumps something (even slightly) in there. This causes that annoying error tone.

Finally, it is simply not accurate. When I first got it, I tested it. It didn't find studs where I knew there was one and it said there was one when I knew there wasn't. I don't trust it's accuracy at all and I might as well throw it in the garbage because I don't use this one anymore. I bought a different one and am much happier.

I bought one, took it home and laughed like hell. The only stud it found was on an outside corner where I knew there was two together. According to this gadget, the studs in my apartment are at about 36"oc. I took mine back with the battery still in it. At least now it is worth something. I never did try it on the job. After all I specialize in satisfaction and this will not work. Chuck S. Anytime Home Repair

When this product came out I was hopeful that it would be more useful than its predecessors. Unfortunately, it seems to have the same problems and limitations, specifically:

1. It is only accurate on single layer drywall covering wood frame construction with either no insulation, or batt insulation that does not have a foil face.

2. It does not work on surfaces such as lath & plaster, button board, or covered shear walls. (Surfaces that are present in most homes build pre 1960)

3. It appears too sensitive when locating electrical current in walls. This problem makes it impossible to locate studs if they are within a foot or so of electrical current, because the electrical 'alarm' beeps until reset.

Definately NOT a buy!

It did work for awhile now it's a joke. I've had a few other Zircon tools and they just don't perform. That means live long, work as intended. This trade has its hard knocks, and you'd want to believe for the money you'd get something that would last. I like'd the comment "30 pictures" I might do that in a day. I do trim and remodel, and ya gotta hit the stud, not the water pipe next to it (which makes the owner, plumber, painter, and general contractor REAL unhappy). Still looking for the right tool. Glad we have a forum to tell folks about performance.

I bought this and as others have mentioned 1. It's not very sturdy. The plastic switch plate on mine broke off leaving me pushing a little micro switch in the unit innards. (ah well maybe better than it beeping in my toolbox all of the time) 2. Depending where you initially place the unit will depend on how sensitive it is. To use it you must first place it on the object (i.e wall) that you wish to scan and then turn it on. The unit appears to then calibrate to whatever is under it at the time. That is if you happen to place it over a stud and then switch it on, you will be lucky if you find anything. 3. As for detecting AC field, yes it does, however in many cases it is just so vague that you get the impression the complete wall is electrified. Better to be safe then sorry ? 4. Depending on how you hold it will determine how accurate the thing is....really. your hand can have an impact on its sensitivity... 5. The surface you are scanning must be completely smooth. If you loose contact with the surface it beeps in error until you turn it off and on again (this is more annoying than you might think as it means you reset the unit and the calibration) I still use it because I am not ready to reinvest (read throw away more money) in another just yet. In its favor and to provide a balanced view . This is the first stud sensor I have ever used so cannot compare it to others on the market. It does provide reasonable readings once you understand its quirks and has been a valuable tool for me (beats tapping the wall and listening) however bottom line I still do not fully trust it. Wait for the Mk II

The scanner cannot pierce 1" plaster walls with metal lathe to find studs - period! It may see AC but does not pin down the location to ensure clearing the cable. The main switch stopped working within 3 weeks of never finding a stud in these old walls. Still waiting for good technology.

I don't know what product these other customers are talking about but I think this is an excellent product. The first thing the one star ratre's should do is go back and read the directions that came with the 5.5. The next thing thy should do is try it again now that they have read the directions. I have used this to hang no less than 30 pictures, shelves, and other items. NO STUDS MISSED! This adds up to a happy wife---thank you ZIRCON.

I purchased this for a birtday present, what a yellow elephant that was. Having purchased it a few months before a birthday and then trying and retrying batteries and tactics for a few months added up to the warranty period with a piece of equipment that NEVER functioned as marketed. On 1/2" drywall during a full moon it can find two studs and then fall out of calibration. If you are even trying to mark off a few studs for something as simple as a shelf mount you will go nuts, starting and restarting and getting false alarms, no matter how tightly you hold it to the wall. On plaster and lathe it is utterely useless and it wouldn't find a wire if you duct taped it to a high voltage tranmission line! I emailed and then wrote the company, even offering in both letters to pay for service because I knew it was past the warranty period and they did not even respond. I replaced the gift with a model that is very reliable but featureless. I keep this one to show all of my friends, many of which are contractors, so that they can avoid this machine.

The feature for locating hot wires is poorly detailed on the outside of the packaging. Once you open the package, you discover that, due to static electricity, it detects the wires +\- 12". I can do that by guessing. Another problem is it continues to turn its self on in the truck. All you have to do is breathe on the very sensitive switch.