GLPalinkas
Well Known Member
Harbor Freight High Resolution Digital Inspection Camera with Recorder
I purchased an inspection camera from Harbor Freight based on what some of the engine pros on this forum (and Savvy Aviator) recommended. The best way to determine valve, piston and cylinder condition is with an inspection camera. I wanted one that would be able to see the area between the valves as RocketBob states. See current threads here:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=117119
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=117603&highlight=borescope
HF Cen-Tech - Item#60695 $299/$199 on sale but I found it in store for $190 - I web searched and used a 25% off online coupon (on my iPhone presented to the clerk) and it was $152 out the door
(Make sure it’s the High Resolution Model #60695 and not the $99 version that others have said is junk.)
I did some more web searching and discovered another user found the camera to be a product of Autel. The Autel MaxiVideo MV400 digital videoscope, to be exact. It may be made by someone else but it appears identical to the HF version.
PROBLEM : Initially, my camera actually produced 320 x 240 pics. Not the 640 x 480 as the packaging stated.
SOLUTION: I wanted the higher resolution photos so I took the chance and upgraded my inspection camera with the following process. This is just what worked for me. Of course, the HF warranty is probably out the window because when the camera boots up now it displays the Autel Logos and info, not the HF verbiage.
Autel MaxiVideo MV400 digital videoscope
http://www.auteltech.com/autelcms/Digital Inspection Cameras/381.jhtml
Updates here: http://www.auteltech.com/autelcms/UpdatesDownloads/431.jhtml#
Instructions come with the .zip file, however, they are dirt simple.
Make sure to format the MicroSD card in the inspection camera prior to starting this process…...
#1 Download the file to your computer.
#2 Copy the file to the MicroSD card ( I used a Lexar MicroSD card to SD Adapter from OfficeMax $20 and it came with a 16gb MicroSD card)
#3 Install the MicroSD card in to the Inspection camera.
#4 Turn on there camera and while the splash screen logo is on, hold down the top arrow key.
#5 Thats it. Turn the camera off after the update completes. Turn it back on and start taking photos
As far as using the camera in the cylinders.... practice, practice, practice.
The image may be upside down so I orient the camera by viewing something outside of the cylinder first so I have some idea of which way to move it. The valves can only be viewed by using the mirror adapter which works great but collects a lot of dust and dirt and needs to be cleaned with a Q-Tip often.
You can view most everything in the cylinder with practice.
I don’t see any heat related coloring on the valves like were in some photos from another VAF thread, which prompted me to look. At least I have a starting point for what my valves look like now. Hopefully, if conditions change, I can get some VAF help to diagnose.
I purchased an inspection camera from Harbor Freight based on what some of the engine pros on this forum (and Savvy Aviator) recommended. The best way to determine valve, piston and cylinder condition is with an inspection camera. I wanted one that would be able to see the area between the valves as RocketBob states. See current threads here:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=117119
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=117603&highlight=borescope
HF Cen-Tech - Item#60695 $299/$199 on sale but I found it in store for $190 - I web searched and used a 25% off online coupon (on my iPhone presented to the clerk) and it was $152 out the door
(Make sure it’s the High Resolution Model #60695 and not the $99 version that others have said is junk.)
I did some more web searching and discovered another user found the camera to be a product of Autel. The Autel MaxiVideo MV400 digital videoscope, to be exact. It may be made by someone else but it appears identical to the HF version.
PROBLEM : Initially, my camera actually produced 320 x 240 pics. Not the 640 x 480 as the packaging stated.
SOLUTION: I wanted the higher resolution photos so I took the chance and upgraded my inspection camera with the following process. This is just what worked for me. Of course, the HF warranty is probably out the window because when the camera boots up now it displays the Autel Logos and info, not the HF verbiage.
Autel MaxiVideo MV400 digital videoscope
http://www.auteltech.com/autelcms/Digital Inspection Cameras/381.jhtml
Updates here: http://www.auteltech.com/autelcms/UpdatesDownloads/431.jhtml#
Instructions come with the .zip file, however, they are dirt simple.
Make sure to format the MicroSD card in the inspection camera prior to starting this process…...
#1 Download the file to your computer.
#2 Copy the file to the MicroSD card ( I used a Lexar MicroSD card to SD Adapter from OfficeMax $20 and it came with a 16gb MicroSD card)
#3 Install the MicroSD card in to the Inspection camera.
#4 Turn on there camera and while the splash screen logo is on, hold down the top arrow key.
#5 Thats it. Turn the camera off after the update completes. Turn it back on and start taking photos
As far as using the camera in the cylinders.... practice, practice, practice.
The image may be upside down so I orient the camera by viewing something outside of the cylinder first so I have some idea of which way to move it. The valves can only be viewed by using the mirror adapter which works great but collects a lot of dust and dirt and needs to be cleaned with a Q-Tip often.
You can view most everything in the cylinder with practice.
I don’t see any heat related coloring on the valves like were in some photos from another VAF thread, which prompted me to look. At least I have a starting point for what my valves look like now. Hopefully, if conditions change, I can get some VAF help to diagnose.
Last edited:
