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SCANNING DIFFERENT SURFACES
Freshly painted walls:

 May take one week or 

longer to dry after application.

Wallpaper:

 The StudSensor

 

i

65 functions normally 

on walls covered with wallpaper or fabric, unless the 

materials are metallic foil, contain metallic fibers, or 

are still wet after application. Wallpaper may need to 

dry for several weeks after application.

Extremely textured walls or acoustic ceilings:

 

When scanning a ceiling or wall with an uneven 

surface, place thin cardboard on the surface to be 

scanned and scan over the cardboard. Calibrate, with 

cardboard in place, in High Sensitivity mode.

Wood flooring, subflooring, or 

gypsum drywall over plywood 

sheathing: 

Use the High 

Sensitivity mode and move the 

tool slowly. The Signal Strength 

Indicator may only display 1 or 2 

bars when the tool locates a stud 

through thick surfaces.

Lath & plaster:

 Due to 

irregularities in plaster thickness, 

this tool is not recommended for 

use on lath & plaster.
StudSensor

 

i

65 cannot scan 

for wood studs and joists 

through carpeting and pad. In Stud Scan mode, the 

StudSensor

 

i

65 will NOT be able to scan through 

dense materials such as glass, ceramic tile, and foil.

Note: Sensing depth and accuracy can vary due to 

moisture, content of materials, wall texture, and 

paint.

FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN 

ELECTRIC SHOCK, FIRE, AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY 

OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Always turn off power when working near 

electrical wires.

Electrical field locators 

may not detect live AC 

wires if wires are more than 2 in. (51 mm) 

from the scanned surface, encased in conduit, 

present behind a plywood shear wall or metallic 

wall covering, or if moisture is present in the 

environment or scanned surface.

DO NOT ASSUME THERE 

ARE NO LIVE ELECTRICAL 

WIRES IN THE WALL. DO NOT TAKE ACTIONS THAT 

COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE WALL CONTAINS 

A LIVE ELECTRICAL WIRE. ALWAYS TURN OFF THE 

ELECTRICAL POWER, GAS, AND WATER SUPPLIES 

BEFORE PENETRATING A SURFACE. FAILURE TO 

Do not rely exclusively 

on the detector to locate 

items behind the scanned surface. Use other 

information sources to help locate items before 

penetrating the surface. Such additional sources 

include construction plans, visible points of 

entry of pipes and wiring into walls, such as in a 

basement, and in standard 16 and 24 in. (41 and 

61 cm) stud spacing practices.

3. TURNING ON/CALIBRATING THE TOOL

Place StudSensor

 

i

65 flat against the wall, then 

press and hold the Power button. The LCD will 

display all icons until calibration is complete. Upon 

completion of calibration, the SpotLite

®

 Pointing 

System and buzzer will momentarily activate and the 

tool will begin continuous measurements.

Note: It is important to wait for calibration to 

complete (1–2 seconds) before moving the scanner. 

ACT

 (Auto Correcting Technology):

 During 

scanning, the tool will provisionally recalibrate 

itself when needed. This recalibration is usually 

transparent and no indication is made. If an arrow 

icon illuminates, the tool was calibrated near or over 

a stud and then moved away. The arrow indicates the 

direction of the missed stud.

StudSensor

 

i

65 OneStep

®

Center-Finding Stud Finder

The Zircon StudSensor

 

i

65 OneStep

®

 detects both 

the center and edges of wood and metal studs 

and joists in walls, floors, and ceilings in one step. 

It features a durable high-impact case and the 

patented SpotLite

®

 Pointing System.

WireWarning

®

 detection automatically detects and 

alerts the user of live AC wires. When AC voltage is 

detected, the AC WireWarning

®

 icon will illuminate.

Note: This product is intended only 

for use with an optimum voltage 

range of 110–127 V.

SpotLite

®

 

Pointing System

Signal 

Strength 

Indicator

LCD Display

Battery (back of unit)

Edge or Center 

Indication

Middle Bars

Auto Correcting 

Indication

AC WireWarning

®

 

Detection Indication

Stud Scan Mode 

Indication

Running Board

Power Button

LIMITED 1 YEAR WARRANTY

Zircon Corporation, (“Zircon”) warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one year from 

the date of purchase. Any in-warranty defective product returned to Zircon*, freight prepaid with proof of purchase date and 

$5.00 to cover postage and handling, will be repaired or replaced at Zircon’s option. This warranty is limited to the electronic 

circuitry and original case of the product and specifically excludes damage caused by abuse, unreasonable use or neglect. 

This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, and no other representations or claims of any nature shall 

bind or obligate Zircon. Any implied warranties applicable to this product are limited to the one year period following its 

purchase. IN NO EVENT WILL ZIRCON BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING 

FROM POSSESSION, USE OR MALFUNCTION OF THIS PRODUCT.
In accordance with government regulations, you are advised that: (i) some states do not allow limitations on how long an 

implied warranty lasts and/or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations 

and/or exclusions may not apply to you, and further (ii) this warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have 

other rights which vary from state to state.

Return product freight prepaid with proof of purchase date (dated sales receipt) and $5.00 to cover postage and handling, to:
Zircon Corporation 

*Attn: Returns Department 

1580 Dell Avenue 

Campbell, CA 95008-6992 USA
Be sure to include your name and return address. Out of warranty service and repair, where proof of purchase is not 

provided, shall be returned with repairs charged C.O.D. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.
Customer Service, 1-800-245-9265 or 1-408-963-4550 

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST 

www.zircon.com 

[email protected]
©2012 Zircon Corporation • P/N 60546 • Rev C 01/12

1. INSTALLING THE BATTERY

Press battery door release in with your finger or a 

coin and lift up to remove door. 
Place a new 9 V battery into the compartment and 

press into place.
Replace battery door and snap shut.

2. OPERATING TIPS

For optimum scanning results, it is important to 

properly hold StudSensor

 

i

65 and move slowly 

when scanning. The following tips will provide more 

accurate scanning results:
• Grasp the handle with your thumb on one side 

and your fingers on the other side. Make sure your 

fingertips are resting on or above the running board 

and not touching the surface being scanned or the 

scanning head of the tool.

• Hold the tool straight up and down, parallel to the 

studs, and do not rotate the tool.

• Keep the tool flat against the wall and do not 

rock or tilt the tool when slowly sliding across the 

surface being scanned.

• Avoid placing your other hand, or any other part of 

your body, on the surface being scanned. This will 

interfere with the tool’s performance.

• If you're receiving erratic scanning results, it may be 

a result of humidity, moisture within the wall cavity 

or drywall, or recently applied paint or wallpaper that 

hasn't fully dried. While the moisture may not always 

be visible, it will interfere with the tool's sensors. 

Please allow a few days for the wall to dry out.

• Depending on the proximity of electrical wiring or 

pipes to the wall surface, the scanner may detect 

them in the same manner as studs. Caution should 

always be used when nailing, cutting, or drilling in 

walls, floors, and ceilings that may contain these 

items.

• To avoid surprises, remember that studs or joists 

are normally spaced 16 in. (41 cm) or 24 in. (61 cm) 

apart and are 1½ in. (38 mm) in width. 

Anything 

closer together or a different width may not 

be a stud, joist, or firebreak.

Always turn off power when working near 

electrical wires.

Visit www.zircon.com/support for the most current instructions.

ACT, CenterVision, OneStep, SpotLite, StudSensor, WireWarning, and Zircon are registered trademarks or trademarks of Zircon Corporation.

All LCD segments 

turn on at the same 

time and the unit 

beeps continuously.

Detects other objects 

besides studs. 

You suspect 

electrical wires, but 

do not detect any. 

Area of voltage 

detection is too large.

• Unit not flat against wall.
• Unit tilted or lifted during scan. (All these factors affect 

proper calibration.)

• Scanning surface is too dense or too wet for unit to operate.

• Electrical wiring and metal or plastic pipes may be near or 

touching back surface of wall.

• Wires are shielded by metal conduit, a braided wire layer, behind 

metallic wall coverings, plywood shear wall, or other dense material.

• Wires may not be live.
• Wires deeper than 2 in. (51 mm) from surface might not be 

detected.

• Voltage detection can spread on drywall as much as 12 in. (30 cm) 

from each side of an actual electrical wire.

• When scanning an uneven surface, place thin cardboard on the surface to be scanned and scan over 

the cardboard in High Sensitivity mode.

• Grasp the handle with your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other side, not touching the 

surface being scanned or the scanning head of the tool.

• Hold the tool straight up and down, parallel to the studs, and do not rotate the tool.
• If you are using unit on a recently taped, painted, or wallpapered wall, allow time to dry and try again.
• While unit is still on, quickly release and re-press the power button to enter High Sensitivity mode.

• Check for other studs equally spaced to either side 12, 16, or 24 in. (30, 41, or 61 cm) apart or check for 

the same stud at several places directly above or below the first finding. Studs will run straight up and 

down from floor to ceiling while pipes may change direction.

• A stud reading would measure approximately 1½ in. (38 mm) apart from each edge; anything larger or 

smaller is most likely not a stud if not near a door or window.

• Use extra caution if the area has plywood, thick wood backing behind drywall, or thicker than normal walls. 
• If a switch controls an outlet, make sure it is ON for detection, but turned off when working near 

electrical wires.

Use CAUTION when nailing, sawing, or drilling into walls, floors, and ceilings where these items 

may exist.

• To narrow detection, turn unit off and on again at the edge of where wire was detected and scan again.

8. HELPFUL HINTS

 

(See also number 2, Operating Tips)

 

Situation

Probable Cause

Solution

FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning

This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules.  

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:  

(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, 

and (2) this device must accept any interference 

received, including interference that may cause 

undesired operation.

7. WIREWARNING

®

 DETECTION

Zircon’s WireWarning

®

 detection works continuously. 

When live AC voltage is detected, the AC 

WireWarning

®

 indicator will appear in the display.

If scanning begins over a live AC wire, the AC 

WireWarning

®

 indicator will flash continuously. Use 

extreme caution in these circumstances or whenever 

live AC is present.

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

4. FINDING A STUD

Always start with the scanner placed flat against the 

wall, then press the Power button. Wait for beep to 

confirm calibration has completed before moving tool.

Slowly slide tool across 

surface. EDGE indication 

will illuminate, 

indicating location of 

the stud edge.

Continue sliding 

tool. When the 

center of stud is 

located with three 

bars on the Signal 

Strength Indicator, 

the four Middle bars, 

CENTER indication, 

and SpotLite

®

 Pointing System will all illuminate, and 

the buzzer will sound.

In cases of deeper 

studs (thicker walls) 

when the center of the 

stud is located only 

two bars will show on 

the Signal Strength 

Indicator and only 

the SpotLite

®

 beam 

and four Middle bars will illuminate. If you still can’t 

locate a stud, try the next step.

Note: The tool may detect other objects behind 

the wall such as pipes and conduit. See Section 2: 

Operating Tips for ways to confirm that you found 

a stud.

5. DIFFICULTY LOCATING A STUD? 
    TRY HIGH SENSITIVITY MODE

If you have difficulty locating a stud after following 

Step 4, it could be that the stud is deep (the walls are 

thick). With the unit still placed flat against the wall 

and turned on, quickly (within one second) release 

and re-press the Power button. The Stud Scan mode 

indication will flash continuously, indicating that the 

tool has entered 

High Sensitivity

 

mode. The center 

of a very deep stud 

will be indicated by 

the four middle bars 

illuminating.

6. MARKING THE CENTER OF THE STUD

Once an object is 

located, mark the 

location where the 

SpotLite

®

 Pointing 

System illuminates. 

This is the center of 

the stud.

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