Have you ever had this experience—using a thin probe to poke into a large pipe, like stirring a big vat with chopsticks, and seeing nothing clearly; or trying to force a thick probe into a small hole, only to find it won't fit and almost break the probe? Choosing the right endoscope is crucial—getting it right makes work easier, but getting it wrong can leave you stuck. How do you pick the right endoscope for your specific inspection needs?

【Step 1: Check the aperture - determine the "thickness" of the probe】
The first thing when selecting a type is to measure the inner diameter of the hole or pipe you want to enter. This red line remembers that the probe diameter must be smaller than the aperture, and at least 20% margin must be left.
Aperture ≤ 3mm, such as aviation engine fuel nozzles and precision mold cooling holes - choose ultra-fine probes with a diameter of 2.2mm or finer. Zhongke Intelligent has gone from the early days of the 3.9mm electronic endoscope to today's ultra-fine models of 1.2mm and 0.85mm, all in order to overcome the narrow spaces that were once inaccessible. Note that thinner probe pixels and brightness usually result in a discount and need to be balanced.
The aperture is between 4mm-10mm, which is the most common scenario, such as car engines and compressors - choose the main probe with a diameter of 4mm-6mm, which balances performance and durability. Zhongke Intelligent provides replaceable vertical/side view lenses with a diameter of 3.9mm and 6.0mm, compatible with pipelines ranging from 0.85mm to 8.0mm. One host is equipped with multiple heads, making it very flexible.
Aperture ≥ 50mm, such as large pipelines and pressure vessels - instead, it is necessary to choose a probe with a centralizer and fix the lens at the center of the pipeline to obtain a large field of view. If it is tightly attached to the wall, nothing can be seen clearly.

【Step 2: Check the length - determine the "length" of the probe】
Measure the distance from the detection point to the entrance.
1-3 meters, suitable for most industrial testing scenarios, handheld operation is sufficient.
Attention should be paid to the range of 3-10 meters - the longer the length, the greater the resistance to propulsion. Zhongke Intelligent's endoscope series pipeline length supports customization from 1 to 10 meters, and is equipped with a self-developed transmission structure with 360 ° full range steering and a steering angle of up to 140 °, which can flexibly control even long-distance propulsion. Our solution is to use high brightness lighting to compensate for long-distance light attenuation, combined with the rigidity of the pipeline itself, by manually advancing in sections, stopping each section to stabilize the image before continuing.
If it exceeds 10 meters, it needs to be equipped with a rolling disc system and a meter counter, which can know how many meters the defect is located. The core of long pipeline propulsion is not to forcefully poke - use the natural direction of the pipeline to send it in smoothly, stop when encountering resistance, rotate the probe to adjust the direction, and try again.
Also remember: the longer the length, the less flexible the guidance, and the longer the probe, the slower it will turn. When selecting, do not be greedy for length, as long as it is sufficient.

【Step 3: Look at the environment - determine the "special abilities" of the probe】
The environment is the final filter.
Underwater or oily environment - confirm that the protection level is at least IP67 and can be briefly immersed in water. Zhongke Intelligent Probe achieves IP67 protection and IP65 protection for the host, waterproof and wear-resistant, and can also operate underwater with peace of mind. If operating underwater, it is also necessary to confirm the sealing of the curved joints.
High temperature environment (>80 ℃) - It is necessary to choose a high temperature resistant type, which has insulation structure and high temperature resistant materials inside. Ordinary probes will turn black within a few seconds after entering.
Strong corrosive or radiation environment - requires a PTFE outer layer or special sheath to protect the insertion tube from corrosion.
Finally, I have the most practical advice for you: don't try to conquer the world with just one probe.
If the budget is sufficient, the host can be universal and equipped with several insertion tubes of different diameters and lengths - Zhongke Intelligent supports the compatibility of the host with all types of pipelines, changing the head according to the situation, and one host can travel throughout the factory. If the budget is limited, priority should be given to covering the three scenarios you often work in, and special working conditions can consider leasing or returning to the factory for testing.

The eyes are right, what you see is the truth.