Tech tip: USB inspection camera/borescope
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Tech tip: USB inspection camera/borescope
Thought I'd share my experience with inexpensive USB borescopes. I use them to check carbon buildup on intake valves and pistons.
There are tons of these cameras on ebay and Amazon, and most of them are junk. Common problem is a very dark picture and/or heavy blue tint due to cheap LEDs.
I've found one camera that produces a good picture so wanted to share it so you guys don't waste money on one of the crap ones.
Here's the good camera:
Although it looks like it's been superseded by this one:
Here are some examples of the pictures it can take:
There are tons of these cameras on ebay and Amazon, and most of them are junk. Common problem is a very dark picture and/or heavy blue tint due to cheap LEDs.
I've found one camera that produces a good picture so wanted to share it so you guys don't waste money on one of the crap ones.
Here's the good camera:
Although it looks like it's been superseded by this one:
Here are some examples of the pictures it can take:
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Ok, question please,...
Question please:
(also please excuse my dumb question, as I went through school with a slide rule and when electric typewriters were high tech, hmmm....
)
So do you just plug this dude into your computer? and do you need special software, wow, this is way cool! And most importantly, it must fit through a spark plug hole?
Much thanks for sharing!!
(also please excuse my dumb question, as I went through school with a slide rule and when electric typewriters were high tech, hmmm....
)So do you just plug this dude into your computer? and do you need special software, wow, this is way cool! And most importantly, it must fit through a spark plug hole?
Much thanks for sharing!!
Last edited by 20mercury; Feb 5, 2016 at 10:49 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Question please:
(also please excuse my dumb question, as I went through school with a slide rule and when electric typewriters were high tech, hmmm....)
So do you just plug this dude into your computer? and do you need special software, wow, this is way cool! And most importantly, it must fit through a spark plug hole?
Much thanks for sharing!!
(also please excuse my dumb question, as I went through school with a slide rule and when electric typewriters were high tech, hmmm....
)So do you just plug this dude into your computer? and do you need special software, wow, this is way cool! And most importantly, it must fit through a spark plug hole?
Much thanks for sharing!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_video_device_class
My computer is running Linux and I just plugged it in and it worked. I use a common Linux application called "guvcview" to watch the camera output live and take snapshots. The cameras come with SW for windows, but I haven't tried it, so no idea how good it is.
The camera head is 10mm (3/8") diameter so it fits in a spark plug hole. I have to turn the crank so the piston is down to get a good view.
Yes, there's a wheel on the USB plug that controls the light. It's not just on/off, you can adjust how bright it is. The pics above are at full bright. If the surface is reflective I sometimes have to turn it down.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
I think you posted this too late. The one you're using appears to be discontinued. Unless you've already tried the scope being sold in the 2nd link, there's no way to know if it's any good. Like you said, most of them are junk.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
You're right. The 2nd link is to one by the same manufacturer but that doesn't really mean anything. It may well be junk. Good thing they're cheap, the one I'm using now was the 3rd one I bought. The first two were so bad I just threw them away. First one was so dark I couldn't see anything and the second everything was blue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Man for 20 bucks i had to try one. Ordered one last night. Used reviews to choose from the bunch. Says good for tablet use so we will see. Cable kinda long though - 5m.
Thx for the tip zwede.
Thx for the tip zwede.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
Here is a video on USB scope, they are about $30. They can work off your phone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JIh_OtRBoM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JIh_OtRBoM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Looking down though my oil dip stick
Inside the intake manifold were it meets the head.
I've got a couple of the piston though the spark plug hole I can upload. Sure if it's too close to an object it can't focus but you just back it up a little until you have a clean picture.
Inside the intake manifold were it meets the head.
I've got a couple of the piston though the spark plug hole I can upload. Sure if it's too close to an object it can't focus but you just back it up a little until you have a clean picture.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,118
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
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Id like to look inside my frame rails with that just for curiosity.
Marshal
Marshal
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
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From: Lincoln, CA
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
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Thought I'd share my experience with inexpensive USB borescopes. I use them to check carbon buildup on intake valves and pistons.
There are tons of these cameras on ebay and Amazon, and most of them are junk. Common problem is a very dark picture and/or heavy blue tint due to cheap LEDs.
I've found one camera that produces a good picture so wanted to share it so you guys don't waste money on one of the crap ones.
Here's the good camera:
Amazon.com: DBPOWER 2Million Pixels 5M USB Waterproof HD 6LED Borescope Endoscope Inspection Tube Camera: Industrial & Scientific
Although it looks like it's been superseded by this one:
5M/10M 4-LED USB Waterproof Endoscope Borescope Inspection Camera: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Here are some examples of the pictures it can take:
There are tons of these cameras on ebay and Amazon, and most of them are junk. Common problem is a very dark picture and/or heavy blue tint due to cheap LEDs.
I've found one camera that produces a good picture so wanted to share it so you guys don't waste money on one of the crap ones.
Here's the good camera:
Amazon.com: DBPOWER 2Million Pixels 5M USB Waterproof HD 6LED Borescope Endoscope Inspection Tube Camera: Industrial & Scientific
Although it looks like it's been superseded by this one:
5M/10M 4-LED USB Waterproof Endoscope Borescope Inspection Camera: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Here are some examples of the pictures it can take:
yes they are all good quality .how about Anysun Pipe Camera on amazon .they are also very good .
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,118
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have a colonoscopy next Friday.
Maybe I can borrow my doctors scope.
I'm sure it has great magnification.
Marshal
Maybe I can borrow my doctors scope.
I'm sure it has great magnification.
Marshal