Flexible Borescopes suffer from pixelation and pixel crosstalk
due to the fiber image guide.
Rigid or flexible Borescopes may be fitted with an imaging or video device.
For very small rigid Borescopes(under 3mm), the gradient index lens relays are better.
Rigid Borescopes are similar to fiberscopes
but generally provide a superior image at lower cost compared to a flexible borescope.
Rigid Borescopes are therefore better suited to certain
tasks such as inspecting automotive cylinders, fuel injectors and hydraulic manifold bodies, and gunsmithing.
Borescopes are also utilized in the manufacturing of cast or machined
parts to examine significant interior surfaces for complete through-holes, burrs, or surface finish.
Several companies make Borescopes, but the General iBorescope line is a little
different in that it lets you use the display on your smartphone or tablet as a wireless video monitor.
Easy-to-use, battery-powered video Borescopes, with 3" LCD displays of 320x240 pixels or better,
became available circa 2012 from several manufacturers for prices between $100 and $400 and are adequate for some applications.
Some high end Borescopes offer a"visual grid" on image captures to assist in evaluating the size of any area with a problem. For
flexible Borescopes, articulation mechanism components, range of articulation, field of view and angles of view of the objective lens are also important.