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View Full Version : Looking for borescope recommendations



bluesman423
09-07-2023, 09:52 AM
Although a part of it has been restored, I went totally blind a few years ago. The bottom line is I cannot see the bore of a firearm well enough to see if it has leading or not.

So, I suppose it is time to throw a little technology in to my efforts.

Do you have a recommendation for a borescope? Of course, price is important but I don't wanna waste my money on junk.

popper
09-07-2023, 10:13 AM
I got a cheap one with semi-flexible scope that plugs into computer USB. Works fine but the small mirror broke off. Get one with the mirror mounted in a tube vs one just wired on AND of the proper dia for your smallest barrel. IIRC it was about 25$ so no real loss, camera part works fine. I don't use it often.

beemer
09-07-2023, 11:25 AM
I ordered a Teslong bore scope from Amazon for about $100. It has a 26" rod, three 22 cal. mirrors and plugs into my laptop. A set of different size mirrors is $20. I think they now offer the scope with the 5 mirror set for $110. There are several options including one with it's own screen.

You can spend a bundle on one but this one meets my needs. It gives a clear picture and is easy to use. I can tell if a barrel is clean and also spot damage. You might not like what you see, I have found that rifle barrels are very seldom perfect. That said, I really like mine and would buy one again. I have had mine for 3-4 years with no trouble. I don't use it all the time, maybe once a month, just a nice tool to have.

Several members here have one, maybe they will stop by and give their opinion.

uscra112
09-07-2023, 12:39 PM
I also bought a $20 "no-name" off Amazon that displays via USB on a laptop. Works fine. Only gripe is that it doesn't work with XP-Pro, so I have to drag out my Windows 10 computer.

I see that there are some now that display via smartphone. I'd do that, except I don't have one.

'Course there is the school of thought that says "This thing tells me things I didn't know I didn't want to know".

M-Tecs
09-07-2023, 01:33 PM
I have a Hawkeye (expensive professional level), a Teslong (very good and inexpensive) and Lyman (more expensive than the Teslong and not as good). I don't think you will find anything better than the Teslong for the money.

https://www.gradientlens.com/products/rigid-borescopes/

https://teslong.com/collections/rifle-borescopes

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016394299/?pid=266555

steveu
09-07-2023, 03:28 PM
Teslong!!!

BrianL
09-07-2023, 04:02 PM
I also have the Teslong in both rifle and pistol length and have found them to be excellent inspection devices. What some folks do not know is that the mirrors can be focused for different bore diameters by turning the mirror and then locking it with the lock ring. They take great pictures and videos

45_Colt
09-07-2023, 05:14 PM
I second the Teslong scope. It comes in different flavors: rigid, flexible, short, long; with a display, or without. Using a WIN10+ laptop can use it for the display via the built in camera app.

The picture is clear and the cost is reasonable.

45_Colt

BrianL
09-07-2023, 05:43 PM
I have used it to show people looking to trade for old surplus guns, just what they were getting

DCB
09-07-2023, 05:46 PM
Teslong bore scope

farmbif
09-07-2023, 09:04 PM
I broke down and got one on amazon about a year ago, $35 it is a lonove has a screen about 3x5 inch and looks kind of like a cell phone and long flexible shaft its coiled up I never stretched it out all the way with I guess camera on end it that fits nicely down a 22 rifle barrel has several doo dads that slide over the end like mirror and hook and I dont know what else slot for memory card records stills and video and it has surpassed all expectations for $35 while the Milwaukee one is $250 and has an itty bitty screen.
ive seen others that look exactly the same in different colors with different names on them. probably all come out of the same factory in china

farmbif
09-07-2023, 09:11 PM
this is the one I got. I never had any experience with any others but this this has become super useful for lots lots more than just looking down rifle bores

https://www.ubuy.co.id/en/product/GQGVGBC-borescope-inspection-camera-lonove-industrial-endoscope-camera-hd-5-5mm-1080p-4-3-lcd-screen-w-ip67-

BamaNapper
09-08-2023, 01:11 PM
We use one of endoscopes here at work for inspecting areas we can't see easily. It's from Amazon (search B0972QT3P8). The tip is 5.5mm, so about 22 caliber. It's got a 5" screen, rechargeable batteries and allows recording videos as well as taking snapshots if you wish. The snake on it is usually flexible enough and is 15 feet long, so it serves a ton of purposes. There are also attachments with it to add a mirror or a hook to the end of the camera.

We've had it better than a year now, and we are super pleased with it. An impressive tool for about $60. If they ever say I can't borrow this one for a weekend project, I'll buy my own.

lx2008
09-08-2023, 01:40 PM
do any of the teslongs have the ability to focus?

M-Tecs
09-08-2023, 01:49 PM
do any of the teslongs have the ability to focus?

Yes the mirror adjusts in and out to focus.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EBB9CN-tZs

stubshaft
09-08-2023, 10:06 PM
Teslong!!!

mainiac
09-12-2023, 05:50 PM
And,teslong makes caliber specific lens,no focusing,worth the extra money.

lotech
09-15-2023, 05:44 PM
I've used a Hawkeye a lot in the last fifteen or more years and it's held up well. It was the only one available when I bought it. I'm not familiar with the later cheaper scopes but they may be fine.

M-Tecs
09-15-2023, 10:11 PM
And,teslong makes caliber specific lens,no focusing,worth the extra money.

The five piece set still requires focusing.

https://teslong.com/products/different-size-side-view-mirrors-for-ntg100-series-rifle-borescope-0-2inch-and-larger

This set includes one of each diameter side-view mirror:

0.2 in (5 mm)

0.23 in (6 mm)

0.27 in (7 mm)

0.33 in (8.5 mm)

0.39 in (10 mm)

Description:

This kit allows you to see more of the lands and grooves inside of large-caliber rifle barrels than you would with just the standard 0.20-diameter mirror.

These mirrors also help keep your borescope centered inside the barrel and thus maintain a more consistent focus as you rotate the borescope probe.

BLAHUT
09-15-2023, 10:38 PM
Although a part of it has been restored, I went totally blind a few years ago. The bottom line is I cannot see the bore of a firearm well enough to see if it has leading or not.

So, I suppose it is time to throw a little technology in to my efforts.

Do you have a recommendation for a borescope? Of course, price is important but I don't wanna waste my money on junk.


There are a lot of them on amazon and e-bay that will get the job done for cheap ??