The DBPOWER Endoscope Inspection Camera is marketed as ideal for plumbing, vehicle maintenance, construction, and any situation where you need to inspect an area that is hard to see.
The unit lets you view live video on an LCD screen or capture images and video on a micro SD memory card. Its rechargeable 18650 lithium-ion battery provides up to six hours of continuous use and the waterproof probe and cable extend over nine feet. This endoscope has a lot going for it, but might not be the right choice for everyone.
Technical Specifications
- Camera: The camera head has a diameter of 8.2mm, with its shaft measuring 7.0mm in diameter. It features 360-degree rotation, a 60-80mm depth of field, and 6 adjustable high intensity LEDs.
- Length: The tube/shaft is 9.8 feet (3 meter) in length.
- Resolution: The device allows you to record at 320×240, 640×480 (VGA), and 1280×720 (720p) resolutions. Still images can be captured at 640×480, 1600×1200, and 2048×1536 pixels.
- Memory/Storage: No on-board storage, but supports up to a 64 Gb micro SD card (sold separately)
- Onboard Screen: 2.7-inch Color LCD with 320×240 resolution.
- Operating Temperature: 0-45°C (32-113°F)
Review
The DBPOWER Endoscope Inspection Camera compares favorably to similar video endoscopes. It’s 3 meter cable length (9.8′) is much longer than many popular inspection cameras available at your local hardware or big box store – from better-known brands such as DeWalt – whose cables are only 3-4′ (~1 meter) in length.
For some users, one benefit the DBPOWER has over inspection cameras from well-known tool brands is that it runs on a rechargeable 18650 lithium-ion battery, which are cheap and plentiful, rather than a proprietary battery pack. That said, this might be a drawback if you already have a lot of tools from Ridgid, DeWalt, or Milwaukee, and being able to swap out batteries from other tools is most important. That said, the DBPOWER endoscope camera can run for up to 6 hours on the included 2600mAh cell – which can be recharged via the included micro-USB cable. You can also remove the battery and pop in a fresh 18650, which can be picked up from a good brand for about $7-8 a piece.
Here’s an overview of the device’s other strengths and weaknesses:
Strong Points
- The DBPOWER Endoscope is easy to operate and comes with clear instructions.
- It uses standard and easily replaceable parts, such as a micro SD card, micro USB cable, and 18650 rechargeable battery (device comes with battery and cables, but not microSD card).
- The compact unit is highly maneuverable; the buttons can be controlled with one hand so you can guide the cable with the other.
- The light has three different brightness settings and can be turned on or off.
- The pocket size unit fits in tight places and the long cable lets you see places that would otherwise be inaccessible.
- It is easy to store and fits well in the box it ships in. It’s also rugged enough you shouldn’t have a problem throwing it in a toolbox.
Weaknesses
- There is a limited depth of field due to small lens.
- The camera must be close to the object you are viewing to get a clear picture.
- It does not include a micro SD card, so right out of the box you cannot capture images or video.
- The image quality is poor in low light, resulting in grainy images.
- The cable is difficult to maneuver when fully extended, which makes it hard to position the camera.
- The camera is located at the tip of cable and gets dirty frequently in pipes.
Bottom Line
Overall, this endoscope inspection camera is a good tool at a reasonable price. It works well in a number of situations and can locate problems in areas that are hard to access. The image quality is a drawback, but if you are close to an object, you can get a decent picture. In plumbing, the cable can cause some difficulties because it is too rigid to make sharp corners, but too flexible to maneuver easily through dirty pipes. However, usually it can be positioned to successfully find what you are looking for. In general, the endoscope functions well in most applications and offers a number of useful features at a reasonable price point.
