Anyone use an inspection camera to check a car before purchase?

[Bmachine]

Tiny cameras that are either self contained or attach to your iPhone or laptop are now fairly cheap. Some on Amazon are $20 for those that plug in the laptop.

Has anyone used one of those to check for rust before buying a car? They could stay useful when checking for engine leaks or where the darn upper transmission bolts are hiding, etc...

Any recommendations as to which work best?

Thank you.

Bo.

 

[craterface]

My iphone

You can inspect the underside of the front fenders pretty well just by reaching up into the opening at the upper/posterior portion of front wheel well. You can't see what you are filming as you do it, but you can play it back and then re shoot to see what you have missed.

You can also inspect all around under the dash through the glove box and the hood release door. Good stuff

Scott

 

[adawil2002]

I use a small Canon Power Shot SD1300 IS. Small enough for a shirt pocket. Fits inside fenders easily. Click on Athena's link in my signature to see the PPI pictures of her.

 

[Markos]

I haven't used one for a car purchase, but I did buy one recently. It's quite long, way longer than I can functionally use (32'). It's like pushing a wet noodle, so the use is limited without some support wire. I have a few different types of wall fish, so I could use that if necessary. You can see me struggling in a few vids. Mine is 10mm, but they seem to have switched to 5mm. It's a bit tight for me to comfortably use the mirror in the cylinder head, but the 5mm should be fine. This would let you see the valves.

As far as operation, I just plugged it into my mac and recorded videos with quicktime. The USB plug is a bit loose so QT wants to switch back to the integrated camera.

http://www.amazon.com/Million-Water...865727&sr=8-1&keywords=dbpower+usb+inspection


Camera - with mirror attached:

2.8 M30 Cylinder #1:


Underneath passenger windshield frame - visible problem area on my car:


Driver's side rocker: