Every now and then I find myself with a new gadget, accessory or tool so good that I wonder how I ever lived without it. My most recent example is this USB-C endoscope camera, which I purchased for just $17.
What is an endoscope camera? Think of a long, flexible tube with a camera and light attached to one end. In the medical field it is used to look inside the human body, but for me it has been a daily game changer for all kinds of practical uses.
Further reading: 12 Nifty USB-C Gadgets You Didn’t Know You Needed
Before having this nifty little accessory
The $17 endoscope camera I ended up getting is the one that connects to my phone via USB-C. Before that, I had always tinkered with a bulky standalone endoscope camera.
The housing of this stand-alone endoscopic camera, with its large digital screen and analog control buttons, was bulky and the image quality was poor. The pixelated black and white images were blurry and I kept wondering if I should schedule a visit to my eye doctor.
Additionally, the cable for this camera was relatively thick and stiff, so I had difficulty getting it through the drain holes of some older cars for example. And every time I needed to use the camera, the batteries always died and had to be replaced.
After receiving this nifty little accessory
Unlike the standalone camera I had, the Ennover endoscope camera for iPhone and Android devices is a different story. I just installed the free app on my phone and then plugged it in via USB-C. And there you have it! The app displays the endoscope camera image and I can start using it immediately. As soon as I’m done, I unplug it from my phone and put it 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 need it, 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 a simple button that can take photos. In the app, I can rotate the view, switch between color and monochrome, and even record videos.
Ennover also includes several accessories for the camera, such as a magnet useful for retrieving small metal parts that may have fallen into hard-to-reach places, or a pickaxe that can collect non-metallic pieces. Other accessories include a mirror, replacement stands, and Micro USB and Lightning adapters for older phones that don’t have USB-C.
Examples of how I use it
I can’t count the number of times I’ve dropped small parts behind a closet, dresser, etc. With the endoscope, I can easily locate and reassemble them, without moving any furniture in the process.
The camera is useful for peeking behind large appliances, especially in the kitchen. When I had my new dishwasher installed, I was supposed to monitor the water supply connection for leaks, but the space under my sink is pretty tight. Luckily, this wasn’t a problem at all with my trusty endoscope camera.
I also enjoy working on vintage cars, and one of the most important factors that determine the lifespan of a car is the sealing of the cavities. If interior areas are not properly coated, rust can occur and cause costly damage. With my endoscopic camera, I can quickly inspect anywhere and spot areas that might need better protection. It’s also useful when I suspect a blockage in the engine’s cooling system or when I need to peek under the truck for a quick inspection of the coolant lines.
Anyone who owns a model railway will appreciate having an endoscopic camera, as it will allow you to observe the interior of various tunnels in greater detail than ever before. And on larger networks, you can use the endoscopic camera to observe distant and inaccessible details up close. In the staging area you can also check the lanes.
To be honest, this only scratches the surface. Like I said, I can’t imagine life without this endoscope camera, and I find use for it almost every week. Your imagination is the limit as to what you can use it for, and it’s an incredible value for just $17 on Amazon.
Get this USB-C endoscope camera for just $17
