November 29, 2008
Milwaukee, ProVision, Video Cameras, Visual Optics
4 Comments
The large diameter camera wand is too big to access engine cylinders (M-Spector).
We’ve sold hundreds of Provision borescopes and we answer questions about this and other car tools everyday. ProVision scopes have been a very popular specialty tool for auto technicians as well as many other lines of work, see our Fiberoptic Borescope Uses, Tech Article for ideas on how they can be used. ProVision borescopes use fiberoptic technology. Fiber optic bore scopes have been the best option for mechnanics until recently. However, video based inspection scopes have some advantages over fiber optic inspection scopes. Fiberoptic borescopes use an eyepiece for viewing, while video based inspection scopes have a color video screen that can be viewed by several people at once. The fiberoptic inspection borescope has to be manually focused the see the subject clearly. The video based inspection scope has auto focus, which makes it easier to use.
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November 9, 2008
Auto Technician / Mechanic, Auto Tool Comparison, Automotive Specialty Tools
No Comments
Video inspection scopes are now quite affordable.
Doctors have used fiber optic bore-scopes and endoscopes in the medical field for a longer period of time than automotive technicians have used inspection scopes in the automotive repair field. The high cost for these gadgets in the past prevented lower income fields from justifying the purchase of them.
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September 6, 2008
Auto Tool Comparison, Automotive Shop Tools
4 Comments
Fiber optic borescopes have been a great tool for auto techs, locksmiths, plumbers and electricians for years. Until recently there hasn’t been many options for a video based borescope that is affordable. Not too many auto technicians or electricians that want to spend five to ten thousand dollars for a fancy video based borescope. There are basically two options for a low priced video scope that can be used for a variety of purposes, the Rigid See Snake and the Visual Optics Video Stik.
The Rigid brand video inspection scope is called the SeeSnake
Rigid Micro SeeSnake is an option with a 3 foot reach, a magnet and clip on mirror included. The main drawback with this tool is that the camera at the end of the wand is 0.70″ and that prevents the use of this tool in smaller areas like in an engine’s cylinder through a spark plug hole. A better size for the probe on borescopes and video endoscopes is under 0.50″ this allows access to much tighter areas. The Micro SeeSnake inspection camera has a 2.4″ color LCD screen that has 160 x 234 resolution.
The Visual Optics brand inspection scope is called the Video Stik
The Visual Optics video inspection tool is called the Video Stik, Visual Optics’ inspection scopes come in 36″ or 72″ and are made in the USA. The Video Stik with it’s 320x 240 pixel resolution, provides a more defined image compared to the Rigid SeeSnake with it’s 160 x 234 resolution. The camera on the end of the wand is smaller too. Compared to the Rigid brand that has 0.70″ diameter, the Video Stik has a 0.42″ diameter, allowing access to more spaces. The Visual Optics Video Stik also comes with accessories. The magnet an mirror are small enough to access very tight areas, after-all if they don’t fit into the area needed they are useless.
Automatic Focus allows for ease of use when compared to fiber optic borescopes. Fiberoptic bore scopes were at one time the only game in town when it came to affordable inspection scopes. New technology in affordable video based inspection scopes has changed this forever. New electronic gadgets like these, are sure to spawn more competition in the new Affordable Inspection Tool Arena, DLT’s top pick for automotive inspection is the Video Stik.
