Wasn't sure if anyone found this out yet. So while I was looking for materials for my exotic sword I decided to run around with my stillpiercer in my hands because it has the improved radar perk (I like to use shadestep.) I used a ghost that could help find spinmedal and I used stillpiercer's scope to help me see the materials. Yes, when you look down your scope you can see materials from far away. It's not immediate when you phase into a zone. You have to play with a bit by running around a little. But after that you'll start to spot materials with your scope. It made it so I was finding materials twice as fast. And it works best when you phase between 2 areas after you've exhausted one of its nodes. Hope this helps!