Stud Finder‪®‬ 4+

This app is legitimate. It actually did help me find a couple of metal studs in my wall to help me mount a small TV, replacing an ancient box tv. Interface was easy to use and read. I double checked everything with a stud finder tool that I borrowed from my mom and it gave me the same results that this app did.

Only reason why I took a star off is because of the annoying “cool-off” time. Every minute or so, you have to wait about 10-20 seconds before you can keep using it, unless you pay $2.00 to “unlock” the ability to use it continuously. After the first three or four minutes of this I did end up forking over those coveted $2.00. Still cheaper and more convenient than buying a dedicated stud finder tool and served my needs well, but the pop ups were pretty annoying.

Using the magnetic sensors is smart, but to be even more useful I would display arrows pointing the direction the signal is stronger.

This would help avoid going back and forth, or up and down to find the center.

It would also be beneficial to overlay a bullseye specific to the device showing the location of the mail center. I end up tapping around to find the stud after the signal beep. Mainly because the iPhone 12 Pro Max is so large, I am not sure if the stud is more at the center, top or bottom of the device.

I wasn’t able to willing to properly evaluate it due to the aggressive upgrade prompts. I didn’t even have time to put it near a wall before it started asking me to upgrade to Pro. Dismissed the box after the requisite 10 second timer, put it up to a wall, and found that the sensitivity was too high. I adjusted it. Upgrade prompt. Put it up to a wall, not quite sensitive enough. Upgrade prompt. Closed and uninstalled!

I would strongly suggest that the developer consider a different approach, such as letting the user use the app freely for a few minutes before starting to pop up nag screens. As of this writing the evaluation model is actively user hostile and doesn’t allow the user to get a feel for the app prior to purchasing it. It’s only $2, sure, but there are plenty of other options, and first impressions go a long way.