How to Choose the Best Imported Chinese Drain Camera for Your Needs: A Buyer’s Guide
Budget drain cameras have come a long way over the past few years. However, the saying “You get what you pay for” is never more apparent than when comparing these cameras.
While many imported Chinese drain cameras look very similar, there are many functional differences between them. Therefore, it is wise to speak to a professional who has used them or someone who knows what to look for when navigating the minefield of different drain cameras.
What do you look for when Buying Imported Chinese Drain Cameras?
1. How Rugged are They? And What Type of Misuse can they Take?
The last thing you want is to waste money on a new drain camera, only to find that you, your apprentice, or one of your employees has snapped a cable, lost a drain camera head, or had the camera fall apart in your hands. An often-forgotten aspect of ruggedness is how the camera holds up when thrown in the back of a van or ute. When looking at a new camera to purchase, ensure that it won’t easily get damaged when rolling around with tools and fittings in the work truck/van.
2. Are Drain Camera Spare Parts Readily Available?
Many Chinese brands advertised through Alibaba, Aliexpress, Made in China, and eBay do not have a local presence, making replacement parts and upgrades hard to find. Always buy from an Australian dealer. You may think you can manage just as easily as a dealer. Still, the dealer has already done a lot of background work, establishing relationships and direct lines of communication and supply with the manufacturers.
3. Can You Get Repairs Done Locally?
Many imported products advertised outside of Australia do not have a local dealer. If you cannot repair the camera yourself, you need a local agent who knows the product well and can get you up and running quickly and efficiently.
4. What is the Quality of the Drain Camera Cable?
Too often, we spend hard-earned money getting our cables re-terminated due to kinks or cable breakage. This is not only expensive but also puts one of your best-selling tools out of action for months. Therefore, you must buy a drain camera with a good-quality cable.
So, how do you know if a cable is of good quality or not?
The only way to tell is to seek advice from either people who sell the product brand of drain camera cable you want or people who use the brand of camera you desire. Simply ask your dealer to provide you with the contact details of some of their customers, or you may inquire with the dealer or merchant about their authorized person to be contacted in case you need sewer camera cable repair.
Key Specs for Domestic Drain Inspection Cameras
Okay, so now that we have covered what to look out for when researching where to buy your camera, let’s look at the specs for what you may require. We will specifically look at cameras that are suitable for domestic drain inspections, including relining and patching. You can always have assurance when you want a sewer camera cable replacement because it is suited for a drain’s standard length.
1. Cable Length
2. Cable Size (Thickness)
6.8 to 6.5mm Cable:
Perfect for going through 100mm gullies, flexible and rigid enough to travel 50 meters through multiple junctions and bends in 100mm or 150mm.
5.3mm Cable:
Suitable for going through 100mm gullies, flexible and rigid enough to travel 30-40 meters through multiple junctions and bends in 100mm. Will camera 50mm with limited bends.
4.8mm Cable:
Suitable for going through pans and 100mm gullies, flexible and rigid enough to travel 10-20 meters through junctions and bends in 100mm. Also suitable for 40mm-50mm pipe with limited bends.
3. Battery Capabilities
This is a very important thing to consider when buying an imported camera. Whilst all of the imported cameras, Chinese or not, state that they have a suitable 4-hour or more battery life, we all know that batteries, good quality or not, only have a limited shelf life. That’s why it’s crucial to buy a camera with external battery capabilities, one that can adapt to your Milwaukee, Dewalt, or Makita 18v battery kit. There is nothing worse than turning up to a job or getting halfway through an inspection and running out of juice. Always buy a camera with an external power source that suits your existing power tools.
4. Skids
Always buy a drain camera that has skids; skids may seem like a pain in the arse, but truth be told, they are a necessary part of your gear. They help keep the camera lens out of the muck while also giving your camera head added protection when it’s down the drain. Never buy a camera that doesn’t offer you skids.
5. Recording Capabilities
There may be many times that you don’t use the recording functions on your drain inspections; however, this is an essential requirement, especially when you get a customer who demands footage for their needs. So, when looking at a drain camera to purchase, I suggest that you buy one that has both USB and SD card recording/storage.
6. Warranties
Always purchase a drain inspection camera from a dealer who is local to the country and offers no less than a 12-month warranty. Ask for a breakdown of warranties on consumables like the camera head, cable, etc.
7. Lenses & Camera Heads
What is a Sapphire Lens?
The sapphire lens is an extremely durable and scratch-resistant substrate, creating a rugged optical lens that can withstand very harsh environments. Purchasing a drain camera with a sapphire lens will ensure that you have longevity and clarity from your camera head. The other thing to consider is your camera head type. The best and most popular camera heads are the self-leveling heads. Self-leveling means that your camera head will always be level, not upside down or on the side. Why is this important? It just gives you a better perspective and assists in understanding where you are in the pipe and a better understanding of the blockage or damaged pipes.
8. Counter
It’s essential, when using a drain inspection camera, to understand how far down a drain you are; therefore, a camera must have a counter built in. This will enable you to have more accurate information on location and distance and save you much heartache and time.
9. Sonde
Every drain camera you purchase should have a sonde; a sonde is an electronic device either attached or built into your drain camera head. It emits a frequency that can be detected by your external locator. This greatly assists you when attempting to locate issues in a drain. Combined with a locator, you can pinpoint the location. Just ensure that you already have a locator that you understand if it suits the frequency that the sonde will emit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when selecting the best Chinese drain camera for your needs, it’s crucial to prioritize ruggedness, availability of spare parts, and local repair services. Additionally, consider the quality of the drain camera cable, ensuring it’s robust and reliable.
Furthermore, focuses on features like battery capabilities, skids, recording options, warranties, high-quality lenses, self-levelling camera heads, counters, and the presence of a sonde, all of which are essential for efficient and effective drain inspections. Making an informed choice based on these factors will ensure that you invest in a reliable and durable drain camera that meets your specific requirements.
Discover the perfect Chinese drain camera for your specific requirements with our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide. Make an informed choice today!
