Video Borescopes

Video Borescopes FAQs

What is a borescope?

A borescope is a type of remote visual inspection device that consists of a rigid or flexible tube that transmits images back to an ocular or, in the case of a video borescope, a screen. Inspectors use these devices to look inside difficult-to-access areas.

What are video borescopes used for?

A video borescope is an inspection tool with a video camera at the end of a flexible optical tube. They are typically used for inspecting bores, pipes, holes, and cavities otherwise out of reach from other inspection devices.

How does a video borescope work?

Video borescopes have a small sensor chip in the tip of their insertion tubes that enables them to capture video and still images. The sensor sends these images to an LCD screen where they are viewed by the inspector. Many modern videoscopes also have an LED or laser diode light source.

What is the difference between a video borescope and a borescope?

A borescope is a common industry term for an optical instrument used to perform remote visual inspection. While some inspectors may use the term borescope to refer to a video borescope, video borescopes provide more advanced technology than borescopes. Video borescopes are versatile, durable visual inspection tools that offer many leading-edge features, including video/still image recording.

What is the difference between a borescope and an endoscope?

Industrial endoscopes and borescopes are interchangeable terms, and both refer to the same type of instrument. However, the term endoscope is more commonly applied to tools used in the medical field for diagnostic purposes in living patients. Endoscopes, like video borescopes, are a more sophisticated type of borescope with very fine maneuverability and often featuring video and still image recording capabilities.

Industrial Borescope Uses

Inspection of Automotive Parts using Videoscopes

Automobiles have numerous pathways for the internal circulation of water, oil, fuel, and air. If burrs or other defects are present inside these conduits, it can cause a malfunction. To help ensure that vehicle operate optimally, automotive manufacturers need to conduct thorough quality assurance inspections inside car parts using borescopes.

To inspect inside thin piping and narrow pathways in vehicle engines, our IPLEX video borescopes offer a 2.2 mm (0.09 in.) OD scope with articulation.

In research and development, the ability to clearly see the inside of a part not only saves time, but also improves your understanding of the condition inside the parts.

With our industrial borescopes, you can use the onboard software tools to measure the dimensions of irregularities. Some models can also display measurements in 3D, contributing to quantitative evaluation.

Learn more about automotive engine inspection using borescopes

Aircraft Inspection and Maintenance Applications Using RVI

In aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, inspections are conducted at various points. The engine, in particular, is one of the most important components related to flight and must be maintained on a regular basis.

Our borescopes provide clear images from near to far, even in large spaces. We can also offer insertion support tools to make inspections more efficient.

Learn more about aircraft inspection using borescopes

Structure and Building Surveys Applications

As buildings and infrastructure age, the need to inspect their structural integrity increases. Borescopes are useful in a variety of ways for this application. They can be used to observe inside tunnel walls and to access areas of structures that are difficult to reach or underground. They enable inspectors to measure cracks and investigate the condition of narrow sections of bridges, etc.

Our IPLEX series offers a 30 m (98 ft) long insertion tube with articulation and an orientation function that enables you to easily understand which way the scope tip is turned, contributing to more accurate and efficient inspections.

Borescopes are used to perform house inspections to see inside water pipes, behind walls, under floors, etc. In plumbing, borescope enable home inspectors to check for pinholes caused by rust and corrosion. In inspecting behind walls and under floors, borescopes enable you to verify the installation of waterproof sheets and insulation, as well as damage caused by insects.

Remote Visual Plant Equipment Inspection

To avoid downtime at processing plants and manufacturing facilities and prevent accidents caused by aging machinery, a proactive equipment maintenance program is critical.

Our video borescopes are used to inspect inside various types of piping for flaws or corrosion, clogged exhaust ducts, and defects. Use our IPLEX video borescopes to inspect inside manufacturing and processing equipment to resolve problems before they impact worker safety and to maintain production stability.

Reasons to Choose Evident Industrial Borescopes

Reasons to Choose Evident Industrial Borescopes

Our industrial borescopes not only excel at basic functions such as insertion, navigation, and image acquisition, but also provide advanced functionalities to ease crack measurement— including 3D display of measurement points—and accessories that enable you to perform black light inspection and recover foreign objects.

In addition, we offer a diverse lineup of video borescope products to meet a variety of applications. For example, our thinnest scope has an outer diameter of 1.8 mm (0.07 in.), the longest scope is 30 m (98 ft), and many can be articulated. The features vary depend on the IPLEX model, so please contact us for details.

High Image Quality

To prevent minor defects and deficiencies from being overlooked during inspections, our industrial borescopes provide clear, in-focus images from near to far. In addition, our unique WiDER™ (Wide Dynamic Extended Range) image processing technology delivers bright, contrast-balanced images across the entire depth of field even in hard-to-reach areas.

Scope Distal End Articulation

The distal end of scope can be articulated within a 360-degree range, helping improve your accuracy at capturing the inspection targets.

Easy Insertion and Navigation

In borescope inspection, reaching the inspection area can be a challenge. For complex routes, such as curved piping, easy maneuverability improves inspection efficiency.

Our IPLEX™ video borescopes are equipped with the Tapered Flex™ system, which gradually becomes softer toward the tip of the insertion tube, providing easy scope maneuverability and navigation.

For models such as the IPLEX GAir video borescope, a guide head is available to increase the insertion tube maneuverability, even with long scopes.

Wide Range of Scope Diameters and Lengths

To enable you to reach your inspection target, we offer several options for insertion tube lengths and scope outer diameters. For general-purpose use, models with an outer diameter of 4 mm or 6 mm (0.16 in. or 0.24 in.), and insertion lengths of 2 m to 10 m (6.56 ft to 32.8 ft) are available.

Tungsten braids with excellent wear resistance protect the exterior of our insertion tubes, and we offer a variety of product lineup according to the object to be inspected.

Compact Design for Tight Spaces

Some of our scopes have interchangeable optical tip adapters, enabling you to easily switch between a side view lens and a direct view lens. With a side view lens, you can inspect to the side in extremely tight spaces where the scope distal end cannot be articulated.

Record Your Inspection

Inspected images and videos can be recorded on SD cards or other recording media. Some IPLEX video borescope models also support capturing still images while recording a video. In addition, an optional constant video* feature automatically records the last 30 minutes of your inspection in case you forget to press record.

*Available only with the IPLEX GX and requires an optional memory card. Contact us for details.

Waterproof Insertion Tube

Our insertion tubes are waterproof and can be used in underwater environments. The main unit of our IPLEX video borescopes are dustproof and drip-proof (IP55) and can be used in the rain.

PC Connection Communications and Recordings with Videoscopes

Video borescopes can be connected to a PC via a USB cable, and you can display your recorded images and video on the computer using dedicated software. Plus, using VISOL software on PC, you can manage the image and video, as well as perform the measurement on Images captured with Measurement optics and lenses.

Ultraviolet (UV) and Infrared (IR) Illumination with RVI Industry

Scope tip illumination options include white light, infrared (IR) light, and ultraviolet light (UV). UV illumination facilitates the detection of hairline cracks, minute scratches, and oil leaks. IR light enables you to view objects in dark or poorly lit spaces where white light cannot be used and to perform fluorescent penetrant inspection of areas that are not directly visible.