cheap borescope alternatives

[Flying again!]

Originally Posted by Low Pass

I have a different take on one of the Harbor Freight items. Specifically the $199 camera/scope.

http://www.harborfreight.com/high-re...der-67980.html

The camera head isn't articulated like the $10-20,000 fiber scopes I've used in the past. But considering the price, the recording capability (video, still and audio), writes to an SD card, resolution and cordless power capability, it's a nice tool. Quality is also very good for $199.

I bought this and had the 20% off coupon plus they had reduced it to $179, so about $154 after tax. Very good image/resolution and good focus down to about .5 inches. Used it during my condition inspection and the A&P doing the sign off was impressed even though he has access to very expensive equipment used on jet engines etc.

We had a clear view of the valves and top of the cylinders/bore.

[DanBaier]

Originally Posted by Flying again!

Very good image/resolution and good focus down to about .5 inches.

I have the same HF unit and it seems to need more focal length and the light for the image doesn't seem that great.

Just another $.02 - looking for a better solution.

Dan

[bhester]

Originally Posted by erich weaver

hey guys

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-6-LED-De...item19cdcd88d3

These cameras are plugged into a lap top with a USB connection. The BeechTalk group is building a nice archive of photos with discussion that is really useful. Mike Busch among others recommends frequent borescope use to detect damage before it causes a major problem, and as a better diagnostic tool than the standard compression test. For these prices, its worth a try

erich

Got a direct link to some pictures taken with the above camera? Sound interesting.

[Russ McCutcheon]

Originally Posted by clevtool

We sell one that I tested just this week in a continental. The 9mm camera lets you get into the cylinder and the mirror lets you see the valve. It has a close focus of .4" so it works quite well. The mirror also screws on this model vs. the clip on so it won't come off inside the cylinder. 640x480 quality on a big laptop screen makes for a nicer display than the $500 model. Also works well for behind the panel and in the forward fuse interior area to see those things that are difficult without crawling in upside down. Makes push rod tube bolt inspection easy as well.

http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/p...mber=ISG050-09

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Your website says 4”, you say .4”, I think it must be .4 right? 4” would never work for inspecting valves thru a sparkplug hole. It says it comes with 3 accessories, what are they, is the mirror one of them?

I’m kind of interested in this unit but wanted to be sure first. Also can the video be recorded using this unit or is it just for live viewing?

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by clevtool

We sell one that I tested just this week in a continental. The 9mm camera lets you get into the cylinder and the mirror lets you see the valve. It has a close focus of .4" so it works quite well. The mirror also screws on this model vs. the clip on so it won't come off inside the cylinder. 640x480 quality on a big laptop screen makes for a nicer display than the $500 model. Also works well for behind the panel and in the forward fuse interior area to see those things that are difficult without crawling in upside down. Makes push rod tube bolt inspection easy as well.

http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/p...mber=ISG050-09

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How do you get 640 x 480 quality when the camera spec on your website is 320 x 240?

Camera Resolutions: 320 x 240 pixels (video)

[Russ McCutcheon]

Originally Posted by az_gila

How do you get 640 x 480 quality when the camera spec on your website is 320 x 240?

Camera Resolutions: 320 x 240 pixels (video)

I was wondering that also, thanks.

[FlyingArcher]

The product manual from General Tools who manufactures it states 320x240

[erich weaver]

Originally Posted by bhester

Got a direct link to some pictures taken with the above camera? Sound interesting.

here is a video YouTube video done with one of the dental cameras that is really interesting. Note how the valve slides sideways slightly just before closing. Apparently that is symptomatic of a worn valve guide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0pG...ature=youtu.be

A bunch of photos and discussion are on the BeechTalk forum, although you have to register before using it - no big deal though. I was approved within an hour of requesting it. Here is the link to the thread though:

http://www.beechtalk.com/forums/view...hotos&start=20

and here are some photos:





Last photo below is obviously not from the inside of the cylinder but is a good example of what a bad valve looks like. Note the asymmetrical color pattern, indicating a hot spot where exhaust gas was leaking out.



Cool huh?

Guys, we should all be taking photos of our exhaust valves. Compression checks are SO last decade....

erich

[bhester]

Im about sold on the dental camera. I'd like to see a sample video from the one being sold by Cleveland Aircraft Tools. Anybody got a video inside a cylinder?

Thanks Erich!

[HydeTheJekyll]

I made a DIY model for about 10 bucks. works great for looking into tough places, took about 15 min to build. hope it helps.


I posted a step by step http://www.instructables.com/id/10-C...rid-Boroscope/