Vividia Scopes at OSH

Llewtrah381

Llewtrah381

Cleared for Takeoff
PoA Supporter
Joined
Apr 9, 2010
Messages
1,190
Display Name
Display name:
Llewtrah
Aircraftborescopes.com has a booth at OSH, selling Vividia scopes. The prices are very good. A friend has one so I had a struggle justifying getting one but I finally caved after I got back. I texted them and they gave me show pricing plus $20 flat fee shipping.

What got me off the fence is the VA-400 they’re selling is the v5 - it has a lock for the plunger that turns the head plus a button to take pictures - features my friend’s older one doesn’t have. Plus I believe the articulating part is stronger.

They were pushing the VA-450, which is nice, but triple the cost. If I was an A&P that would probably be worth it. For a mere mortal, the 400 is great. And no tax.

Here are the show prices and contact info (I texted the number and got the ball rolling):

9F826307-DBCB-4D87-B55A-A9AAB596951B.jpeg
 
For comparison, I purchased the VA-980-A as a kit. It came with the hard case, and iPhone/iPad Wi-Fi unit. FYI, the iPhone Wi-Fi adapter is normally an extra $100.

Got it online during cyber week at Aircraft Tool Supply. I also found it at McFarlane for just a few dollars more. I paid $404.05 total. No tax, and free shipping. If I wanted it without the Wi-Fi it would have been about $300
It appears that your OSH deal is priced about the same.

I will say that it works amazingly well. I’ve been using it now for 7 months. Couldn’t be happier with the purchase! Do yourself a favor and watch the company YouTube videos. Lots of great tips that really helped.
 
Last edited:
Here’s some quick pics I took this week using the VA-980. Images were transmitted via the iPhone Wi-Fi adapter. Borescope was powered by a pocket supply, which essentially makes it wireless and portable.


DA50A137-415C-4414-B50C-04D2633CB34A.jpegD5E6074A-38B0-4123-97A6-24C0C3077024.jpeg50E19CBB-1905-456D-A39D-CF17FF0258A1.png
 
JDM,

Please give an analysis of what your pictures showed, pic by pic. One thought that's always in the back of my mind on these things is "Now we have more data. Do we understand it and, if we do, what help does the data provide in determining next steps?"
 
kyleb said:
JDM,

Please give an analysis of what your pictures showed, pic by pic. One thought that's always in the back of my mind on these things is "Now we have more data. Do we understand it and, if we do, what help does the data provide in determining next steps?"
Click to expand...

Ok. A little history first. I had a customer with high time io540’s. He was experiencing plug fouling on a couple cylinders. This was causing a lot of mag check probs. We replaced a couple of plugs during the troubleshooting process, which corrected the issue for about 10 flight hours. Then the probs reoccurred with even larger mag drops. We launched into a more in-depth TS process. Plug resistance tests, and plug electric tests, harness tests, compressions, and borescope. Found a lot of oil pooling on the trouble cylinders as shown the 1st pic. Probably a scraper ring and also some cylinder wall wearing contributing to this. The scope also identified normal valve conditions, pics 2 & 3, which adds up with the normal compression checks obtained. In addition we confirmed a magneto problem (loose points) that was the main issue. The borescope provided excellent secondary data which helped us come to the conclusion to continue this engine in service.
 
Last edited:
Now that’s a real deal! Go with the kit. $260 is an amazing price!
 
schmookeeg said:
Was there a "sorry I insinuated you were shilling" tucked in there?
Click to expand...

That’s funny! And with my comments about competitor pricing, I was honestly a bit surprised at the question regarding affiliation. I get it though. It’s always good to know who’s who when shopping products!

Maybe Vividia is monitoring, and needs a A&P/IA to promote. If so, I’m all ears for a solid product:)
 
Last edited:
Jdm said:
That’s funny! And with my comments about competitor pricing, I was honestly a bit surprised at the question regarding affiliation. I get it though. It’s always good to know who’s who when shopping products!
Click to expand...

Again: Sorry for the unintended insinuation. I just think that the disclaimer should be a standard part of any product review... but that's just me I guess. -Skip

@Jdm @Llewtrah381 @schmookeeg
 

Attachments

  • clear.png
    clear.png
    137 bytes · Views: 7
  • Like
Reactions: Jdm
lowtimer said:
Well that just cost me $200 I wasn't planning on spending. Thanks I think........
Click to expand...
You’ll be pleased with it. Now get a small power supply for about $15 to make it mobile, and also might want the Wi-Fi for transmitting to ipad or iPhone.

Llewtrah381 said:
Wow. That’s a great deal. Had I seen that, I may have opted for it instead. That said, I’m not 100% sure I see the advantage of a flexible scope for this purpose but I’m open to being educated. In fact, it seems like a rigid one has its benefits in this role. Good catch!
Click to expand...

Sounds like you got the flexible one? I think it’s definitely the most useful. I recently finished a stabilizer spar bolt inspection that probably wouldn’t have happened without a flexible scope.
 
I ordered the 980-A for $260 and of course it’s on back order. My record is 6 months waiting with them for a pair of safety wire pliers. We’ll see but it was too good of a deal to pass up
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jdm
I use a Snapon BK5600 all the time. Dual camera is nice. I see that there are many on Amazon that are similar, but without the Snapon price. Also have a full blown two way articulating flexible unit for hot section inspections. They have sure come down in price from the old Olympus I used to use.
 
Yes, ordered the flexible one. It is on back order also.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jdm
Does the flexible one still have control to bend the tip remotely (from the handle)?

That is what you need for doing a cylinder inspection. Especially to image the exhaust valves.
 
Pinecone said:
Does the flexible one still have control to bend the tip remotely (from the handle)?

That is what you need for doing a cylinder inspection. Especially to image the exhaust valves.
Click to expand...
Yes it does.

Their models all have that feature, as I recall, but you move from rigid with the head able to move one way to flexible with one-way movement to flexible with two-way (basically 360 vs 180 - not movement in two planes) to thinner or some similar progression, priced accordingly. I chose to get in at the shallow end of the pool, for my simple, rationalized non-A&P needs.

I could imagine the flexible, especially thinner, could make seeing the valve seat and guide easier but the rigid allows you to see that to at least some degree.
 
I'm running a boat repair and rental business so the flexible shaft is pretty much a must have. Many stern drive or inboard boats have either exhaust or boat in the way of getting the rigid shaft models thru a spark plug hole.

I'm really looking forward to trying this out as so far I've only used cheap endoscope stuff with ok to less than acceptable results. I can usually get a good look at the cylinder walls, but not the valves.

The big question now is how long will the back order last?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top