remingtonman_25_06
Handloader
- Nov 17, 2005
- 2,807
- 402
Anyone have any experience with this? Good or bad?
Teslong Borescope
- Thread starter remingtonman_25_06
- Start date
I got one of the "semi-rigid" ones a few months ago & it was pretty poor for my use. It worked kind of OK on larger bores but was damned near impossible to get focused at all in a 22. Very, VERY frustrating. Also, the dimmer rheostat needs to go further to the dim side. The light is very bright & just about when the dazzling glare was about to go away it would go dark. The unit was returned.
Just got a rigid one that's miles better for about $30 more than the cheapies. The wand is bare steel so care is needed. There are hash marks every 1/4" or so to be able to locate where you're viewing, but the writing is so small it's hard to see even with a magnifying glass. Maybe my eyes aren't as good as they used to be, but...
The 26" length just reaches the muzzle on a short action with 24" barrel. Haven't tried it on long action yet but imagine it can be snuck up into the bolt area to get to the muzzle if the barrel is around 24". The handle is small enough in diameter. Being stiff it can be moved away just enough from the blurry image so there's focus. The mirror on both units screws in & out for focus, but the flexible cable changed it with each movement. The rheostat on the rigid unit still stops too soon going dimmer, but it's workable.
It turns out my old cleaning process works well for the most part. Some of the newer solvents are a vast improvement, so I'm adjusting to progress... Better living thru chemistry. GRRRRR.
The finish difference between factory barrels & a Shilen or a Hart is absolutely remarkable.
Still playing around figuring out its quirks, but it's a fun new toy. I was exploring the inside of new brass the other night. Lapua is amazing even on the inside.
If I can figure out how to post pictures I will soon have a series on carbon ring removal in a nasty old barrel. If it ever comes all the way clean.
Just got a rigid one that's miles better for about $30 more than the cheapies. The wand is bare steel so care is needed. There are hash marks every 1/4" or so to be able to locate where you're viewing, but the writing is so small it's hard to see even with a magnifying glass. Maybe my eyes aren't as good as they used to be, but...
The 26" length just reaches the muzzle on a short action with 24" barrel. Haven't tried it on long action yet but imagine it can be snuck up into the bolt area to get to the muzzle if the barrel is around 24". The handle is small enough in diameter. Being stiff it can be moved away just enough from the blurry image so there's focus. The mirror on both units screws in & out for focus, but the flexible cable changed it with each movement. The rheostat on the rigid unit still stops too soon going dimmer, but it's workable.
It turns out my old cleaning process works well for the most part. Some of the newer solvents are a vast improvement, so I'm adjusting to progress... Better living thru chemistry. GRRRRR.
The finish difference between factory barrels & a Shilen or a Hart is absolutely remarkable.
Still playing around figuring out its quirks, but it's a fun new toy. I was exploring the inside of new brass the other night. Lapua is amazing even on the inside.
If I can figure out how to post pictures I will soon have a series on carbon ring removal in a nasty old barrel. If it ever comes all the way clean.
Joec7651
Handloader
- Apr 7, 2019
- 943
- 1,201
I have one and I have no issues with focus. I think it is worth the $50 I paid for it.
Dr. Vette
Handloader
- Apr 16, 2012
- 1,480
- 365
I used mine to monitor copper removal from a barrel. I purchased a used rifle that probably had $50 in scrap copper lining the barrel. :grin:
It's also nice to look for that "item" that is scratching your brass in the chamber, and look for cracking in the throat.
It's also nice to look for that "item" that is scratching your brass in the chamber, and look for cracking in the throat.
TackDriver284
Handloader
- Feb 13, 2016
- 2,560
- 2,139
I'm interested in it too, which would be better? The flexible 36 inch or the 26 inch rigid models ? Thinking to use my USB to plug into my laptop to view it, since its cheaper than buying the extras?
Joec7651
Handloader
- Apr 7, 2019
- 943
- 1,201
Even the 36" flexible model is fairly stiff. That's the one I have and use it with a laptop without any inconvenience.
- Thread starter
- #9
remingtonman_25_06
Handloader
- Nov 17, 2005
- 2,807
- 402
Copper build up and carbon ring, throat erosion/cracking, chamber flaws, all kinds of good stuff to look for! I still havent even put mine down a rifle barrel yet, so much to do, so little time these days...I got the 36" flexible rod and as stated, it's still pretty stiff. Plus I have rifles with 30" barrels so the 26" wont really work for me...I use it on my smart phone, but I also have a tablet for a bigger screen if needed. The galaxy S10+ has a fairly nice big screen for a phone though, so that's what I'll be using it with anyway.
elkeater2
Handloader
- Jan 5, 2009
- 761
- 85
I just got the $50 semi rigid 36" one and am very, very impressed. This the "not iPhone" model that plugs into a laptop. Focus takes some learning but is easily done. On most laptops, the camera app on the laptop tries to adjust lighting for what it thinks is best, so as you use the dimmer and try to adjust light the camera app fights you. There is a way to control that feature in the app.
As advised on other forums, I am seeing things I wish I didn't. Mostly how much my cleaning system needs to improve! Those forums also advise to not panic and keep in mind the real measure of barrel condition - how well does it shoot, and does it shoot as well as it used to? One old Mauser of mine with many rounds through it has firecracking, not much carbon ring, erosion at the very beginning of the lands, and button rifling chatter marks in places full length. Yet the edges of the lands are sharp and it still shoots into an inch or inch and a quarter. Even with a little copper leftover in there. I do intend to clean that out. Hope it doesn't shoot worse! EE2
As advised on other forums, I am seeing things I wish I didn't. Mostly how much my cleaning system needs to improve! Those forums also advise to not panic and keep in mind the real measure of barrel condition - how well does it shoot, and does it shoot as well as it used to? One old Mauser of mine with many rounds through it has firecracking, not much carbon ring, erosion at the very beginning of the lands, and button rifling chatter marks in places full length. Yet the edges of the lands are sharp and it still shoots into an inch or inch and a quarter. Even with a little copper leftover in there. I do intend to clean that out. Hope it doesn't shoot worse! EE2
