Every so often, I end up with a new gadget, accessory, or tool that’s so good that I wonder how I ever lived without it. My most recent example is this USB-C endoscope camera, which I snagged for just $17.
What’s an endoscope camera? Think of a long, flexible tube with a camera and light attached to one end. In the medical field, it’s used to look inside the human body—but for me, it’s been an everyday game-changer for all kinds of practical uses.
Also read: 14 nifty USB-C gadgets you didn’t know you needed
Before I got this nifty little accessory
The $17 endoscope camera I ended up getting is one that connects to my phone via USB-C. Prior to this, I’d always fiddled around with a bulky standalone endoscope camera.
The housing on that standalone endoscope camera—with its large digital display and analog control buttons—was clunky with poor image quality. The pixelated black-and-white images were blurry and always had me wondering if I should schedule a visit with my eye doctor.
In addition, the cable for that camera was relatively thick and rigid, so I struggled to get it into the drainage holes of some vintage cars, for example. And whenever I needed to use the camera, the batteries were always dead and needed replacing.
After I got this nifty little accessory
Unlike the standalone one I had, the Papiblu endoscope camera for iPhone and Android devices is a different story. I just installed the free app on my phone, then plugged it in via USB-C. Et voilà! The app displays the image from the endoscope camera and I’m able to start using it right away. As soon as I’m done, I just unplug it from my phone and put it away in a drawer. It couldn’t be easier.
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 to go—even into deeper cavities and pipes. The brightness on the LED can be adjusted with a simple dial so I’m able to use it in completely dark areas, and there’s a button that can snap photos. In the app, I can rotate the view, switch between color and monochrome, and even record videos.
Papiblu also includes several attachments for the camera, like a magnet that’s useful for retrieving small metal pieces that may have fallen into hard-to-reach places, and a hook that can retrieve non-metallic bits. It also comes with Micro USB and Lightning adapters for older phones that don’t have USB-C.
Examples of what I use it for
I can’t count the number of times I’ve dropped small parts behind a cupboard, dresser, etc. With this endoscope, I can easily locate them and pull them back up—without moving any furniture in the process.
The camera is useful for peeking behind major appliances, especially in the kitchen. When I had my new dishwasher installed, I was supposed to monitor the water supply connection for potential leaks, but the space under my sink is pretty tight. Fortunately, it wasn’t a problem at all with my trusty endoscope camera.
I also like working on old cars, and one of the most important factors that determines how long a car can survive is its cavity sealing. If the interior areas aren’t properly coated, rust can appear and cause expensive damage. With my endoscope camera, I can quickly inspect anywhere and spot which areas may need better protection. It’s also useful when I suspect a blockage in the engine cooling system, or when I need to peek underneath the carriage for a cursory inspection of coolant lines.
Anyone who owns a model railway will appreciate having an endoscope camera, as it’ll allow you to look inside various tunnels with utmost detail. And on larger layouts, you can use the endoscope camera to take an up-close look at distant, inaccessible details. In the staging yard, you can similarly check on the tracks.
To be honest, I’ve only scratched the surface. I can’t imagine life without this endoscope camera, and I find a use for it nearly every week. Your imagination is the limit as far as 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
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.