Ridgid 22163 Seektech SR-60 is an underground locator for wire, cable, sonde, PVC pipe, metal pipe, and other utilities. It has a highly versatile and high-end model. It’s not only able to pick a wide range of frequency but also the interactive screen makes the process of locating much easier and fun.
When excavating, many utilities could be buried in the earth such as gas, cable, communication, water line, etc. They all could be located with this single instrument.
In this chance, we are going to review this Ridgid SR-60 yellow beast to see all of its capabilities.
Locating with 3 Modes
1. Active Locating
Select one of the 8 frequencies to pick up: 128 Hz, 1 kHz, 8 kHz, 33 kHz, 51 kHz, 93 kHz, 200 kHz, 262 kHz
There are more options for the frequency signal setup. No matter if the line is heavy-duty corroded because you are free to choose from the smallest to the highest frequency setup.
You are free to select the three active locating modes:
- Direct Connect: This mode allows you to directly connect the transmitter and target line at a certain point.
- Inductive Clamp: It utilizes a clamp to induce the target.
- Inductive: The mode that puts the transmitter above the target line.
If a particular mode doesn’t work properly, change the mode.
2. Passive Locating
For passive locating, it can pick up these frequencies:
- 50 Hz, 60 Hz, <4 kHz Broadband
- 4 kHz-15 kHz, 15 kHz-36 kHz
Passive locating doesn’t require any signal transmitter to get transmitted into the line because the line has the signal itself. Using Ridgid SeekTech SR-60, passive locating becomes more versatile because it can pick up various signals in this mode. To pick up the radio and power line frequency signals, this one is reliable.
3. Sonde Locating
It can be set up to pick these various frequencies: 6 Hz, 512 Hz, 640 Hz, 850 Hz, 8 kHz, 16 kHz, 33 kHz.
Sonde is a battery-powered signal transmitter that will be carried by a cable to get through the pipe, conduit or tunnel. In the case of the non-conductive pipe which can not be injected, this is the best method to use.
The size of the sonde is small, about a palm of the hand. The cable is rigid but flexible to get pushed into. Therefore, it’s very common to use sonde locating for sewer inspection. The sonde device will be mounted to the camera and carried along the line. At a certain point, when it’s stopping, the signal picking can be done.
A typical sonde device commonly emits a 512 Hz signal. So, if your locator is not this Ridgid, but it can pick a 512 Hz signal, it should be able to do the job. However, in the case of this Ridgid, according to the manual, only use the sonde that is recommended by the manufacturer.
Sonde locating simply means you locate this sonde device instead of locating the injected wire or pipe. So, it becomes simple. The sonde acts as a beacon or agent.
This locating mode is very useful when the other modes seem to give inaccurate locating. To locating a non-magnetic utility pipe (PVC plastic pipe), this is gonna be your good friend. However, this stuff, when you purchase it, doesn’t come with the sonde. So you need to buy it as separate stuff.
Screen
Another big-deciding factor of why you have to buy this locator is the big screen and the benefits that it provides to you. Unlike Ridgid NaviTrack Scout, the screen of Ridgid SeekTech SR-60 is more advanced and larger as you could compare by yourself. On the screen, you benefit from the real-time trace line mapping, signal strength, proximity signal, L/R guide narrow, and depth. It highly provides information that you need for a reliable locating.
Lifetime Warranty
No doubt anymore to buy this beast. It comes with a lifetime warranty. Purchase through the following button!
Conclusion
Ridgid SeekTech SR-60 underground utility locator is expensive but worth it to try. It offers versatility, ease to use, and accuracy. If you are looking for a professional locator, you should take this into account. Invest your money in this device is a very reasonable decision instead of digging unpreparedly that could cause more loss.
In case you need more options to choose from, we have selected these ten underground wire and cable locators from the online market. Over there, you can see which one we recommend overall.