Depstech 86T-5M review

Is it a webcam? Is it a borescope? Whichever it is, this probe can revolutionize your DIY and creativity

Depstech NT86T
(Image: © Adam Juniper)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Depstech 86T-5M is an excellent value-for-money endoscope which – as long you’re not hoping to connect to an iPhone – provides a solution more than adequate for occasional DIY needs, or retrieving lost items from tricky spots. We liked the simple lighting control and were impressed with the usefulness of the adapters. If we were being picky, the magnet is tricky to use – but ferrous metals need some volume; it’s hard to blame physics. Remembering this costs little more than a good delivery pizza and is impressive; adding the fun of creative uses through the webcam connection and it seems like a bargain.

Pros

  • +

    Works with Android, Widows, MacOS

  • +

    No need for separate power

  • +

    Analog brightness control for lights

  • +

    USB-A and MicroUSB adapters

  • +

    Can be used for live streaming

Cons

  • -

    No Lightning Port connector, no iPhone

  • -

    Probe attachments container is fiddly

  • -

    Image quality suffers from artifacts

  • -

    Depstech-View app asks for email

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The best borescopes, endoscopes or inspection cameras – call them what you will – have moved from being a rare curiosity to a tool most DIY enthusiasts, not to mention serious mechanics or plumbers, don’t like to go without. The ability to look inside machines, or under floorboards, without having to undertake a huge amount of demolition first is difficult to overstate.

Depstech, and their competitors, sell devices in three broad categories – wireless, wired, and all-in-one. The later is a complete tool for professional work, while both wired and wireless tend to offer a much cheaper entry point (you’ll provide the screen with your phone or other device).

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Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones. 

Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones. 

He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook