YouTube star Adam Savage makes a living out of figuring out how things work. For him, getting a powerful, professional-grade borescope sent to him to try out via his Tested video series is nothing short of nirvana.
“A funner toy is harder to find than a borescope or endoscope or videoscope. The idea that this camera can go into places and inspect them is thrilling!" he says exuberantly in an August 2024 session titled, “Adam Savage Sees His Workshop in a Whole New Way!"
"I've spent my whole life peeking behind the curtains, or desiring to peek behind the curtains, to see how things work,” he adds. “And this [borescope] is one of those absolutely ideal kind of machines for doing that ... for peeking behind the curtains where other machines might not let you do that."
A borescope, of course, is a sophisticated optical device used by countless engineers and maintenance teams to view the interior of assets that are hard-to-reach or inaccessible.
As a nondestructive testing instrument, it can help prevent minor problems for escalating, reduce asset downtime, limit exposure to hazardous environments, and provide high-quality visuals and recordings to enable data-driven decisions.
What Does Adam Savage Have to Say About the Fluke DS703 FC?
“No, it’s not a toy”
For his divergent audience, Savage demonstrated the Fluke DS703 FC Diagnostic Video Borescope to search the inside of an old leather chair in his workshop. He sought to locate manufacturer’s markings, signs of restoration or refurbishment, and anything else interesting.
Although he didn’t find much to write home about, he sounded like a kid in a candy store in using the borescope’s high-definition, dual-view imaging probes and its 7-inch, high-resolution (720p) LCD touch screen known to be larger and more revealing than many competitors’ screens. Yes, the old chair was restored at some point in the past. No, the manufacturer’s markings were not findable and likely worn from the surface. (And he did come across a dead spider.)
“Thank you, Fluke, for the awesome toy -- no, it's not a toy! -- for the awesome tool!" he exclaims in satisfaction.
Real Use Cases for Industrial Borescopes
While Savage seemed to have enjoyed experimenting with it, borescopes are serious tools -- meant for valuable preventive maintenance on critically important assets. Most industrial companies will leverage them for more demanding environments such as these:
Industrial and mechanical applications
- Pumps, gearboxes, and compressors – inspect for wear, misalignment, or lubrication issues.
- Heat exchangers and boilers – look for scaling, corrosion, or tube damage.
- Bearings and rotating equipment – check for cracks, scoring, or contamination without disassembly.
Electrical systems
- Inside panels and conduits – examine for wire damage, loose connections, or corrosion.
- Motor windings and stators – inspect insulation and cleanliness without removing housings.
Automotive and fleet maintenance
- Engines and transmissions – view combustion chambers, valve conditions, or timing chain wear.
- Fuel systems and exhausts – check for carbon buildup, cracks, or blockages.
Aerospace and aviation
- Turbine engines – inspect blades and internal surfaces for damage or wear.
- Airframe structures – look inside composite panels, ducts, and tight assemblies.
Building and construction
- Walls and ceilings – find hidden mold, pests, or wiring issues without demolition.
- Pipes and ducts – inspect plumbing or HVAC systems for leaks, clogs, or corrosion.
Oil, gas, and energy
- Pipelines and pressure vessels – examine welds and internal corrosion.
- Turbines and generators – perform routine inspections for preventive maintenance.
Companies save hundreds of thousands of dollars each year using borescopes, especially in wind energy, aerospace, power generation, and healthcare sectors. Borescopes help workers find not only damaged or worn sections, but also lost tools, screws, and other simple items, even harm caused by mold, water, and insects.
Everything You Need and Want in a Borescope
The Fluke DS703 FC is a feature-rich, value-based professional-grade handheld borescope, reflecting its rugged build quality, larger screen, Wi-Fi, and variety of articulating probes. It includes Up is Up® technology to auto-rotate images for better orientation, and integrates with the Fluke Connect™ app, enabling remote viewing and sharing of images and data via a smartphone or tablet.
The Fluke borescope is priced competitively for industrial users -- above the numerous consumer-based models but well below ultra-high-end scopes.
“Amazing Product by Fluke; used it for a couple of years now with ZERO ISSUES,” wrote one customer in a recent review. “Picture is the best I have ever seen. Would recommend 10/10.”