Patching and Plastering - What Is The Best Stud Finder For Under $100.oo?

After wasting time with a cheap Zircon model (which has so many false alarms I have found tapping works better!) I decided to go out to get a really good unit. I ended up at Lowes with a "Straight-Line" model for $29.95. After playing with it at home for a few hours, it seems better but still not great. I thought I saw (on the DIY cable channel) a unit that appeared to have a little screen that looked like it was seeing through the wall & showed you the stud & let you actualy see & mark the center of the stud?? (or a representation of the stud) What I want is something that will let me mark the dead center of the stud & not just show the edges.

I've had good luck with a hammer and nail. Once you find one side of the stud then move the mark over 3/4" and you're dead center on the stud. I suppose if the studs are out of plumb you could be off above or below your nail hole.

Oh, you don't want to make and patch holes?

Sorry.

I believe what you saw was the Zircon Multiscanner I700 one step. It shows the edges of studs and even works on metal studs. It also will find copper electrical lines. States it goes up to 1-1/2" deep through plaster. $59.86 at HD. Good luck.