ProVision 100 PV100 Flexible Fiberoptic Scope
by ProVision 100
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List Price: Our Price: $111.99 You Save: $41.76 (27%) Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 2 days Category: Tools See more product details |
Product Details
Manufacturer: ProVision 100Model: PV100
Product features:
- Powerful UV diodes emits light at the Wavelength of 395nm
- Each diode emits 25mcd at 25 degrees
- Flexible cable fits into 1/2-inch opening
- Pressure activated light switch
- Protective boot, flexible eye cup, and carrying case included
Tools and Hardware Reviews of ProVision 100 PV100 Flexible Fiberoptic Scope
Customer Review: handy but not as much as you might hope
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this in order to inspect the walls of my house for two things: I need to see what wiring needs updated, and I also need to see how much insulation is in my walls. I figured the $160 investment was worth the knowledge I would gain and the time and materials I might save.
When I recieved the scope I opened it immediately and began inspecting one particular light fixture that has been bothering me for quite some time. Two things became readily apparent:
1. The 18" shaft isn't long enough. I should have sprung for the longer one.
2. The shaft is not as flexible as I might have expected, and it is actually a bit bulky with a diameter of approximately 3/8", so you won't be slipping this turkey into little cracks. It seems even too wide to scope it into the dipstick tube in an engine - so I'd guess its use for this application might be to have a look through the throttle body, or through a spark plug hole to see why you have no compression. But even in this case, since the tube has limited flexibility, you'll be able to see a dent in a piston but you might not be able to bend it sharply enough to see a bent valve, i.e, it won't bend at a right angle in so short of a distance. Still quite handy, but a little more limited than I expected.
3. Regarding the focal length, it seems to range from a few inches out to right at the objective. Suppose you fish into a wall outlet and you want to see if there is a fireblock a few feet up the wall... it seems like you probably won't be able to focus on it and you'll just have a black and brown blurry image. To see that far, you have to have a closer access point.
4. Due to the eyepiece, you still have to contort yourself into various positions to get an angle on your objective - unfortunately it's not as easy as the promotional pictures show.
Regarding some of my criticisms, a visit to the Provision website showed me that there are accessories to correct for some of these deficiencies.
When I bought it I should have been a little more critical with my research. For some reason I pictured a longer, thinner inspection tube with much better articulation. Nonetheless, this is a nice tool that is compromised only by a limited budget. For $1000, I'm sure there are much better tools of this type, but this isn't too bad for $160. I wish it was better and cheaper, but perhaps this tool is just a few years too early.
I could easily picture this in the tool kit for a well-prepared home inspector, or maybe an energy auditor who is looking for ways to augment a thermal camera study. A mechanic who would like to save the labor of removing the cylinder head might like it, and it could come in handy for inspection of the catalytic converter without removal. The LED lights provide ample illumination.
Update: June 2008.
I recently used this tool to inspect an engine I was rebuilding. My timing belt broke, and I wanted to see if the valves came into contact with the pistons. I simply removed the sparkplugs and rotated the crank with a wrench while peering into the spark plug hole with this 'scope. I was able to focus on the pistons and confirm that they were not damaged, and it saved me the labor of removing the cylinder head. This is a handy tool for car work!
Description of ProVision 100 PV100 Flexible Fiberoptic Scope
See inside finished walls, floors and compartments with this unique tool. Fiber optic scope has adjustable focus and a lamp to illuminate dark crevices. Flexible 18in. shaft with a 40 degree field of view. Simple one hand operation is perfect for electricians, plumbers, carpenters and mechanics. Comes in a blow molded plastic case for carrying & protection of the unit. U.S.A.Job Site Lighting Tools
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