Schonstedt Sonde & Camera Locators Explained

Schonstedt delivers advanced underground locating solutions that help professionals accurately find buried utilities and iron or steel objects. Their innovative sonde and camera locators make it easy to pinpoint blockages and trace pipes not made of metal. At the same time, their magnetic locators efficiently find underground items like pipes, valves, and manhole covers. Built for demanding industries like gas and oil, water and sewer, construction, and transportation, Schonstedt’s tools are known for being precise, tough, and simple to use.

Why Choose Schonstedt Sonde & Camera Locators?

For professionals searching for a top-quality sonde locator for sale, Schonstedt’s tools are essential for accurately tracing non-metallic pipes and finding underground blockages with minimal digging. Made for tough field conditions, these locators deliver strong signal performance and work perfectly with pushrods and inspection cameras, helping you get the job done more efficiently. Explore our options at our Canadian warehouse, or check them out below.

Schonstedt XT-512 Sonde and Camera Locator

The Schonstedt XT-512 Sonde and Camera Locator is a compact and lightweight 512 hz sonde locator designed to trace sewer cameras and sondes in non-metallic pipes, helping users pinpoint blockages and other obstructions. This device not only operates at the standard 512 Hz frequency but can also passively pick up the hum from nearby power lines (50Hz or 60Hz). With a simple one-button depth measurement and a clear digital display for signal strength, this 512 hz sonde locator is incredibly user-friendly. It’s built to be handled and stored easily, featuring both sound and visual alerts, battery and sensitivity indicators, and reliable performance even in harsh weather.

FAQs

1. How do sonde and camera locators work together to find blockages?

They work as a team. A camera system with a small transmitting device (a sonde) built into its head is pushed into the pipe. The camera gives you a live video feed of the pipe's interior, while the sonde sends out a steady radio signal. Above ground, a locator picks up this signal, allowing you to trace the camera's path and find the exact location and depth of a blockage.

2. Can a sonde locator find blockages around several pipe bends?

Yes, a sonde locator can usually track the signal through multiple bends in a pipe. However, very sharp turns or damage inside the pipe might weaken the signal. You may need to move the handheld locator on the surface and adjust its sensitivity to keep a lock on the sonde's signal as it moves through the pipe network.

3. What frequency is best for locating a sonde in sewer pipes?

For most sewer pipe jobs, a 512 hz sonde locator is what you'll need. This frequency is the industry standard because it travels well through the ground and is less likely to get mixed up with signals from other nearby utilities. While some locators offer other frequencies for shallower tasks, 512 Hz is the go-to for deeper, non-metallic sewer lines.

4. Do I need a different locator for every type of sonde or camera?

Not always. Many modern locators can detect multiple sonde frequencies. This means you can often use a single tool for different sondes and camera systems, as long as their frequencies match up. It's always a good idea to check the details of both the sonde and the locator to make sure they'll work together.

5. Can I use a sonde and camera locator in wet or flooded pipes?

Absolutely. Most sondes and camera systems are waterproof because they are built to work in wet places like sewer lines and storm drains. While a completely flooded pipe might make it hard to see with the camera, the sonde’s signal will still transmit clearly through the water and surrounding ground, so you can continue locating.

Schonstedt - Sonde & Camera Locators