Smart phone boroscope

[andyvh1959]

Technology keeps giving us garage buffs new toys to use, like an inexpensive boroscope for, looking into an engine, looking down a clogged drain line, peeking inside walls. I recently bought a Depstech WF010 boroscope 16' cable camera. Looks to be made ok, haven
t used it yet, just charged it up. Depstech directions say I have to download theie Android app for my phone. When I do that it comes up saying "Depstech-View will asked for you permissions as following: 1. Photo take and video record 2. Photos, media contant and content"

Then I eaither choose "Disagree or Agreed and", then I need to turn permissions on, "You need to open storage, capture permissions to continue" and choose Cancel or To Setup. If I chose Cancel it kicks me out of the app. If I chose "To Setup" I have to allow permission to storage and other things.

Well right off, the grammaitcal errors has me suspect of this item. Its a Chinese products like damn near anything these days. So then I am more suspect to allowing access to anything in my phone. I found this brand after a search on Google for best boroscope cameras, and Depstech came up as one of the upper choices. Anyone else use one of these lower cost cable camera systems?

 

[RegeSullivan]

I bought one 10 or 12 years ago that served it's purpose checking out a rain conductor I suspected was pulled apart a few feet deep. It was difficult to use with proprietary software and the pics were not very detailed. If I found something better I'd have more than a few uses for it so I interested what other have found more recently.

 

[bwringer]

It depends greatly on your device and the camera, but on many Android and Android-based systems you don't need the crappy spyware app. Just plug it in and the built-in Camera app will see it as just another camera.

I have a Depstech sneaky snek that works fine like this with a Chromebook or a tablet.

They're very handy gadgets, and ridiculously cheap.

 

[engineer2]

I have a Depstech and tried it with my iPhone and it didn't work. I've used it on my PC with an android emulator.
I finally just bought a weird-name Amazon one with a built-in display and a flex head. So far so good.

 

[M.Wong]

I didn't find good reviews on the phone-based versions, so I went for a Depstech DS620DL that has a 5" handheld screen. It was about $60 and well worth the cost.

 

[BruceMc]

Anyone else use one of these lower cost cable camera systems?

I bought that same model in 2017. For the price it's pretty good, but it can be kind of awkward in some tight situations . Since it pairs with your phone, you almost need 3 hands (or a second parson) to operate it. One set of hands to snake it around and a second set of hands to hold the phone. Last year I finally broke down and bought a Teslong all-in-one unit.

 

[landrover bodger]

I have a Depstech and tried it with my iPhone and it didn't work. I've used it on my PC with an android emulator.
I finally just bought a weird-name Amazon one with a built-in display and a flex head. So far so good.

same here i bought one for a phone to find a leak under a shower picture just was not clear enough to see anything. then got a cheap amazon all in one set up much better.

 

[dante2]

I tried one of the USB borescopes attached to laptop but I never get it to work 100% of the time. I have the Depstech DS300 now that works when I need it to.

 

[dchawk81]

I had a phone based one years ago but it was fiddly to get it to connect to the software so I eventually got a dedicated one.

The dedicated one is also a lot cheaper to replace than my phone should I drop it or smack the screen into something causing damage.

 

[shoot summ]

I have the Depstech, works fine with my iPhone. It has been really handy for the price.

 

[CraigStu]

I have a Depstech from about 4 yrs ago. I saw the same **** for getting it set up as you. I needed it badly at the time so I went ahead w/ it. But the **** was on my mind so 3 months later I deleted it from my phone. A year later I got a new phone so I was relieved. I may be paranoid but I don't trust the chinese. If I ever need it again, I will get the old phone out, delete as much personal info as I can, and dedicate it to the bore scope.

 

[BurtEggley]

I use this one. It works with either my laptop or smart phone (android). Seems to me I had to read the instructions and make a couple changes to have it work on the smart phone. Worked right away on the laptop. The borescopes with side view are better but this on was a lot less. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PBF6DX5/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I use my old smart phone for a thermal camera. Probably do the same for this one. Wifi still works so I can download the apps without cellular service.

 

[75gmck25]

This doesn't apply to working on an engine, but if you plan to also use it for checking out plumbing and wiring in your walls, I found it was really useful to tape it to a fiberglass fish tape that I already owned. The borescope probe is quite flexible, and really hard to keep oriented if you get it out to its full 16'.

 

[johnre]

Another vote for buying one with a dedicated display, for all the reasons already given above plus a few more. The current version of what I have is illustrated below.

1. It's more rugged than a SmartPhone or laptop; I don't have to worry about dropping it or the camera's cable pulling it off its perch as I maneuver it.
2. Its 2500mAh rechargeable battery outlasts that for a SmartPhone when running the camera with illumination on.
3. Bootup time is just a few seconds.
4. In ten years I know it will still work when smartphone and laptops have long stopped supporting the App or have drivers available.
5. It has a locking, reinforced USB C connector - a necessity for a borascope, as the camera cable has to be stiffened and the weak point will always be the USB connection.
6. It can still take an SD flash card, should I want to offload images to my laptop.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

+1 for a dedicated borescope with screen. Running a Snap-On myself for several years.

The app/ permission issue: You have to set your red line. If you absolutely do not want to give permission to the app to store and access media on your phone - then don’t and ultimately get another product.

I know how you feel, I have a few of these red lines as well for what apps I use and what permissions they get. Some got blurred or removed over time because my evaluation/perspective & needs changed, others still stand firm. Personal choice & decision.

Definitely try, as suggested before, if the scope will work without the designated app from the manufacturer.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[adsinnott1]

Another vote for buying one with a dedicated display, for all the reasons already given above plus a few more. The current version of what I have is illustrated below.

1. It's more rugged than a SmartPhone or laptop; I don't have to worry about dropping it or the camera's cable pulling it off its perch as I maneuver it.
2. Its 2500mAh rechargeable battery outlasts that for a SmartPhone when running the camera with illumination on.
3. Bootup time is just a few seconds.
4. In ten years I know it will still work when smartphone and laptops have long stopped supporting the App or have drivers available.
5. It has a locking, reinforced USB C connector - a necessity for a borascope, as the camera cable has to be stiffened and the weak point will always be the USB connection.
6. It can still take an SD flash card, should I want to offload images to my laptop.

Ordered. Thanks!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I've been using a Depstech for 7-ish years now. Still works great, but the internal battery won't take a full charge, so I power it with a Milwaukee M12 power pack when needed. I've used it in floor drains, chimney liners, tight spots under the car, fishing wires in walls and ceilings. It's more than paid for it's $35 price tag by now and I'd buy another one if this one ever dies.

 

[CapriMikeC]

I bought this Klein Tools ET16 a couple years ago for use with my Android phone. Works very well.

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