I demonstrate how and why I use it, why it makes working on your bike or car (or pretty much anything else) so much easier, and show some sample images:
I've been using borescopes since back when they were all optical. They are great tools to have. One addition I added not that long ago was a wireless magnetic camera. It's about a 1" cube and connects to my phone. It replaces a mirror for a lot of jobs and has a wider angle than a endoscope. I bought it to make a special tool, but I have found it very useful for all kinds of things. I plan to get a few more to have around, like keep one on the bike. Just the other day I used it to line up a trailer coupler at an odd angle, on the first try.
I was finally getting around to doing a check of my valves on my GL1800. I have an ABS version and had just removed the bolt for the right tensioner but the sealing washer remained on top of the tensioner. As I reached in to grab it, I somehow knocked it behind the tensioner. As I have the ABS on mine, there is very limited space and I couldn't grab it. I tried using a magnet on an extension but didn't grab it. I did recover an old screw along with a T40 bit that had somehow previously dropped in there but no washer. So I finally pulled out my Nidage scope and began the search. I was able to eventually find it. I backed the camera out and put the magnet attachment on and went back in but the magnet wouldn't grab it. But I was able to push it over a bit. I reached my fingers in until they also were visible on the camera and was able to eventually manipulate the washer between two fingers and get it pulled out. Turns out the washer was aluminum... So without this camera, there is no way that I would have ever retrieved it without a major dismantling of the front of the motor. Otherwise I would have had to order a new one and wait for it to be shipped. This camera paid for itself...
I have that crappy old HFT one too, as you can see in the video!
I actually had a phone/USB one as well (also as I mentioned in the video) but it stopped working with newer phones, which is why I got the new one with the screen on it. Fantastic!
Just an FYI, the Nidage one that I provided the link to still has an active app in Google Play. It can be found here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ohn.hdwifi
It is a bit of a learning curve using it the first time but I am successfully using it on my Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G which is a fairly newer Android phone. But I will admit that having the camera tied to a dedicated screen is probably much easier to use. I'm just a cheapskate and liked the cheaper price on the Nidage wifi camera. For me it's a tool that will probably not get used a lot so I will probably hold off on the dedicated screen one for now.
I have had an old-school endoscope for years. The Autel with a 3/4" diameter head. The fancy Snapon unit at work has around a 1/2" diameter head. All of them work for their intended uses but don't allow access into smaller holes. I watched Adam Savage doing one of his "favourite tools" segments on Tested and he showed a simple and cheap endoscope from Amazon. I purchased one and it has been great for far more than I thought. I fit it inside my handlebars to check for dimples/obstructions, I attached it to an extendable pole to inspect my rain gutters without using a ladder and I used it to look for and retrieve a dropped bolt that managed to hide behind/under my workbench. All for under $30 CDN.
