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Costco Inspection Camera
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CS
Oct 19, 2011, 10:14:56 PM10/19/11
to
Paid a visit to Costco today and picked up a wireless inspection camera.
For those who may be wondering, this is a lighted camera mounted on a 9mm
flexible tube, about 3 feet long, with a gun-type handle and a video
monitor. The idea is to snake this camera into otherwise impossible to
reach/see nooks and crannies without tearing a bunch of stuff apart.
They often come with little hooks, magnets, and mirrors, so you can
manipulate or retrieve various light/small items, such as that screw you
just dropped in the guts of your bike/car/spacecraft.
Some have detachable wireless monitors capable of storing images and video
on a memory card.
Today at Costco I found one, which has all of the above, as well as a 3 foot
extension, for a total of 6 feet of nook/cranny inspection goodness, for
$149.99.
Most of these devices go for between $100 for a bare bones 17mm camera model
to $500 for top-o-the-line.
The cheapest camera I found that matches the Costco model was $250, with
moderate ratings.
I've been searching for one of these for a few weeks now. I've found some
nice ones, but didn't want to pay the high price for something that doesn't
make me money, or that I can do without.
So I snagged it. Came in a nice, sturdy case, too.
Works very well. Of course, this is for close range work, so it's quite
possible to identify individual grooves on a machine screw under the couch.
It has a fixed focus lens, but the intensity of the light (4 tiny LEDs) can
be adjusted. The monitor comes off, so if the sun is washing it out or the
angle makes it impossible to see, you can attach it to the included magnetic
stand and place it in a handy spot. The monitor includes a cable that
connects it to a composite input on any TV. The camera records in VGA
(640x480 pixels) while the monitor only displays 320x240. I don't know yet
if full resolution pictures or video will record to the SD card, and thus be
viewable on a computer, but I'll let you know.
It comes with a 2 gig micro SD card, and can record timestamps on still or
video.
The monitor has a built in rechargeable battery, and the camera unit takes 4
AA batteries.
I plan on using this for various projects. I still have a dropped screw
somewhere in the bowels of my Valkyrie engine, and there's a couple places I
want to check for water leakage in the walls of the house.
I'll probably find amusing ways to annoy the wife as well.
All in all, a fine gadget, and I highly recommend it to those who may need
something like this.
CS
For those who may be wondering, this is a lighted camera mounted on a 9mm
flexible tube, about 3 feet long, with a gun-type handle and a video
monitor. The idea is to snake this camera into otherwise impossible to
reach/see nooks and crannies without tearing a bunch of stuff apart.
They often come with little hooks, magnets, and mirrors, so you can
manipulate or retrieve various light/small items, such as that screw you
just dropped in the guts of your bike/car/spacecraft.
Some have detachable wireless monitors capable of storing images and video
on a memory card.
Today at Costco I found one, which has all of the above, as well as a 3 foot
extension, for a total of 6 feet of nook/cranny inspection goodness, for
$149.99.
Most of these devices go for between $100 for a bare bones 17mm camera model
to $500 for top-o-the-line.
The cheapest camera I found that matches the Costco model was $250, with
moderate ratings.
I've been searching for one of these for a few weeks now. I've found some
nice ones, but didn't want to pay the high price for something that doesn't
make me money, or that I can do without.
So I snagged it. Came in a nice, sturdy case, too.
Works very well. Of course, this is for close range work, so it's quite
possible to identify individual grooves on a machine screw under the couch.
It has a fixed focus lens, but the intensity of the light (4 tiny LEDs) can
be adjusted. The monitor comes off, so if the sun is washing it out or the
angle makes it impossible to see, you can attach it to the included magnetic
stand and place it in a handy spot. The monitor includes a cable that
connects it to a composite input on any TV. The camera records in VGA
(640x480 pixels) while the monitor only displays 320x240. I don't know yet
if full resolution pictures or video will record to the SD card, and thus be
viewable on a computer, but I'll let you know.
It comes with a 2 gig micro SD card, and can record timestamps on still or
video.
The monitor has a built in rechargeable battery, and the camera unit takes 4
AA batteries.
I plan on using this for various projects. I still have a dropped screw
somewhere in the bowels of my Valkyrie engine, and there's a couple places I
want to check for water leakage in the walls of the house.
I'll probably find amusing ways to annoy the wife as well.
All in all, a fine gadget, and I highly recommend it to those who may need
something like this.
CS
arizonajohn
Oct 19, 2011, 11:32:43 PM10/19/11
to
Strabo
Oct 24, 2011, 5:33:03 AM10/24/11
to
G
Oct 24, 2011, 7:00:06 AM10/24/11
to
CS wrote:
>Today at Costco I found one, which has all of the above, as well as a 3 foot
>extension, for a total of 6 feet of nook/cranny inspection goodness, for
>$149.99.
I hope you are not using it for anything security related. Please don't
>Today at Costco I found one, which has all of the above, as well as a 3 foot
>extension, for a total of 6 feet of nook/cranny inspection goodness, for
>$149.99.
consider any CCTV packages from Costo/Sams for security, I've yanked so
many out I lost count.
--
"I don't like to discriminate against terrorists based on nationality.
If you declare war on the United States and you want to kill us,
We're going to kill you first, period."
October 19, 2011 - Ali Soufan (Colbert Report)
Nicholas
Oct 24, 2011, 8:29:55 AM10/24/11
to
On Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:33:03 -0400, Strabo <str...@flashlight.net>
wrote:
Cen-Tec
I bought mine at Harbor Freight
wrote:
I bought mine at Harbor Freight
Gunner Asch
Oct 24, 2011, 2:42:14 PM10/24/11
to
On Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:00:06 -0500, G <seal...@osama-is-dead.net>
wrote:
>CS wrote:
>
>>Today at Costco I found one, which has all of the above, as well as a 3 foot
>>extension, for a total of 6 feet of nook/cranny inspection goodness, for
>>$149.99.
>
>
>I hope you are not using it for anything security related. Please don't
>consider any CCTV packages from Costo/Sams for security, I've yanked so
>many out I lost count.
Whats the problem with them? Camera failure or wireless failure?
Do they have a backup RG59 connector or are they simply wireless with
no options?
Gunner, who ran an alarm co for 15 yrs.
One could not be a successful Leftwinger without realizing that,
in contrast to the popular conception supported by newspapers
and mothers of Leftwingers, a goodly number of Leftwingers are
not only narrow-minded and dull, but also just stupid.
Gunner Asch
wrote:
>CS wrote:
>
>>Today at Costco I found one, which has all of the above, as well as a 3 foot
>>extension, for a total of 6 feet of nook/cranny inspection goodness, for
>>$149.99.
>
>
>I hope you are not using it for anything security related. Please don't
>consider any CCTV packages from Costo/Sams for security, I've yanked so
>many out I lost count.
Do they have a backup RG59 connector or are they simply wireless with
no options?
Gunner, who ran an alarm co for 15 yrs.
One could not be a successful Leftwinger without realizing that,
in contrast to the popular conception supported by newspapers
and mothers of Leftwingers, a goodly number of Leftwingers are
not only narrow-minded and dull, but also just stupid.
Gunner Asch
CS
Oct 24, 2011, 3:42:02 PM10/24/11
to
"Strabo" wrote in message news:Adapq.1587$Qd1...@newsfe02.iad...
Whisper.
Of course, "brand name" is relative. There's probably fifty "brands" out
there all made by the same folks, including major brands.
CS
CS
Oct 24, 2011, 3:44:03 PM10/24/11
to
"G" wrote in message
news:21haa75ojc14h3k7d...@Osama-is-dead.net...
CS wrote:
>Today at Costco I found one, which has all of the above, as well as a 3
>foot
>extension, for a total of 6 feet of nook/cranny inspection goodness, for
>$149.99.
I hope you are not using it for anything security related. Please don't
consider any CCTV packages from Costo/Sams for security, I've yanked so
many out I lost count.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's not a security camera, it's an inspection camera for looking behind
walls, under heavy stuff, and whatnot.
CS
news:21haa75ojc14h3k7d...@Osama-is-dead.net...
CS wrote:
>Today at Costco I found one, which has all of the above, as well as a 3
>foot
>extension, for a total of 6 feet of nook/cranny inspection goodness, for
>$149.99.
I hope you are not using it for anything security related. Please don't
consider any CCTV packages from Costo/Sams for security, I've yanked so
many out I lost count.
It's not a security camera, it's an inspection camera for looking behind
walls, under heavy stuff, and whatnot.
CS
CS
Oct 24, 2011, 4:06:37 PM10/24/11
to
"Gunner Asch" wrote in message
news:6acba75r620hbrn4d...@4ax.com...
On Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:00:06 -0500, G <seal...@osama-is-dead.net>
wrote:
>CS wrote:
>
>>Today at Costco I found one, which has all of the above, as well as a 3
>>foot
>>extension, for a total of 6 feet of nook/cranny inspection goodness, for
>>$149.99.
>
>
>I hope you are not using it for anything security related. Please don't
>consider any CCTV packages from Costo/Sams for security, I've yanked so
>many out I lost count.
Whats the problem with them? Camera failure or wireless failure?
Do they have a backup RG59 connector or are they simply wireless with
no options?
Gunner, who ran an alarm co for 15 yrs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Never been a fan of wireless anything for security related stuff.
I can understand a professional having a dim view of Costco or other
consumer type security systems, but the price difference is pretty extreme.
A standard resolution, 0 lux, fixed wired camera with weather resistant
housing:
Consumer camera: $50 to $150
Professional camera: $250 to $1,000
My house, which is a fairly standard detached garage type house, would
require a minimum of 6 cameras if I wanted to deter curious prowlers, 10
cameras if I wanted full coverage around the house for identifying people
and vehicles, and 4 more if I wanted to cover the garage.
Consumer DVR: $150 to $1,000 for 4 and 16 cameras, respectively.
Professional DVR: Shitload of $$$
Also, most professional stuff is way overpriced. The last placed I worked
used Pelco cameras, very nice, but very expensive. Out of 135 cameras, one
would crap out about once every two months. If memory serves, complete
cameras, without housings, were about $300. They were run off of about a
dozen power supplies, recommended by Pelco. These PS's were old school
transformer types, not switching power supplies like nearly every other type
on the planet. While I didn't detect any spikes, my testing rig may not
have been sensitive enough to detect them. Either way, that is what fuses
are for, and they rarely popped.
Shitty $50 cameras would have done the same job, been cheaper to replace,
and probably wouldn't die so quickly anyway.
CS
news:6acba75r620hbrn4d...@4ax.com...
On Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:00:06 -0500, G <seal...@osama-is-dead.net>
wrote:
>CS wrote:
>
>>Today at Costco I found one, which has all of the above, as well as a 3
>>foot
>>extension, for a total of 6 feet of nook/cranny inspection goodness, for
>>$149.99.
>
>
>I hope you are not using it for anything security related. Please don't
>consider any CCTV packages from Costo/Sams for security, I've yanked so
>many out I lost count.
Whats the problem with them? Camera failure or wireless failure?
Do they have a backup RG59 connector or are they simply wireless with
no options?
Gunner, who ran an alarm co for 15 yrs.
Never been a fan of wireless anything for security related stuff.
I can understand a professional having a dim view of Costco or other
consumer type security systems, but the price difference is pretty extreme.
A standard resolution, 0 lux, fixed wired camera with weather resistant
housing:
Consumer camera: $50 to $150
Professional camera: $250 to $1,000
My house, which is a fairly standard detached garage type house, would
require a minimum of 6 cameras if I wanted to deter curious prowlers, 10
cameras if I wanted full coverage around the house for identifying people
and vehicles, and 4 more if I wanted to cover the garage.
Consumer DVR: $150 to $1,000 for 4 and 16 cameras, respectively.
Professional DVR: Shitload of $$$
Also, most professional stuff is way overpriced. The last placed I worked
used Pelco cameras, very nice, but very expensive. Out of 135 cameras, one
would crap out about once every two months. If memory serves, complete
cameras, without housings, were about $300. They were run off of about a
dozen power supplies, recommended by Pelco. These PS's were old school
transformer types, not switching power supplies like nearly every other type
on the planet. While I didn't detect any spikes, my testing rig may not
have been sensitive enough to detect them. Either way, that is what fuses
are for, and they rarely popped.
Shitty $50 cameras would have done the same job, been cheaper to replace,
and probably wouldn't die so quickly anyway.
CS
Strabo
Oct 25, 2011, 4:32:20 PM10/25/11
to
Message has been deleted
CS
Oct 25, 2011, 10:33:23 PM10/25/11
to
"CS" wrote in message
news:JLqdnQ9I3_8aIjjT...@supernews.com...
"Strabo" wrote in message news:Adapq.1587$Qd1...@newsfe02.iad...
<snip>
Sorry, the correct information is below:
Whistler IC-3409PX
CS
news:JLqdnQ9I3_8aIjjT...@supernews.com...
"Strabo" wrote in message news:Adapq.1587$Qd1...@newsfe02.iad...
Don't find it at costco.com
What's the brand name?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whisper.
Of course, "brand name" is relative. There's probably fifty "brands" out
there all made by the same folks, including major brands.
~~~~~~~~~~~
What's the brand name?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whisper.
Of course, "brand name" is relative. There's probably fifty "brands" out
there all made by the same folks, including major brands.
Sorry, the correct information is below:
Whistler IC-3409PX
CS
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