Visit our Popular Forums

bkahler · 10-30-2012, 07:05 PM

I wasn't sure where to post this but had to post somewhere

I would like to buy a bore scope that will work for a variety of uses. Initial thoughts are, engine cylinder bores, peaking inside the walls of our Airstreams, in general looking into places that I can't readily get to.

I'm not looking for the best one out there but by the same token I'd still like to get something better than a Harbor Freight special.

Thanks!

Brad

DGJackson · 10-30-2012, 07:15 PM

While pretty costly check out the Rigid Seesnake. These are a little over 2 grand. We have one at work to inspect monitoring wells - I work for the government. Anyway a lot of pluming contractors have these for pipe inspections. Using the Colin Hyde approach of cash and cold beer you may find a local plumber that's willing to peak around inside your walls on a Friday afternoon.

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/SeeSnake/EN/index.htm

Bruce B · 10-30-2012, 07:19 PM

I'd check out the offerings at Amazon.
There are a number of sub $200 tools that are incredibly nice to use.
I have no idea what the Harbor Freight price point is but I think you can get a nice tool that will last and work for years at this level. I like the Bosch PS 90 1A.....
Bruce

bkahler · 10-30-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGJackson

While pretty costly check out the Rigid Seesnake. These are a little over 2 grand. We have one at work to inspect monitoring wells - I work for the government. Anyway a lot of pluming contractors have these for pipe inspections. Using the Colin Hyde approach of cash and cold beer you may find a local plumber that's willing to peak around inside your walls on a Friday afternoon.

SeeSnake® Video Inspection - RIDGID Professional Tools

I love it! But...it's definitely out of the ballpark for what I'm thinking about or can afford.

This caught my eye but I haven't got a clue if it is even worth the $27 they are asking. El Cheapo bore scope

bkahler · 10-30-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce B

I'd check out the offerings at Amazon.
There are a number of sub $200 tools that are incredibly nice to use.
I have no idea what the Harbor Freight price point is but I think you can get a nice tool that will last and work for years at this level. I like the Bosch PS 90 1A.....
Bruce

Bruce,

Other than accessories (and price) I'm not sure what the difference is between the PS90-1A and the PS90-B. One problem from my perspective is the head is 17mm and spark plug holes are usually about 14mm which means I wouldn't be able to use it to inspect engine cylinder bores.

Bosch PS90-B Bore Scope

Brad

Bruce B · 10-30-2012, 08:34 PM

OK,
I owned one of these vs6m for a few years and it performed just fine. I recently sold it to purchase a new Snap On model that has the ability to save still shots and videos to a computer so I can then send the bad news to a customer. Too expensive for casual use but I believe the VO Scope is available for less than $250.00.....
Bruce

darlingbooks · 10-30-2012, 09:14 PM

I bought this tool a couple of weeks ago for my project from Costco and it was around $170.00. The picture that it took was done in a hurry, and the light was not turned on full.

Steve
Small Project in the Trailer

bkahler · 10-31-2012, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce B

OK,
I owned one of these vs6m for a few years and it performed just fine. I recently sold it to purchase a new Snap On model that has the ability to save still shots and videos to a computer so I can then send the bad news to a customer. Too expensive for casual use but I believe the VO Scope is available for less than $250.00.....
Bruce

Bruce,

Nice that the VO Scope has a head which is only 6mm. I'll keep it in mind when I make a final decision. I think a scope is going to be a Christmas present to myself

Thanks!

Brad

bkahler · 10-31-2012, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darlingbooks

I bought this tool a couple of weeks ago for my project from Costco and it was around $170.00. The picture that it took was done in a hurry, and the light was not turned on full.

Steve
Small Project in the Trailer

Steve,

It just for situations like this that I'd like to have a bore scope. Your price wasn't bad and I like the 3' extension that comes with it.

Do you know what the diameter of the viewing head is?

Thanks!

Brad

darlingbooks · 10-31-2012, 08:34 AM

Brad,

I have the camera buried in the back of the van, but I think that this is the one that Costco has for sale in Carson City. When I was struggling with fishing the wire under the floor, I had the camera on one side and I had the monitor across the hall, while I watched to see if I had the right channel.

http://www.whistlergroup.com/inspection-cameras-wic-catalog/wic-3509p-product.aspx?id=310

The camera and tube are 9mm.

WHISTLER IC-3409PX
</SPAN>

Features

3 Foot Flexible Camera Tube
30 Foot Wireless Transmission Range
Adjustable LED Brightness
Detachable 3.5 Inch Full Color LCD Monitor
Full Video Recording Capabilities
SD Card Slot for saving recordings
TV/ Video Output jack
Waterproof 9mm Camera with LED lighting

Unit Specifications
Size: 7.320 x 1.600 x 5.700
Weight: 9.600
Power 1: Monitor: Lithium
Power 2: Handset: 4 AA (not included)

Included Accessories:
· 3.5in LCD Monitor
· Detachable 9mm Camera
· Extension Camera Cable
· Hook Clip
· Magnetic Clip
· Magnetic Swivel Mount
· Mirror Clip

Smartstream · 11-01-2012, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darlingbooks

Brad,

I have the camera buried in the back of the van, but I think that this is the one that Costco has for sale in Carson City. When I was struggling with fishing the wire under the floor, I had the camera on one side and I had the monitor across the hall, while I watched to see if I had the right channel.

http://www.whistlergroup.com/inspection-cameras-wic-catalog/wic-3509p-product.aspx?id=310

The camera and tube are 9mm.

WHISTLER IC-3409PX
</SPAN>

Features

3 Foot Flexible Camera Tube
30 Foot Wireless Transmission Range
Adjustable LED Brightness
Detachable 3.5 Inch Full Color LCD Monitor
Full Video Recording Capabilities
SD Card Slot for saving recordings
TV/ Video Output jack
Waterproof 9mm Camera with LED lighting

Unit Specifications
Size: 7.320 x 1.600 x 5.700
Weight: 9.600
Power 1: Monitor: Lithium
Power 2: Handset: 4 AA (not included)

Included Accessories:
· 3.5in LCD Monitor
· Detachable 9mm Camera
· Extension Camera Cable
· Hook Clip
· Magnetic Clip
· Magnetic Swivel Mount
· Mirror Clip

I just picked this unit up from Costco for $149.95. Seems to be a pretty neat toy with the video and still picture and you can hook it all up to your TV or computer. This is the same Whistler that makes radar detectors, been around a long time. By the way the one available now is IC-3709Px which has a 1.5X, 2X and 3X zoom.

Cheers, Dan

bkahler · 11-01-2012, 06:20 AM

Steve & Dan,

I don't have a Costo local to me. I did find these on ebay. The cheaper one doesn't have the 3' extension but you can buy it for $34. The more expensive one has the extension "free" with the kit. Both have free shipping.

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?n...d=321014563146

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=160909849123

wayneskid · 11-01-2012, 08:15 AM

FWIW, these look good on paper but I don't like to buy no name products. If you need a repair or a part, there is no place to go.

bkahler · 11-01-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayneskid

FWIW, these look good on paper but I don't like to buy no name products. If you need a repair or a part, there is no place to go.

I don't disagree with your approach in general.

For myself, what I have decided over the years is there are some tools to really splurge on which I do and there are other tools that can be bought that I don't worry about repairing or buying spare parts for. The bore scopes in the price range I'm looking at more or less fall into the latter category. If I bought an expensive one and it broke (or was stolen) the part would be expensive to replace (that's been my experience anyway) whereas the cheaper tools are throw aways that you just replace.

It sure would be nice if all tools were made with the same quality then you could buy on price. But that's not going to happen in my life time

Brad

Smartstream · 11-01-2012, 10:38 AM

Brad both of those guys are coming from Hong Kong with three to four weeks shipping. The camera is 1 mm larger in dia. and the screen is also much smaller. Also the Whistler screen is also detachable and wireless up to 30' away. Just seems like a lot more unit for the bucks. I think I would have a friend pick one up from Costco and ship it to you.

Cheers, Dan

bkahler · 11-01-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Brad both of those guys are coming from Hong Kong with three to four weeks shipping. The camera is 1 mm larger in dia. and the screen is also much smaller. Also the Whistler screen is also detachable and wireless up to 30' away. Just seems like a lot more unit for the bucks. I think I would have a friend pick one up from Costco and ship it to you.

Cheers, Dan

Dan,

I can't argue with your logic. I checked Costco's website and couldn't find it listed there and I honestly don't know anyone who shop's at a Costco. I live a sheltered live

I'll do some more online searching for the Whistler model.

Thanks,

Brad

bkahler · 11-01-2012, 11:30 AM

This seems to be the eBay equivalent unit.

3-5-TFT-LCD-Wireless-
Inspection-Camera-Borescope-Endoscope-Waterproof-2M-Cable

The additional cable appears to be a $22 option.

Smartstream · 11-01-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkahler

Dan,

I can't argue with your logic. I checked Costco's website and couldn't find it listed there and I honestly don't know anyone who shop's at a Costco. I live a sheltered live

I'll do some more online searching for the Whistler model.

Thanks,

Brad

Brad, read between the lines, there are already two mentioned here.

Send me a PM.

bkahler · 11-01-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Brad, read between the lines, there are already two mentioned here.

Send me a PM.

Nobody ever said I was the sharpest stick in the woods....PM sent

wayneskid · 11-01-2012, 12:20 PM

Good points Brad. In spite of my comment, I also buy the cheapo stuff occasionally but it's pretty rare and only with something that I know for sure I will use rarely. I'm often dissapointed when I do; basically I hate using crappy tools and most of the time I'll willing to pay extra to avoid them.