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Product ReviewFinding a wall stud behind sheet rock or paneling used to be a hit and miss routine, but the new Zircon stud finders have taken the "miss" out of the equation. The i500 scanner is a five-function scanner that can locate the exact center of a wall stud behind paneling or sheetrock up to 3/4 inches deep or up to 1-1/2 inches deep when set to DeepScan Mode. The scanner can locate copper and other non-ferrous metal up to 1-1/2 inches deep or it can locate ferrous metal such as rebar up to 3 inches deep in concrete. This is a handy feature when repairing cracked or damaged foundation walls.

After you have located the wood or metal studs you can set the i500 to AC Tracing or AC WireWarning to locate hot electrical wiring that you want to avoid when nailing or cutting into the wall or ceiling cavity. Even AC wiring incased in plastic conduit cannot hide from the i500. The i500 also includes a large easy-to-read back-lit LCD screen and easy-to-understand, on-screen graphics and an audio signal to indicate the target area. A patented SpotLite Pointing System also shines a bright beam of light over the target's center that is easy to see even when working in low light conditions. Use the i500 to hang cabinets, pictures, mirrors, and shelves or to install ceiling fans, grab bars, and chandeliers. You can also use the i500 to locate metal pipes behind tile or in concrete or to find conduit, rebar, electrical boxes, exhaust vents, and ducting. An important safety feature is the ability of the i500 to locate and trace hot wires behind walls, floors, and ceilings. --D. Barnett