Zircon MultiScanner i520 Center-Finding Stud Finder with Metal and AC Electrical Scanning

by Zircon

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

i520 Scanning Modes Stud Scan mode for finding studs in drywall. DeepScan mode for finding studs and joists in thicker walls, floors, and ceilings. Metal Scan mode for finding pipes or other metal. Metal Scan mode can also help find studs in lath and plaster walls. Electrical Scan mode for locating live, unshielded AC wires.

Watch the i520 in action. See how all the features of an i520 are used.

Zircon's Top-of-the-Line Multifunction Scanner for Finding Studs, Metal, and Electrical

Our Best Scanner
The MultiScanner i520 is the most advanced wall scanner that Zircon makes. It has 4 scanning modes:

• STUD SCAN mode locates the edges and center of wood or metal studs in normal walls up to 3/4 inch (19 mm) deep
• DEEPSCAN mode doubles the scanning depth for walls up to 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) deep, and enables scanning for joists in some ceilings and floors
• METAL SCAN mode detects non-ferrous metal, such as copper pipes, up to 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) deep, and ferrous metal, such as rebar, up to 3 inches (76 mm) deep
• AC SCAN mode finds and traces live, unshielded electrical wiring up to two inches deep

In addition to the scanning modes, the i520 is packed with other original and patented features:

• WireWarning detection indicates the presence of live, unshielded electrical wire up to 2 inches (51 mm) deep in stud and metal scanning modes. Most wires in homes are run along wall studs, causing potential safety hazards.
• ACT (Auto Correcting Technology) automatically corrects common user errors, such as when scanning begins over a stud. The tool constantly scans its surroundings and recalibrates itself if necessary.
• An ultra-bright LCD screen indicates direction, edges and center of studs. Makes the screen easier to see in low-light situations.
• The display screen, SpotLite Pointing System, and audio tone all indicate the location of the target.
• A signal strength indicator lets you distinguish between shallow and deep targets. Weak signal strength can also imply other non-stud objects, like wires and pipes.

The i520 is a perfect choice for serious users, such as home improvement hobbyists and professional contractors. Not sure if the i520 is what you need? See the grid below to decide which center-finding tool is right for you.

Which Center-Finding Stud Sensor is Right for You?
	StudSensor i65 OneStep	MultiScanner i320 OneStep	MultiScanner i520 OneStep

Why Zircon?

Zircon introduced the first stud finders over 25 years ago. We're a smaller, more focused company than our competitors, but thanks to our reputation for engineering and customer service, our brand dominates the stud finder market domestically and abroad. The Handyman Club of America, and their official publication, Handy Magazine, have awarded Zircon's MultiScanner i520 their seal of approval after a round of extensive member testing. The i520 earned a 9.0 (out of 10) overall rating and a whopping 99% approval rating from Handyman Club Members.

Product Description

Patent pending CenterVision technology finds the stud center in 1 step. Finds the center and edges of studs and joists, finds copper pipes (and other nonferrous metal) up to 1 1/2'' (38mm) deep, finds rebar (ferrous metal) in concrete up to 3'' (76mm) deep, and detects and traces hot AC wires. Exclusive, patented SpotLite Pointing System shines a bright beam of light over target center.

See all Product Description

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.8 x 12 x 5.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (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: B000TD1JCQ
• Item model number: MS i520
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #752 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #7 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Measuring & Layout Tools > Scanners & Testers > Stud Finders

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works better than I expected, December 20, 2008

By 

S. Sullivan (langley, wa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zircon MultiScanner i520 Center-Finding Stud Finder with Metal and AC Electrical Scanning (Tools & Home Improvement)

I replaced an older scanner with this new Zircon. I researched on the Zircon site and found the videos to help me understand how the scanner works. This scanner works exactly as advertised. It is like looking into the wall. Scanning across the wall you see the edges of the stud and the unit clearly indicates the center. The electric wire sensor works well. Overall I am very impressed.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not that good, December 31, 2009

By 

Frank Yee (Danville, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zircon MultiScanner i520 Center-Finding Stud Finder with Metal and AC Electrical Scanning (Tools & Home Improvement)

I'm not as enthusiastic about this product as some of the other reviewers. I previously used a Zircon PRO SL before it broke and I was hoping for better performance. First, I was annoyed by the large size of the device. This made it difficult to get into smaller spaces and was hard to hold with the spring loaded on/off switch. I then found that the LCD screen was very difficult to read at awkward angles. Yes, it looks great and bright straight on but when working on baseboards, the display faded to near invisibility. Finally, the calibration process now takes an extra second, which turns out to be annoying and slows you down.

For stud finding, it was no better than the very old PRO SL. There was still plenty of ambiguity with some walls (no, it's not a shear wall) but not others. The suggestion to use a piece of smooth cardboard on "rough" walls did not help to resolve the ambiguity. Sometimes just knocking on the wall and listening to the sound proved more definitive.

Detecting AC was reasonably useful as it did always indicate when a hot wire was near. However, trying to trace electrical wiring without opening the drywall has proved elusive. Wires seem to vanish mid-wall with no detectable resume point on the wall. On well, the product never claimed this as a feature.

I have not tried the metal detection feature. The deep scan worked no better at finding studs through 5/8" drywall or on my shear wall which has an additional 3/8" ply. I think I'll just go back to the cheap $10 version since I'm now convinced that technology is the same and only the display is different (but not better).

43 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! A Stud Finder that Works!!!, July 2, 2009

By 

Fred "mrdata22" (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zircon MultiScanner i520 Center-Finding Stud Finder with Metal and AC Electrical Scanning (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have tried various methods of finding studs to hang heavy items, e.g., Large Vanity Mirror Cabinet. The "hunt and peck" method leaves a lot of holes. The magnetic stud finders can find the stud nails all right, but I found out they also find copper metal hot water pipes and could not tell me the difference. Drilling into one of those hot water pipes by mistake was quite an experience I do not want to repeat. This Zircon i520 Stud finder is a lot cheaper than the plumber I had to call out on an emergency to fix my mistake. The Zircon i520 easily found and correctly identified the same copper metal water pipes I drilled into by mistake. It also found live electrical lines, plus the studs I was looking for. Great device. Clearly shows you the edges and center of the studs. Very easy to use. DVD How-to guide (plus, there are training videos on line at Zircon's website. I can highly recommended this stud finder.