NEW FIBERSCOPE TOOL ATS

[MoonlightVFR]

I AM POSTING TO ELICIT COMMENT ABOUT A NEW TOOL.

ATS catalog item no VS36-10WW pg 7

Visual Optics Video-Stik Fiberscope with built in video out jack. 2.5" color monitor.


The idea apparently is to record condition of internal cylinder at each annual inspection.

Does not appear to be a lot of money for a Tech Tool 319.95


I realize I can live without this tool but sometimes tools are my weakness.


DO any of you see a benefit, and would you consider a purchase personally.

Regards

[ronjenx]

The item you posted appears to be on sale on the Aircraft Tool Supply website for $289.95.
http://www.aircraft-tool.com/shop/searc ... WEBSALE_VO

Not being able to compare this with the optical version you actually look through, I would lean towards the one you look through, for about the same money. I can't help but think the image you see would be better.
Bore scopes have come in real handy for me many times in the past. Fortunately, I have had access to them at work, so I could borrow one for working at the local hangar when needed.

[wingnut]

I just purchased this same videoscope from our Matco tool dealer for $319. I like it better than the eyepiece type because sometimes I can see something and try to show someone else, maybe a customer, and they won't be able to see what I do. With the video screen, we can both watch color TV. It's great for cylinders, but we primarily use it for inspecting structure in areas you can't see with mirrors and flashlights. The videoscope is equipped with a light, angled mirror attachment and a magnet attachment. I can't wait until I drop a screw into a place I cant see or reach. It's fun under the sheets too

[ronjenx]

wingnut,

Can you give a comparison of image quality between the two?

[wingnut]

Well, keep in mind the price ranges/qualities of the "hold up to your eye" boroscopes; $200-several thousand$$$. The eyepiece unit that we borrow from the local engine shop is a mid-grade unit that cost about $1,200. I personally think my $300 vidoescope has better image quality. It has an auto focus function that works well, and a video out port (RCA-NTSC signal), which will be very usefull when I need to email pictures (or video)of cracks or corrosion to a customer.
I haven't had a legitimate use for it (I just got it last Thursday), but I have played with it some, and I just like it alot better than any boroscope I've ever used. Now, I haven't used those $6000 units before, so I can only give you my opinion based on the units I have used.
I've looked into lift struts, spar carry-thru's, up tail pipes to inspect mufflers (I felt like a gynocologist), cylinders, inside of horizontal stabs and flight controls, my nose, ears, etc.

The only feature that it doesn't have, that I wished it did, is that you cannot rotate the head after it's in the hole. You have to pull-out, rotate, poke it back in, or rotate the entire unit and your head along with it. However, with the video port, you could hook it up to a laptop or TV screen, rotate the unit and watch the TV, not the LCD.

Resolution is 320x240 pixels on a color 2.5" LCD screen. Viewing distance is .4" to infinity

[ronjenx]

Sounds like a good unit. Thanks.

[Paul-WI]

I also have one I purchased a number of months ago - will be using to look inside during annual. We use it around the shop for looking for leaks, etc in hard to reach areas (auto). Just a note - if you use the mirror attachment, tape it and don't rely on the retainer clip to hold it into place. It has not happened to me, but I have heard of the mirror coming off if you bump it while removing the scope from a spark plug hole. And the kicker is that it mirror is not steel so you can not remove it with a magnet.


Paul