Who Uses What Borescope?

[cliffy]

What borescopes for cylinder inspection does everyone use and where to get them?

We need a list here for everyone.

[Danb]

Vividia scope 980 learning how to use and interpret the findings. The pictures are great, they have solid,flexible and semi flexible.

[flyingchump]

I have used a cheapo borescope form amazon for all sorts of stuff.  Its not the greatest for the cylinders as mine cant do a tight 180degree bend but it works great for many of the areas you need to see but may not have the contortionist skills needed. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYTHWK4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Rick Junkin]

Vividia VA-400 recommended by Mike Busch early on.

The scope connects by USB to a computer or if you're using an Android device you can connect directly to your phone or tablet, but you can't connect directly to an Apple device. I suggest getting the package with the battery powered wifi box so you can use it with your iPhone or iPad, and it will also work with Android devices and eliminate the cord management issues between the borescope and your display device. You will need an external battery - I use my iPad back-up battery.

Here's the Amazon link for the wifi package:

https://smile.amazon.com/VA-400-WiFi-Bundle-Ablescope-Articulating-Borescope/dp/B01MQPC6U1/ref=sr_1_3?crid=34WQ7TTPS9SD9&dchild=1&keywords=vividia+va-400&qid=1628342695&sprefix=vivid%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-3

Here's the link for just the borescope:

https://smile.amazon.com/Vividia-Ablescope-VA-400-Borescope-Articulating/dp/B00GY7C9ZW/ref=sr_1_4?crid=34WQ7TTPS9SD9&dchild=1&keywords=vividia+va-400&qid=1628342695&sprefix=vivid%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-4

Cheers,
Rick

Edited August 7, 2021 by Junkman
added image

[carusoam]

Nice work Rick!

+1 for the Smile.Amazon version of the link…

-a-

[EricJ]

The Vividia scopes seem to be the go-to brand these days for cylinder inspection.    The rigid one is good and less expensive if that meets your needs.   I got the semi-rigid one, which is also good for things like snaking up the exhaust to inspect the muffler.

https://www.amazon.com/Vividia-VA-980-Semi-Flexible-Inspection-Articulating/dp/B072DS7LQN

The $35 cheapies can be good, too, and I have several of those that are handy for various things because the cables are longer and more flexible.   They're good for things like reading serial numbers off the back of installed parts, behind the panel, down holes, inside wings, etc.

 

[MikeOH]

Vividia VA-400 and have been very happy with it.  I looked at the cheaper options, but came to my senses when I realized that anything under 1 AMU is CHEAP by aviation standards

[PT20J]

I too have a Vividia VA-400. I seem to get a lot glare from reflections off the cylinder walls that washes out some of the photos. The lens in clean. Any tips for getting clearer shots?

Skip

[Rick Junkin]

23 minutes ago, PT20J said:

I too have a Vividia VA-400. I seem to get a lot glare from reflections off the cylinder walls that washes out some of the photos. The lens in clean. Any tips for getting clearer shots?

Skip

Skip, how long ago did you get your VA-400? I remember reading something talking about problems with the original lenses in the VA-400 and a change to a better lens but I couldn't easily find the reference I'm remembering. Your best bet is probably to reach out to the Vividia folks through their contact page http://www.vividia-tech.com/contact-us.html. I submitted a question and they responded within a day. I'm sure they've had this question before and will be able to steer you to a solution.

Cheers,
Rick

[Davidv]

3 hours ago, MikeOH said:

Vividia VA-400 and have been very happy with it.  I looked at the cheaper options, but came to my senses when I realized that anything under 1 AMU is CHEAP by aviation standards

For better or for worse, when you start comparing stuff like this to a tank of fuel or a cylinder replacement the credit card just sort of comes out of your pocket.

[EricJ]

2 hours ago, PT20J said:

I too have a Vividia VA-400. I seem to get a lot glare from reflections off the cylinder walls that washes out some of the photos. The lens in clean. Any tips for getting clearer shots?

Skip

For me that's usually fixed by adjusting the lamp brightness.   Sometimes it takes a few iterations to get it figured out.

[carusoam]

Taking pics of shiny metal can be one of the toughest challenges…

Experiments with different light sources / angles may be helpful…

PP guesses only, no real photographic experience…

Best regards,

-a-

[Will.iam]

I just talked to vividia at oshkosh and they finally bumped up their camera resolution as 640x480 was just too low for me to shell out. I think they said they are up to 1280x768. my elcheapo amazon borescope camera that has 1080p with focus at 1.2cm it’s just a pain trying to push the flexible cord into a way to get a good shot. 

[EricJ]

46 minutes ago, Will.iam said:

I just talked to vividia at oshkosh and they finally bumped up their camera resolution as 640x480 was just too low for me to shell out. I think they said they are up to 1280x768. my elcheapo amazon borescope camera that has 1080p with focus at 1.2cm it’s just a pain trying to push the flexible cord into a way to get a good shot. 

They've had higher resolution available for a while, it's just on much more expensive units.

https://www.amazon.com/Articulating-Videoscope-Inspection-Waterproof-Technicians/dp/B08NFCM7J1

 

[kortopates]

I commented about the recent increase in resolution in another thread - probably in the spring. Problem has been, since they didn't change the model no, there is no way to know whether your getting the newer one without ordering it direct from them. Other retailers still had the original resolution in stock. Be aware if your purchasing one.


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[DXB]

I have an older Vividia scope VA-400, and I agree the camera resolution could be a lot better.  I also struggle with the fogging/glare issue, and reducing brightness helps but not entirely.  I only got the vague sense of a burnt exhaust valve once with possibly a thin crescent at one end, but when the cylinder came off, the burning was unmistakable. I'm glad I didn't keep running it, but now I'm constantly alarmed by any vague hint of asymmetry.  I'd be curious to know if these issues are fully resolved in their newer low cost scopes. I'd be willing to buy another one with better resolution for the peace of mind - what's another $250 in this precarious and intrinsically wallet draining hobby?  

[carusoam]

Manufacturing sins 101….

Change the design without changing the part number…

This is something lesser companies tend to do…

Best regards,

-a-

[larrynimmo]

Here are some sample pics on the Amazon $300 borescope

[carusoam]

Larry,

You have the great pics today!

From inside of mags to inside the cylinder…

Fantastic cross-hatch pattern on the cylinder wall.

nice even coloration on the exhaust valve.

Even fantastic focus on the fine wire spark plug tip.

 

Great pics!

Thanks for sharing them.

Best regards,

-a-

 

[Greg Ellis]

Looking at the Vividia website, they have a nice chart comparing the different scopes they sell.  I have copied it here.  As you can see, the rigid scopes only have a resolution of 640X480.  To get a higher resolution you have to go to a flexible scope which looks like to me would be difficult to use in a cylinder.  The VA-980 may fit the bill though with higher resolution and a semi rigid probe which can be bent in pretty much any shape you need and holds the shape.  Unfortunately it lists on Amazon from $380 to $460 depending on the seller.  I have the VA-400W and it works ok.  The resolution is kind of low.  The other thing is to make sure to not use it in a cylinder that is the slightest bit warm.  It can greatly affect the image as well as damage the scope (info direct from the manufacturer).

Comparison of several Vividia Articulation Borescopes Videoscopes:

Models	VA-400	VA-400W Bundle	VA-150	VA-450	ME-610 ME-610X	VA-980
Output for Display	USB to PC	USB/WiFi to PC phone	LCD, SD card	LCD, WiFi, SD card	LCD, HDMI, SD card	USB to PC
Probe (D x L)	8.5mm x 40cm	8.5mm x 40 cm	6mm x 1 m	5.5mm x 1 m	6mm x 1 m	8.5mm x 80cm
Camera Resolution	640x480	640x480	640x480	1280x720	1280x720	1280x720*
Focus Range	10mm to 100mm	10mm to 100mm	20mm to 50mm	10mm to 80mm	10mm to 80mm	10mm to 100mm
Probe Articulation	rigid, one-way	rigid, one-way	flexible, 2-way	flexible, 2-way	flexible, joystick 360 degree	semi-rigid, moldable
LCD Display	NA	NA	2.7 inch	4.5 inch	3.5 inch	NA
Windows 10/8/7/XP Compatible	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
iPhone iPad compatible	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Android Systems	Yes**	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes**

 

* The new version of VA-980 has pixels of 1280x720. The previous version (before 2020) or earlier) has resolution of 640x480.
** For Android devices, phone or tablet, only some Android models are compatible. Some Android models are not compatible, due to either lacking OTG function or too much customization of the  operation system. 

[Jetrn]

I ordered mine from mcfarlan, their bundle pricing was the cheapest.

[201Steve]

I’ve used both the rigid and flex version vividia. No question for Cylinders, the rigid shaft is way more stable to maneuver. Of course, the flex shaft has its’ advantages for other purposes noted above. 

[A64Pilot]

On 10/7/2021 at 7:56 AM, larrynimmo said:

Here are some sample pics on the Amazon $300 borescope

Link to that scope? If those pics add achievable by ordinary idiots like me, it’s plenty good.

[RoundTwo]

Bumping this thread back up. I’d like to get a scope and agree the rigid scope (VA-400] would be easiest to use for cylinders, but the semi-rigid one (VA-800) opens up other possibilities that won’t work for the rigid unit. Is the semi-rigid scope that much more difficult to control in a cylinder, to make it a poor choice? Could you zip tie it to a piece of TIG rod, or other suitable stiffener, to make it easier for cylinder work?

[EricJ]

26 minutes ago, RoundTwo said:

Bumping this thread back up. I’d like to get a scope and agree the rigid scope (VA-400] would be easiest to use for cylinders, but the semi-rigid one (VA-800) opens up other possibilities that won’t work for the rigid unit. Is the semi-rigid scope that much more difficult to control in a cylinder, to make it a poor choice? Could you zip tie it to a piece of TIG rod, or other suitable stiffener, to make it easier for cylinder work?

I have both, the semi-rigid in the original 640 resolution, and a rigid unit with the new high resolution.    Both can be used for cylinders, but the rigid one is definitely easier to use in a cylinder.   It's not an enormous difference, and if you're willing to put up with a little more complicated maneuvering with the semi-rigid unit, it works, too.   It was all I had until I got the rigid one, and I got by okay.

That said, the semi-rigid one can do things like go all the way up the exhaust into the muffler to inspect your fire tube, and the rigid one can't do that.   So the semi-rigid wins on general utility, the rigid wins on ease-of-use for cylinder work.    I'm glad I have both, but if I were going to pick only one for general use, I'd get the semi-rigid.   If you plan to do mostly cylinders, I'd get the rigid and then maybe one of the cheapie endoscopes on Amazon for the occassional everything else.   I have some of those, too, and sometimes they're the go-to device for getting into little crevices or into weird places.   Since they're cheap it's easy to keep one or two of those around.