Oasis Scientific Inc.

  • Home
    • About Company
    • Job Openings
    • Our Brands
    • How to Order
    • Shipping
    • Return Policy
    • Trade Shows >
      • 2020 IMTS, Chicago
      • 2018 IMTS, Chicago
      • 2016 IMTS, Chicago
      • 2015 Fabtech, Chicago
      • 2014 Fabtech, Atlanta
      • 2014 IMTS, Chicago
      • 2014 PITTCON, Chicago
      • 2013 Fabtech, Chicago
      • 2013 Semicon
      • 2013 Pittcon
      • 2012 IMTS
    • Privacy Policy
  • Store Front
  • Borescopes
    • Flexible Inspection Cameras >
      • Articulating Flexible Inspection Camera for iPhone/Android
      • 3.9mm Flexible Inspection Camera for iPhone/Android
      • 4.5mm Flexible Inspection Camera for iPhone/Android
      • 9mm Flexible Inspection Camera for iPhone/Android
      • Vividia Articulating USB Flexible Borescope Videoscope
      • USB Flexible Inspection Camera with Manual Focus
      • Mini 8mm USB Flexible Inspection Camera Microscope with Manual Focus
      • Mini 5mm USB Flexible Inspection Camera
      • Mini 7mm USB Flexible Inspection Camera
      • Mini 7mm USB Flexible Inspection Camera with Super Long Cable
      • 8mm USB Flexible Inspection Camera
      • USB Flexible Inspection Camera With Zoom Function
  • Inspection Cameras
    • LCD Inspection Cameras
    • Flashlight Inspection Cameras >
      • Flashlight Camera
    • Forensic Counterfeit Detectors
  • Digital Microscopes
    • Portable Digital Microscopes >
      • ViTiny Pro10 Plus Portable Digital Microscope
      • ViTiny Pro10-3 Portable UV/IR/White Digital Microscope
      • VT-300 Portable Digital Microscope
      • Stand-Alone 3.5-inch LCD Digital Microscope
    • USB Digital Microscopes >
      • ViTiny UM06 Table-Top Autofocus Digital Microscope
      • Vividia 5MP USB Digital Microscope
      • UM08 Tabletop HDMI Autofocus 5MP Digital Microscope
      • Vividia VO-HD51W 5MP WiFi/USB HD Digital Microscope
      • ViTiny UM12 USB 5MP Digital Autofocus Microscope
      • ViTiny UM02 Handheld USB Digital Microscope
      • ViTiny UM05 USB 2MP Digital Autofocus Microscope
      • Vividia VI-VOM15 5.0 MP Microscope With CPL Filter
      • Vividia VI-VOM17 9.0 MP Microscope with CPL Filter
      • Firefly GT820 Polarizing USB Digital Microscope
      • Firefly GT800 USB Digital Microscope
      • Firefly GT700 UV/White Light Digital Microscope
      • Firefly DE300 Polarized USB Digital Microscope Dermatoscope
      • Firefly GT200 USB Digital Microscope
    • USB Digital Borescope Endoscope Microscopes >
      • ViTiny UM07 USB Digital Endoscope
      • Short 2.0MP USB Digital Endoscope (8.2mm Tube Diameter)
      • Super Long 2.0MP USB Digital Endoscope (8.2mm Tube Diameter)
      • 2MP USB Digital Microscope (12mm with New Stand)
      • 2MP USB+WiFi Digital Endoscope With WiFi Adapterr and Metal Stand
      • 2.0MP USB Digital Endoscope (12.0mm Tube Diameter)
      • Digital Endoscope with Micrometer Measuring Stage
      • Super Long 2.0MP USB Digital Endoscope (12mm Tube Diameter)
      • Vividia VA-400 Rigid USB Articulating Borescope Videoscope Inspection Camera
      • Vividia VA-400-T7 USB Articulating Borescope Videoscope Inspection Camera Plus Tablet
      • USB Digital Endoscope with Waterproof Lens
    • Wireless Digital Microscopes >
      • Firefly DE350 Wireless Polarized Digital Microscope Dermatoscope
      • Firefly DE550 Handheld Digital Wireless Otoscope
      • Firefly GT600 Wireless Digital Microscope
      • Firefly GT620 Wireless Polarizing Digital Microscope
    • Digital Microscopes for iPhone/TV >
      • Vividia VO-HD51W 5MP WiFi/USB HD Digital Microscope
      • Cloud Microscope
      • Wireless WiFi/USB Digital Microscope for iPhone/PC
      • Wireless WiFi Digital Microscope for iPhone
      • Digital Endoscope with AV/TV Output
      • Vividia VM-UM18 Wi-Fi Wireless Microscope
    • Microscopes for Health >
      • Wireless Intraoral Camera for iOS/Android/PC
      • ViSee USB Digital Dental Intra-Oral Camera
      • Firefly DE500 Handheld USB Digital Otoscope Earscope
      • Firefly DE550 Handheld Digital Wireless Otoscope
      • Firefly DE300 Polarized USB Digital Dermatoscope Microscope
      • Firefly DE350 Wireless Polarized Digital Dermatoscope Microscope
      • ViTiny UM03 Handheld USB Digital Microscope: Home Personal Care
    • Veterinary Digital Otoscopes >
      • Firefly DE501 Veterinary Digital Otoscope
      • Firefly DE551 Wireless Veterinary Digital Otoscope
    • Stands and Accessories >
      • Portable 7 Inch Android Tablet PC
      • Digital Microscope Universal Stand
      • 3D Stand for Microscope
      • SL250 Platform Stand
      • SL300 3D Stand
      • SL150 Elbow Stand
      • S-105 Steel Stand
      • S- 103 Steel Stand
      • Inspection Camera Extension Cables
      • ES100 Otoscope Specula
      • ES104 Otoscope Specula
      • ES101 Veterinary Specula (Disposable)
      • ES108 Veterinary Specula (Reusable)
      • ES150 Wireless USB Receiver
      • ES160 TV Adapter Kit
    • Digital Microscope Camera >
      • WiFi/USB Digital Microscope Camera
  • Magnifiers
  • Downloads
  • Contact Us
    • Distributors & Resellers
    • Rentals
    • Product Repair Request Form
    • Request Product recommendation
    • Product Customization Request
    • Website Registration and Login
  • FAQ - Troubleshooting
  • Choosing the Right Borescope
  • Articulating Borescopes
  • Fever Screening Thermal Cameras
  • Blog
  • Free Articulation Borescope Article
  • Product Video Gallery
  • Comparison of articulating inspection cameras for mechanics on markets
  • Sign-Up Newsletter
  • Pipe Inspection Cameras
Picture
How to Choose a Borescope

How to Choose a Right Borescope Videoscope
​Inspection Camera for Your Applications

Outline:
  • What is a Borescope?
  • A Brief History of Borescope
  • What Is Borescope Used For?
  • Things to Consider When Choosing a Borescope
  • Types of Borescopes
Picture
Articulating Borescope
Picture
Vividia VC-38 Borescope
​In this article, we hope to shed some light on the uses of the borescope, how to identify which borescope best suit your purposes, and what are the best devices on the market right now.
What Is a Borescope?

A borescope is an optical device consisting of a rigid or flexible tube with an eyepiece or digital display (built-in LCD or computer/device) on one end, and an objective lens or camera on the other linked together by an optical or electrical system in between. This tool is also known as an inspection camera or a videoscope. 

A Brief History of Borescope

While your eyesight is probably the most critical sense used in diagnosing and repairing vehicles, it is often not powerful enough on its own to see the full picture in every circumstance. Scientists and machinists have developed several new technologies in order to address this issue, and that is where borescope come into play. The first borescope, called endoscope, were actually employed in the field of medicine. Doctors needed precise instruments with narrow tubes and enhanced vision to examine the inside of organs for surgical procedures. As time passed, aviation mechanics soon recognized the use of medical endoscopes in their own practices. They began phasing them into their own routine maintenance and diagnostic works. New technological developments have advanced features like articulation, small probe sizes, or image and video capture that aid technicians even more during inspections. These innovations save time and effort, direct visual inspection, help technicians find root causes more quickly, and make communication easier with pictures and videos. You no longer need to tear parts apart to discover what’s wrong. Built for durability and equipped with a much more affordable price tag, borescope are now the go-to device for aviation and automotive inspection. 

What Is Borescope Used For?

Borescope helps to see into places that are normally impossible to see into with the naked eye or that require destruction or dismantling to find a problem otherwise. Simply put, borescoping is an sometimes completely necessary way or an inexpensive and labor efficient way to diagnose problems. Borescopes are used in many industries and applications, from diagnosing simple problems in one’s home to industry applications in industrial, automotive, aviation, home inspection, plumbing, HVAC, and other. 

Things to Consider When Choosing a Borescope
  • Application: Your application will determine the features your borescope will require. 
  • Probe Diameter: The diameter size will be factored by the size of the bore or opening that you will be looking into. Smaller diameters have the advantage of getting into smaller and tighter spaces. The disadvantage of the smaller diameter in some cases are that they may be less brighter due to the smaller probe housing. Small diameter borescopes are also generally more expensive.
  • Probe Length: This is an important thing to check for when considering which borescope to buy, as it could be critical for your specific use. The standard length for a lot of borescopes is 1 meter, but greater lengths are available for certain models. Borescopes typically range from 1 meter all the way up to 30 meters and above. If probes are too short, consider kits that include extensions.
  • Articulation: Some jobs and applications may require an articulating tip. An articulating borescope is one that bends at an angle to turn the camera head back using a mechanism such as a swivel, by pressing, or even using a joystick. Depending on the borescope, some tips can be bent in one direction, some bend two ways, and there are also multi directional borescopes which can bend from 90 degrees to one hundred degrees, Some can swivel, and allow for a 360 degree sweep.
  • Dual Camera: Dual camera features both a front facing camera and a side camera to look either ahead or from the side at a 90 degree angle.
  • Camera Resolution: could also be affected by the size. Larger diameter borescopes are brighter and normally have higher resolutions than the smaller ones. Small diameter borescopes are also generally more expensive due to the technology limitations and cost to produce quality images with very small cameras.
  • Focus Range: Some cameras are calibrated to look at objects closer up, while others are designed to see farther away and with a greater depth of field to clearly view a larger area. 
  • Screen Display: How images are displayed in real-time. Borescopes presently carry three main options for screen display: USB, LCD screen, and wireless through a Wi-Fi signal. USB borescopes require connection to a PC or other outside screen through a USB cord to display images. Wireless borescopes work like USB borescopes in that they also need a computer, phone, or tablet, but instead of a USB cord, they connect to the outside device through a Wi-Fi signal. On the other hand, borescopes equipped with their own LCD screens do not require any other devices to run. 
  • ​Visual: Many of the probes on the market can take digital photos, and some even include video capture functions. Devices with a removable media card will also let you transport and move images or video clips to a computer, which can be incredibly handy if you want to share these files with other people.
  • Ingress Protection: Some applications require the camera probe to be water resistant or waterproof. Moisture can certainly damage electronic components such as cameras. Consider this when choosing a scope for your specific application. 
  • Cost: Borescopes now range from $30 super cheapo cameras from e-commerce site to tens of thousands of dollars on the higher end. Try to find a comfortable range in buying a scope that does not sacrifice quality, but also does not compromise your budget.

Types of Borescopes
  • USB Digital Borescope: A borescope that is equipped with a USB port and Wi-Fi connectivity that lets users use their phones or computer screens as a monitor. Users’ devices work in place of a physical monitor attached to the borescope itself, which makes it easier for users to download images and videos and often also opens the door for more complex functions (which are available on the app needed to run this technology).
  • LCD Screen Borescope: A borescope that comes equipped with a built-in LCD screen for viewing without a separate device. 
  • Articulating Borescope: A borescope which is able to make full turns, perfect for use in difficult-to-access chambers. Each of these borescopes are suited to function in several different environments, and this versatility is incredibly useful when working in the automotive services industry. Since technicians often encounter many distinct challenges, a wide range of borescopes are necessary to ensure both the efficient completion of a task and the longevity of the instrument’s life.
  • Dual Camera Borescope: A borescope that has two different camera lenses allow users to switch between two different views (for example, forward view and side view) with an easy push of a button. Such technology minimizes the need for a 90-degree or 180-degree articulating tip, which is useful for areas which such movement would be limited or impossible. 
  • Wireless Borescope: A borescope equipped with wireless transmitter, either wifi or RF transmitter, to send live video signal to a receiver and display device, such as a LCD monitor or a smartphone. 
  • Joystick Borescope: Joystick borescope is one type of articulating videoscope, where the pivoting probe is controlled by a joystick. Usually the joystick can make 360 degree articulation, that is all-way angulation or all-direction steering.
Picture
USB Digital Borescope

USB Digital
Borescope
​Vividia D3145

Picture
LCD Screen Borescope

LCD Screen
​Borescope
Vividia VA-450

Picture
Articulating Borescope

Articulating
​Borescope
​Vividia ME-610

Picture
Dual Camera Borescope

Dual Camera Borescope
​Vividia BD-55100

Need an Expert to Help?

Call Us
Email Us
Oasis Scientific Inc 2009-2023                        "We help you see better!"                                                              Our value:     Innovation        Quality       Professionalism         Integrity