Replies

1. 
   MarkH | Jul 28, 2014 11:35am | #1

   Good? Maybe maybe not but cheap.

   http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-67979.html

1. 
   jimmiem | Jul 28, 2014 11:46am | #2

   Inspection Camera

   Somebody had posted about a snake with a USB port that you can attach to a PC.  Long cord and < $20 on Amazon.  Said it worked but I can't find the post and there are several on Amazon.  I'll check out HF....going by there today.  Thank You. 

1. 
   MarkH | Jul 28, 2014 05:02pm | #6

   There are a bunch of really cheap (under $20) usb only cameras on amazon.com.  Look for "Endoscope".  Could be handy if they produce a usable image.

1. 
   jimmiem | Jul 28, 2014 06:35pm | #7

   Endoscope

   Thank You.  There was a post that I had seen and the poster had mentioned something along the same line....I think he had to tape a small flash light to it but it did work for him.

2. 
   gfretwell | Jul 28, 2014 03:48pm | #3

   I bought one from Meritline and it is junk. The depth of field is about 2" with a 2" focal length. If you can maneuver the tip within a couple of inches of what you want to see, straight on, it might work for you. Everything else is just a blur.

1. 
   jimmiem | Jul 28, 2014 04:18pm | #4

   Thank You.  I'll cross Meritline off the list.

1. 
   gfretwell | Jul 28, 2014 04:24pm | #5

   Since this is chinese, I think I might be suspect of anything that is too cheap. They probably all come from the same factory.

3. 
   DanH | Jul 28, 2014 07:24pm | #8

   http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007UZ6RVO/ref=pe_385040_30332200_pe_309540_26725410_item

   I bought one of these in January -- "16ft USB Waterproof Endoscope Borescope Inspection Camera by AGPtek" -- for $21 plus $6 shipping.  I used it for pretty much the same reason -- to look up into a ceiling for evidence of water problems.

   The thing has a built-in LED lamp, but it seemed inadequate, so I taped on a penlight, then taped the whole thing to a piece of stiff wire so I could aim it around in the ceiling.

   The thing is not easy to use, since you're pointing it around, trying to figure out what you're looking at, while standing on a ladder trying to keep the laptop from falling off.  But is did work, eventually, and I got to see what I wanted to see.  For the money I thought it was a good deal.

   I did have some trouble with the software, in that one of the modules you need to enable some (non-critical) features was missing.  But the vendor actually contacted ME, asking if I'd had any problems, and when I mentioned the missing software they emailed it to me.

1. 
   gfretwell | Jul 28, 2014 07:53pm | #9

   That looks pretty much like what I bought for about the same price, the driver disk looks the same too.

   I was trying to see an obstruction in a drain and I had to play with the angle, twist it around a bit and I still never really saw much that was useful. There is a pot on thew USB dongle that lets you brighten up the 4 LEDS. Light wasn't the problem, it was keeping things in frame and in focus.

   If this was a dry location I would be using one of my mini survelliance cameras and an LED flashlight.

4. 
   jerseyjimer | Aug 02, 2014 01:11pm | #10

   One of the best tools I ever bought

   When these inspection cameras first started showing up in the stores I couldn't think of ever having a use for one.   But after using one on my current rehab project i don't know how I ever lived without one.  Being able to see the plumbing and wiring behind walls with only a 3/4 inch hole has been a huge time saver and allowed me to do things that would've been impossible without tearing the walls out.  

   I picked up the cheapest one ($89) I could find which of course was from HF.   Not sure what the long term quality will be but it paid for itself with one use imo.  If it breaks I may replace it with a higher end model.  Definitely a must have for rehab work.      

1. 
   jimmiem | Aug 02, 2014 02:14pm | #11

   Inspection Camera

   That is good to know.  Thank You.  I was going to get the USB camera that attaches to a computer, but maybe I'll get a stand alone one like you bought.  I've been doing some handyman jobs for friends and relatives and a friend put a post on a local pinboard which has resulted in a bunch of requests for handyman jobs for $.  The stand alone camera would be the thing to have.

2. 
   jimmiem | Aug 10, 2014 05:07pm | #12

   Inspection Camera

   I bought the HF inspection camera.  Original price $149.  On sale for $99.  Had a 20% off coupon.  The thing actually works.  Thank You for the tip.  

1. 
   jerseyjimer | Aug 10, 2014 08:54pm | #13

   you're welcome

   Hope it's as useful for you as it was/is for me.   Alot of thier stuff is junk and I was reluctant to try this out but as I said I was pleasantly surprised at the resolution of the lcd.   One thing I did encounter after using it for awhile was that the flexible wand attachment point started to get play in it.  I removed the 4 screws at the base and tightened the nut on the other side of the attachment point and it was back like new.  

1. 
   jimmiem | Aug 10, 2014 09:18pm | #14

   Totally agree with you on Harbor Freight.  Always pleasantly surprised when something of theirs actually works.  When it does it's good value for the price.  One thing they did do recently is increase the cost of tool warranty.