Articulating Video Borescopes
What is an articulating borescope?
|
Articulating borescope (i.e. angulating borescope, bending borescope, steerable borescope, pivoting camera) is an inspection optical device or video camera equipped with a turnable probe tip. The probe tip can be controlled to point to different directions. This is a huge advantage when a technician or engineer wants to inspect tight and hard-to-reach areas inside a complex product, such as automotive and turbine engine, or HVAC unit.
|
articulate verb an·gu·late verb |
|
Types of articulation borescopes:
We can classify articulating borescopes into four types according to how many directions the probe tip can be bending to:
One can also distinguish articulating borescopes by how images are displayed:
|
Video about articulating borescopes:
|
Another way to classify articulation borescopes is by the property of their probes:
- Rigid probe (completely rigid, and the camera head can be turned around)
- Flexible probe (bendable, and flexible like a normal rope)
- Semi-rigid probe (Bendable, and can keep its shape, more like gooseneck tube)
Applications of articulating borescopes:
|
Articulating borescopes can be used in many situations where a visual inspection or visual examination is needed. The current main markets are:
|
Important technical specs for articulating borescopes: (How to choose an articulating borescope?)
|
When you are searching for an articulating borescope for your applications, you need to pay attention to the following technical specifications and features to make sure that borescope will meet your needs:
|
|
Vividia articulating borescopes:
Sorted by bending directions. The prices range from ~$200 to ~$10,000 depending on probe diameter, articulating, and display etc.
Model (probe camera diameter mm, tube property, length of tube)
Model (probe camera diameter mm, tube property, length of tube)
Simple and cheap way to have a steerable video borescope
USB Borescope for iPhone iPad and Android Devices:
|
Vividia USB Ablescopes
VA-400 (8mm, rigid, 400mm long) VA-408 Long (8mm, rigid, 800mm long) VA-800 (8mm, flexible, 800mm long) VA-920 (8mm, semi-rigid, 30mm long) VA-980 (8mm, semi-rigid, 800mm long) VA-9150 (8mm, semi-rigid, 1500mm long) UV-400 (UV lighting and white LED light) (14mm, rigid, 400mm long) T3-1710 (1.7mm, flexible, 1m long, 3.5" monitor) |
Vividia D Series Video Borescopes
D3160 (6mm, flexible, 1.1m long) D3145 (4.5mm, flexible, 1.1m long) WiFi Wireless to iPhone iPad Android Devices:
W2145 WiFi wireless (4.5mm, flexible, 1.1m long) |
|
|
The 2-way articulation is more durable, and the bending part is protected with a metal meshed layer or polymer tube.
Vividia LCD Video Borescopes
CT-2812 LCD 2.8mm diameter, 1.2m long CT-4010 LCD 4mm diameter, 1m long CT-6010 LCD 6mm diameter, 1m long CT-7510HT LCD 7.5mm diameter, 1m long, high temperature CT-3012S LCD 3mm diameter, side-view, 1.2m long |
Vividia USB borescopes for iPhone iPad Android Devices:
VA-855i (8.5mm diameter, 1 meter long) VA-455i (5.5mm diameter, 1 meter long) Vividia D Series Borescopes |
|
VA-150 (6mm x 0.8m, small LCD screen, low cost) VA-150B (6mm x 0.8m, 3.5" LCD screen) VA-250 (6mm, 1m, 3.5" LCD) VA-350 (5.5mm, 1.1m, 3.5" LCD) VA-450 (5.5mm x 1m, 1280x720, 4.5" LCD, screw-on mirror) VA-2-5515, VA-2-5530 (5.5mm, 1.5m or 3m) BD-2-6015 (Dual-camera, 6mm x 1.5m) VA-2-3915, VA-2-3930; (3.9mm, 1.5m or 3m) VA-2-2812 (2.8mm x 1.2 meter) 
|
D3245 USB 4.5mm x 1.5m
D3260 USB 6mm x 1m 
|
Comparison Table of Vividia 2-Way Articulating Borescopes
Models |
probe diameter |
probe length |
probe material |
LCD size |
Price |
VA-150 |
6mm |
0.80 meter |
semi-rigid |
2.7" |
$299 |
VA-250 |
6mm |
1 meter |
steel flexible |
3.5" |
$699 |
VA-350 |
5.5mm |
1.2 meter |
plastic |
3.5" |
$699 |
VA-450 |
5,5mm |
1 meter |
plastic |
4.5" IPS |
$899 |
D3245 |
4.5mm |
1.5 meter |
flexible metal |
NA (USB) |
$1399 |
VA-2-5515 / 5530 |
5,5mm |
1.5 / 3 / 8 meter |
flexible metal |
4.5" |
$2999 |
VA-2-3915 |
3.9mm |
1.5 / 3 |
flexible metal |
4.5" |
$3999 |
VA-2-2812 |
2.8mm |
1.2 / 3 meter |
metal / plastic |
4.5" |
$8999 |
BD-2-6015 / 30 |
6mm |
1.5 / 3 / 8 meter |
metal flexible |
4.5" |
$3999 |
The probe tip camera can be turned up and down, left and right.
Vividia LCD Video Borescopes
|
VA-4-6015, VA-4-6030, VA-4-6050 (4-way, 6mm, 1.5m to 8m) VA-4-3915, VA-4-3930 (4-way, 3.9mm, 1.5m to 3m) VA-4-2815 (4-way, 2.8mm, 1.5m) VA-4-2010 (4-way, 2mm, 1.0m) TB-4-1815 (Thermal, 4-way, 18mm, 1.5m) VA-4-6010UV (UV, 4-way, 6mm, 1m) BD-4-6015 (Dual-camera, 4-way, 1.5m to 8m) |
|
Joystick is used to manipulate the probe tip in all directions, 360 degree.
VC series videoscopes |
ME series video borescopes |
|
VC-2010 (joystick, 2mm, 1m) VC-2815, VC-2830 (joystick, 2.8mm, 1.5m to 3m) VC-3815, VC-3830 (joystick, 3.8mm, 1.5m to 3m) VC-6015, VC-6030, VC-6050 (joystick, 6mm, 1.5m to 7m) VT-3915 (5" screen, joystick, 3.9mm x 1.5m) G6015 (joystick, 6mm, 1.5m, simple version) VT-6150 (joystick, 6mm, 1.5m) VT-8150 (joystick, 8mm, 1,5m) GP-3915 (joystick, 3.9mm, 1.5m) VD-3000-J (Joystick, 6mm, 1.5m, part of a bundle) USB borescopes for iPhone iPad Android Devices
ME-610i joystick, 6mm, 1m, direct connect to iPad iPhone Android DA Series video borescopes
DA-6010 joystick, 6mm, 1m, 4.5" LCD and built-in wifi DA-2812 joystick, 2.8mm, 1.2m, 4.5" LCD and built-in wifi |
ME-610 (joystick, 6mm, 1m, metal layer protected) ME-620 (joystick, 6mm, 2m) ME-630 (joystick, 6mm, 3m) ME-610HT (joystick, 6.5mm with cooling, 1m) ME-613P (joystick, 6mm, 1.3m, polyethene covered) ME-610X (joystick, 6mm, 1m, higher clarity) ME-610i USB to iPhone iPad joystick
|
With a motorized joystick, the electrical motor (servo) drives the articulation. This provides precise, smooth and responsive movement. The speed can be adjusted and the bending angles can be locked. And the locking tip can automatically go back to home position (0 degree articulation, straight and relaxed position)
Vividia ET series video borescopes
How to use an articulating borescope?
Normally, articulating borescopes are more expensive than their non-articulation counterparts due to their complicated internal structure and many small parts inside the control units. With small moving parts involved during operation, articulating borescopes are prone to be damaged and they are less durable. So it is important to follow proper procedures to use your articulating borescopes. maintain and store them properly to extend their lifetime.
|
|
How to take care and store the articulating videoscopes?
|
|
References: articles related to borescopes and articulating borescopes.
| sb-03-3-2003-borescope_inspection_for_airplane.pdf |
| 2010-08_exhaust-valve-failures_mike_busch.pdf |
| 2011-10_article_borescopes_and_videoscopes.pdf |
| 2012_an_automotive_borescope_buyers_guide.pdf |
| 2015_aviaition_borescope_article.pdf |
| 2017-6_amt_borescope_article.pdf |
| 2017-6_amt_borescope_article.pdf |
| 2018-4_sportaviation_article_tools.pdf |
| 2019_dean_exhaust_valve_borescope_inspections.pdf |