Best buy/value endoscope

Skylark

Skylark

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Not boaty but looking for practical experience from the Forum.

I need to look behind a fridge, from below. It's newly installed and has unacceptable vibration. It could be that rear cooling pipes are touching an unused, capped, gas pipe. Before committing to having the fridge removed and something done with the gas pipe, I'd like to take a look. As shown in picture, floor kick boards are yet to be installed so that's the viewing access point. Gas pipe is approx 1m above floor level.

Would a low cost endoscope allow me to get a good view, any specific recommendations? Can better quality machines be rented?

Many thanks.

Kitchen fridge.jpg
 
Look for one with cameras on front and side as it's tricky to get the camera to point the right direction otherwise. Good resolution is a must have.

You still may want to put a brighter light back there e.g. torch with cob light, since the light on small endoscopes are only good meant for things that are very close.

In this case, a larger head might be OK e.g. 7mm.

E.g. https://amzn.eu/d/h7QcAXV
 
I have two depstech ones that work really well - the slightly better one has its own power pack, sending images to phone /tablet on WiFi. The other connects to the USBC port of the phone, so doesn't need it's own power - this I keep on the boat because I don't need to keep it charged.
 
One thing to be aware of is that cheap endoscopes usually have a limited range of focus, typically 3 to 8cm, and you can't see anything beyond that. Ideally in your situation you'd want one that gives you the bigger picture, but they're more expensive.
 
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Skylark said:
Not boaty but looking for practical experience from the Forum.

I need to look behind a fridge, from below. It's newly installed and has unacceptable vibration. It could be that rear cooling pipes are touching an unused, capped, gas pipe. Before committing to having the fridge removed and something done with the gas pipe, I'd like to take a look. As shown in picture, floor kick boards are yet to be installed so that's the viewing access point. Gas pipe is approx 1m above floor level.

Would a low cost endoscope allow me to get a good view, any specific recommendations? Can better quality machines be rented?

Many thanks.

View attachment 194841
Click to expand...
Fridge next to cooker??:cry:
Can you not get installer back to sort it?
 
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KevinV said:
I have two depstech ones that work really well - the slightly better one has its own power pack, sending images to phone /tablet on WiFi. The other connects to the USBC port of the phone, so doesn't need it's own power - this I keep on the boat because I don't need to keep it charged.
Click to expand...
Another thumbs up for the depstech ones - sorted quite a few issues on board and at home
 
I would try with a mobile phone using selfy mode first, if it could be laid on the ground at the back and you can reach the button.
 
oilybilge said:
One thing to be aware of is that cheap endoscopes usually have a limited range of focus, typically 3 to 8cm, and you can't see anything beyond that. Ideally in your situation you'd want one that gives you the bigger picture, but they're more expensive.
Click to expand...
It depends what you call cheap. This one has a 16" focal length. https://amzn.eu/d/ayLbaPT

The biggest problem I've found with this type of camera is that the outer sheath gets very brittle in cold weather and cracks unless you warm it up first.
 
I've had a number that work with a smartphone .

None have a focus adjustment so the object of interest will only be seen clearly at a fixed distance from the sensor. Trying to do this and find what you are looking for is a challenge. I would be grateful if anyone has one with a focus adjustment.
 
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