Walmart Whistler Wireless Inspection Camera

[Mctiger1985]

Whistler 9mm Wireless Inspection Camera Records Video & Audio

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Whistler-9mm-Wireless-Inspection-Camera-Records-Video-Audio/52663959

$32.

 

[DFB]

Wow now that's a lot of features for something so cheap

 

[Dh3256]

Wow now that's a lot of features for something so cheap

Low resolution "delivers 320 x 240 color resolution"

Got something similar on Amazon with a 10' cable for $20. Low resolution makes it hard for me to figure out what I am looking at. I'm much happier with the $15 HD camera with a 20' cable I got from Amazon, but it does require a computer to view.

Curious what others are using these for and if the resolution is a problem for them.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I have a Milwaukee model but it is Black and White however, I did purchase the Whistler because of the remote screen and color image like the OP posted and for $32 and I think it will meet my needs because I am not performing surgery...... I am also a "realist" and not expecting a high resolution camera with ultra bright illumination.
Most of the time I use the camera for viewing in concealed areas and behind machines.

BTW! Thanks OP!

 

[gamp945]

I currently own a cheap Ridgid model that is well reviewed and costs about $79. It has a 2.4" screen and 480x234 resolution. It looks pretty good on that small screen.

The Whistler camera has a 3.5" screen and 320x240 resolution. It will probably look noticeably worse compared to my ridgid. However, a few things to consider if you like messing around with this kind of thing:

1. According to the manual, the Whistler unit records at 640x480. Recorded images on an SD card will be pretty good quality. Of course, this doesn't do you any good if you use an inspection camera for real-time inspecting.

2. The manual also states that the wireless video is transmitted on the 2.4Ghz channel. It may be possible to use a different wireless video monitor with the Whistler inspection camera that has higher resolution. Anyone have any ideas on this front?

 

[Mctiger1985]

The manual shows 640x480 for monitor as well. Mine is arriving tomorrow, and I'm replacing the Whistler 1229C which served its purposes for me.

 

[gamp945]

Mctiger, I think you might be looking at the "camera" section of the specs, which is listed at 640x480. If you look a bit further down, under the "monitor" section, it states:

Effective pixels: 320 (R.G.B.) x 240
Picture/Video Resolution: 640 x 480 pixels

Maybe I'm just confused, but I think this means that the native resolution of the monitor is 320x240, and it is rescaling the image from the camera which is 640x480.

 

[Mctiger1985]

Yeah, I was looking at the monitor resolution, not effective pixels. It's actually a little worse than my current whistler model as far as effective pixels goes. I'll play around with it tomorrow and report back.
Actually had to use mine again today to see what fell behind a not easily removed drawer and preventing it from closing. The detachable monitor should be a big improvement to help see while trying to point the camera.

 

[Jagmandave]

A friend has an inspection camera similar to this and I found it less than useful in trying to look at the backs of the valves on my engine - that was with the manifold removed BTW. The problem was we just couldn't get enough light in there to see anything, and of course the ports were black with carbon - just sucked up all the light!

However, it worked great when we snaked it down into his fuel tank to see why it wasn't getting fuel - screen was blocked by pieces of tank sealer that had peeled off the inside of the tank. Don't know why it worked so much better there other than the inside of the tank was painted white with that sealer.

I've seen adaptors that you can hook onto your phone that do this, are those any better? Is the limiting factor the lens and light on the wand or the camera end?

 

[gamp945]

Just received mine. The build quality is surprisingly nice. The camera head is substantially smaller than the one on my Ridgid unit. I have to charge it to test it out but so far this looks like a great deal.

Thanks Mctiger!

 

[DFB]

My Milwaukee 2313-20 M-Spector 360 camera lists the same pixel resolution and density numbers. It gives a pretty clear picture. Not been a problem for me.

Lighting can be the more important factor while viewing something

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Instruments/Distance-Meters/2313-20.

 

[gamp945]

I got a partial charge and fired it up. The picture quality seems to be better than my Ridgid which is supposed to have twice the resolution. Not sure why this would be - it could be that the Whistler has a lower resolution display but higher quality panel. The Ridgid unit's display is easily washed out and is difficult to see at an angle whereas the Whistler's display has very good viewing angles.

When used wireless there is some static, but I think the convenience of the wireless option far outweighs the slightly worse picture quality.

 

[Mctiger1985]

Good to hear. My packages got delayed today due to flooding rains in the area.

 

[lafester]

Thanks for the review, just put in my order.
I've looked at these for awhile and never quite found the right deal.

Hopefully the battery doesn't fail too soon with light use.

 

[gamp945]

The device uses two internal batteries: one for the camera and one for the monitor. They are listed as lithium-ion.

My first thought when I saw the low price was that this is because they are old stock and the internal batteries may be bad. There may be something to this as the serial number on my unit begins with "14" which I assume means it was produced in 2014. The firmware is also dated 2014 so this would seem to confirm the manufacture date. Six years for unused lithium-ion batteries is not good. But my unit charges up and works fine so far. Since my normal usage for an inspection camera is measured in just minutes, I think even if the battery is badly degraded I should be OK. I suppose it is also possible to replace them, but who knows how easy that would be.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I received mine today and it came in a nice (dusty) plastic carrying case....... I charged it up and I like it! The resolution is pretty good and the LED has adjustable brightness.
Meets my needs and for the price you can’t go wrong....... Grab one and you won’t be sorry.

BTW! Thanks OP!!

 

[imok]

Picked up mine yesterday. It will be fine for my use.

Thanks to the OP!!!!!!

 

[lafester]

Mine comes tomorrow, and it looks like they are out of stock now. Hopefully all is well!

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[antman213]

Got mine all charged up, works better than expected. I had one you plug into your phone and it was OK, but the apps are awful and have ads. No issues like that with this. The wireless is a nice feature

 

[lafester]

Just picked mine up. It said 2016 on the box and the batteries were still half charged so that is good. Just did a quick test to make sure it works and threw it on the charger.

I don't see any firmware updates which isn't surprising I suppose.

 

[creativecars]

Wow, I missed the boat on that one, now showing out of stock and $59.99. They look nice with good features.