MultiScanner HD800 1 Step Multi-Function Wall Scanner

It took me multiple scans to find the stud through a wall with plaster. Probably works better without any barrier between the scanner in the drywall. It’s still better than knocking on the wall for the stud.

It took me multiple scans to find the stud through a wall with plaster. Probably works better without any barrier between the scanner in the drywall. It’s still better than knocking on the wall for the stud.

Extremely easy to use and is sensitive to actually finding the center of studs.

There are many wall scanners available online, from vendors with and without physical stores, from well-known brands, and also from some unfamiliar manufacturers, so when I realized that I needed to get one of these tools to do a little DIY project at home (installing the rails, brackets, shelves and in general all the hardware for some closet organizers), I started doing some online research. The convenience of seeing it, being able to pick it up (and eventually return it) in a store right away, and with the price being reasonable, made me decide to get one of these Zircon wall scanners from my local Home Depot. I tried to figure out if I should go for the least expensive, since I just needed finding some wall studs, but then I decided to buy one of the mid-to high-end models, and focused on deciding the most value I could get out of it, which brought me to the HD800, being it advertised as capable of performing different kinds of detection, and also not as expensive as the highest-end models (I particularly didn't care for color displays). After trying it, I found this little device easy to use, and following the right procedures (install the 9V battery, which unfortunately was not included, placing it flat against the wall, activating it and giving it a couple seconds to calibrate, to start sliding it slowly across the wall surface), soon I was scanning my walls, and being able to detect the studs behind it. The results were good most of the time, but I still had some hit and misses, mostly false positives. I have not tried any other wall scanners to compare to this one, so I couldn't tell if that's just a small flaw of this particular model, or a limitation of the technology available these days, but I expected it to be more accurate than I found it to be. However, I tried scanning both ways: left to right and right to left, and repeating this procedure at different wall heights, and I think it helped me verify the information provided on a first scan, and eliminate most of these inaccurate results. I am still to try the metal detection, and live electric wires detection features, but so far, I have found this tool able to perform reasonably well. I like the simplicity of the controls, location of the activation switch, and its overall size, weight and feel, so I'm planning on keeping it permanently with my other tools.

I can't tell you how many walls I've turned into swiss cheese trying to use this highly expensive and yet inaccurate stud finder. The other sensor options aren't that great either. I found time and time again that you're cheap stud finders work just as well if not better. Below is a photo of my garage that I've tried to use it on. The outerwall is only about a half inch thick and as you can see, there is no other items on the other side that it could mistake a stud for. There really isn't any excuse for why this performs so poorly. I will never be buying anything made by Zircon again.

I had a Zircon $10 scanner and it barely will work. I bought this one ($50 !!!) based on some reviews. I needed to install a Kayak hanging suspension system in my garage. Great system....horrible tool for finding studs, wires etc. HOWEVER 1. Bulky and inconvenient. 2. You MUST hold the black button down during every scan. This makes canning a problem as not everyone can hold the button down, scan , and hold it in place, use a pen pencil to mark then go to other side and rescan to make sure you got center. It never chooses the same spot twice! The design is not well thought through, and makes mistakes. (yes I know how to use it) They need to incorporate a stay on, click to scan then click to turn off with an auto off feature. A poorly made tool, lacking features that makes a job enjoyable. I hated this job as the tool, failed. 3. I needed this to find studs/joists in my garage ceiling. It failed miserably. 4. 1/2 of the studs it identified were about 2 inches off. So I ended up with holes in my ceiling. 5. I had to use a piece of sharpened coat hanger to punch through the sheetrock to find a stud. so many more holes. I decided to brace the unit and place a 1/2"x40" board up and screwed it to the studs for extra support. (Kayak hanager) 6. My overall experience is I am taking it back as it is a half baked tool, and I already have the smallest model, and both are just not what I would call good functional tools. Thanks, Monument Bob

Sometimes it works great and catches every stud, other times it cant find anything, even a known stud location. I find myself having to double check with the knock method or drilling timing holes, which defeats the purpose of the product.

Works well on sheet-rock but not on lat and plaster walls.

Better than your average stud finder, past units gave me false positives or nothing at all. Easy to find stud edges with LCD display, center with projected arrow. Will not locate power wiring, it activates when live wires are within 6-12” of scanner. Have not tried to find piping. Overall nice unit, only drawback is size, this thing is big.