* Waterproof Level: IP*67
* Camera head outer diameter: ? 14.5mm ;
* Total length : 5meter(22.4feet) ;
* Resolution : 640*480 30ftps
* Sensor: 1/6 CMOS Image Sensor
* Pixels: 300k Pixels
* Wide visual view angle?62°
* LED switch?Adjustable lightness switch
* USB2.0 interface
* 4 LEDs, the camera can catch sight in the shoot light environment
Note:
1. XP system can watch video directly without install software, Vista or Win 7 need install software which in the CD.
2. Can take photo (XP system can use itself photo function to take photo or use our software,
other system need use our software to take photo)
3. Can record video, and save the video in the PC .
Package
*1 x Mini USB Endoscope
*1 x CD
*1 x User Guide
$ 20.04
Works on Linux,
Based on the product description, I was expecting to have to boot into Windows to use this product. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I plugged it into my Linux box (Ubuntu 12.04 64-bit) and was able to use it without installing any special software or drivers. It works fine with the VLC video client that I use for watching DVDs.
Video quality is mediocre, but more than adequate for looking inside walls while running wires.
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|Good bang for the buck,
Bought to peek into 10 foot skunk burrow under porch but too flimsy to steer past a couple feet before it starts to coil up on itself. I then threaded it into a 6 foot length of garden hose and then fed that down the long tunnel and then fed another foot or two past end of hose. Next problem is very short depth of field so I couldn’t see back wall of burrow. Still, for the price, the scope is great and can serve well in some other situations. No problems loading software with Windows Vista.
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|Great on Mac & Linux – Found More Specs,
I’m so happy with this “endoscope” I’m taking the time to pass on some things I found helpful. First off, it worked immediately when I plugged it into my MacBook and launched the “PhotoBooth” app. Didn’t work for me in iMovie, ImageCapture, or iPhoto. Surprisingly good image quality. Haven’t tried the “RsCap1.10” PC app on the included mini CD, but other free apps you can get online are probably better anyway.
Allow at least 3″ length for the camera head in planning your use, like inside plumbing or whatever you’re looking at.
The sheet that calls itself the “users manual” is actually just a product sheet with a couple of sentences on how to use the RsCap1.10 PC app that you probably don’t want anyway. Additional specs I found on the product sheet that I didn’t see in the specs here:
300K pixels
Auto exposure control
24 bit color
f2.8 [not that it matters]
Focal distance 6cm-infinite
I/O interface USB 2.0/1.1
Temperature up to 80C
The dial on the side of the USB plug is fine for adjusting the brightness level of the 4 LEDs on the scope tip, if you move it slowly enough for the camera circuits to adapt to the light level. Same thing with moving the scope: go slowly or pause occasionally so it can adapt to changing light conditions. Focus is good from about 1″ to 6″ and soft but passable for longer distances.
The only downside I found using the scope with PhotoBooth on two different MacBooks and a Mac Mini (MacOS 10.5 & 10.6) is that the image is inverted (Left=Right), which makes navigating more interesting. Easy enough to invert images after they’re captured though.
I tried the great free “VLC” app on my EeePC1000 netbook running Mint Linux and couldn’t figure out how to get it displaying the scope’s image. For a PC, I’d suggest searching for free apps designed for USB webcams. So for my Linux EeePC I installed and launched the free “Cheese” app, and it worked immediately when the scope was plugged in. Big upsides: Display in Cheese isn’t inverted as with PhotoBooth on the Macs, so navigation is much easier; Netbook is smaller and more portable for using the scope. Downside: image quality isn’t quite as good, though still fine for typical uses of the scope. I mean, it’s not like we’re doing Vogue photojournalism here.
Since many Android phones have USB, it’s probably only a matter of time before someone reports getting this scope to work with a phone or tablet. Won’t -that- be cool?!
I put a felt pen mark at the top of the camera tip to make it easier to orient the camera before inserting it into the plumbing. I’m also experimenting with sticking tiny post-it pieces on the lens as an indicator so it appears at the top edge on the computer screen to help with navigating the plumbing.
I found that the plastic lens tip makes the image hazy when the light dial is turned up in a black environment. So best image is achieved by keeping light level as low as possible. Sure glad it’s adjustable! The light adjusting dial on the USB plug doesn’t allow you to completely turn off the LEDs, but there’s no haze from them at the lower settings. The lens would be easy to scratch, and it looks slightly concave so just replacing it with clear glass would probably change the focal distance but also reduce scratch risk and improve clarity. My plan is just to prevent scratching as long as possible. I’m also going to put clear postal tape around the cylindrical metal camera tip and leave it sticking out a little past the lens rim to help protect it.
Other reviews have talked about the fact that because the USB cable is fairly flexible you’ll need to use it with a wire snake, garden hose, or some other method of pushing it more than a few inches into plumbing, duct work, etc. I have a 3′ “snake” with grabber at the end I’m going to tape the scope to and experiment with retrieving a ring from the plumbing trap in a shower.
Overall, I’m very impressed with how well this scope works on my Mac & Linux computers. It’s simple to use and the quality for this price is the best I’ve found after lots of searching and reading reviews. Really pretty amazing to have a better image on this $25 scope than my mechanic has on the one he paid thousands for. Delivery took only a couple of days, so kudos to Amazon too.
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