Zircon 58052 StudSensor Pro SL Wood and Metal Stud Sensor

by Zircon

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

If you've ever tried locating studs by pounding a hammer against the wall or making exploratory holes, you know how inexact a science that is. The Zircon Studsensor Pro SL eliminates the guesswork and makes it easy to find wall studs (wood or metal), floor joists, and ceiling beams through drywall and most bare-wood flooring up to 1-1/2 inches thick. All you do is move the unit across the surface you want to scan. When it reaches a stud edge, the Studsensor lets you know by projecting a beam of light onto the surface. An audio signal and LED display are also provided. --Carl Thress

Product Description

Nonmagnetic tool measures wall density. SpotLite pointing system locates edges of studs with bright beam and sound. Finds both wood and metal studs. Deep Scan technology penetrates extra thick wall coverings. Works on sheetrock, wood, plaster, and acoustic ceilings. Inner pack of 8 comes on a preloaded clip strip.

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Product Details

Product Manual [322kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 2.3 x 1.1 x 5.5 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000055X0X
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 58052
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,923 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Small, but full of features., April 23, 2002

By 

"artschanz" (MIDLOTHIAN, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zircon 58052 StudSensor Pro SL Wood and Metal Stud Sensor (Tools & Home Improvement)

I needed to replace my old stud finder and went looking for the 'latest and greatest' on the market today. For the price, you can't beat this product! The visible beam marking the edges of studs is dead-on. The audible sound feature, in conjuction w/ the light-scale gauge make locating nails/screws/anchors in studs a snap. On top of that, all of these features come in a compact package that even includes a pocket/belt clip.
If you need a small but feature-full stud finder, this is the one to get.

46 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Using StudSensors in Lath & Plaster Applications, November 13, 2003

By 

Dan Harrell (Campbell, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zircon 58052 StudSensor Pro SL Wood and Metal Stud Sensor (Tools & Home Improvement)

We want to give the explanation for why Zircon stud finders are not well suited for lath and plaster applications.

Zircon (and all) stud finders measure "density" or "capacitance" behind a wall, floor or ceiling. For them to function correctly, they need to move from a point of lower density to one of higher density. You can think of it as going from a place that is more hollow to a place that is less hollow. Stud finders don't work well in lath and plaster for that exact reason -- because there are multiple pieces of wood (lath), coupled with the fact that plaster inconsistently leaks through the laths to create varying depths (or densities). So, because of the constantly varying depths, the stud finder is constantly trying to recalibrate, and therefore will not find the studs.

They do work in concrete, by the way, because the material is of a more consistent density than lath and plaster.

This is NOT something that is particular to Zircon stud finders, however. Any manufacturer's product will produce the same results. And we do try to alert users to this in the operating instructions.

There is a work-around. Use a TriScanner or MultiScanner (not a Pro SL) and turn on "Metal" scan. Then, you can locate nails behind your wall. By locating a vertical row of nails, you have a pretty good, although not certain, idea that you've found a stud. Then switch back to "Stud" scan to verify. As I said, this isn't foolproof, but many owners of lath and plaster walls have found it effective.

Dan Harrell, Director of Marketing, Zircon Corporation

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great on walls, not on ceilings, February 4, 2003

By 

J. Piper (Ashby, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zircon 58052 StudSensor Pro SL Wood and Metal Stud Sensor (Tools & Home Improvement)

I spent a great deal of time attempting to get results on a ceiling to install my new Dutch Oven Copper Pot Rack. No go, after trying every tip they mentioned for 45 minutes, I gave up. Works fine on walls, though be careful you don't have interference from wiring or perhaps switch boxes that may reside on the opposite side of the wall.