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Thread: Borescopes under $1k

  1. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by steveinindy View Post
    The Olympus ones are all around pretty great but as someone mentioned they tend to command a higher price as a result. I've never had a bad experience with them (speaking from several years of experience assisting with bronchoscopy procedures). A Google search will tend to bring up a lot of the information on the various models and manufacturers once you have the part or model number.
    Here's what I don't understand about the medical stuff.

    Something like this, is the scope

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLYMPUS-GIF-...#ht_500wt_1144

    what else do you need to get the video? Do you need the light source? Some sort of power supply? How do you connect this scope to a TV monitor/computer??

    I think that's where the price goes through the roof, you can get the scope itself for under $1k, but what else is needed?

  2. #12
    steveinindy's Avatar
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    Generally, you need a separate light/power source (depending upon the model) but those can be had for about the same price (if not less) than the scope itself. A lot of them can be viewed straight down the "tube" through an eyepiece but for the most part, you very seldom see that being done because of ergonomics. Usually the connection cable to the TV is provided with the scope.

    If you were to go with a basic medical endoscope that needed an external power source and were OK with using an eyepiece, you probably could get completely equipped for $2000-2500. Not exactly cheap but just be glad you don't need the full medical setup which can top out $75,000-150,000 once you figure in all the various accouterments.
    Unfortunately in science what you believe is irrelevant.

    "I'm an old-fashioned Southern Gentleman. Which means I can be a cast-iron son-of-a-***** when I want to be."- Robert A. Heinlein.



  3. #13

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    Sep 2011
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    Need to look at VOscope 6mm tip, 3ft shaft
    VOscope VS36-6W Video Scope
    Sold by Amazon.com LLC (Amazon.com)
    $161.82

  4. #14

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    Snap On makes a very nice Video Borescope with a 18" flexible shaft and dual viewing for straight on or 90 degree viewing, no mirrors to fall off in the cylinder and about $400 bucks. I have had mine for two years now and it has become the most used tool in the shop, not just for looking at valves but to find that washer or screw you dropped into never never land!

  5. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by RickFE View Post
    However in a flyer, I saw this one from of all places, Harbor Freight. It seems to be exactly the same one sold by ATS. However I am reluctant to buy something I want long term from Harbor Freight.

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

    The reviews on it seemed encouraging with one person warning that the mirror came off inside a cylinder.

    If anyone has any input I am extremely interested in this subject.

    Rick
    I am definitely a Harbor Freight skeptic, but I have been researching recently too and decided to stop and pick up one of these, understanding that I could return it if it didn't do what I wanted (cylinder inspections). I'm impressed, don't know how durable it will be but it works well. Don't like the built in Lithium battery idea but I'll probably be able to replace it when it fails. When using while plugged in a cord symbol shows on the screen so it seems happy with that too.

    Mark

  6. #16

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    Here are links to two of the types we have at work:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Everest-VIT-...item4602d7707e

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Olympus-IPLE...item3a7399d0d6

    For most things I use the Everest as it has multiple heads and with a diameter of less than 5mm, I get it almost anywhere in the airplane. It is a little bulky to haul up on the fuselage, but we make it work. I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it tho.

  7. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by flylower View Post
    Snap On makes a very nice Video Borescope with a 18" flexible shaft and dual viewing for straight on or 90 degree viewing, no mirrors to fall off in the cylinder and about $400 bucks. I have had mine for two years now and it has become the most used tool in the shop, not just for looking at valves but to find that washer or screw you dropped into never never land!
    Yeah, I was looking into those, as I can get a discount on snapon stuff I think. But they seem to have similar specs to anything else in the market (like the VOscope, dewalt, harbor freight, etc) Have you seen any side by side examples of the picture quality?

    Quote Originally Posted by CraigCantwell View Post
    Here are links to two of the types we have at work:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Everest-VIT-...item4602d7707e

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Olympus-IPLE...item3a7399d0d6

    For most things I use the Everest as it has multiple heads and with a diameter of less than 5mm, I get it almost anywhere in the airplane. It is a little bulky to haul up on the fuselage, but we make it work. I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it tho.
    $7k and $15k doesn't help this discussion, lol. If I wanted to spend that much it'd be easy to make a decision.


    Justin

  8. #18

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    May 2012
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    I bought a fiber optic borescope ($75), a cheapo endoscope that plugs into my computer ($25) and borrowed a $400 Snap ON scope to look at the valves on my O200. None of them worked well enough to be useful. If anyone finds a $200 model that works well please let me know who sells it!

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