Home tools Buyer's Guides from tech enthusiast who loves technology and clever solutions for better living.
Best inspection camera 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated September 1, 2023
Hey friends! I’ve got something important to talk about today! After 44 hours of research including speaking with consultants and experts, and plenty of parents and 20 hours spent testing 10 inspection camera, I believe that I found the best inspection camera of 2018.
I will go through the main features and what you should consider when deciding which one to pick over the other. In this article, I’ve listed down the Top 3 list. These are the best inspection camera your money can buy.
Best inspection camera of 2018
Many brands have introduced inspection camera on the market. These brands have resulted in a variety for the user. These require that the consumers be well aware of what they are buying so as to make the best choice. We’ve narrowed down our options based on the customer feedback (read positive reviews), functionality, material and size. In other words, we’ve put all fundamentals into consideration to come up with a comprehensive list that suits various needs.
Now, let’s get to the gist of the matter: which are the best inspection camera for the money? There is a wide range of products available on the market today, and below I have reviewed 3 of the very best options.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
 |
 |
| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Ease of use |
5 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Materials |
4 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Durability |
5 points
|
5 points
|
5 points
|
| Value |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Awards |  |
||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the inspection camera by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – Wireless Endoscope
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this inspection camera win the first place?
I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch! The material is stylish, but it smells for the first couple of days. I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product.
5
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
№2 – Wireless Endoscope
| Total: |
4.5
|
Why did this inspection camera come in second place?
Seems that the material is good. It has a very beautiful color but I don’t really like the texture. The design quality is top notch and the color is nice. I like this product. For such a low price, I didn’t even hope it to be any better. It’s decently made. I really liked it. It is amazing in every aspect. It did even exceed my expectations for a bit, considering the affordable price.
4
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
№3 – Wireless Endoscope
| Total: |
4.3
|
Why did this inspection camera take third place?
I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new. It doesn’t squeaks nor bents. Looks great in my apartment. I hope that the good reputation of the manufacturer will guarantee a long-term work. This price is appropriate since the product is very well built.
4
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
inspection camera Buyer’s Guide
Length of the Cable
It is also very important that you look out for the cable length. In most cases, the feet cables are considered but for a better and high-quality inspection cameras, you can go for those with up to 1feet. The longer cable will allow for a more reliable and convenient service.
For working in dark spaces, LED lights are a must. They illuminate unlit areas, making the inspection process easier. All quality inspection cameras have LED lights around the outer diameter of the camera. These lights last for several thousands of hours, which translates to years of operation before you need to replace them.
One-Handed Operation
One-handed operation is important for keeping your other hand free to operate the cable, especially when the cable needs to travel far. Ridgid has several cameras that are operable single-handedly to give you more versatility while navigating the cable with the camera.
Rouse Carol
4x zoom option lets you take a closer look. A 360-degree image rotation option is available as well. This inspection camera comes with a watt LED light for better illumination. Brightness can be adjusted using the screen.
Resolution is a key consideration in the process of choosing a machine vision camera. Calculating the resolution requires knowing the size of the field of view and knowing the smallest feature that needs to be resolved. The term “features” usually refers to defects in a product or a very small element on the object. The feature might be something that is supposed to be there, such as a tiny hole in a printed circuit board, or it could be something that is not supposed to be there, such as a scratch on an aluminum sheet. In these cases, there is a need to detect what that feature is, whether it is a defect or something that is meant to be there.
For many, when considering how small a feature is necessary to detect, the knee-jerk reaction is to get a camera that detects “everything.” This approach is not always realistic or necessary. Resolution is one of the main elements driving camera costs. It is important to get as much resolution as needed, but not to overdo it. Typically, the rule of thumb is this: To be able to accurately detect a feature of a certain size, plan on at least three pixels covering that area. It is not always possible to detect a feature by interpreting a single pixel. Several pixels across the feature can ensure it is not an aberration. For example, to detect a feature as small as 1/100 of an inch, choose a pixel size three times smaller than that, or 3/1000 of an inch.
The higher the resolution, the easier it will be to identify features, but now is the time to weigh the cost of the system against how much resolution is needed. Before committing, do some testing. Borrow a camera from a manufacturer, or use a high resolution photography camera to get an idea of how much resolution is required to see what needs to be seen.
Imaging rate
If the application is to inspect a discrete component, such as a can, bottle or piston, how many of these components must be inspected per second? How many components are going to be moving past a single point in space in a given time period? Is it three per second? Fifty per minute? The camera will need to acquire at least at this rate. It is preferable to have a little extra margin. If the application calls for a camera that acquires at 2fps, choose a camera that acquires at 30 fps. This will give some room for error.
Line scan cameras require a bit more math to determine the appropriate acquisition rate, but it is not terribly difficult. Once you have determined your resolution, figure out how fast the object is moving and decide how many lines need to be grabbed in a second in order to have the necessary resolution. If a pixel resolution of 3/1000 of an inch is needed, and the object is moving at 100 inches per second, that would require a minimum line scan camera speed of 33,33lines per second, or a 33.kHz line rate.
Interconnect standards
There are different interconnect standards to choose from and that choice is based on a couple of requirements: speed and the distance between the camera and the computer. If speed is a priority, then find an interconnect that has speeds high enough to transfer data from the camera to the host computer at the rates that are required. Some of the higher speed standards are Camera Link, Camera Link HS and USBVision. Camera Link HS is one of the highest speed interconnects available, but it requires a frame grabber. USBVision is not quite as fast as Camera Link HS in terms of speed. However, the USB connection typically is built right in to the computer, so it doesn’t require a frame grabber or additional piece of hardware to acquire the data.
Some people choose GigE Vision because it is based on the Gigabit Ethernet specification and can go long distances between the camera and the computer. If the camera needs to be a long distance away from the computer — more than to 1m — GigE Vision is a good choice. GigE Vision is slower than Camera Link and USBVision standards, but it may be the only choice if the camera is far from the computer.
For applications that require GigE Vision for distance, manufacturers are working to reduce or eliminate this speed barrier. Some manufacturers have found ways to transfer data more efficiently by using methods similar to compression in order to increase the effective rate of GigE Vision while maintaining the advantage of long distance between camera and computer. If the application requires GigE Vision, be sure to talk to the manufacturer to see what they have to offer that might improve efficiency.
Light wavelength
Light wavelength is not an issue of concern for every application. Some applications, though, will require the camera to be sensitive to certain wavelengths of light. For example, with currency inspection, there may be security features that are only visible in UV or infrared light. In this case, be sure the camera has enough sensitivity at that wavelength to execute a successful inspection. There will also be a need for a light source with corresponding wavelength properties in order to allow the camera to visualize the feature in question.
In some instances, such as for the security features on currency, UV or infrared light is used as part of the inspection process. In such cases, the camera needs to be sensitive to the light wavelength required.
For a majority of applications, white light, or broadband light, is used, and any standard camera should suffice. If the inspection involves any special lighting, be sure that the camera choice is appropriate for the light wavelength required.
Environment
Many vision systems are installed in sites that are very warm. Cameras are composed of sensitive electronic equipment and are impacted by temperature. Every camera manufacturer supplies operating temperature specifications for its products. Usually, if the environment exceeds these specifications, it doesn’t mean the camera won’t operate. Instead, it means the camera’s performance may diminish as the bounds of these specifications are exceeded. The most common way that performance diminishes in a hot environment is that the camera will become “noisier,” meaning there are unintended brightness variations in the image. Also, exceeding the temperature specifications usually has a negative impact on the life of the camera.
In order to keep the camera within its operating temperature specifications, many manufacturers have heat sinking methodologies. Therefore, when considering which camera to buy, be sure to assess the operating environment temperature, investigate the camera operating specifications, and discuss options the manufacturer can provide, if necessary, to keep the camera working as it should.
This is a great camera! All the Ridgid products i have purchased have worked very well. I always try to purchase the Ridgid brand before all others. The price is always comparable and the warranty cannot be beat. The products are very well made for the working man. They take a lot of mistreatment and keep on performing. I have not had a chance to use the inspection camera much, but i expect it to perform well.
CrazyFire USB Endoscope Inspection Camera
CrazyFire is easily the best inspection camera in the market. The features are of high quality, and it is relatively inexpensive. The CrazyFire is a fantastic value for its price. It has multiple uses and can be used almost everywhere.
Potensic USB Digital Endoscope Snake Wire Camera
The handheld mini USB endoscope from Potensic is popular among inspection camera enthusiasts. It comes with a m cable and features a metal camera head. This flexible and durable snake wire camera makes inspecting holes and gaps all the more easier. It can be used for vehicle maintenance, construction work, and checking pipes.
The 300,000 pixels CMOS camera captures images in BMP format and videos in AVI format. As is the custom with Potensic products, there are two sizes and three colors to choose from. The m cable with four LEDs is available in black.
The size option is a huge plus from Potensic. The LED lights are adjustable and the product overall works great. It is remarkably easy to set up and the picture quality is commendable, considering its price. The price is right, and the camera comes with great many features. If you are looking for a basic camera, this one is definitely worth buying.
The inspection tube visual camera from DBPower is widely praised for its useful features. With an 8.mm diameter, it can easily be inserted into pipes, holes, gaps, and even underwater due to its IP6waterproof protection. This inspection camera is commendable with its adjustable LED lights and other features.
The image focus range is 5” and still the images produced are commendable. But at such a low price, do not expect anything too fancy or hi-tech. The cost is inexpensive, and it is a fantastic value for money.
What really makes this particular camera so impressive though is it’s compatibility with just about every device. There are plenty of cameras that can connect to Android devices, but not many that will work with your iPhone as well.
This Depstech inspection camera is WiFi compatible so you can easily connect it to an Apple product. It also has a 2.0 Megapixel HD camera, adjustable LED lights, it’s waterproof, and the cable is designed to be bendable while still keeping its rigidity as you move it forward.
When you top it all off with the ability to take still images, watch live video, or recorded video this is clearly a camera with all of the features you’ll need. It is slightly more expensive than some other models, but it’s still quite competitively priced.
The Depstech borescope inspection camera is one of the most versatile devices on the market today. With this camera you can leave your laptop at home without sacrificing any capability. iPhone enthusiasts will be particularly happy with the Wi-Fi capabilities of this product which allow it to connect with their devices.
USB Compatible
These days pretty much any inspection camera worth its salt is USB compatible. USB is the standard connection for computers these days and this allows you to hook your inspection camera directly into your laptop so that you can get a live image of the problem. If you do come across an inspection camera that’s a little old school and doesn’t have a USB cord attached to it then you’ll probably want to keep looking.
Cord Length
I came across an inspection camera the other day with a foot cord on it and I had to ask myself what the point was. In my opinion if a borescope camera doesn’t have at least a foot cable on it then it’s simply not long enough.
Most problems aren’t conveniently located near the end of a pipe or sewage system. In most cases you have to dig deep to get to the route of the problem and that requires a cable that’s long enough for the job in question.
Waterproof
You might think it goes without saying, but it’s important to check the reviews for any borescope camera you’re considering to make sure it’s really waterproof. All manufacturers are going to claim that an inspection camera largely used in plumbing work is waterproof, but the reality is often much different from the claim.
Some start out pretty well, but start to fail after only a few months of use. The few extra minutes you take to check the history of a product can save you a lot of hassle down the road.
Long Lasting LED Lights
Your inspection camera is going to be searching around in some pretty dark places so you’ll want one that’s well-lit to help you find your way around. You should be looking for one with a reliable set of LED bulbs as these are typically long lasting and consistent in their strength. A quality LED bulb can last for up to 25,000 hours or more and that should give you years of use.
Support for Multiple Platforms
We’ve already mention that most inspection cameras these days are USB compatible which makes it straightforward to plug them into your laptop, but what about other devices? Some of the better quality borescope cameras now come equipped with an adaptor that lets you plug them into most smartphones or tablets. This is a great option if you don’t want to have to lug your laptop around with you to very job site.
I regularly use the flash along with the macro setting when taking pictures of data plates on appliances, and while taking photos of the insides of electrical panels. When I find carpenter ants, I take close-up photos of them too, simply to document their presence.
Main Features
First make sure your phone supports OTG functionality，Android endoscope is a new type of electronic products. The advantages of this product are small size and light weight. The middle part of the installation of a control box, can adjust the brightness of six LED lights, capture the image photo graphed after the camera directly stored in the Android mobile phone, you can video the whole process of record check, observation and follow – up analysis.
The photos and video file will directly stored in your Android mobile phone.
Application Fields
Intraoral camera system, underwater camera, waterproof Micro – cameras, mmotor vehicle detector, sewer pipeline detector, search and rescue, criminal and custom detector, archaeological detect, the PCB detection, home care, aviation and space industries, care and tractors industries, petroleum drilling industries, constructions and so on.
Choose your country
Depstech Wireless WIFI Endoscope Camera For Android and IOS Smartphone.
This newest type Depstech wifi endoscope has surpassed the traditional endoscope’s using limitation for iPhone user. It can work perfectly with Android 4.4+ and IOS 8.0+ smartphone. Will be a best inspection tool for iPhone user.
Features
Built-in wifi signal, this borescope can be quickly connected with your smartphone via wifi. Easy to set up and use after installed the compatible APP.
Featuring super Hi-Vision 2MP HD camera allows you to capture image or record video at a close range. Photos and videos can be stored directly into you device so you can share it with your friends at any where you wish.
Built-in lithium battery with working time up to hour, and can be easily recharged by Android Phone or PC/Power Bank within DC 5V,1A.
Perfect tool for HVAC inspection, vent pipe, machine equipment, engine, automotive, boat, parts assembly,construction sites, Wind Turbines, aircraft inspection.
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the inspection camera by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your inspection camera wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of inspection camera
- №1 — Wireless Endoscope
- №2 — Wireless Endoscope
- №3 — Wireless Endoscope
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Chatting about inspection camera is my passion! Leave me a question in the comments, I answer each and every one and would love to get to know you better!
