I am in the hvac field and would like a recommendation for non-contact voltage sensor or wandmeter as I have heard it called (the kind that looks like a fat pen). I currently have one that I bought for about 12 dollars at Home Depot but it is unreliable. Can anyone suggest a brand and model that will work reliably, widely available and is reasonably priced? Thanks.

I like the Fluke model. About $17 or so.

I've got a greenlee that works pretty good. Several of my guys use one made by Ideal that I like a little better.

All of them will give you false positives from time to time and won't register a positive if the wire is wet or humidity is just right. After a while you learn when to trust it and when not to trust it. They come in handy, but if you're not carefull they'll get you hurt.

I just picked up a GB version of the 'sniffer'. This one has a sensitivity adjustment which I have found useful. The other one (non adjustable) GB makes had far more false readings. Anybody else have good sucess with this unit?

My guys have the "Fluke" pen model...I still have my "Greenlee" pen, but I don't put all my trust into it...if I'm leery, I drag out my "Etcon" solenoid-type tester...there've been quite a few times that I've gotten false readings, and then I recheck with the solenoid, and there's no voltage present....