Underwater inspection camera ( part 2)

[pcatterall]

I’m still strugling with my requirement for an underwater inspection camera and guess it will be better to start a new thread on the subject.

I have a special need to examine my prop ( we are in the med and I’m sure we have a lot of growth on the prop) and also feel that it will be a very useful tool on board for rope round prop and many other situations.
I did buy a cheap 10m borescope of the type which plugs into your PC. This works well on my Windows 8 PC but will not work on my boat laptop which has niether a CD slot or a camera package installed.
I also ( now) understand that any picture on my laptop will be dificult to see in daylight so I started to look at the borescopes which come with a small screen ( usually on a pistol grip).
I guess these may be daylight suitable ?? but cant find one with a long enough 'lead’ ( I need at least 5m)

I dont believe that I can use my existing 10m long 'lead’ in one of the 'with screen’ devices as the connections are different.
So .... thats where we are now! I will appreciate advice on how to proceed!

 

[GrahamM376]

When I first plugged my cheapo boroscope in without having installed the software, it came up on Skype as a second camera. May work for you? I'm using Windows 7.

 

[ffiill]

As someone else suggested on the other thread if you buy a Gopro type camera which is submersible/fully waterproof not only do you get a great camera for use on your boat,you can just attach it to a boat hook and stick it under the boat.
You then get an HD quality video.
Banggood have them for about £60 delivered.

 

[pcatterall]

As someone else suggested on the other thread if you buy a Gopro type camera which is submersible/fully waterproof not only do you get a great camera for use on your boat,you can just attach it to a boat hook and stick it under the boat.
You then get an HD quality video.
Banggood have them for about £60 delivered.

Yes, but........I need a live image to manoeuvre the camera to get the correct view?

 

[Bav34]

Yes, but........I need a live image to manoeuvre the camera to get the correct view?

No.

The first few times are trial and error but if you mark the hull with a bit of tape and then review what you have filmed you will soon find the prop. Just a case in future of remembering where. In my case 2" in front of a particular stanchion with a pole marked for depth finds the prop first time every time.


Screenshot taken from video:

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks. the Gopro image looks good. I would still prefer 'real time' viewing but a Gropro camera would be a nice to have anyway. I assume the image is good just viewed on camera 'play back' ??

 

[Bav34]

I understand why real time might be a preference as the "left a bit, right a bit" could be useful, however if you can't find what you want then an underwater camera has to be the answer if an endo. won't work on your PC.

You can buy the GoPro rip-off called an SJ something but there are even rip-offs of the rip-offs.You really don't know what you're buying.

You don't sound as though you need the massive features of the high end GP's ... for £94 you can get exactly what you need here:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/camera...gopro-hero-action-camcorder-10075719-pdt.html

Attached to something like this:

should give you the angle that you need.


To view/download the video you'll need either an SD slot or USB port on your PC.

One advantage of buying a GoPro is there is always a ready secondhand market for them.

 

[Alpha22]

I have used my GoPro for this very job... posted a vid on the other thread. I viewed the footage on my phone over WiFi instantly after shooting.
I did think that the live WiFi would work, but not surprisingly the Wifi does not work through water!!!!!
It is simple enough to plonk the camera over the slide approximately in the right place and gently move it around to get at last a few seconds of the correct angel view. The angle of view is usually quite wide on these style of camera.
In one or two dunks you will know the state of the prop, even if you don't have a masterpiece.

 

[nimbusgb]

I bought something similar to this. Kids loved watching the fish and dolphins once. I patched it in to the raymarine video in and it worked well, needed a towel sun screen to keep the glare down though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Underwate...Postal_Supplies_Labels_LE&hash=item20e98be6d6

 

[nigelmercier]

I did buy a cheap 10m borescope of the type which plugs into your PC. This works well on my Windows 8 PC but will not work on my boat laptop which has niether a CD slot or a camera package ...

Why would you need a CD drive? Just download the drivers and a viewer to a USB drive.

I recommend an HD Snake Camera http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00OXM2SBU/dolcetto-21, or a genuine SJCAM:

... manufacturer is now printing "SJCAM" or similar on the front to identify it over the copies ...

See http://amzn.to/1vXsOKp (note you can select colour and Wi-Fi options in the listing)

 

[Bav34]

I don't know where Georgio's quote came from but I'm thinking printing SJCAM on a fake camera is a bit like me writing Aston Martin on my Audi. ??????????

 

[Storyline]

If you have an android phone your existing borescope will probably work with the (free) usbcamera app. The one I have (as per Nigel M's suggestion on an old thread) does without issue. Use the live video stream in daylight for positioning and then review the actual video down below out of sunlight. You will need an otg cable.

Still think though I should have got a cheap gopro copy.

 

[nigelmercier]

I don't know where Georgio's quote came from but I'm thinking printing SJCAM on a fake camera ...

if you click the link it will take you to the thread in question where this is being discussed. SJCAM is indeed a copy of a GoPro, but is generally regarded as being excellent. There are copies of this copy that are not so good.

 

[stuartwineberg]

Check out cameras by muvi. Similar to goPro. the latest model links to a free phone app so you can see live what it is recording. Not sure though if the signal will go through water

 

[Alpha22]

Check out cameras by muvi. Similar to goPro. the latest model links to a free phone app so you can see live what it is recording. Not sure though if the signal will go through water

Very much doubt it. My iPhone 'looses' the GoPro the instant it is under water.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Water is a killer for high frequency waves, hence rain will massively degrade wifi - say from one building to the next, or in a marina or even just getting 3G. Under water it has no chance.

 

[dmayes]

I have a JVC video camera that takes a separate input from a waterproof "pipe" camera bought from Henry radio years ago. I have used it to look at the sea bed on the Solent and the underside of my boat. Cable is about 10 meters long and I dropped it into about 5 meters depth and the image was very clear. You can view it on the screen or record it for later viewing.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks all. Thanks to your help here I find that I can use my 10m borescope with a device option on Skype. Looks good but it may be a 'towel on head' job to use in the sun !!