Borescopes & Video Endoscopes
A borescope is a visual inspection instrument built around a camera probe, an illumination source and a display, used to see inside cavities, pipes, ducting and machinery that are too small, too deep or too hazardous to inspect by eye or by hand. Ecotao supplies Extech video borescopes and Wöhler HD video endoscopes covering probe diameters from 3.9mm to 25mm, for civil engineering, HVAC, plumbing and industrial inspection work across South Africa.
How to Choose a Borescope
Selecting the right instrument comes down to four practical questions: how small is the opening, how far in does the probe need to reach, does the tip need to steer around obstructions, and who else needs to see the feed.
Probe diameter
Match the probe to your smallest usable opening. 3.9–6mm probes suit tile-cross gaps, fire dampers and pre-wall installations; 8.5–9mm probes suit general ducting and cavity work; 17–25mm probes suit larger inspection hatches and roof spaces.
Probe length & reach
Most general-purpose units use a 1m gooseneck or semi-rigid probe. For pipework or ducting runs deeper than that, step up to the Wöhler VE 500, which supports probes up to 10m.
Rigid, semi-rigid or articulating
A semi-rigid probe holds its shape once bent, good for repeating the same known path. An articulating tip (up to 320° on the HDV640) lets the operator steer live around obstructions and view side-facing surfaces.
Viewing & sharing the feed
Choose a detachable wireless monitor (BR250) when the viewer needs to stand apart from the probe, a built-in LCD (BR50, HDV620/640) for a simple all-in-one unit, or WiFi streaming to a phone or tablet (VE 220) when the result needs to be shown to a client or contractor on site.
Extech Borescopes
Extech's borescope range covers wireless, handheld and HD video inspection cameras, built for general mechanical, HVAC and building inspection work where a fast, portable visual check is needed.
Extech BR250
A 9mm waterproof camera on a 39″ (1m) flexible gooseneck, paired with a detachable 3.5″ colour TFT LCD monitor that connects wirelessly and can be viewed up to 32ft (10m) from the probe — ideal when the operator needs to keep both hands on the probe while a second person watches the screen from a distance.
- 4 built-in bright LEDs illuminate dark cavities
- Captures JPEG images and AVI video to a 2GB microSD card
- Menus available in 10 languages
- Complete kit: batteries, microSD + adaptor, USB/video cables, extension tools, AC adaptor, stand and case
Extech BR50
An entry-level, self-contained borescope with a larger 17mm camera head on a 1m flexible gooseneck that retains its configured shape, and a built-in 2.4″ colour LCD at 480x234 resolution — a straightforward choice for quick pass/fail visual checks without needing a separate wireless display.
- Four LED lamps with five brightness levels
- Glare-free close-up field of view
- Automatically detects NTSC and PAL camera signals
- Rechargeable lithium battery with universal AC adaptor/charger and USB cable
Extech HDV620
A 5.8mm semi-rigid, 60° field-of-view macro probe (1m) that holds its shape once bent, feeding a 5.7″ colour LCD at 640x480 HD resolution — well suited to inspections that repeat the same known path, where the probe can be pre-shaped once and reused.
- Compact, high-resolution waterproof camera probe
- Four dimmable built-in LED lamps for glare-free close-ups
- SD card stores more than 14,600 images; up to 4 hours of video with voice annotation
- Optional wireless transmitter sends video up to 100ft (30m) from the measurement point
Extech HDV640
Built around a wired handset with a nondetachable 6mm semi-rigid macro probe (1m) whose tip articulates up to 320° — the key advantage over the HDV620 is the ability to steer live around obstructions and view side-facing surfaces without repositioning the whole probe.
- 5.7″ colour LCD at 640x480 HD resolution
- Compact, high-resolution waterproof camera probe
- SD card stores more than 14,600 images; up to 4 hours of video with voice annotation
- Optional wireless transmitter sends video up to 100ft (30m) from the measurement point
Wöhler Borescopes / Video Endoscopes
Wöhler's VE range steps up from mobile-device streaming to a flagship 10m-probe, split-screen instrument, built for HVAC, plumbing, fire-damper and building-fabric inspection where German engineering and interchangeable probes matter.
Wöhler VE 220
Designed for inspecting cavities from 20mm diameter — roof insulation, exhaust pipes, sinks and fireplaces — the VE 220 transmits image and video over WiFi directly to a laptop, tablet or smartphone, with photos and video stored to the device's SD card. The flexible probe carries built-in LED illumination.
Wöhler VE 320
Built around interchangeable probes — 5.5mm, 8.5mm or 25mm diameter — plus dedicated fire-damper probes, the VE 320 lets one base unit cover multiple cavity sizes for roof insulation, exhaust pipes, sinks, fireplaces and drain pipes without buying a separate instrument per probe size.
Wöhler VE 400
An IP67 waterproof camera head suited to HD inspection through openings from just 6mm — a tile-cross gap, for example — covering pre-wall installations, fireplaces, combustion chambers, connecting pieces, sinks and drain pipes. The Ø5.5mm probe variant is also suitable for inspection openings and fire dampers.
Wöhler VE 500
The flagship of the range: HD inspection through openings from 6mm, with probes available up to 10m for long cavity or pipe runs. A large 7″ HD colour monitor with split-screen mode displays both camera feeds of a combination probe at once, and an integrated stand plus magnetic mounting thread keep hands free on site.
- Images and video transfer to the Wöhler Smart Inspection App for report generation
- A 6mm opening in a tile cross is enough to inspect behind a wall
- Additional LED lamp for optimum illumination
Borescope Comparison Table
A side-by-side view of probe diameter, display, connectivity and best-fit use case across the full range.
← Scroll to see full table →
| Model | Probe / Camera Diameter | Display | Resolution | Probe Length | Connectivity | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extech BR250 | 9mm | 3.5″ wireless LCD | — | 1m gooseneck | Wireless monitor (up to 10m) | Two-person inspections needing a detached screen |
| Extech BR50 | 17mm | 2.4″ built-in LCD | 480 x 234 | 1m gooseneck | Wired, self-contained | Quick entry-level pass/fail checks |
| Extech HDV620 | 5.8mm | 5.7″ HD LCD | 640 x 480 HD | 1m semi-rigid | SD/USB; optional wireless to 30m | Repeated inspections of a known path |
| Extech HDV640 | 6mm | 5.7″ HD LCD | 640 x 480 HD | 1m, articulating 320° | SD/USB; optional wireless to 30m | Steering around obstructions live |
| Wöhler VE 220 | From 20mm opening | Phone / tablet / laptop via WiFi | Device-dependent | Flexible probe | WiFi streaming | Sharing live footage on a mobile device |
| Wöhler VE 320 | 5.5 / 8.5 / 25mm interchangeable | Endoscope unit display | HD | Per interchangeable probe | Wired | One unit covering several cavity sizes |
| Wöhler VE 400 | Ø3.9mm or Ø5.5mm | HD videoscope display | HD | Standard probe | IP67 waterproof probe | Openings from 6mm; fire dampers |
| Wöhler VE 500 | From 6mm opening | 7″ HD split-screen | HD | Up to 10m | Wöhler Smart Inspection App | Long cavity runs and formal inspection reports |
Borescope Applications in South Africa
HVAC & Ductwork
Check ducting for blockages, damage or contamination without dismantling ceiling voids or plenum boxes — a common requirement on Cape Town commercial retrofits and maintenance contracts.
Plumbing & Drainage
Waterproof probes on the BR250, HDV620/640 and IP67-rated Wöhler VE 400 allow direct inspection inside drain pipes and sinks to locate blockages or damage before excavation.
Building Fabric & Fire Dampers
The Wöhler VE 320 and VE 400 reach fire dampers and pre-wall installations through openings as small as 6mm, supporting building compliance and fire-safety inspection routines.
Industrial & Mechanical Inspection
Engine bays, gearboxes, tanks and enclosed machinery can be visually inspected through existing access ports, reducing dismantling time on plant maintenance shutdowns.
Roof Spaces & Insulation
The Wöhler VE 220's WiFi streaming and the Extech BR250's wireless monitor both suit roof-space checks for insulation condition, pest activity or water ingress without full ceiling access.
Long Pipe & Tank Runs
Where a cavity extends beyond the reach of a standard 1m probe, the Wöhler VE 500's probes up to 10m and split-screen display cover extended pipe and tank inspection work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a borescope used for?
A borescope is a visual inspection instrument with a camera mounted on a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible probe, used to see inside cavities, pipes, ducting, machinery, walls and other spaces that are too small, too deep or too hazardous to access by eye or by hand. The probe is inserted through a small opening while the image is displayed on an integrated screen, a detachable wireless monitor, or a connected phone, tablet or laptop.
What is the difference between a borescope and an endoscope?
The terms are used interchangeably in industrial inspection, though "borescope" is more common for mechanical, engineering and building applications, while "endoscope" is more common for medical use and for the Wöhler VE range. Functionally they are the same type of instrument: a camera probe, a light source, and a screen for real-time viewing.
What probe diameter do I need for a wall cavity or pipe inspection?
Match the probe diameter to the smallest opening you can create or already have access to. Ecotao's range covers a 3.9mm probe for openings from around 6mm (such as a tile-cross gap), 5.5mm to 6mm probes for pre-wall installations and fire dampers, 8.5mm and 9mm probes for general ducting and cavity work, and 17mm to 25mm probes where a larger opening is already available, such as an inspection hatch.
Can a borescope be used to inspect HVAC ducting and roof spaces in South Africa?
Yes. Flexible-probe borescopes such as the Extech BR250 and BR50, and Wöhler VE 220 and VE 320 endoscopes, are well suited to HVAC ducting, roof insulation and ceiling void inspections common in South African commercial and residential buildings, allowing a technician to check for blockages, damage, pest activity or moisture without removing ducting or cutting into ceilings.
What is the difference between the Extech HDV620 and HDV640?
Both share the same 5.7″ HD colour LCD at 640x480 resolution and SD card recording. The HDV620 uses a 5.8mm semi-rigid probe with a fixed 60° field of view that holds its configured shape, best for repeatedly navigating the same known path. The HDV640 uses a 6mm semi-rigid probe on a wired handset with a tip that articulates up to 320°, letting the operator steer around obstructions and view side-facing surfaces without repositioning the whole probe.
How long can a borescope probe be for deep cavity or pipe inspections?
Most general-purpose borescopes in this range use a 1m probe or gooseneck. For longer runs, such as deep pipework or extended duct sections, the Wöhler VE 500 supports probes up to 10m in length, and its split-screen monitor can display both camera feeds of a combination probe at once.
Are Ecotao's borescopes waterproof?
The Extech BR250, HDV620 and HDV640 camera heads are waterproof, and the Wöhler VE 400 probes carry an IP67 waterproof rating, making them suitable for inspecting drain pipes, sinks and other damp or wet cavities in addition to dry ducting and machinery.
Do South African confined space regulations require a visual inspection before entry?
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and its General Safety Regulations, a confined space must be assessed and, where applicable, tested before an employee is permitted to enter it. A borescope lets a technician visually assess a tank, duct, chamber or pipe from outside the opening as part of that pre-entry hazard assessment, which can reduce how often personnel need to physically enter a confined space at all.
Need Help Choosing the Right Borescope?
Our team can match a probe diameter, length and display option to your exact inspection task — from a quick HVAC duct check to a 10m tank inspection.