Stud finder for plaster and lath walls android#
Stud finder for plaster and lath walls free#

It also includes a motion detection graphic that looked a lot like a thermal imaging photo. I found this to be one of the more intriguing features of the Walabot stud finder since a user could scan a complete wall and have a precise record of the location of each stud.įor those who don’t mind using both hands to hold the phone and scanner together, this stud finder offers some exciting features, such as the panning mode. When complete, the smartphone screen shows a bar chart that indicates (by color) whether the stud finder discovered a wire or a stud during the scan and its precise location using an integrated ruler.

The Walabot stud finder also features a panning mode that allows the user to start at one side of the wall and scan any desired distance. Those interested in obtaining a large sticky gel nano pad could conceivably cut it to size to fit the entire back of the phone to hold it more securely to the scanner. Photo: Glenda Taylor Is the Walabot Stud Finder Right for You?ĭespite a few design flaws, the Walabot stud finder still has a lot going for it. I wondered if the image could be due to the problems with the phone and the scanner not adhering tightly. For someone preparing to cut or drill into the wall in that general area, the diagonal image on my smartphone screen would serve as a warning to proceed with caution. Still, the Walabot stud finder did detect the presence of a live wire, so it wasn’t wholly a bust. It didn’t sit at an angle as the screen on my Note20 incorrectly displayed. Unfortunately, the wire graphic on the screen appeared diagonal and cockeyed, although I knew the wire ran straight down the stud from the switch. Sure enough, after calibrating for live wires, the stud finder detected wiring right where I knew it was located. I was familiar with the wall’s original construction, so I knew wires were attached to a stud just below a light switch. Photo: Glenda Taylor How Accurate Was the Walabot When Detecting Wires?Īfter finding the Walabot stud finder to be accurate on the test wall for pinpointing studs, I moved on to scan a standard household wall to see if it would detect live wires.

Despite the failure of the nano pad to secure the phone to the scanner, the Walabot stud finder nailed the location of the wood stud in the test wall.

Stud finder for plaster and lath walls free#

A free hand is necessary to make a mark on the wall when looking for a stud’s center, so the inability of the scanner to adhere tightly to the phone was a definite drawback. If the manufacturer of the Walabot stud finder would eliminate the raised insignia, which limits physical contact between the phone and the scanner, and used a sticky nano pad the same size as the scanner, it would significantly improve the design. This was problematic because it wasn’t easy to slide the scanner across a wall without using both hands. When scanning, I often ended up having to use two hands to keep the scanner and the phone together.

That was pretty much a lost cause, as the nano pad wasn’t large enough to hold the phone and the scanner securely together. Having experience with sticky nano pads, my first step was to wipe the back of my Note20 with rubbing alcohol to remove any traces of oils or grime so the nano pad would adhere well. Nothing too complex here-this scanner box connects via the USB cord directly to the smartphone. One side of the scanner box features a Walabot insignia that indicates where to place the sticky gel nano pad. Additionally, a thin sheet of plastic film sticks to the back of the stud finder to help it slide smoothly over drywall.

Stud finder for plaster and lath walls android#

It comes with a lightweight plastic scanner box that’s about the same size as a smartphone, an instruction booklet, two types of USB cables for use with different models of Android phones, and a sticky gel nano pad to hold the stud finder to the back of a smartphone. Photo: Glenda Taylor What’s in the Walabot Box?įor a pretty technical device, the Walabot stud finder is a relatively simple tool.