"It's not just the need to shed features to reduce pricing in today's tough economic conditions…"
In recent years drain inspection and locating technology has evolved with an ever-increasing list of features. Contractors have more options than ever to tailor a camera to the type of work they do and to their customers' needs. But while technology marches onwards, probably the newest trend is the release of less expensive stripped down camera systems for the contractor that just wants to look inside the drain to see what's down there.
The new Gen-Eye POD from General Pipe Cleaners of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania is a good example. This compact camera system for 2-4" lines features a 5.6" colour monitor mounted on a gooseneck, a small reel with 125 or 175-ft. (metric) push rod and an optional transmitter. A 355-degree swivel allows the technician to adjust the monitor for the best viewing angle.
Entirely self-contained, this less expensive unit will still allow the contractor to conduct most drain inspection tasks, said Marty Silverman, marketing manager for General Pipe Cleaners.
It doesn't include a recording device, but a video output port allows the contractor to record to a device of his choice – whether that's to DVD, an SD (secure digital) card or to a VHS tape.
Likewise, Ratech Electronics has introduced its new Mini-PEEK model with "recession-buster" pricing. "Because of the recession and because cities and municipalities have lower budgets, we have developed a low-cost alternative inspection system that is more economical – more of an entry-level style," said Frank D'Andrea, president of Ratech Electronics in Toronto. The Mini-PEEK consists of 100 ft. (30 metres) of pushrod with a five-inch black and white or colour monitor. Features are limited to those required for basic drain inspection – a standard 1.2" or micro camera with a built-in 512 Hz sonde transmitter, variable intensity LED lighting and DC power. It has no recording capability, but like the Gen-Eye Pod, it includes video out jacks to hook up a recording device. It weighs about 20 lbs.
What it doesn't have are a lot of the nice features of today's more sophisticated cameras – a self-levelling camera head, a keyboard for typing on screen, an on-screen distance counter and a built-in microphone.
More compact
Of course, it's not just the need to shed features to reduce pricing in today's tough economic conditions that's driving the move to compact cameras. Modern electronics are playing a major role in that monitors and recording devices, not to mention camera heads, are becoming smaller. At the same time, contractors are beginning to ask: if you don't need recording capability (for example) on every job, is it really necessary to build it into the monitor? Many newer models are being made up of modular components. "Space is at a premium in a truck, but also we don't want to carry around heavy machines," remarked Silverman.
This summer General Pipe Cleaners introduced the Gen-Eye SD Command module that puts all the features of the large cameras, into a very compact lightweight package. The previous model, with built-in monitor and DVD recorder, weighed 48 lbs. "Now it's only 10 lbs., it has an eight-inch screen (versus 9 inch), and an SD card recorder…" remarked Silverman. A one gigabyte card results in about two hours recording time. (It probably goes without saying, but a two or four gig card results in a longer recording time.) "There's still room in the case for a full keyboard, so it's a nice compact package." The technician simply connects it to a standard or mini-reel to inspect lines from 2 to 10 in diameter."
Modular components
The Ridge Tool Company of Elyria, Ohio has introduced a number of modular components designed for its RIDGID SeeSnake line of inspection cameras and monitors. The SeeSnake DVDPak, for example, is a lightweight inspection camera that features a very high contrast organic light emitting diode (OLED) display monitor designed to provide a clear image even in extremely cold or bright weather. It will operate at temperatures below --34ºC. It can be powered by a lithium ion battery or AC power and is compatible with all SeeSnake reels. And where the contractor wants to add recording to an existing machine, RIDGID's new DVDBase recording accessory attaches to any monitor with a video out port to record inspections directly to DVD. Both units feature built-in microphones for voice-over recording. The compact battery-powered SeeSnake LCDPak monitor, again, can be attached to an existing SeeSnake reel to use cameras in tighter spaces. Despite its small size, it features a full-sized 10.4" colour LCD screen. Even more compact is the MiniPak with a 5.7" daylight readable colour LCD display. An easy-to operate five-button panel controls the unit's transmitter, 10 adjustable levels of screen settings, and on/off. A RIDGID 18-volt lithium ion battery provides five hours of operation. The MiniPak can also operate on AC.
P-trap inspection
However, perhaps the biggest news from RIDGID this year is the company's microDrain inspection camera. "It is probably one of our best examples of listening to the end user and coming up with a response," remarked Steve Dwyer, RIDGID director of marketing and communications. The problem for contractors has long been the need to get through the tight curves in P-traps and toilet traps. With its very flexible 30 ft. cable with a 22 mm (7/8") camera head, the microDrain is designed to do just that. It can inspect lines from 1-1/4" to three inches. And, once again, modular design means that the contractor can use his microDrain reel and camera with any SeeSnake monitor. The drum is easily removable and RIDGID plans, in August, to launch a replacement drum with a 100' cable, reported Sarah Golish, director, inspection systems and networks for RIDGID. Of course the tradeoff for the extra length is a stiffer cable, she added. But the new cable will work with both the microDrain and SeeSnake monitors. "We are going to have variations on the microDrain, so you are able to do, depending on what your needs are, many (tasks) with one tool," she added. Inspection cameras have come a long way in the past 10 years. Today the contractor can better than ever tailor his camera system to his particular needs and budget, adopting the features he needs without paying for those that he doesn't.
Useful Web Sites
General Pipe Cleaners: www.drainbrain.com RIDGID: www.RIDGID.com Ratech Electronics: www.ratech-electronics.com
Modular components – the technician uses a RIDGID DVDPak, left, and LCDPak monitor.
Smaller and lighter than traditional drain cameras, the Gen-Eye Pod is fully self-contained.
The Ratech Mini-PEEK system offers a lot of features at a lower price.
The RIDGID microDrain system offers an extremely flexible cable for difficult spots.
The Gen-Eye SD Command module puts the features of large cameras into a compact package.
