I recently purchased a Whistler video borescope from Costco for $145.00. I used it to look at my valves, cylinders, and other hard to see areas. It proved to be a valuable tool, but I was disappointed with the quality and returned it.

I am now looking to purchase better quality one. I expect to spend more than I did, but I don't what to spend as much as a an A&P would spend for professional use.

Does anybody have recommendations and/or experience with a mid-level priced video borescope for the casual user?

DEGJR

Snap-on sell a cheap videoscope with 90' adaptor, not sure of USD, I paid about AUD400 for mine. Image quality is quite good but not in the same league as a $50k olympus videoscope. Maybe look on ebay for a used borescope/fiberscope. I recently bought a mint olympus borescope for USD1k, and it's the proper one for doing turbines

This is the quality provided with a video scope for my wing inspection compliments of Sewer Duck. They never had a request like this, cleared the schedule and came right out. Got their shit together for me on a thumb drive.

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/gallery ... =776&pos=0

I bought the same Costco deal and promply returned like you did and was in the same quandary. I was almost ready to spring big bucks for a Lenox and then I found the outfit posted below from Aircraft Tool Supply. I'm pretty happy with it so far. I use it for both inspecting the valves and bores on my IO-550 and looking in the nooks and crannies of my 185.

http://www.aircraft-tool.com/shop/detai ... _ID=MV-201

The mechanic at my field got a borescope camera thing a few years ago that displayed on a computer monitor-- lots easier to give things a look using a 15" screen instead of a 3.5" screen.

Go to Lowes. I heard this Dewalt scope is pretty nice for the price ($299). Plus if you have a Lowes or Home Depot nearby you could probably check the quality yourself.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_47656-70-DCT410S1_0__?Ntt=dewalt+inspection+camera&UserSearch=dewalt+inspection+camera&productId=3276903&rpp=32

Thanks for the replies.

Dirtstrip - the quality of the images you posted is outstanding. Do you know what kind of video camera they were using?

DEGJR

This is what I have used for past 3 years ---- has output to your camera or laptop >>>> WWW.pesto350.com/318.HTML. look under inspection scope 318v if it does not work. About $250-280 bucks . Good warranty ---- will go into cylinder to check valves. Other than that I've looked at the Snap on unit about 400 bucks

This is what I have used for past 3 years ---- has output to your camera or laptop >>>> http://WWW.pesto350.com/318.HTML. look under inspection scope 318v if it does not work. About $250-280 bucks . Good warranty ---- will go into cylinder to check valves. Other than that I've looked at the Snap on unit about 400 bucks

I have the Snap-On.

Pros: Small camera end fits in a spark plug hole easily. Has a cable to hook up to external monitor or recording device. The camera cable is long enough for most things aircraft related, stiff yet bendable, like a fishtape. Uses AA batteries. I have also used it to look inside building walls and the like. Has a good built in light source.

Cons: The onboard display is poor. Very difficult to make out much detail. Uses batteries like there's no tomorrow. If batteries are stored in it, they will be dead within a week even with the unit powered down (could just be mine and not representative of them all).

Mine is several years old. I am sure the new stuff is better. All in all I would give it a B-

Gb

DEGJR wrote:Thanks for the replies.

Dirtstrip - the quality of the images you posted is outstanding. Do you know what kind of video camera they were using?

DEGJR

I just emailed the service man to request the name/model of the equipment. He had a large screen one, possibly 13" screen that took the photos I posted. He also used a smaller hand held with a screen I estimate at 3X4". He did not have the connecting cable with him so he took it home with him and emailed those back to me. I think they are very good also but I think not the quality of the ones I posted. I expect to be able to post the model and make tomorrow sometime.

Bill,

Is this the one?



DEGJR

DEGJR wrote:Bill,

Is this the one?



DEGJR

That's it

dirtstrip wrote:

DEGJR wrote:Thanks for the replies.

Dirtstrip - the quality of the images you posted is outstanding. Do you know what kind of video camera they were using?

DEGJR

I just emailed the service man to request the name/model of the equipment. He had a large screen one, possibly 13" screen that took the photos I posted. He also used a smaller hand held with a screen I estimate at 3X4". He did not have the connecting cable with him so he took it home with him and emailed those back to me. I think they are very good also but I think not the quality of the ones I posted. I expect to be able to post the model and make tomorrow sometime.

These sewer guys were really pumped on this airplane gig. Made a sunday request for info on their equipment and here it is already.
" Hi lynn this is mike with sewer duck the bigger camera we used is called the Rigid CS10 see snake with a 200 foot color mini see snake plus reel, and the smaller one is the Rigid digital inspection camera."

Can't help with prices but the smaller one can be plugged into the larger one with the screen on site to get the larger picture if needed or to use the thumb drive photo storage ability of the larger unit.

dirtstrip wrote:

dirtstrip wrote:

DEGJR wrote:Thanks for the replies.

Dirtstrip - the quality of the images you posted is outstanding. Do you know what kind of video camera they were using?

DEGJR

I just emailed the service man to request the name/model of the equipment. He had a large screen one, possibly 13" screen that took the photos I posted. He also used a smaller hand held with a screen I estimate at 3X4". He did not have the connecting cable with him so he took it home with him and emailed those back to me. I think they are very good also but I think not the quality of the ones I posted. I expect to be able to post the model and make tomorrow sometime.

These sewer guys were really pumped on this airplane gig. Made a sunday request for info on their equipment and here it is already.
" Hi lynn this is mike with sewer duck the bigger camera we used is called the Rigid CS10 see snake with a 200 foot color mini see snake plus reel, and the smaller one is the Rigid digital inspection camera."

Can't help with prices but the smaller one can be plugged into the larger one with the screen on site to get the larger picture if needed or to use the thumb drive photo storage ability of the larger unit.

$3850 to $4900 you might have to do some colonscopys on the side to pay for it
https://www.google.com/search?q=Rigid+C ... 80&bih=894

I will set up a tent at JC next summer. Airplanes on one side colons on the other. That should help pay for it.

DEGJR

Bump.

Anyone found anything good in this arena? I have never used a borescope, but could think of multiple uses other than for airplanes.

Has anyone made the jump on the Dewalt?

Quick question: How well do these scopes hold up to hot and cold?

I bought one of those Costco video scope/snake affairs, I would not quite call it a borescope.

Anyway, I left it in a cold unheated shop . It now has video issues. Luckily Costco took it back.

I'm back in the market now, so this is a great thread.

Might give something like this a try:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016KUGVJC/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$35 bucks, plugs into a laptop via usb, 15' long cable. Used it the other day to guide a wire through a hole up into a wall to an existing outlet box, and was impressed with the video quality.

It can record video clips and still photos too, will be handy to have around.

NoCOpilot wrote:Might give something like this a try:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016KUGVJC/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$35 bucks, plugs into a laptop via usb, 15' long cable. Used it the other day to guide a wire through a hole up into a wall to an existing outlet box, and was impressed with the video quality.

It can record video clips and still photos too, will be handy to have around.

That's awesome, and cheap! Thanks for posting. Just ordered one.