Zircon MultiScanner® i500 Center-Finding Stud Finder with Metal and AC Electrical Scanning and DVD How-To guide

by Zircon

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Review

Finding a wall stud behind sheet rock or paneling used to be a hit and miss routine, but the new Zircon stud finders have taken the "miss" out of the equation. The i500 scanner is a five-function scanner that can locate the exact center of a wall stud behind paneling or sheetrock up to 3/4 inches deep or up to 1-1/2 inches deep when set to DeepScan Mode. The scanner can locate copper and other non-ferrous metal up to 1-1/2 inches deep or it can locate ferrous metal such as rebar up to 3 inches deep in concrete. This is a handy feature when repairing cracked or damaged foundation walls.

After you have located the wood or metal studs you can set the i500 to AC Tracing or AC WireWarning to locate hot electrical wiring that you want to avoid when nailing or cutting into the wall or ceiling cavity. Even AC wiring incased in plastic conduit cannot hide from the i500. The i500 also includes a large easy-to-read back-lit LCD screen and easy-to-understand, on-screen graphics and an audio signal to indicate the target area. A patented SpotLite Pointing System also shines a bright beam of light over the target's center that is easy to see even when working in low light conditions. Use the i500 to hang cabinets, pictures, mirrors, and shelves or to install ceiling fans, grab bars, and chandeliers. You can also use the i500 to locate metal pipes behind tile or in concrete or to find conduit, rebar, electrical boxes, exhaust vents, and ducting. An important safety feature is the ability of the i500 to locate and trace hot wires behind walls, floors, and ceilings. --D. Barnett

Product Description

MultiScanner OneStep features CenterVision technology that pinpoints the stud center, not just the edge, taking all the guesswork out of locating the best place to anchor into a stud. MultiScanner OneStep finds wood and metal studs through drywall or paneling up to 1 1/2in. deep, metal pipes up to 1 1/2in. deep, and rebar up to 3in. deep.

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 1.5 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00075M6X2
• Item model number: MS i500
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,476 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too advanced for it's own good, September 6, 2006

By 

I care (Barrington, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zircon MultiScanner® i500 Center-Finding Stud Finder with Metal and AC Electrical Scanning and DVD How-To guide (Tools & Home Improvement)

The One Step attempted to derive an image on the display of a stud. Under ideal conditions, this would work, but ideal walls are rare. Unless you are a novice, get a simpler one with a robust signal strength meter and deep scan.

The One Step tries to produce a display of the image of a stud. This simulated "x-ray" image of studs was erratic and useless in walls that were full of more than wood studs spaced at ideal intervals covered with simple drywall. I recommend you buy a more basic model. Pipes, double studs and walls/floors covered with thick wood paneling/flooring will be problematic for the One Step Display to resolve. The human brain is superior to the One Step display driver in interpreting the content of a wall. Using a robust signal strength display on non-One Step models, as you move the scanner, the user can use his or her mind to "map" an image of the varying densities of what is behind the wall.

Perhaps Zircon was innovating too much for their own good in an effort to distinguish itself. Here the old technology is more reliable.

Get any other deep scanner with a robust signal strength display. I returned this unit and bought the Multiscanner Pro SL (similar to ASIN: B00004TRBC). For me, even the basic $20 deep scanner with LED would have been better than the One Steps.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Doesnt Work Well, July 9, 2006

By 

M. Wilderman - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Zircon MultiScanner® i500 Center-Finding Stud Finder with Metal and AC Electrical Scanning and DVD How-To guide (Tools & Home Improvement)

Recognizes the existence of studs about half the time I try to use it. I can scan the same wall twice and find 2 different pattern of studs. AC mode doesnt work, it tells me their is live AC in a wall with no wiring at all. Overall, stick with hammering nails in the walls or banging on the wall to find the studs. I was thoroughly disappointed with this product.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Review, September 23, 2005

By 

Joseph A. Kunz (Largo, Fl. USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zircon MultiScanner® i500 Center-Finding Stud Finder with Metal and AC Electrical Scanning and DVD How-To guide (Tools & Home Improvement)

The repeatability of this instrument is very questionable. Repeating the sequence for determining the location of a stud results in the stud being at a slightly different location. The stud obviously does'nt move however the stud finder shows that its not in the same identical spot.For that reaon I'm not to happy with this piece of equipment.