Cen-Tech Inspection Camera

[Chadwick]

Hey all,

Thinking of using one of the HF coupons to pick up one of these things:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=66550

Thought it would be useful for looking inside walls and floors. Have a couple areas in the floor that I want to look at. Also, for future plumbing issues, it might be useful. A lot of places, if they rent these, charge about what this one could be purchased for.

Any thoughts if it works?

Thanks,

Chadwick

[sweensdv]

Looks like a DIY Colonoscopy Kit. We kid because we care.

[Uncle Cracker]

It claims to have "night vision", but to see inside walls and floors, there will have to be some small amount of light from somewhere, so you have to make sure there is some light getting to the point-of-view through the opening through which you snake it in. Night vision is actually "low-light". No light doesn't work well, and inside a wall or floor is pretty devoid of light. Would be better if this thing had a switchable LED out on the end of the probe.

[Chadwick]

Looks like a DIY Colonoscopy Kit. We kid because we care.

That's actually what I want it for, have to save on health care when ya' can!! :-)

[gsmittle]

Looks like a DIY Colonoscopy Kit. We kid because we care.

That was a picture I did NOT need to imagine. So much for lunch!

g.

[gsmittle]

According to the manual, there is an LED or two near the camera.

g.

[Uncle Cracker]

According to the manual, there is an LED or two near the camera.

That's good. No mention of it in the sales data. Figured there might not be one on such a cheap unit.

[Chadwick]

Think I'm going to take a coupon and go check it out. If it's not any good, I can always return it. But if it works, it might come in handy.

Thanks for the help guys,

[herb fellows]

I have a similar unit I bought 10 years ago, no color camera though. I paid $300 for it at the time, so this is a relative bargain! There are times when I wish the cable was shorter (like when you're under a sink, trying to see into a drain), but if you have plenty of room it's ok.
It takes some getting used to to realize what you're actually looking at (everything in a drain looks like mud!), but if something stands out, like that diamond ring you think you dropped in the sink, it definitely works for that. The light I have on mine is adequate to see most things, but it is not led, not sure if that will make a difference. I sometimes find the led lights hard to see by. The cables are very flexible on my unit, but they do warn you to curve it, not bend it.
Not something you'll use very often, but the one time you really need it, you'll be glad you have it!

As you say, try it out, see if you're happy with it, if not, back to HF.

[jackellis]

FWIW, I've heard of HF's inspection camera being used as a poor man's borescope for piston aircraft engines and providing better quality images than the more expensive aviation versions.


I have not used it myself, however.

[LinuxRandal]

The tip, looks a little bigger then the ones I have seen/used in automotive repair. That may be an issue in some places.

[tsbrewers]

I have never used it, but it does look pretty nice for HF. Just a note, I picked up one of the Milwaukee ones on black friday for $55, I believe there might be a couple better known brands for around that same HF price.

Brew

[jrdu]

FWIW, I've heard of HF's inspection camera being used as a poor man's borescope for piston aircraft engines and providing better quality images than the more expensive aviation versions.


I have not used it myself, however.

Poor mans bore scope indeed!!!
I just received one and I find the definition a bit lacking.
Has any one been able to focus so that the image is clear?
The focal length of the camera appears to be excessive, that is
in closed spaces there isnt much room and this camera seems to focus at about 4-5 inches. I suppose thats OK for a big diesel.
Would appreciate comments from other users on this subject.

[Wood_workur]

FWIW, I've heard of HF's inspection camera being used as a poor man's borescope for piston aircraft engines and providing better quality images than the more expensive aviation versions.


I have not used it myself, however.

Sounds about right because "aircraft quality" generally means the price is way higher.

[vcrman]

inspection camera

bought one of these for $119.00. Did not get to use until 90th day. Did not work. notified harbor freight tools ,they said to bad out of warranty. I threw away $119.00. Lesson learned!