Customer Reviews

Zircon 56990 Multiscanner Pro SL Wood, Metal, and Live Wire Stud Sensor

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Being an Electrian I have used different stud finders . This one scans to deep in regular mode and tell you there are blocks and studs where there are none.

Tried this for awhile then gave it away. I could never seem to get the hang of it. It keeps giving indications where there is nothing there. Maybe its too sensitive, or maybe I'm just not using it properly; but it didn't help me much in my carpentry work.

After using this tool in a variety of situations and testing all of the functions, I find that the tool is worse than useless. It produces inconsistent and random results, as a consequence you don't know if the tool is not detecting or there is nothing to detect. In this context, the AC finder is dangerous.
1. The first problem was with the function selection switch; this is a slide switch and moves sideways to select a new function. It is very flimsy and sensitive, and doesn't make positive connections. As a result it takes a number of tries before it will switch from one function to another. This is particularly the case in switching from normal to deep scan. It usually skips right over the deep scan function. Very annoying.
2. The LCD display is almost useless in real life situations. I found it almost impossible to see in anything other than perfect lighting conditions, and had to rely on the beeper. The bright red LED displays on other models are far more useful.
3. The rebar detector never gave the same reading twice. This lack of reliability seemed to be related to the composition of the aggregate in the mix, in that the degree of error seemed to vary depending on the mix. Since it never gave the same reading twice anyway, and generally worked so poorly and unreliably, I can't really be sure of what it was doing. This makes it worse than useless.
4. The AC detector only detected power when I placed it directly over a wall socket. This is a dangerous shortcoming. Ie: you don't know whether the tool is not detecting power lines because there are no power lines, or because the tool can't detect them. This is very dangerous; if you rely on it, you could end up with a shocking experience.
5. The stud finder seemed to work OK on brand new, unfinished wallboard walls with new studs. It didn't work very well on old painted walls, and old studs seemed to totally confuse it. In general, the more uneven or rippled the wall, the more random and unreliable the readings. In real life, most walls have variations, therefore this makes the stud finder function useless.

I returned the Multiscanner Pro and got my money refunded, and bought a Zircon Studsensor Pro SL (It was the only other stud finder on the shelf at the time.) This model works very well, and makes up for the uselessness of its "bigger brother". I have now used it on a number of projects, and it has already paid for itself. No more plastering over pilot holes!

I suggest that you don't waste your money on the supposedly more functional Multiscanner Pro, and stick to the basic unit. It only detects studs, but at least it does that one job reasonably well.

I have owned this tool for about a year and normally get so disgusted with it that I wind up putting it away and start drilling small holes in my wall to locate the first stud. Today "I put it away" permanently so I won't be frustrated anymore. I have even tried to use this thing on the stud after I have located it by drilling holes in the drywall. Maybe the Multiscanner Pro will see it - maybe it won't. But one thing is consistent: every time I go over the same area, the reading will be different, and wrong. It is piece of junk. Save your money.

I install hardware as a sub-contractor for a living,and have had great results with this stud finder when it works.However I have owned three of these and every time the on/off switch fails.Because of design,they are not broke by negligence (as the switch is recessed)but by being made with POOR QUALITY parts.

Today was the second time i was using this toy for serious job. It really was a guessing game. First me, then my brother tried to locate nails in a drywall. For some reason this finder finds them everywhere at the first time and doesn't find any at the second.
Tried to find studs with it. Couldn't get it 8 out of 10 times.
It also keep finding electrical wires where there is none.

Money waste.

I have tried to use this thing a couple of times. Both times bad results. Stud finder no good, ac finder no good. The only person that seems to like it is the director of marketing.

If you want to reliably be able to locate studs, go with another stud finder. If you want a great party game--'hey, who can get the same reading twice?'--get this stud finder.

It ....

I own this for about 6 months, I try to use it on a daily basis. I've found it in accurate, always off. I usually end off doing the little holes trick.

I bought it from Home Depot and it doesn't work. I exchage it because I'm thinking a defect unit. The replaced one didn't work either. If you want to try it, keep your receipt. DON'T WAIST YOUR TIME. I'm very disappointed at the ZIRCON products.