Zircon 61960 Studsensor I65 Onestep Center Finding Stud ...

• Find the center of wood or metal studs or joists up to 1 1/2 in. (38 mm) deep
• WireWarning alert indicates the presence of hot electrical wiring
• Includes Zircon "How-to" DVD and detailed instructions. Sensing depth and accuracy can vary due to moisture, content of materials, wall texture, and paint. Not recommended for use on lath and plaster

Outstanding stud finder:
Having used plenty of the edge stud finders, I have to say that this center stud finder is what you want to use. I know that edge stud finders have their use, but I think most people are really looking to find the center of the stud. Remember to place on the wall before pressing the on button, so that it will calibrate to the wall.

EXCELLENT product:
This thing REALLY works !!!!!! I have a few partially exposed walls covered with plaster and paneling so I was able to visually verify it's accuracy. It was DEAD ON CENTER every time. I had purchased a cheaper Zircon called the "SS Pro" model for $19.97 from Home Depot 3 weeks ago and returned it because I proved it to be 1" off in either direction 100% of the time using the method I mentioned above. I just ordered 2 more of the Zircon i65 Onestep Models (# 61960) for my 2 sons as birthday gifts. It's well worth the money !!! Have a Great Day !!! Stan

Adequate:
The sensor seems fine. I got it, and promptly used it. My shelf went up into studs the first time. It's too bad that it only senses to 1.5", but that's what the higher price range is for. I can't speak to using it in tricky circumstances, or if it ages poorly, but the first use was good....

Worthless:
I tried this in the store and it seemed to work great on the store demonstrator. I tried it at home on new drywall with 2 coats of paint and it did not work at all. The readings were irratic and not repeatable. I put up the drywall and so I have a good idea where the studs are. This thing was off by 4 inches or more on both the stud and the AC wiring.

The Price Is Right!:
I bought the i65 to see where the studs were in my wall so i could rip off the plywood (I live in a house built in about 1910 and remodeled around 1950 in a perpetually wet area, so there ain't no drywall) and repair the electrical connections to my washer and dryer. this thing is great at detecting electrical currents, which is GREAT, but when it comes to detecting studs through thick paint (or worse, plaster) covered plywood more than 3/4" thick, it's at a loss. Lucky it comes with a dvd, 'casue the instuctions suck. After watching the dvd (and cracking jokes about it and laughing the whole time) it suggests using a thin piece of cardboard or chipboard to run the unit across while scanning. This totally works (when you use deepscan), but seems to affect accuracy. As a rough guide, it's awesome, but if you need to find a stud without destroying your wall, maybe the i500 (the model that turned me on to zircon) or a more advanced model is a better idea.