Studfinder recommendation

[5wndwcpe]

I did a search on this but only turned up threads from when Old Car Guy was Middle Aged Car Guy. Is there a "best of the breed" stud finder concensus out there? I don't mind paying $40 for a decent tool, but hate like hell to find that a $10 one will work just as well (if not better :mad:). What are you guys using?

[monstergarage87]

Ive got this one for work. It was on sale at lowes for like $15 or so. Not sure what it is now. Actually works pretty well and I use it a few times a week and its alot better than the cheapie $5 ones with the LEDs.

http://www.zircon.com/products/edge_ss_pro_lcd.html

[charlie_nj]

I'll second the recommendation for the Zircon. I have an older version of the one described above and it works great. Gives you both edges of the stud so you know exactly where the center is.

[G-force]

The one listed does not seem so well received.

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000KKT0Y2/ref=sr_1_14_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

[nova65ss]

I have one of these and it works great. Even has a pencil to make a mark and will find the center.

http://www.zircon.com/products/center_ms_i700.html

[G-force]

For $60 that thing better scan for tumors.

Try a stud4sure. Simple and accurate.

The only advantage to the electronic ones listed is that they sense electrical.

[Torque1st]

I have an ancient (20 years+?) Stanley ultrasonic Studfinder unit with a half dozen LEDs on it that works great for finding the edges and centers of studs. It has no audible signals, magnets, or lasers, but somehow it just works. I have no idea how well their newer units operate.

[Stuey]

I use the Zircon I65, which is ~$30 everyone in-store and online. It comes with a usage DVD that I never used. Its operation is straight-forward and fairly accurate.

[NotEnough]

I had a mid level Cman, but it wouldn't work on some/all of the walls in my garage. Worked great in the house thou?? Borrowed an i700 from a friend and it worked no problem. Don't know what caused the issues with the Cman. Wife picked up on it so she got me an i700 for Christmas.

[5wndwcpe]

Well, thanks for the input fellas. I just bought a Zircon i700 by accident. I was in Lowes today looking at the $29.95 one (#65 I think) picked up the next model on the rack ($39.95) and decided I liked those features better for the extra ten bucks. I get through checkout and I'm thinking "Hmmm...that was a little saltier than I thought it was" Turns out someone had hung the $49.95 model on the $39.95 rack. :mad: It better friggin' work, that's all I can say.

[nova65ss]

I have the 700 and think it is great. I also use it alot so it has more than paid for itself.

Some people think it is crazy to pay that for a stud finder but that is how I feel about alot of the tools guys use as well. I mean a boxed end wrench is a boxed end wrench right? :pimpflash

[5wndwcpe]

UPDATE I used the i700 today and it's the cat's ass. Dead nuts accurate and no false positives. If you're in the market for one of these, I highly recommend you pony up the funds and buy the top dog, you won't be disappointed.

[reedwesd]

UPDATE I used the i700 today and it's the cat's ass. Dead nuts accurate and no false positives. If you're in the market for one of these, I highly recommend you pony up the funds and buy the top dog, you won't be disappointed.
I am in the market if a stud finder. Do you still think this one was a good choice after several months?

[nate379]

I have that one and it's a complete pile of shit. I have better luck finding a stud banging on the wall 9 times out 10.

Ive got this one for work. It was on sale at lowes for like $15 or so. Not sure what it is now. Actually works pretty well and I use it a few times a week and its alot better than the cheapie $5 ones with the LEDs.

http://www.zircon.com/products/edge_ss_pro_lcd.html

[tube_guy]

This really works.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200328321_200328321

I also have the kind of similar Stud4Sure by C.H. Hanson. It's no longer US made and incorporates a kind of gimmicky level now. The Master Magnetics stud finder is more simple and includes a magnetic shield. I like it better, but they both work quite well. They are both made in China.

[mjozefow]

In a pinch I will use a Neodymium magnet. I was actually going to post the same question here pretty soon.

You beat me to it.

[The Alchemist]

To bring a thread back to the top, does any of these stud finders work for finding floor joists through carpeting? My builder was quite sloppy putting in the sub floor and now that the house is 8 years old, I have a lot of squeaky floors because the nails, the few that they used, are starting to pop, so I want to screw throuhg the carpeting and hit the floor joists.

Thanks.

[wantedabiggergarage]

To bring a thread back to the top, does any of these stud finders work for finding floor joists through carpeting? My builder was quite sloppy putting in the sub floor and now that the house is 8 years old, I have a lot of squeaky floors because the nails, the few that they used, are starting to pop, so I want to screw throuhg the carpeting and hit the floor joists.

Thanks.

I think you will find the measuring method works better for that then these. I have access to five different stud finders and none of them work well for plaster and lathe (too dense). Flooring will have some of the same issues.

Now a metal detector, might work.

[scooby074]

I have a I700. Id have to say its the best electronic finder ive used. Seems to scan deeper than the others. Its not perfect, but its pretty close.

I havent tried the bosch though. They have a very impressive looking model in the Wallscanner d-150 http://www.bosch-pt.co.uk/boptocs2-uk/Product.jsp?country=GB&lang=en&division=gw&ccat_id=101302&object_id=23307 Unfortunately it looks like its got a price to match its ability and isnt even sold here. Id love to find one that can scan deeper than 1.5" and accurately at a -$100 price.

One of the woodworking stores online had a neat tool, it was a wooden handle with a very fine 3"? "needle" coming out of it. You could use it to probe the wall without damaging the drywall or paint. The hole was so small it blended in.

I thought it was a great idea and intended to get one one day, but unfortunately i cant find the site anymore.