Borescope Anyone?

[Ben Framed]

Does anyone here use a Borescope? I would think they would be good for cut outs as well as other uses.

[BeeMaster2]

I use them, I have 2 of them. Instead of cutting walls and ceilings open only to find no bees, I drill a small hole and use the bore scope to look inside. In one instance, I could see lots of bees but no comb. Instead of scheduling a major cutout at a future date, i smoked the bees out and was paid the same as a cutout. Saved the homeowner a lot of repair money.
Jim Altmiller

[Ben Framed]

Jim, have you heard of this one?  Teslong Ultra Slim Borescope This brand was Reccomenbed to me.

[BeeMaster2]

No, I have not heard of that one. You want one that can provide enough light to see across a void.
Jim Altmiller

[drobbins]

I've been looking at them
seems like a useful gadget for bees and a lot of other stuff too
the ones I looked at on amazon that work with a cellphone are not very pricey

[Ben Framed]

I've been looking at them
seems like a useful gadget for bees and a lot of other stuff too
the ones I looked at on amazon that work with a cellphone are not very pricey

Florida Bee Keeper who is a member here put out a video on a small hive beetle barrier that he has been working on using never wet.  On an updated video, he was using this in order to demonstrate that his beetle barrier was working, via the borescope. His borescope was more clear than I would have ever expected. In the comment section, I ask him about it and he posted a link on amazon for around 140.00. I tried finding this on eBay and seems to be an updated version but price is 117.00. I am wondering if the newer one is just as clear. Surely it would be, I am thinking.
I will look for more information.
Phillip

[drobbins]

I was thinking more along the lines of the link below
does 1080P so I would think the image is pretty good and the reviews look good
I'm gonna order one, wait a few days and I'll tell ya how it does
I suspect the ones your talking about are dedicated units with their own video screen
the one below uses the screen on your phone which saves bucks
you can always view it on your computer monitor later for a big screen

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HCZSXC2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2EWNIPF0C6CS6&psc=1

[Ben Framed]

I was thinking more along the lines of the link below
does 1080P so I would think the image is pretty good and the reviews look good
I'm gonna order one, wait a few days and I'll tell ya how it does
I suspect the ones your talking about are dedicated units with their own video screen
the one below uses the screen on your phone which saves bucks
you can always view it on your computer monitor later for a big screen

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HCZSXC2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2EWNIPF0C6CS6&psc=1

Sounds good! Yes please let me know,
Phillip

[BeeMaster2]

Please let us know how it works out. The ones that I have are very poor and hard to see especially if it is not close the what you are trying to see.
Jim Altmiller

[drobbins]

should bee here tomorrow
stay tuned

[paus]

I have one of the "import from China "store, as Jim says poor resolution, not like the industrial scopes I worked with in the Good ol days. Generally good enough for finding the mother load.  Less than $200.

[Acebird]

The ones that I have are very poor and hard to see especially if it is not close the what you are trying to see.
Jim Altmiller

That is what I have.  Their main purpose is medical laparoscopic surgery meant to get in tiny spaces.  That is why they have such a short focal point.  What you should be looking for is an inspection scope.

[drobbins]

the one I ordered says "Focal Length of 1.18inch to 197inch"
time will tell, should be here this afternoon.
anyway, Amazon makes it really easy to send stuff back

[2Sox]

I'v used a boroscope on cutouts and found them useful.  But recently, I made the investment in a thermal imager and I wouldn't do a cutout without it.  Takes the guesswork out of finding the center of the cluster and saves a great deal of time. A little pricey but if you do a lot of cut outs it pays for itself after the first job.

https://www.amazon.com/FLIR-TG165-Spot-Thermal-Camera/dp/B00NXJDQV0/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2K88LW0BUKWSI&keywords=flir+thermal+imaging&qid=1556465008&s=gateway&sprefix=flir+thermal%2Celectronics%2C133&sr=8-8

[drobbins]

here's a first test of the $38 cheapo from amazon, remember, I have no idea what I'm doing
couple of observations
you have to get the camera in position and hold it still if you want a descent image
you have to learn to manipulate the camera
glare on the cellphone screen is a problem, so is the small screen, I have a tablet with a bigger screen, still need to try that
it's looking into a bait hive where most of the frames are empty with starter strips
it would be much harder to manipulate in a hive with drawn comb
overall I think it's useful for what it costs
no doubt you can get better if you spend the bucks, I just can't justify that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APa7Mjj0sTo&feature=youtu.be

[Ben Framed]

here's a first test of the $38 cheapo from amazon, remember, I have no idea what I'm doing
couple of observations
you have to get the camera in position and hold it still if you want a descent image
you have to learn to manipulate the camera
glare on the cellphone screen is a problem, so is the small screen, I have a tablet with a bigger screen, still need to try that
it's looking into a bait hive where most of the frames are empty with starter strips
it would be much harder to manipulate in a hive with drawn comb
overall I think it's useful for what it costs
no doubt you can get better if you spend the bucks, I just can't justify that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APa7Mjj0sTo&feature=youtu.be

Wow, not bad for 38 bucks! Thanks for sharing

[drobbins]

Wow, not bad for 38 bucks! Thanks for sharing

the obvious problem I see is that in a hive with drawn out comb, you're gonna have a hard time manipulating the camera around
the bait hive I was looking in is mostly starter strips, 2 boxes high, and I still couldn't get the camera into the top box where most of the bees are
still a useful gadget for that price

[Ben Framed]

I'v used a boroscope on cutouts and found them useful.  But recently, I made the investment in a thermal imager and I wouldn't do a cutout without it.  Takes the guesswork out of finding the center of the cluster and saves a great deal of time. A little pricey but if you do a lot of cut outs it pays for itself after the first job.

https://www.amazon.com/FLIR-TG165-Spot-Thermal-Camera/dp/B00NXJDQV0/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2K88LW0BUKWSI&keywords=flir+thermal+imaging&qid=1556465008&s=gateway&sprefix=flir+thermal%2Celectronics%2C133&sr=8-8

Nice 2Sox, I met you enjoy that piece of equipment!!!

[BeeMaster2]

Drobbins,
That is a good video. Much better than the ones that I get with the ones that I have. Another plus is that you can record it and share it using the iPhone.
Jim Altmiller

[Acebird]

I wouldn't complain about that image for 38 bucks.  Put a hood over your iphone/ipad so you can see the screen better.