Walabot. Usefull? Useless?

[andyvh1959]

Is a Walabot a worthwhile tool option for home DIY work? I doubt it has any trouble finging studs as many a cheapo stud finder will do that. But what about piping, 120v wiring, comm wiring etc. Does it really work or generalize the presence of something in the wall? Only through drywall, or will it work through tiles on drywall? Does it only "see" live powered wiring or can it trace/locate wiring in the wall cavoty that is not powered. I'd like to buy one but I'd like to know that it really caan help me trace wiring in wall cavities. Anyone use one and can report on results?

Its not cheap, for sure, at $170 to $235 depending on where you shop. With anything like this I always look up the reviews and generally I look more for percentage of ok to negative reviews versus the "WORKS GREAT" percentage of five star reviews. Seems the Walabot scores around 20 to 30% for less than three of five stars reviews. And around 12 to 20% for one star "Dont waste your money" reviews. Based on all that I am leery to buy one unless there are some real world reasonable review here with those of us that do build and repair more than just changing a light bulb.

 

[M.Wong]

I have had a Walabot DIY2 since 2022 ($135 back then). It seems to work well for studs, but I am not 100% confident in it for avoiding wires or pipes, even less confident in detecting PEX.

I prefer my old Franklin, and the newer Franklin M210 ($60). I will break out the Walabot to double check the Franklin, but I use it so infrequently I have to check that it's charged and do a quick calibration each time. I only have experience through drywall, not tile as well. I believe it 'sees' wires whether hot or not, but I actually have not tested that.

I'd say good but not great, maybe?

 

[cgrutt]

My buddy who does networking/cameras etc keeps one in his tool kit I've used it a few times on different projects and it seems to work pretty good for the price. I was considering the Bosch standalone version but its significantly more expensive and not convinced its any better. Only drawback IMO is its another app on your phone if that matters to you.

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

I have been using it in a 5 year old house we had built. It has worked great for me.
Walabots site states not for Tile, Stucco and Metal.

 

[cgrutt]

I just got a project to do kitchens and baths in a couple of apartments that a friend recently bought. The apartments are in an older multi-story building and am concerned about causing any damage behind wall so thinking about ordering a Walabot. Read some more reviews and watched some more videos and not convinced its absolutely reliable esp for pex (I'm not even sure if there is any pex in building) and wiring, esp for the price.

Any other alternatives to consider (I'd buy a Bosch but can't seem to find one that can be delivered by Monday). Was thinking about a thermal camera (used in addition to a standard stud finder). There is also a Zircon x85 that apparently has thermal sensor for hot pex. Any experience with either of these options?

 

[cgrutt]

I passed on the Walabot and ordered a Bosch. I also ordered a FINRSI and CH Hansen magnetic stud finder. The FINRSI was more of a curiosity because I recently picked up a DMM and portable Oscilloscope and was impressed. The stud finder was only $35 so figured I'd give it a shot and see how it does. Ordered the Bosch because it supposedly has excellent reviews for commercial work and I'm assuming I'm going to be dealing with thick sheetrock and metal framing and don't want to mess anything up. Threw in the CH Hansen which is really just a magnet as a fail safe if I can find some drywall screws after I mark out the studs.

Bosch



CH Hansen



I already have an older Franklin, which works great for wood studs but doesn't identify metal or live AC. And an older Zircon which has these features but I was never that impressed by its accuracy (does good with wood studs). Also have a Milwaukee temp gun will check to see if I can find any hot water or HVAC but not sure if that will even work.



I should have the Bosch tomorrow. Want to test it out on a known area where I have CAT6 cables running for my cameras. The two scanners that I already own pretty much pick this up as a stud. The FINRSI had mixed results. At first didn't pick it up at all as wood but did as metal. But then picked it up as wood and flagged metal going pretty much across the entire section of wall. FINRSI seems to do a good job with live AC though. Have to play around some more with it before I rely on it for real work.

Depending on what is in walls I may cut them open entirely and block them for the cabinets. In that case I really won't have to worry too much about hitting anything behind wall but not sure if I will need to open walls or not until I get there. It may already be blocked.