Over at Sears, this Craftsman digital inspection camera is on sale for $85 after 15% instant discount. Use coupon code TOOLS15 to drop the price another $15 to $70. We have seen a couple of $99 borescopes and inspection cameras, but I don’t think we have ever seen a brand-name model this cheap before.
You must be a “Shop Your Way” rewards member (registration is free) to get the extra $15 savings. Sears’ SEARS5OFF50 and SEARS2013 coupons do NOT seem to be working on this item.
Advertisement
Sears’ product description is a bit light for the Craftsman borescope, but here’s what we know:
- Powered by 4AA batteries
- No backlight
- Waterproof 17mm camera probe
- 39″ flexible gooseneck cable
- 2.4″ color LCD monitor
- Comes with extension tools, including a magnet, hook, and mirror
- There should be an LED light at the tip of the probe to help illuminate dark spaces
Buy Now(via Sears)
Update: It appears that Craftsman’s borescope is a relabeled Extech BR80 ($130 via Amazon).
fred
Nice find!
I’m amazed at how fast this technology moved out of the pro-only high priced category. When I first became aware of the technology it was the domain of high end specialty contractors like Everest VIT. When I bought my first Ridgid See Snake for sewer line inspection – I struggled with the price and wondered if it would ever be paid back. Now the high end tools keep adding features and the consumer tools are getting so dirt cheap that homeowners can buy on on the speculation that it will find that lost item dropped in some inaccessible spot..
rob
I picked up the M12 inspection cam about 18 months ago for $100 (refurb unit) and thought I got a deal. But they do keep dropping, now if one of those thermal cams would drop down to consumer/homeowner pricing I’d be happy!
Jerry
I’m going to have to come here less, my checking account can’t take too much more of this sort of thing.
Jerry
Just kidding! Keep up with the links to the deals!
Stuart
Trust me, I know the feeling.
Hang Fire
Another option is the $30 USB camera snakes on a certain well-known auction site. You’ll need a laptop, thought, but some are so long it’s not a handicap. Of course a dedicated tool has its advantages, too.
Taye15
I was in Wally today and saw a similar product ,Whistler’s inspection camera WIC-1229C with LCD screen for the (everyday price of $59). Would be interesting to compare the two. The pros and cons. By the way, besides looking in engine compartment and such, what other DIY jobs would this be useful for.
Excellent job on your website and reviews.
Stuart
I updated the post to reflect that this Craftsman borescope appears to be a relabeled Extech product. A number of other Craftsman testing tools are Extech relabels.
The Whistler borescope seems to have decent reviews online, but it looks like it’s a generic import model that is also available under different brands. Generally, I place much more trust in Extech testing tools, and Craftsman by extension, than brands such as Whistler.
This model might not be that suitable for looking inside engine compartments, as the 17mm camera diameter would be too large. For that type of application, inspection cameras with <6mm camera and cable attachments would be better. This borescope's 17mm attachment is going to be more robust and might house larger or brighter LEDs.
Anyways, you could use something like this for looking under furniture (such as checking under a refrigerator), behind equipment, down drains and pipes, behind baffles, inside walls, and other such areas where you might not have direct line of sight.
This is the kind of tool that you either know you need, or find uses for once you already have one.
If I didn't already have a Dewalt inspection camera test sample laying around, I would buy one of these for $70 in a heartbeat. I especially like how it's powered by standard AA batteries. The Dewalt requires me to track down a charged 12V Max battery before use.
Update: That Whistler camera looks similar to Extech's BR70 inspection camera. Some of Extech's products appear to rebranded, or Extech could be the OEM for other brands. The their smaller sound meter is another example of this.
Taye15
Ok, thanks for reply and informative comparisons.
Bill Strobel
Thanks for the heads up I ended up ordering one of these at a great price.
josh maier
this camera does have a light. you can even adjust the brightness via the 2 buttons on the unit that look like sunbursts.