Every now and then I get a new gadget, accessory or tool that… so good that I wonder how I ever lived without him. My last example this endoscopy camera is USB-Cwhich I bought for only $17.
What is an endoscope camera? Imagine a long flexible tube with a camera and a light attached to one end. In the medical field it is used to study the internal organs of the human body, but for me it has become an everyday game changer in all sorts of practical uses.
Further reading: 12 Great USB-C Gadgets You Never Knew You Needed
Before I bought this nifty little accessory
The $17 endoscopy camera I ended up getting connects to my phone via USB-C. Before this, I had always tinkered with a bulky standalone endoscope camera.
The body of this stand-alone endoscopy camera, with its large digital display and analog control buttons, was clunky and had poor image quality. The pixelated black and white images were blurry and I always wondered if I should schedule a visit to the eye doctor.
Additionally, this camera's cable was relatively thick and rigid, so I found it difficult to get it through, for example, the drain holes of some vintage cars. And whenever I needed to use the camera, the batteries were always dead and needed replacing.
After I bought this nifty little accessory
In contrast, my Ennover standalone endoscope camera for iPhone and Android devices is a different story. I just installed the free app on my phone and then connected it via USB-C. And voila! The app displays the image from the endoscope camera and I can start using it right away. Once I'm done, I just unplug it from the phone and put it away in a drawer. It couldn't be simpler.
The 5-foot cable is semi-rigid, so it's flexible enough to bend to my will, but stiff enough to guide it where I want it to go—even into deeper cavities and pipes. The brightness of the LED can be adjusted with a simple dial so I can use it in completely dark areas, and there's also a simple button to take photos with. In the app, I can rotate the image, switch between color and monochrome modes, and even record video.
Ennover also includes several attachments for the camera, such as a magnet, which is useful for retrieving small metal objects dropped into hard-to-reach areas, or a pickaxe, which allows you to retrieve non-metal pieces. Other attachments include a mirror, spare holders, and Micro USB and Lightning adapters for older phones that don't have USB-C.
Examples of what I use it for
I can't count the number of times I've dropped small parts behind a closet, chest of drawers, etc. Using an endoscope, I can easily find them and pull them back out without moving any furniture.
The camera is useful for looking behind large appliances, especially in the kitchen. When I got my new dishwasher installed, I had to keep an eye on the plumbing connection for potential leaks, but the space under the sink is quite tight. Luckily, with my trusty endoscope camera this was not a problem.
I also enjoy working on older cars, and one of the most important factors in determining how long a car can last is the sealing of its interior. If the internal parts are not properly coated, rust can develop and cause costly damage. Using an endoscope camera, I can quickly look at any location and determine which areas need better protection. It's also useful when I suspect a clogged engine cooling system or when I need to look under the bottom bracket for a quick look at the coolant lines.
Anyone who owns a model railroad will appreciate having an endoscope camera, as it will allow you to look inside the various tunnels in greater detail than ever before. And on larger scale models, you can use an endoscope camera to get a closer look at distant, out-of-reach details. At the staging area, you can check the tracks in the same way.
Honestly, this is just scratching the surface. As I said, I can't imagine my life without this endoscope camera and find a use for it almost every week. Your imagination is the limit of what you can use it for, and that is an incredible value. for just $17 on Amazon.
Buy this USB-C endoscopy camera for just $17.
