HOW TO: Hi-Res Digital Inspection Scope on a Budget

[C. Charles Hahn]

So I was doing a bit of browsing the other day and came across a really interesting concept for creating a digital microscope out of a tablet or smartphone with a camera (in this case, an iPad):



Explain Everything + iPad Digital Microscope - Explain Everything (http://www.explaineverything.com/1/post/2011/12/explain-everything-ipad-digital-microscope.html)



While looking at the video, I got to thinking this might prove to be useful for detailing as a way to inspect and document paint defects without breaking the bank on a unit like we`ve seen Paul Dalton and a few others use. I decided to build my own variation, and turned to Amazon for the necessary parts.



What you`ll need



Any camera-equipped tablet or smartphone (in our case a 3rd-gen Apple iPad)



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2835.JPG



A compact 45x microscope such as this one from Amazon:



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002E0MU70/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01?tag=amaz98-20



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2833.JPG



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2836.JPG



An inexpensive case/shell for your phone or tablet such as this one for the iPad:



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JBN6NQ/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?tag=amaz98-20



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2837.JPG



A rubber grommet with an I.D. of 1/2" such as this one I sourced at Harbor Freight:



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2840.JPG



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2838.JPG



Common Super Glue:



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2839.JPG



Assembly



After coating one side of the grommet with super glue, stick it to the case/shell, being sure to center it over where the camera lens will be:



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2842.JPG



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2843.JPG



Allow the glue to set completely, then put the tablet/phone into the case, and finally seat the viewfinder of the microscope into the rubber grommet.



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2861.JPG



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2862.JPG



Testing Results



Here is a normal photograph I took of a small rock chip that has been filled with paint, but not yet leveled to the rest of the panel:



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2867.JPG



As you can see, there is a slight dark spot in the middle of the touch-up blob. Using our microscope and the 5MP camera on the iPad, let`s take a closer look:



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/photo1.JPG



Now, we can clearly tell that there are actually two very small dark marks in the blob of paint. We can also see a slight "halo" effect around the edges of our microscope`s optics. Using the digital zoom feature in the iPad camera app, we can crop this halo out and gain a bit more detail:



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/photo2.JPG



These appear to be anomalies in the distribution of the metallic flakes throughout the touch-up; if they do not simply go away during the sanding/leveling process, it may be necessary to apply a second coat of paint to eliminate the dark marks.



While this was just a quick demonstration based on one of the few defects I could find on this particular vehicle, it clearly demonstrates how useful a tool like this can be when dealing with other paint issues by revealing additional information the naked eye simply cannot see. That it displays on a large screen and is able to be captured for documentation purposes makes it an even better tool. For about 5 minutes worth of work and less than $20, you too can have your very own digital inspection scope.



I have a case on order for my iPhone 3GS as well (cost all of $2) so I will be adapting it to that more compact platform as well.



Enjoy!



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_2863.JPG

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

Very cool... Thanks for sharing Charlie!

[C. Charles Hahn]

Very cool... Thanks for sharing Charlie!



Thanks Jason!

[togwt]

Nice one...that`s a great idea (beats the Pro-Scope on price 400-500 USD)

[Barry Theal]

Charlie that is pure awesomeness! I have been really considering the proscope, but never pulled the trigger yet! That certainly beats the one I use. I use a small scope. I got this one from detail plus, man digital would be nice.





http://presidentialdetails.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sls-scope.jpg

[David Fermani]

Very nice write up Charlie! I`ve dabbled with one a while back in this write up:



http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-brag/128695-forum-member-slumber-party-70-hours-07-shelby.html



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/Shelby/37.jpg



Eddie Fuiza`s system was pretty pricey, but nothing like taking a good look into the finish you`re working on.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Nice one...that`s a great idea (beats the Pro-Scope on price 400-500 USD)



Thank you Jon, this is definitely a more affordable solution that makes it accessible for just about anyone. If you already have a phone/tablet with a decent quality CCD, there`s really no reason this wouldn`t work with it.




Charlie that is pure awesomeness! I have been really considering the proscope, but never pulled the trigger yet! That certainly beats the one I use. I use a small scope. I got this one from detail plus, man digital would be nice.



Thanks Barry! I`ve been looking at units like the ProScope for a while too, but I wasn`t really convinced it was worth spending that much when a small scope like the one in your pic does get the job done. I have one that`s similar to what AI sells (30X Lighted Magnifier (http://www.valugard.net/store/p-76-30x-lighted-magnifier.aspx))



I`m sure the ProScope probably has better optics and would be more convenient in some situations, but for the price of this little setup I can`t really complain. The ability to document things or show customers what`s really going on with their paint is a huge plus.




Very nice write up Charlie! I`ve dabbled with one a while back in this write up:



http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-brag/128695-forum-member-slumber-party-70-hours-07-shelby.html



Eddie Fuiza`s system was pretty pricey, but nothing like taking a good look into the finish you`re working on.



Ah yes, I remember that thread. One of the first times I`d seen a digital scope like that other than in one of Paul Dalton`s write-ups with the ProScope.



Thanks!

[RaskyR1]

Thanks for sharing Charlie! I have the same scope as Barry and let just say it`s not the best scope out there. I have a 7x one that I probably use more often but it doesn`t always get magnified enough. ;)



I`ll definitely be looking into this. :2thumbs:

[C. Charles Hahn]

Thanks for sharing Charlie! I have the same scope as Barry and let just say it`s not the best scope out there. I have a 7x one that I probably use more often but it doesn`t always get magnified enough. ;)



I`ll definitely be looking into this. :2thumbs:



Thanks Chad; if/when you do build one for yourself, do let us know what you think!

[RaskyR1]

Thanks Chad; if/when you do build one for yourself, do let us know what you think!



Will do! I just ordered the scope you listed and a few others to try from Amazon since they are so cheap! Looks like they are coming from Hong Kong though so it may be a few weeks before they show up....

[C. Charles Hahn]

Will do! I just ordered the scope you listed and a few others to try from Amazon since they are so cheap! Looks like they are coming from Hong Kong though so it may be a few weeks before they show up....



The scope and case I listed shipped out of Lexington, KY; since I have Amazon Prime I got them in 2 days. The iPhone case I ordered is coming out of Hong Kong as well though so I feel your pain.



I noticed that they had a similar 60X scope listed from a seller in HK, what other ones did you find/order?

[RaskyR1]

The scope and case I listed shipped out of Lexington, KY; since I have Amazon Prime I got them in 2 days. The iPhone case I ordered is coming out of Hong Kong as well though so I feel your pain.



I noticed that they had a similar 60X scope listed from a seller in HK, what other ones did you find/order?



Yeah, I have Prime too but none of those items qualified.



I ordered these 3:



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002E0MU70/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DX6VQQ/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053VJEL2/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01

[C. Charles Hahn]

Yeah, I have Prime too but none of those items qualified.



I ordered these 3:



Amazon.com: SE MW10087L Mini Brass Microscope with Illuminator: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002E0MU70/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00)



Amazon.com: 40x Mini Magnifier Magnifying Glass LED Illuminate Jeweller Loupe: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DX6VQQ/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00)



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053VJEL2/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01



Hmm... maybe I just got it that way because the case qualified.



That 40x loupe looks interesting too, though it may need a different method to attach it to the case.



Thanks!

[RaskyR1]

Hmm... maybe I just got it that way because the case qualified.



That 40x loupe looks interesting too, though it may need a different method to attach it to the case.



Thanks!



Or it could be coming from a different seller?



The 40x loupe will be for non digital use. ;)





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[C. Charles Hahn]

Finally got my iPhone case in and mounted the scope to it.... works OK, but the camera and screen both have much lower resolution so the quality is nowhere near as good as the iPad:



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_3207.JPG



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_3208.JPG



http://hahn-on-the.net/pictures/detailing/digiscope/IMG_3209.JPG



I`ll upload a couple in-action test photos later today.