Borescope Recommendation

[avrojockey]

There's no shortage of cheap borescopes on Amazon - several recommended here, and by notable A&Ps.

On the recommendations of a few I bought a Vividia VA400. Unfortunately, I've had nothing but problems with it, and even if it did work the camera resolution was marginal at best. After only a couple uses the articulation broke, and then in less than a dozen uses the camera has become obscured by something inside the lens. I've been disappointed with it.

I needed a HD scope to inspect the thru-bolt bore on my case so I did some more research and found a good one on amazon. It records in 1080p and the screen is 720p, so it's a vast improvement over the Vividia. It does not articulate, but it's semi-rigid, and can fold back 180 degrees. It's also smaller so it can fold back 180 and still snake through a spark plug hole. Highly recommend!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'll post some sample video when the UTube finishes encoding it

[RV10inOz]

Don't muck around, buy a Snap On.

[avrojockey]

Sample video from borescope...much better resolution than most.

https://youtu.be/eVq7OChixjA

[RV74ME]

So would this one work well for checking exhaust valves/inside cylinders?

[merlin3]

I have a couple of the cheaper borescopes and they arent bad but i have been looking for a articulating one. I was looking at the vividia but now I'm not sure what to go with.

[BH1166]

IMHO ..... I have a non, and find looking back at exhaust valves difficult to impossible . See this post for pics recently with Vividia

https://vansairforce.net/community/s...d.php?t=190602

[rongawer]

Vividia Ablescope VA-400 USB Rigid Borescope Endoscope with 180 Degree Articulating 8.5mm Diameter Probe https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GY7C9ZW...N6YTJDCVZFTTAX

I’ve had this model for several years. It’s a high quality image and allows recording either photos or images in HD. They make a newer model where the whole shaft is flexible, however I’m very happy with this and it’s ability to very quickly adjust views inside a cylinder from piston head to walls to both valves in seconds in high resolution.

It’s a fraction of the price of scopes from vendors like Snap On and does a much better job, IMO.

[Raymo]

Originally Posted by rongawer

I’ve had this model for several years. It’s a high quality image and allows recording either photos or images in HD.

Most don't (and shouldn't) consider a max resolution of 640x480 anywhere near HD.

I have the same scope (second one) and you have to be very gentle with the articulating head. It takes decent close-up photos, which is goof for valves but getting a good photo of the cylinder wall is difficult. I've also used cheap flexible scopes but they don't work well for valve pictures.

[rongawer]

I’ve had excellent success with imaging cylinder walls and find that the articulating head has been very robust on my unit over the many, many uses since buying in early 2015. The lighting is much better than either of my much more expensive units, that I’ve since sold.

I’ve used for everything from annuals on my Baron to inspecting rivets inside wings during builds and find that it’s been a great scope. Also, I bought the optional wifi adapter and use it with my iPhone or iPad. I recommend it.

[avrojockey]

Originally Posted by RV74ME

So would this one work well for checking exhaust valves/inside cylinders?

Yes...in fact it does a much better job than the Vividia VA-400, even though it doesn't have the articulating head.

The semi-rigid design let's you fold it back on itself before inserting into plug well. It has no problem going in cylinder this way because it's only 5mm in diameter, and folds to just over 10mm dia. May be a bit snug if you have 14mm adapters in though.

I also found that the focal length is much better than the VA-400, and the resolution far superior. It also has a side camera for viewing cylinder walls. All around you can see things much better in your cylinders than a VA-400.

I'll take some value footage and post the next time I'm at hanger.