The device has a 1080p HD camera with LED lights at the tip. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
I have a number of inspection cameras, and they're fantastic for getting eyes into places that you normally can't get to. But they're typically large and bulky, designed for mechanics and HVAC engineers, which limits their usability when it comes to inspecting device ports or probing around cracks and crevices looking for a lost fastener.
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In my quest to find a small, portable, low-cost camera for confined spaces, I found this one from Amazon, designed specifically to inspect ear canals.
Although that is its advertised purpose, this tiny 1080p HD camera can be used for a variety of tech needs. I'm not a doctor so I'm not going to be recommending that you insert this camera into any orifice. If you're going down that route, you're on your own! I'm also not reviewing any of the ear cleaning tools. I'll leave that to someone else.
Instead, what we have here is a compact 360-degree wide-angle 1080p camera that's perfect for use as an inspection device. The camera is kitted out with six tiny LED lights at the tip, lighting the way to whatever tiny port, socket, or internal mechanism you get into.
Inspecting the very filthy USB-C port on my iPhone. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The business end of the unit is IP67 rated for water- and schmoo-resistance, and you can use a cloth or alcohol wipe to clean it. Even despite the camera and LEDs, the end of the camera is just 0.17 inches/4.3 mm in diameter.
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The camera connects to both iOS and Android, where you can see what the camera sees, take photos and video, and also control the light on the front. It connects using Wi-Fi, and that process is smooth and straightforward.
Inside the camera is a 350mAh battery that's rechargeable using USB-C. It's good for 90 minutes on a full charge, and can hold its charge for at least a month.
USB-C charging means one less thing using microUSB! Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
There is a little metal prong on the end of the unit that takes little silicone sleeves for digging about in your ear canal, and you can choose to keep this or snip it off.
Why I recommend this product
Let's get the price out of the way. This camera, including a charge cable and all the bits you're supposed to put in your ear (but that I will bin) is only $10. For that price, it makes this an excellent camera that I'm not scared about damaging.
Talking about damage, my last one cost about $25, used microUSB for charging, and lasted a few years until I "damaged" it by dropping a portable power station on it. I had no hesitation in getting a new one, and this one has been in use for a few weeks now. It's a perfect addition to my toolkit.