Video Borescope vs Fiberscope: Understanding the Differences
Optical technology has greatly revolutionized the way industries carry out repair operations especially when it comes to complicated or heavy machinery. Fiberscopes and Video Borescopes allow workers accessing or viewing otherwise hidden niches or joints in their hardware. This in turn saves them the time and money that they would have spent in arduous disassembly procedures.
What's the Difference?
Both are visual inspection tools. But how do you determine which device or unit will benefit you the most? First, you must figure out what you will use your optical device for before settling on any. Some of the most apparent differences between video borescopes and fiberscopes are as follows:
Durability
The fibers in fiberscopes are thin and fragile. The fact that they are made of glass doesn't help matters either. In other words, they can easily be damaged if not handled properly. There is also a way to find out when your fiberscope has been damaged. Any damage will be exhibited as black dots, and you will also experience a decrease in the quality of the projected image. Fiber optic strands are also the reason for limited articulation capability spanning no more than 90 degrees.
On the other hand, video borescopes are far more shock-resistant than fiberscopes. This means that they can be easily bent, folded, and maneuvered without damaging them. This is also why their articulating capability is far superior to fiberscopes so much that a user can turn the tip of his device backwards if he needs to.
Image Resolution
Fiberscopes can come with a video image display system attached. However, the displayed image will be indirect. In other words, the projection will be from the fiber optic bundle that captures the original image. Also, since fiberscopes are made by the fiber optic technology, they may be prone to exhibit black dots or broken pixels. This might seem like a minor difference between the two, but any difference in image quality should be seen as a major one.
Unlike a fiberscope, a video borescope consists of a miniature video camera attached to the distal end of the insertion tube. The camera is designed to capture a digital image. The captured video signal is then carried through the insertion probe to the video display unit.
Impact on your Health
A fiberscope user suffers from a significant and continuous effort when looking into eyepiece of fiberscope. This may negatively affect a user's vision.
However, a vide borescope visualizes image either on built-in screen with high resolution, or on additional larger PC or TV monitor. Modern TFT or LCD screens care of your eyesight and help you to work more efficiently.
Cost of Repair
If your fiber optic probe is damaged enough to render it useless, you might have to rebuild the entire unit. Generally, the cost of such a repair job is over 50% of what you originally got the device for. Needless to say, it will be anything but cheap. A video borescope is designed as a modular unit and can be disassembled into individual parts. The parts include a battery, probe cable and probe tip amongst others. Each of these can be replaced without the owner having to repair the entire unit.
Well, there you have it. The pros and cons between these two inspection devices should help you to determine which one to choose for your own specific needs.
Both are visual inspection tools. But how do you determine which device or unit will benefit you the most? First, you must figure out what you will use your optical device for before settling on any. Some of the most apparent differences between video borescopes and fiberscopes are as follows:
Durability
The fibers in fiberscopes are thin and fragile. The fact that they are made of glass doesn't help matters either. In other words, they can easily be damaged if not handled properly. There is also a way to find out when your fiberscope has been damaged. Any damage will be exhibited as black dots, and you will also experience a decrease in the quality of the projected image. Fiber optic strands are also the reason for limited articulation capability spanning no more than 90 degrees.
On the other hand, video borescopes are far more shock-resistant than fiberscopes. This means that they can be easily bent, folded, and maneuvered without damaging them. This is also why their articulating capability is far superior to fiberscopes so much that a user can turn the tip of his device backwards if he needs to.
Image Resolution
Fiberscopes can come with a video image display system attached. However, the displayed image will be indirect. In other words, the projection will be from the fiber optic bundle that captures the original image. Also, since fiberscopes are made by the fiber optic technology, they may be prone to exhibit black dots or broken pixels. This might seem like a minor difference between the two, but any difference in image quality should be seen as a major one.
Unlike a fiberscope, a video borescope consists of a miniature video camera attached to the distal end of the insertion tube. The camera is designed to capture a digital image. The captured video signal is then carried through the insertion probe to the video display unit.
Impact on your Health
A fiberscope user suffers from a significant and continuous effort when looking into eyepiece of fiberscope. This may negatively affect a user's vision.
However, a vide borescope visualizes image either on built-in screen with high resolution, or on additional larger PC or TV monitor. Modern TFT or LCD screens care of your eyesight and help you to work more efficiently.
Cost of Repair
If your fiber optic probe is damaged enough to render it useless, you might have to rebuild the entire unit. Generally, the cost of such a repair job is over 50% of what you originally got the device for. Needless to say, it will be anything but cheap. A video borescope is designed as a modular unit and can be disassembled into individual parts. The parts include a battery, probe cable and probe tip amongst others. Each of these can be replaced without the owner having to repair the entire unit.
Well, there you have it. The pros and cons between these two inspection devices should help you to determine which one to choose for your own specific needs.
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Understanding the Difference between Fiberscopes and Video Borescopes
4mm Industrial Video Borescope iRis DVR Image Sample