Bosch inspection camera UniversalInspect (Ø8mm endoscope camera for color images with flexible 0.95m length and integrated memory function)

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Inspection camera favourites Depstech have an enormous range of useful endoscopes, otoscopes and even webcams. They know about making the best inspection camera, and the WF028-SJ Wi-Fi enabled endoscope is a brilliant bit of kit.

Snaking out the thin lead is easy, and it has a decent balance of stiffness and flexibility to get into hard-to-reach places. The camera really is tiny at just 3.9 mm across, but you only get 2 m of cable to play with. The 8 mm diameter flexible camera head contains 4 bright LEDs that do a good job of lighting up the darkest spots and have three different levels of brightness. You get 95 cm of cable to inspect pipes or behind wall cavities, which isn’t loads, but it wraps neatly around the unit and doesn’t take up much room. If you’re not going to be needing an ultra-sharp image, you’ll be able to get away with a lower resolution. Led Lights Camera resolution: the more the better, though remember these cameras must be tiny to be useful. Be aware that some makers 'upsample' resolutions to make it sound better than it actually is (a common way is recording higher resolution video than the camera's sensor can make use of). I have used some of them, and let’s face it, some of the cheaper inspection cameras on the market can be confusing rather than illuminating. The images they produce can be very poor and they can’t record their results. They do a job, but in the age of accountability, we might need to show clients or specialists exactly what is hidden in the wall or ceiling cavity that is causing the problem.The most important bit of an inspection camera for me is the flexible camera cable and here the GIC 120 C scores well. The cable is long enough, flexible enough and importantly – waterproof, and can be used in most situations. The tough outer plastic covering didn’t mark easily and was easy to clean and dry off. This is important – it may be used to inspect the dirtier aspects of plumbing. Some inspection cameras use disposable batteries. While these are more convenient because there’s no need to wait hours for the battery to charge, they may work out more expensive and you’ll need to dispose of the batteries after use.

The DS500 is a fine tool, capable of performing its duties even in a rough and tumble environment. The build is confidence-inspiring, always appreciated in the kind of environment where serious work is being done, and we really appreciated the case and addition of a magnet as well as a standard hook –you’ll never lose a screw again. Transfer images and videos directly via a micro USB cable or a micro SD card for documenting critical areas The inspection camera is perfectly suited for many tradespeople applications such as, for example, inspecting the interior of distribution boxes, pipes, and wall cavities as well as for hydraulic systems and applications in the automotive sector. Additional Information

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A borescope is used for a wide variety of inspections, while an endoscope – while similar in concept – is for medical inspections. Borescopes can be used to inspect machinery and engines, pipes and gun barrels, and hidden areas inside the home live cavity walls. Endoscopes, by contrast, are used to inspect body cavities and organs. What kinds of borescope are there? The video inspection scope goes beyond vehicle inspection and can be used for applications in and outside of the car. View inside door panel or other limited access and poorly lit areas of your vehicle. Save time by not having to remove tire or engine components to inspect, retrieve, move, and help find items in hard to reach, compact spaces. The camera lens itself has an excellent 70° field of view, and you can switch between three viewing modes with a single button. If the image on the screen is upside down, you can flip it through 180°. It’s a useful little feature you’ll use more often than you think. Anyone used to a tablet, phone screen or TV remote will be able to use the selector controls of which there are only seven. The on/off is self explanatory as are the light intensity button, the reverse image button and the magnify button. All other features are selected by holding down the oblong right hand button and then scrolling through the display menu before selection. To record onto the SD card simply press down the button in the shape of the SD card and it will start recording in whatever mode – still or movie – that you have selected. The “Up is Up”™ function offers the user optimum orientation due to automatic rotation of the image

The new 3.5” screen on the GIC 120 C provides a much broader visual with better spatial awareness. This supported by the high resolution of 320 x 240 pixel enhances the screen visual clarity giving a clearer image for the user. In addition, the inspection camera has three zoom options up to 2.0 x, allowing the tool to adjust to any situation and highlight key smaller details. With a 4.3” TFT screen, it shows up images clearly at a maximum 1080p and even takes 3 Mp still images. It’s good to be able to save high-resolution images when investigating faults.

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The inspection camera GIC 120 C Professional is ideal for inspecting hard-to-reach areas and documenting the results. To achieve optimum spacial orientation, the ‘Up is Up’™ function rotates and simultaneously aligns the image on a large screen. For high-quality documentation and fast storage, images and videos can be directly transferred via micro USB cable. Dual Power Source technology allows for using 12 V Li-ion or standard alkaline batteries. Equipment & Application Endoscopes are miniature cameras. These have very small lenses with a diameter of around 4 mm. Although used in a range of industries, these are most commonly associated with medicine. Endoscopes are used to view inside the human body and diagnose illnesses. Can the user take photos or videos from the camera and how can the recorded images be transferred onto a computer? Magnet - attach the magnet to the end of camera to find items that may have fallen in the vehicle engine compartment or cylinders. For example, use the magnet to locate and retrieve screws or bolts that fell within the engine compartment and cannot be reached by hand. Locate and retrieve metal particles that may have fallen in the cylinder. The handheld screen section feels rugged, with rubberised orange grips on either side. You can quite easily control the device with one hand, thanks to the well laid out rubberised buttons along the bottom. Cycling through the options is straightforward and easy to work out too.

The main differences are the softness of the tube. These are rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible. Rigid is good for things like gun barrels, while flexible can be directed. These are sometimes called fibrescopes (a reference to optical fibre.) Other names are inspection camera and even 'burner cam' (the camera pushed round into the hot and dangerous parts or machines). The best borescopes: What we look for It’s worth noting that while the camera and cable itself may be waterproof, the screen and display might not be. This means a lot of care still needs to be taken when working in damp areas or around drain pipes. Focal Distance

Shorter cables don’t give you quite as much versatility when it comes to the task, but you’ll have more control over the camera at the end. Battery Life The focal distance should also be considered. The cameras I’ve recommended have focal distances ranging from 3 cm all the way to 40 cm. You should consider whether you’ll be mainly using your camera for close-up viewing, or whether it’s more important for you to see the area as a whole. If your inspection camera comes with a display, you should ensure it’s large enough for you to clearly view what’s going on. 3″ and above tends to be the best screen size for viewing. Any smaller than this, and you may not be able to get a good view of the area. Inspection camera experts Ddendocam make an impressive range of digital borescopes. Their industrial endoscope is ideal for getting into the tightest spaces thanks to its tiny probe width. This minute camera is small enough to look inside just about anything you like.