Camera Snakes - Page 2 - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

mcclary's electrical · 10-17-2009, 10:07 PM

I didn't realize you wanted examples!

1) The very first time I used mine. I was drilling in a wall to move a receptacle 3' to the right. Finished basement, so I'm going accross instead of down and back up. I drilled the first stud with flex bit. Slid the camera in, there was 3" plumbing pipe right against the next joist. One pull of the trigger on that flexbit would have went right through that pvc.

2) Adding recessed light in finished ceiling. After determining joist layout, drilled test hole and found there was a pipe right where I was going to drill my next hole.

3) Lighting shutdown at retirement home in Richmond. One hallway, remove recessed cans and start looking for junction box above ceiling. Ended up finding (10) buried 4" square boxes that were not accessible without damaging sheetrock.

4) when fishing sticks in a wall. Instead of using a glow in the dark stick with flashlight, just stick in the camera, which has a light bright enough to light up the whole ceiling bay, and see right where your stick is.

Protech · 10-18-2009, 12:28 AM

I own several. The see snake micro explorer is the only one that's worth owning. All the others are crap.

Aiken Colon · 10-18-2009, 01:25 PM

I know who manufactures the Extech BR200, which I am pretty sure is also the Rigid model. Both are made in China, but I actually like the model. It has video out, and is one of the few models that will take and store pictures on the included SD card.

Extech BR200

JJ

Aiken Colon · 10-18-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protech

I own several. The see snake micro explorer is the only one that's worth owning. All the others are crap.

The Testo VP42 and VP72 are both good units as well. The only flaw is the ability to take and store images. However, both have video out. Testo is a high end German manufacture of mainly HVAC test & measurement devices. The video scopes are both made in the USA, through a Testo partner.

JJ

slowforthecones · 11-01-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aiken Colon

I know who manufactures the Extech BR200, which I am pretty sure is also the Rigid model. Both are made in China, but I actually like the model. It has video out, and is one of the few models that will take and store pictures on the included SD card.

Extech BR200

JJ

so your saying the Ridgid model doesn't have video out and Extech does?

480sparky · 11-01-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nunu163

theyre great when installing old work can lights just drill a 3/4 inch hole and u can see where your joist is. its pretty easy to patch a hole like that then the hole for your mirror

Quote:

Originally Posted by captkirk

im a fan of drilling a hole big enough to slip a piece of # 12 wire through and feeling around with that. Now thats even easier to patch......

I just use my #2 spinner.

JohnJ0906 · 11-01-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

I just use my #2 spinner.

Same here.

BuzzKill · 11-01-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

As soon as I start hiring employees and become a 'real' contractor, I'm gonna get a microExplorer.

Zing!

Aiken Colon · 11-02-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowforthecones

so your saying the Ridgid model doesn't have video out and Extech does?

No I am saying the Rigid model is made by the same exact Chinese manufacture as the Extech BR200. I know who makes both units (it is the same company), and it is not either of these companies. They both private label the unit. I have considered bringing it in, in our own version. Both of the units Sparky showed earlier in this thread are made by this company.

Both units are exactly the same, if you can save a few bucks by going the Extech BR200 route you will end up with the same exact tool. Although from what I can tell the Rigid version is actually about 20% less than the Extech model.

Look in the background of the 5th image down in this link, you will see both of the Rigid versions on the display wall.

http://www.goscam.com/en/en_news_view.php?Id=82

From what I know, only the Testo ones are made here in the USA. Which is great irony, we go to Asia to have stuff produced cheaply. The Germans come here I guess.

The Wohler ones are the best in the world, IMO. However, they carry a big price tag.

JJ

KayJay · 11-02-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aiken Colon

Both units are exactly the same, if you can save a few bucks by going the Extech BR200 route you will end up with the same exact tool. Although from what I can tell the Rigid version is actually about 20% less than the Extech model. JJ

From what I can gather, they are not really the same even if the same manufacturer does happen to make them both.
The Ridgid Micro has a 2.4” fixed display and the Extech BR200 has a removable wireless 3.5” display with a range of up to 32’. Also the Micro only has an RCA video output with no on board video storage like the Extech.
Extech says theirs can be used with a max of two additional optional 38” extensions, where as Ridgid says the Micro can be connected up to 30’ with optional extensions.

The more expensive Ridgid MicroExplorer seems like it may be a closer match to the Extech BR200 and BR250, as far as features go, with it’s 3.5” display, on board JPEG storage, video output and rechargeable lithium ion battery. Still no removable wireless display, but is supposedly self-leveling, so the picture always appears upright. It can also be used with optional extensions up to 30’ max.

RIVETER · 11-02-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black4Truck

I had a bunch of splice boxes up in the ceiling I had to find, so I bought one to make the job easier.

That was a waste of time and I returned it the next day

I went back to the low tech method of a mirror and flashlight

What did you do when you found the splice boxes?