Borescope Vs Endoscope Camera- How They Differ?

There is a myriad of cameras available in the market. Over the years, lenses and camera optics have improved. In this article, we will focus on two highly optimized camera devices. These are the endoscopic camera and the borescope camera. Both these cameras are used for delicate operations. Very few people know the difference and purpose of these cameras. Therefore in this article, we will look into the borescope vs endoscope camera.

Differences: Borescope VsEndoscope Camera

Before we get into the differences, we will first see what exactly are the two cameras used for. An endoscopy camera can be used in many ways. Most of its uses lie in the medical field. These cameras are used for checking internal organs. The borescope camera is used for an entirely different sector. They are used to analyze the inner parts of objects. This is mostly used by mechanics and engineers. There are quite a few points when you compare borescope vs endoscope camera.

1. Applications

We know what endoscopes are used for. They are the best for running surgical diagnostics. Using an endoscope allows the doctor to get an insight about bodily functions. It works even better than an x-ray. X-rays give you only an external view. A skilled doctor will read an x-ray report with no hesitation. It is still better to use an endoscope for fragile regions and cases. The most important use of an endoscope is during crucial operations. While making cuts, you need a lot of precision. Therefore, an endoscope lets you have a better view of what is happening internally.

 Since it is used for critical diagnostics, an endoscope has the best camera quality. The optics make it the best choice for internal care unit-surgeries. The most basic systems are invaded by an endoscope. It can go through the mouth, nose, digestive tract and even a colonoscopy. Now, talking about the borescope, once again, it is used by professionals. Engineers and automobile mechanics use this the most.

Borescopes are the best for inspecting inside engines, motors and vehicle tanks. The best application of a borescope is in the aviation sector. You know how fragile aeroplanes are. They need the best servicing and maintenance. Aerospace technicians prefer using borescopes. This is useful to run final checks before a flight gets running. Interestingly, borescopes are not a recent phenomenon. They were invented and used for a long time now. During the World Wars, borescopes were used for inspection of weaponry.

2. Diameter

Both cameras are used for high-end tasks. These need a fragile wire to hold the camera. However, due to its use in the medical field, endoscopes need to be thinner. The human body is delicate. Therefore the endoscopy camera has to be fine enough to go through these delicacies. The camera needs to go into many unexpected and challenging parts. This also means that the camera has to have great agility. Borescopes camera is not as flexible. Borescopes do not deal with something as delicate as the human body. Therefore, they are relatively rigid. Thus, if we compare the two, endoscopes are thinner. Due to this, borescopes have a high diameter.

3. Angular Range

You can guess which of the two have a more comprehensive camera range? Most people get confused here. Endoscopes, although they are used for professional tasks, have a limited field-range. This is so that the surgeons or users can get a detailed look at the body part. The angular range of an endoscope is only 90 degrees.

Borescopes are more diverse in this regard. Everyone and anyone you know might be using a borescope. Even your plumber and electrician might be using a borescope. The range of use is complete for a borescope. Using a borescope for regular work, lets you know what is wrong with it. You will be surprised to know where else borescopes are used.

 As we mentioned, it was also used during wartime. Department of crimes and forensics usually use borescopes. A borescope has a great range of view. Looking at the different types of applications, you can tell that a borescope has a wide range. Usually, they can see about 120 degrees. This gives you a complete picture of whatever you are inspecting. If you compare both the cameras, you get more coverage with a borescope. Endoscopes are used for highly delicate practices. Therefore they are designed to be precise. Therefore their range of view is only 90 degrees.

4. LED Lights

 Due to scientific reasons, you cannot expose the tissues to very bright lights. Therefore, endoscopes are not very illuminated. Dim lights are needed for analyzing the body. Bright lights cause two hazards. One, it can be dangerous if exposed to the body. The radiation is fatal. Secondly, the body has a lot of fluids. It has blood and other liquids. If the endoscope light is too bright, it will be challenging to get a clear picture. Therefore, endoscopes have soft lights. On the other hand, borescopes need bright lights. Usually, they have built-in lights. The anatomy of a borescope is quite impressive.

You can even adjust the settings on the borescope. This is difficult, and sometimes impossible to do for an endoscope. A borescope is designed in a manner that helps the owners make the best use out of it. The bright insides of a borescope are to throw light upon (pun intended) pipes, guns and vehicles.

If the borescope dim is too light, there might be safety hazards. You might end up cutting the wrong pipes, fixing the faulty cables and so on. Aerospace technicians are at most risk. Nothing should go wrong while fixing a flight. Therefore borescopes need highly bright camera lights. If you insert an endoscope with a bright light inside the body, the fluid will wipe away the camera. Therefore endoscopes need mild and soft lights.

5. Price

It is all about the money. You can guess which one is highly expensive. Yes, you got that right. An endoscopic camera is very expensive. You will never find cheap medical equipment. If you do, you are probably using low-quality products. This is never good for medical purposes. The endoscope can be as expensive as an MRI scan machine.

It has a good chance of being the priciest medical equipment. They can cost multiple times more than a borescope. Moreover, not everyone is licensed to buy an endoscope. You have to be a medical practitioner. We do not wanna get into the misuses, but in some countries, possessing an endoscope is a felony. Talking about borescopes, the prices vary.

 As they are used for multiple purposes, the price changes according to the quality of the device. Therefore, borescopes can either be too expensive or quite affordable. Obviously, the borescopes used in the aviation industry are the expensive ones. A borescope is often used for blogging as well. These lie on the cheaper end of the spectrum.

Therefore, anyone can buy a borescope. It can be for your occupation or purely out of a hobby. Therefore, price is the topmost distinguishing factor between the two. Borescopes can be pricey, but if you look hard enough, you can find affordable ones. But you cannot compromise with endoscopes. You need the best quality endoscopes. The cost is a depiction of the importance of the tool.

6. Maneuverability

 This is basically the skill each camera possesses. Endoscopes have to perform a very pressurizing task. They have to make their way through the body. For this, they need to be highly skilled and agile. You cannot have a stiff device entering the human body. One of the prime qualities of an endoscope is the navigation head. This is a curve that can be controlled by the doctor. Therefore, if the device becomes difficult to control, the surgeon is still in the driver’s seat. The surgeon can control the tip of the endoscopic camera and turn it according to the need.

When it comes to borescopes, the maneuverability differs. However, even these cameras are highly skilled. They are designed to reach tough areas effortlessly. But borescopes are not as agile as endoscopes. An endoscope has to make very careful movements. The human body is at stake. For a borescope, it is only inserted into machines. Thus, it does not require one hundred per cent flexibility. But this is also a drawback of the borescope. It makes it comparatively difficult to work with.

7. Camera

 As we mentioned previously, an endoscope uses the best camera. It is about 1080 HD. If you dissect an endoscope, you will see the layers of cameras. The entire endoscope has eight parts to it. The cable is flexible. This cable is responsible for entering the body and navigation. The LED light is located right behind the camera lenses.

An endoscope has no adjustments. The only thing that can be tampered with is the navigation. The borescope camera differs according to use. Endoscopes come with digitally equipped screening devices. Borescopes did not employ this initially. Over time, you get the screening device for borescopes too. Therefore when it comes to camera quality, the endoscope wins the prize.

8. Flexibility

We have already covered this point vaguely. The endoscope has to be more flexible. In fact, you will never find an endoscope that is rigid. This is not the case for borescopes. Borescopes have different subtypes. Therefore, a borescope can either be fixed or flexible. The flexible ones are more expensive. These are the ones used by professionals. The rigid borescopes are used for household work like plumbing.

These ones are inexpensive. A rigid borescope gives you better coverage. It is also easier to use. The flexible borescope allows you to dig deeper into your project or material. It has the capacity of going all the way deep into engine parts. Just like the endoscope, a flexible borescope can be controlled by the user. There is a specific type of borescope called ‘Blue flexible borescope’. Along with higher definition pictures, it provides articulation too. Both an endoscope and a borescope is water-resistant.

9. Length

This actually depends on the user. The length of either one can be manipulated. Endoscopes are shorter. This is the preferred length by endoscope users. It reduces the stress of handling the extended cord. A borescope is readily available in any size. Depending on the nature of your work, you can select the length of your borescope.

10. Cable Thickness

 We spoke about the length of the cable. Now we will look at the consistency. A borescope cable can be thick. The thickness is not a problem for it. However, the endoscope cable needs to be thin. An endoscope should have a minimum of 4 mm thickness.

11. Screening

 After the respective cameras procure an image, you need a screen to display it on. Therefore, these devices come with a pad. This is called the digital viewing pad. The task of this pad is self-explanatory. It is used to display the captured image on the screen. Borescopes have a very high-end viewing pad. This makes up for the low-quality camera. Another piece of accessory that comes with these is an eyepiece. This is what the surgeon or mechanic wears. The availability of an eyepiece differs. An eyepiece is mandatory with an endoscope. A borescope might not always come with one. Therefore you might have to purchase it separately.

Final Thought

An endoscope and borescope have many similarities too. The similarities between the two lie mostly in the design. However, the nature of the job and approaches vary significantly. You should know which device should be used for what. Many people invest in a borescope. It is the latest investment for bloggers and influencers.

This gives them a wide camera angle. Both these perform a similar general purpose. They give you a micro view of bigger things. A borescope and an endoscope have a different set of skills. Overall, we can say that borescopes are versatile. You can buy a borescope just for the purpose of experimentation too. This is not the same for an endoscope. The price itself repels customers. Now that you have read our article, we hope you can distinguish between the two.