Looking for Borescope recommendations.

[JOE.G]

Hi, I am looking to purchase a Bore scope, I would like a unit that is complete, not looking to use my phone or other device. This is not something I will be using all the time so I would rather not spend a fortune but I am also not looking for junk. Thanks

 

[cvairwerks]

Length, head diameter, rigid or flexible, how it maneuvers and optical quality are going to define the price point. The ones I use at work run from about 25K$ used to over 100K$ new, are fully power articulated, have multiple lenses available and have near broadcast quality video and stills. Most of them I can get thru a 1/4" hole, and several have working channels where I can insert tools to work at points beyond the lens.

Can you narrow down your intended use a little and it would be easier to point you in a direction.

 

[JOE.G]

I am probably a bit under your price point lol. I would like to use it to work on cars mostly, look in cylinders and down intakes and what not. I would like a decent picture and flexible.

 

[Bluejoe]

Hello I seen one on Snapon truck this week. It’s handheld long line with light. It has adjustable light and magnification. The screen is not large but very portable.

 

[DFB]

Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ridgid, Harbor Frieght etc. Lots of them to look at on online and can be found on Amazon. Many use AA batteries but some use removable rechargable batteries like the Milwaukee M12 2313 rotating screen (which I have and have no complaints with it)

Look for those with a small camera head for cylinder inspection around 9mm. Many if the camera tips are too big to fit spark plug holes and are better suited for construction type purposes. Also cable length varies most mechanic oriented ones have short 3ft cables.

Although not usually necessary SD card photo capture is nice feature to have but add to the price

 

[MagKarl]

I bought one from Harbor Freight when our V10 spit out a spark plug. It was only about $65 and worked great, I was really surprised how good the image quality was.

https://www.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-61839.html

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have the original non digital Pro Vision fiber optic scopes, a Ridged See Snake and now a SnapOn digital. The Pro Vision was amazing 15 years ago when it was the first offered. I love my new Snap-on ads it takes stills and video which can be reviewed or shown to others. It also is separate from the screen, so you can use both hands to fish it into something versus holding the screen in one hand. The HarborFreight looks like my Ridgid SeaSnake and has a monitor, but you have to hold onto it.

 

[JOE.G]

The HF one looks nice, Is there any links you guys have to teh ones you are talking about, I went on E Bay and Amazon and there are lot's of them out there. Just don't want to buy junk.

 

[DFB]

Milwaukee has the 2309 the price is inline with HF and some others

Runs on 9V battery not the M12 battery platform.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M-Spector-3-ft-Inspection-Scope-Kit-2309-20/207191773



M12 2313-21 kit is $199 includes battery, charger and storage case

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...W-1-1-5Ah-Battery-Hard-Case-2313-21/202932657

The Milwaukee 2317 is probably out the price range



Ridgid

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...0}++scope+{product}+inspection+ridgid+{rest}+


Ryobi

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-T...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-203258908-_-202223756-_-N


Extech

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Extech-...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-205574034-_-205574033-_-N

General

https://www.homedepot.com/p/General...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-205574034-_-205748240-_-N

 

[Skin]

The HF one looks nice, Is there any links you guys have to teh ones you are talking about, I went on E Bay and Amazon and there are lot's of them out there. Just don't want to buy junk.

Have and used

https://www.harborfreight.com/high-resolution-digital-inspection-camera-with-recorder-60695.html

You can use the 20% coupon on it and buy an extended warranty if its for a shop as none of these cheap cameras last. Big enough screen size, head is small and will easily fit into spark plug holes, can take screenshots, rechargeable battery. Cant be beat for the money. Just realize the limitations of these cheap units, primarily fragile cameras, no parts availability, limited focus range.

 

[gtr1999]

I have one from Eastwoods but haven't taken it out of the box yet. Looks like the HF, Milwaukee ones.

 

[JOE.G]

Thanks guy's ill let you know which I choose, It will be used on a very limited basis. Just one of the tools you would like to have when you need it.

 

[JOE.G]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AIFSSUG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

How does this one look?

 

[baldredhead]

there are lots of options that work with your phone too, i don't have one but given how integrated smartphones are becoming into everything i think for my purposes which would be similar to JOE.G, a stand alone unit from harbor freight etc, isn't even in the running.

using a phone will (probably) make it easier to post pics to forums, or anywhere else.

for example (i dont have one, just looked promising)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0792TD34X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JOE.G]

Id like it to check Reeds, peak in cylinder and stuff like that. I just don't want to get one where the picture quality is so bad I can't figure out what I am looking at. This is not something id use very often so I'd rather not spend a lot.

I thought about the Phone options, but even though I have a smart phone it is running low of space and really could use an update. If I had a better phone I would
go that route.

 

[DFB]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AIFSSUG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

How does this one look?

For he money and according to the reviews seems fine. And will probably serve you well. Does also say you add an extension to it though where get one


In general they all seem very similar up to the $100 price range whether it be HF Ridgid or one unfamiliar to those that have responded so far.

IMO (at least the ones I seen so far in shared links) camera app systems don't quite seem to have the rigid cable flexibility that the stand alone units do and also I'm one to find a dedicated "tool" easier to grab and use in the garage, the driveway or even in the house looking in a wall or sink drain than messing with phones, laptops etc.

Again I have the Milwaukee. The expense is more but the added benefit at least to me of rechargeable power tool battery and rotating screen. I hate finding out something has dead batteries or the batteries leaked over time of non usage. I also find I pain to remove batteries too.

Just note that the camera orientation will sometimes not be what you expect example bottom on the bottom without finessing the cable some and that is why the screen that turns helps in that respect by quickly adjusting the current picture you are looking at. Cant change the camera head without twisting and turning the cable. Not a big deal just takes time to get it right sometimes.

 

[JOE.G]

I didn't even think about the camera orientation, now I see why the rotating screen would be a nice feature. If that feature was in the lower priced one I would have purchased that.