Author Topic: Borescope inspection cameras...at Costco!  (Read 10320 times)

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 7061
Borescope inspection cameras...at Costco!
« on: August 13, 2011, 02:54:40 »
http://www.whistlergroup.com/WIC-3509P-spec.html

At PUB, Tom Collitt gave an interesting presentation on a Pagoda restoration he did for a Swiss customer.  They had asked for an "endoscope" inspection of rust areas.  What they really wanted was a "borescope" inspection.  Normally these tools cost $300 or more.  However, i saw this model above at Costco yesterday for $149.  This is an exceptional price.  A solution in search of a problem!

This is only at the stores, not at costco.com online.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2011, 03:03:59 by mdsalemi »
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

49er

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, El Dorado Hills
  • Posts: 1427
Re: Borescope inspection cameras...at Costco!
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2011, 03:16:39 »
http://www.whistlergroup.com/WIC-3509P-spec.html

At PUB, Tom Collitt gave an interesting presentation on a Pagoda restoration he did for a Swiss customer.  They had asked for an "endoscope" inspection of rust areas.  What they really wanted was a "borescope" inspection.  Normally these tools cost $300 or more.  However, i saw this model above at Costco yesterday for $149.  This is an exceptional price.  A solution in search of a problem!

This is only at the stores, not at costco.com online.
Saw one at our local Costco yesterday. Like you say "a solution in search of a problem" :)
John
1969 280SL 003820
Un Restored, All Original, including the paint
Original Owner, Purchased September 18, 1968
4 speed manual, PS. 77217 miles
7280 miles since awoken from her 20+ yr "nap" in 2010

thelews

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, WI, Mequon
  • Posts: 1955
Re: Borescope inspection cameras...at Costco!
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2011, 04:25:24 »
Bought mine for $99 at Harbor Freight and have seen them as low as $79.

We save money doing at home colonoscopies now.
Enjoy some pictures at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8292359@N06/sets/72157603240571101/show/

John - Wisconsin
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual #1543
1961 190 SL 23K miles
1964 Porsche 356
1970 Porsche 911E
1991 BMW 318is
1966 Jaguar XKE
1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

Benz Dr.

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7220
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Borescope inspection cameras...at Costco!
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2011, 04:41:20 »
Geeze John, that should work perfectly for a least a few select individuals around here. Handy tool no doubt.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 7061
Re: Borescope inspection cameras...at Costco!
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2011, 13:47:13 »
Bought mine for $99 at Harbor Freight and have seen them as low as $79.

We save money doing at home colonoscopies now.

The costco unit seems to be a $300 unit special purchase.  Harbor freight is, well, Harbor freight.  If you need one, it is worth comparing features.  I have bought some interesting tools at Harbor Freight for superb prices, but also have an amazing array of scrap metal junk purporting to be tools, too.  Use your best judgment.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

thelews

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, WI, Mequon
  • Posts: 1955
Re: Borescope inspection cameras...at Costco!
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2011, 14:22:24 »
The costco unit seems to be a $300 unit special purchase.  Harbor freight is, well, Harbor freight.  If you need one, it is worth comparing features.  I have bought some interesting tools at Harbor Freight for superb prices, but also have an amazing array of scrap metal junk purporting to be tools, too.  Use your best judgment.

I've used mine several times, works great.  

Yes, I've bought a couple of things at HF that turned out to be less than hoped for, but, overall, I've gotten more tools than I could imagine at fabulous prices.  Aluminum racing jack, transmission jack, 5 gallon oil drain dolly, wrenches, ratchets, air tools, microfibre towels for the shop, shop towels, tool chests, grommet kits, cotter pin kits, shim kits and the list goes on.  The place has been a godsend for a weekender like myself, although, on another board I frequent of professional mechanics, many sing the praises of HF products.  Of course, the buyer needs to be discriminating in their purchases.  So, for the 5% of things (maybe) that have not worked out, and they take returns with no fuss, I've come out waaaaaaaaaaay ahead.  I have two local stores, so I see what I buy.
« Last Edit: August 14, 2011, 14:18:30 by thelews »
Enjoy some pictures at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8292359@N06/sets/72157603240571101/show/

John - Wisconsin
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual #1543
1961 190 SL 23K miles
1964 Porsche 356
1970 Porsche 911E
1991 BMW 318is
1966 Jaguar XKE
1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

Shvegel

  • Inactive
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Cleveland Heights
  • Posts: 2978
Re: Borescope inspection cameras...at Costco!
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2011, 09:31:12 »
We have the Milwaukee version on the boat. It's handy at times but the camera is a little large to get into really tight areas. Resolution is OK to good.