Underwater inspection of prop, etc.

sarabande

sarabande

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I have a spare underwater camera from the hydro electric station that I can borrow. It has a single BNC connector. Can someone suggest the simplest device to record the images please ? 240v and 12v are available.

Alternatively, are any of the endoscope type cameras for a smart phone any good please ?
 
sarabande said:
I have a spare underwater camera from the hydro electric station that I can borrow. It has a single BNC connector. Can someone suggest the simplest device to record the images please ? 240v and 12v are available.

Alternatively, are any of the endoscope type cameras for a smart phone any good please ?
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I've been really pleased with this. I had a really cheap version previously which was rubbish but for the money this is excellent
Wireless Endoscope,DEPSTECH... Wireless Endoscope,DEPSTECH Upgrade 5.0MP HD WiFi Borescope, 16 inch Focal Distance, Semi-Rigid Snake Inspection Camera with 2200 mAh Battery for iOS & Android Smart Phone & Tablets-16.5Ft : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Edit: must be proving popular. It was only £40 in May
 
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Thanks for the speedy input. That focal length of 3 - 16 inches looks very useful.

Do you need an intermediate wifi 'box', or will it handshake dreckly with the phone pls ?
 
sarabande said:
Thanks for the speedy input. That focal length of 3 - 16 inches looks very useful.

Do you need an intermediate wifi 'box', or will it handshake dreckly with the phone pls ?
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Directly with phone. You just need to download the app. Couldn't be easier. Ideally I would have liked IP68 rather than IP67 but so far so good and I need to check the prop every time I leave my current mooring due to the ridiculous amount of weed in Portsmouth
this year that blocks the saildrive intakes if I don't clear it.

Edit: just to be clear, when I say directly to the phone I mean you don't require a separate WiFi network. The camera doesn't physically plug into the phone. You switch the phone WiFi on and it detects the camera when you turn the battery pack on.
 
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I have both Endoscope that connects direct to Android tab / phone but must be OTB.

I also have a Fish Finder camera system that has its own WiFi box and runs of internal rechargeable battery in the WiFi box or 12v. The camera is via a 30m cable to the box. It also has on/off capable LED lights but TBH - the lights are not much good unless water is clear.

I tried the Endoscope when I had a rope round my prop but was not a success due to the murky water. The Fish Finder camera was better ...


Recording of video can be done by any such as DU Recorder as I used on the Tablet ... or whatever you have on your phone / tablet / PC that can accept video via the WiFi

Reminds me - I must get it out and check it ! It all comes in an immaculate alloy framed box .... it was about $90 on eBay ..

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+1 for the fishfinder kit. Had mine for a couple of years now and it's proved reliable and extremely handy at checking out the hull and stern gear without getting in the water.
 
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sarabande said:
I have a spare underwater camera from the hydro electric station that I can borrow. It has a single BNC connector. Can someone suggest the simplest device to record the images please ? 240v and 12v are available.

Alternatively, are any of the endoscope type cameras for a smart phone any good please ?
Click to expand...
Evening Tim,
I’ve got a camera that plugs into iPhone and is quite good even has its own light source. To save time pm me your address and I’ll post it to you, if it’s useful have it on long term borrow if not send it back Ive had a quick look can’t see your address. if it seems a good idea I’ll check if it’s iOS or Android, loaned it a few times and everyone was happy
Happies
Keith
 
How about being brave if you have a modern waterproof phone , tape it to a stick, stick it over the side, 4k video ;)
 
I use a GoPro taped to a boat hook. You can use it connected to your phone for live viewing but I find the screen on my phone hard to see so usually shoot a short video and then watch it back down below.
 
GoPro comes with a waterproof case .. which cheaper SJ versions also have. Set to video and then immerse on end of pole as others above have suggested. But price of a GoPro and the maintenance of the LiPo batterys is a factor. I have a Hero 4 and the batterys are abysmal ... I am a LiPo / Lithium user in many models and other gear but GoPro batterys are the pits.

Another suggestion in similar vein : 808 Keychain camera ...... similar size to a car remote ... give about 1hr recording on a single charge ... use micro SD card ..... and cheap as chips ... 780 versions as little as $10 up to expensive HD 1280's .... eBay is full of them.
Out of box they are NOT waterproof or even close to it. But that's easy to solve.
I have waterplanes that I often mount an onboard camera - 808. The 808 has Clingfilm wrapped round it with ONE layer tightly applied across the camera lens hole. That tight smooth layer does not affect the camera view in any way at all.

So a pole .. a $10 808 camera ... micro SD card ... roll of clingfilm and away you go.

I actually had one of models flip upside down completely immersing the 808 ... by time I had rescued the model - it was easily 5 - 10 mins underwater. 808 was bone dry and still recording.
 
I've got and still use one of our first digital cameras, a Pentax Optio W60, which is waterproof to 4m. Only a 10mp camera but great at the time when bought about 12 years ago. For prop inspection, I just hold it by hand. The trick is to use video and sweep as you see surprisingly more than with a still. They or other makes can be picked up on ebay occasionally.
 
That's pretty much as our prop appeared when the boat came out in september last year; lock-down gave the critters a 4 month head start.
 
Rappey said:
How about being brave if you have a modern waterproof phone , tape it to a stick, stick it over the side, 4k video ;)
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My boat came with a length of 4" drain pipe with a perspex disc sealed into one end. Get a great image and no electronics in water problems . Easiest if used from pontoon but have used it from the cockpit. I use it on a 26ft Westerly.
 
Buck Turgidson said:
Yes, that's a year in Valencia marina. I needed to clean it so I can get 30 miles up the coast for my haul out.
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Boy am I glad I am in Baltic ...... where its brackish waters and my home mooring is fresh. I have no need for Antifoul ... on lift out after 10yrs in - a pressure wash was all that was needed to remove a scummy thin layer.

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