Looking to buy a borescope, please advise. 1

[dbecker]

Hello,

I am looking to purchase a cheap borescope. I dont want to spend more than $250. I know that a good scope can cost thousands. I am not in the market for a professional grade scope, I just want something that can capture images and store them on a little micro SD card for data transfer. Preferably a 3 foot cable with capability to extend if needed.

I found a ton of selections through google but because I cannot try them out before I buy them, I dont know the image quality of the screen which makes it hard for me to choose. If anyone has any experience with a cheap scope please advise me, thanks.

 

[eyec]

snake eye images can be fed directly to your laptop or cd/dvd machine.

i watched a contractor use it and it was sufficient for what he was doing.

you may want to consider leasing one from Everest VIT (i think they were bought out by some other company).

 

[JJPellin]

For a relatively inexpensive, off-the-shelf scope, we use a Milwaukee. I am not sure what it cost. A quick internet search found Milwaukee scopes in the range of US$200 to $300. I think it would be a good match to the requirements you have. We have been using it for 2 or 3 years and are happy with the functionality and durability. .

Johnny Pellin

 

[dbecker]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will search for them.

eyec can you tell me what type of scope your contractor had that was able to hook up to a laptop, that would be IDEAL for me because I wish to store images on my computer.

Most cheap scopes dont even have a store capability let alone USB. I tried searching for everest VIT and expensive stuff came up, can you point me in the right direction?

Thank you!

 

[1gibson]

Think I've seen the Milwaukee at Home Depot or Lowes. Harbor freight has a "similar" model for about half the price.

 

[monkeydog]

Home Depot calls them Inspection Cameras

 

[dbecker]

Yea I saw the Ryobi Tek4 inspection camera and it has fantastic image quality but it cannot store images which is a huge turn-off for me.
I will check out milwaukee, I am weary of harbor freight when it comes to electronics though.

 

[eyec]

SnakeEye III Video Probe

 

[dbecker]

I really like this milwaukee.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDAQ8wIwAg#

 

[MJCronin]

Because you are woried about image quality i would first consider Olympus.

You might be able to find a used 1800 series unit from a local supplier:

http://www.olympus-europa.com/endoscopy/427_CF-H180DI_L.htm

 

[MJCronin]

Oh,....... and if you buy a used one,

Consider washing your hands a lot...

 

[dbecker]

Haha... Yea I think I will pass on the medical borescope. You never know where those things have been :O

 

[Mr168]

We've used several of the Ridgid units for inspection (which store both video and stills), including root pass inspection where the pipe has a 500°F preheat. They held up fairly well. When we did break a few, they were replaced with the cheapie Northern/Harbor Freight type units, which seemed to work equally well.

Just be aware of what size openings you have to work with, as most of the inspection camera type units aren't sized like a true borescope, and tend to need an entry point of 3/4" or more.

 

[dbecker]

I looked at the harbor freight model. It cannot store data. I am looking for a scope that can store pictures and upload them to a computer.

I was thinking of a better idea, does anyone know of a way to attach a regular digital camera that you'd get at best buy to some type of fiber optic line and essentially turn it into a borescope? That would be IDEAL for me.

 

[Mr168]

Aardvark and Dewalt both make units that capture stills and video to an SD card, both are under $300. There's also one called CobraCam which does not capture images itself, but works with a USB cable to your laptop for live viewing, and costs under $100.

 

[berkshire]

dbecker,
Would something like this work for you?

http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Wate...ection-removeable/dp/B002ZLKTSU/ref=pd_cp_e_2

B.E.

 

[dbecker]

berkshire I think that one is perfect! Thanks!