PC compatible bore/endo scopes?

[VolvoRyan]

I have an early Depsetch brand endoscope. You can plug it into a phone or even a PC. The image quality is pretty poor. Blocky, and loads of chromatic aberration. Time to upgrade.

I've got a MS Surface Pro that I run the lab scope and Volvo software with. It'd be nice to use an endoscope with it, since it's got a big display. Has anyone found one that's good, and PC compatible? So many are Android-only.

Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[bwringer]

Subscribed... I just used my older scope last week to peep at some pistons, and I'm also hoping better resolution is available nowadays.



Looks like the new ones are touting 1920x1440 resolution, which would be fantastic if it's true.

I plug my old one into a ChromeBook -- it recognizes the camera instantly with no fuss and no installing sketchy apps, and the large screen is mighty nice.

It looks like some of these require their own app, which is a very bad idea for many reasons. I'd like to find one that doesn't need an app.

 

[VolvoRyan]

It looks like some of these require their own app, which is a very bad idea for many reasons. I'd like to find one that doesn't need an app.

I love that GIF and all it's variations.

I've noticed that some cameras have a side facing lens, in addition to the "bore sight" Lets you see valves much easier. Image quality seems much better across the board these days.

It'd indeed be nice if the PC/whatever recognized the scope as a camera with no extra software.

-Ryan

 

[RTM]

I bought one off eBay, and it would work with both Android and PC, but not iPhone or Mac. Neighbor borrowed it for sewer work, and I have not replaced it. Was <$15 more than three years ago, so not easily found.

 

[Citation]

I just picked up this one

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RF5BTLG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I like that it has a side and front camera as well as a dedicated display. It's USB C so I suspect you can connect the camera right into a PC. It also records onto a memory card so you can transfer files to a PC. I'm impressed with what can be had for this price.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I just picked up this one

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RF5BTLG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I like that it has a side and front camera as well as a dedicated display. It's USB C so I suspect you can connect the camera right into a PC. It also records onto a memory card so you can transfer files to a PC. I'm impressed with what can be had for this price.

Looks nice.... but I wonder if the USB-C is just for power/recharge and not data.

I find myself gravitating to this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NJ8627V/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's an Android, and I think I already have the app on my phone. It's not an App-Free, PC... but at least the wireless connection to the phone means I can prop the phone someplace safely while I use the thing. Still want to hold off until maybe something that better fits the mission profile comes along.

I gotta come up with a little PVC tube to protect the little camera so it doesn't pick up anti-seize passing through the spark plug holes.

-Ryan

 

[bwringer]

I bought one off eBay, and it would work with both Android and PC, but not iPhone or Mac. Neighbor borrowed it for sewer work, and I have not replaced it. Was <$15 more than three years ago, so not easily found.

"Hey, thanks for letting me borrow that camera gizmo! We stuck it down the ol' poo pipe and found the problem..."

"Uh, it's all yours now."

"Hey, we wiped it off..."

 

[Citation]

Looks nice.... but I wonder if the USB-C is just for power/recharge and not data.

I find myself gravitating to this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NJ8627V/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's an Android, and I think I already have the app on my phone. It's not an App-Free, PC... but at least the wireless connection to the phone means I can prop the phone someplace safely while I use the thing. Still want to hold off until maybe something that better fits the mission profile comes along.

I gotta come up with a little PVC tube to protect the little camera so it doesn't pick up anti-seize passing through the spark plug holes.

-Ryan

I haven't checked but I think the USB port is only for charging. It has an SD card for saving data. The camera is attached to the base via USB C so I wouldn't be surprised if a computer with the right software could control the thing. The screen in the hand held part is much nicer than the picture so I wouldn't worry about trying to connect it to a phone unless you want to get the pictures into the phone quickly. In that case I wouldn't pick the one I got.

 

[driftpin]

I got a uniojo compact borescope, GL8711D off amazon prime, and it's done good work for me, to hang pictures, and to fasten cabinets to the wall. It has the side-facing camera, which also has a LED light, and the center of cable camera has multiple LED's and all are variable in intensity. It's battery operated. The picture is either B & W or color, the resolution is decent, and it paid for itself the first time I used it.


Features

• 8 brightness levels
• 4.3" color LCD screen
• includes hook, magnet, & mirror probes
• Model: GL8711

No, it doesn't come with a huge coil of wire, it's probably 44 in. & a 5/16" camera head. It can take movies, and it comes with a 32 GB memory card and a USB slot.

 

[RTM]

"Hey, thanks for letting me borrow that camera gizmo! We stuck it down the ol' poo pipe and found the problem..."

"Uh, it's all yours now."

"Hey, we wiped it off..."

Nah, I volunteered it as a willing victim. For the $15 I was into it, it was worth it to solve his problem. 4 years newer technology can’t hurt my occasional needs.