Tried using a $30 fiber optic inspection camera on a stubborn LRU connector, and it actually worked

I was ready to order the whole harness after chasing a comms fault for two days, but the cheap scope showed me a single bent pin I'd missed three times. Anyone have a better tool for this, or is the cheap one good enough?

3 comments

3 Comments

charles_henderson9d agoTop Commenter

Did you have any trouble with the cheap scope's focus on a pin that small, @bailey.xena? I've seen a couple where the image goes soft right when you need it sharpest. A penlight trick sounds worth trying if the built-in lights are weak.

bailey.xena2mo ago

Chasing a ghost fault like that is the worst kind of frustration. Finding that one bent pin must have felt like a huge victory. Those little wins make all the difference on a long day.

kellylopez2mo ago

Honestly the real win is finding ANY tool that stops a parts cannon. Those cheap scopes can be a lifesaver when the fancy gear is booked up. The image might be grainy, but if it spots the problem, that's all that matters. Just keep it clean and maybe add a tiny bit of light from a penlight if the built-in LED is weak.