Borescope recommendations

[Dadnatron]

I've put off getting a borescope, as I keep finding ways around requiring one, but at least 6-10x a year, I'm wishing I could see somewhere, that I can't.

Whether its in a wall, behind a coolant tank, inside an excavator track assembly, etc... I'd like to be able to see better. (Currently I have an excavator track that keeps loosening, and I'd like to KNOW the seal is leaking grease, before I go and pull off a track and remove the idler/tensioner assembly.)

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good 'bang for your buck' borescope? I'd prefer one which has an articulation at the tip which can be adjusted at the screen/handle. I'd REALLY prefer it if it would adjust both right/left (some only go 90° in one direction.

I'm looking for something worthwhile. Not the most expensive, but not the cheapest. I really am looking for something which gives me a good picture, as I'd rather pay a little more and see what I need, that save a few bucks and guess what I'm looking at. It won't be a 'daily' thing. At most, monthly and likely not even that often. But I'm tired of 'figuring out something', when a borescope would answer the question.

 

[the old grind]

I have the three-lens version of this and what stands out is the focal length when using the cams. Not perfectly clear but good lighting and can see across the room ok, so inspecting roof for leaks or presence of critters, etc. Gradient Lens (Hawkeye), Lyman, Teslong and others are ok for gun barrels but this guy does all the rest for me. Big screen, easy menus, 2-cam split screen & other niceties.

https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Industrial-Inspection-Waterproof-Semi-Rigid/dp/B0928Q3T42?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=AIRTAZFQ2QJOC&th=1

 

[rScotty]

I've got an older model sewer and drainage cam. 100' of bfairly rigid cable and a simple forward-lookimg wide angle camera with adjustable lighting. A 10" LCD screen. Rugged and waterproof with a surprisingly good color image. Yep, Chinese made and surprisingly good quality.

It has been so handy that I also am looking to add one better for mechanical and into-the-walls work - much the same features Dadnatron is describing.

I figure it needs to be 4 to 8 feet long, and either articulating tip or multiple cameras. Which is best?
Camera diameter should fit through a spark plug hole...

rScotty

 

[D&D]

I've put off getting a borescope, as I keep finding ways around requiring one, but at least 6-10x a year, I'm wishing I could see somewhere, that I can't.

Whether its in a wall, behind a coolant tank, inside an excavator track assembly, etc... I'd like to be able to see better. (Currently I have an excavator track that keeps loosening, and I'd like to KNOW the seal is leaking grease, before I go and pull off a track and remove the idler/tensioner assembly.)

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good 'bang for your buck' borescope? I'd prefer one which has an articulation at the tip which can be adjusted at the screen/handle. I'd REALLY prefer it if it would adjust both right/left (some only go 90° in one direction.

I'm looking for something worthwhile. Not the most expensive, but not the cheapest. I really am looking for something which gives me a good picture, as I'd rather pay a little more and see what I need, that save a few bucks and guess what I'm looking at. It won't be a 'daily' thing. At most, monthly and likely not even that often. But I'm tired of 'figuring out something', when a borescope would answer the question.

With display, I have the m12 setup which I really like.
Endoscopes can be had cheap and use a phone,tablet, etc for a display
Either of these would use clip-on accessories to get different view paths.
The last one I’ve seen at a tool show but no real experience with it.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Milwaukee-2324-21-M12-M-Spector-360-10-Inspection-Camera?utm_source=google_ad&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_campaign=Shopping_X_Tools_X_SSC_ClassA&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_WAytlF7XLeX_hUl8vzseTD9Sjl&gclid=CjwKCAiApY-7BhBjEiwAQMrrEbsuc4WFjZmbdR2CLrgHMW-4IRD_Qz662mJkHLcOuk9Lk7-FPU-CNRoCrcIQAvD_BwE

https://www.amazon.com/BlueFire-Semi-Rigid-Waterproof-Resolutions-Inspection/dp/B073ZFC59R?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ACKFGXOOEC78X&gQT=1

NTS500 Pro Rotating-Lens Inspection Camera with 5-inch HD Screen

The Teslong NTS500 Endoscope is our top-of-the-line rotating dual-lens inspection camera with a 1280x720p 5-inch HD tempered glass screen & waterproof camera probes with batteries included. Go to Teslong for all your inspection camera and industrial endoscope needs.

teslong.com

 

[PeteN]

I bought a Teslong articulating borescope from Amazon a while back. They have a couple of different sizes/versions depending on your use. I've used mine to inspect engine bores and valves by going through the spark plug hole. Works great and is cheap to boot for what you are getting.

 

[sandman2234]

I have the one recommended by "the old grind" above, given to me as a gift to check the condition of gun barrels. The first one I tried to check was too small for the camera to fit into, so a smaller one that uses my phone screen came in the mail. I like the smaller diameter one for barrel shots, but the larger one has so many more uses. I wouldn't trade it for the smaller one, despite it's limitations in the field it was purchased for! I use the Teflon for more than I would have ever guessed.
Daughter's boyfriend dropped a small part down into the bowls of a Ford 5.0 Mustang. We couldn't see where it went, much less be able to reach it. The camera found it, and with it's magnet attachment, it was able to pull the small part out of an area that no hands were going to reach, and no magnet would find, so it made our day!
Thanks John!
David from jax

 

[Langanobob]

I have an older Teslong that has since been replaced by the articulated models. It’s well made for the price, has been very useful and I would buy another Teslong.

 

[Tinhack]

Unless you do sewer work, get a camera with a short cable. The cables are very stiff and hard to manipulate. The best way to use it is to leave the cable disconnected from the camera. Then unroll it on a flat surface holding the end down. After you unroll the length you're going to use, then plug the cable into the camera. It's easy to break the connection at the camera if you're not careful. And long cables add considerable bulk to any storage method. Recoil the cable by the same method.

Depstech makes good and affordable models. I just used mine to check under the top of a roll around toolbox for mounting a vise. I needed to make sure it was going to clear the support under the top. Worked like a champ but an articulating camera sure would come in handy more often than not.