Milwaukee just announced 3 new inspection cameras named M-Spector Flex, for their popular M12 12 volt power tool line. While they all vary a little bit, at the core of these new M-Spector Flex inspection cams are a large 3.5 inch display (measured diagonally) that is wireless, meaning you can remove the display unit from the inspection camera base. I’ve used inspection cameras with wireless displays before and let me tell you how much easier they make your life versus a fixed display unit. I’m able to place the screen conveniently while my arms are in awkward positions. You also don’t have to worry about screen orientation as you would with a fixed screen unit, although Milwaukee fixed this issue with their M-Spector 360 unit. This one little items benefits the job in so many ways and makes everything so much easier, especially when it comes to looking into areas of a building that you wouldn’t normally get access to. You can look into something like inspection cameras – hereon.biz if you want to find out more regarding equipment like this or if you have an interest in home remodeling, this would also be useful.
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The wireless display on the new M-Spector Flex cams has a wireless range up 15ft in optimal conditions. They are sporting VGA resolution (640 x 480) camera sensors with what Milwaukee calls “state of the art” LED’s to illuminate dark areas and are said to be 15X brighter. You will also be able to zoom in (4x electronic zoom) and rotate images to facilitate viewing. Also handy are their ability to take photos and video of what’s happening inside walls or pipes or whatever it is you’re peeping into. Built in SD card and Micro USB slots allow you to transfer and save images & video and Milwaukee was even kind enough to include an SD card and USB transfer cable with each inspection cam model. All three cameras part of this system use 12.5mm (0.49″) camera heads which are a bit thinner than typical 17mm inspection cams, but not as thin as 9mm inspection cams.
Those are the common features among all three new M-Spector Flex inspection cameras. Although one of those cameras, the M-Spector Flex with Pivot View has the ability to move the tip of the camera cable on command. Have you ever needed to bend a camera cable in a right angle to look around corners? I know I have, but the problem is keeping that angle while trying to squeeze the camera cable into a small hole without straightening the camera cable. This useful features allows you to pivot the camera head up to 270 degrees, without need to re-position the camera cable or pull the cable out to pivot the head. A knob on the base of the unit allows you to tilt the camera head with the turn of dial. The M-Spector Flex with Pivot View inspection camera comes with a removable 3 foot camera cable.
The other 2 M-Spector Flex cameras don’t offer the Pivot View pivoting head. One of them also comes in a 3 foot camera cable length, while the other non-Pivot View model stands out with an extra long 9 foot camera cable. Longer cords are great for long reach inspection jobs and the single 9 foot cable is just as flexible as the 3 foot versions which gives it a leg up when compared to smaller camera cables using extensions. Extensions are bulky and have inflexible joints at the connections.
My personal thoughts on these new Milwaukee M12 M-Spector Flex cameras are as follows: I gladly welcome these new updates. Milwaukee has gone a long way since their original M12 inspection cam which was plain and simple. It got the job done but with no frills, bells, or whistles, then came the 360 models that added a rotating screen to fix orientation issues and A/V models that could snap pictures and video. Up until now if you wanted a wireless inspection camera you had to look elsewhere, and this new model seems to be aimed directly at Dewalt’s 12V competitor that also features a wireless display and the ability to take pictures and audio. These new Milwaukee M12 M-Spector Flex inspection cameras do cost considerably more than even Dewalt’s 12V offering at $479.99 for the 3 ft M-Spector Flex model, $499.99 for the 9 ft M-Spector Flex model, and $699 for the M-Spector Flex model with PivotView. On the upside, the M-Spector Flex models do offer double the resolution of the Dewalt camera sensor (M12 M-Spector Flex model = 640×480 VS Dewalt 12V = 320×480). Also Milwaukee claims these are much brighter than before (15X brighter).
Both of these features may seem to alleviate some of the issues I’ve had in the past with inspection cams with poor image quality due to low resolution and poor light output. 640×480 resolution is not high by today’s standards but I welcome any improvement in inspection camera tech. Then let me not forget to mention the PivotView feature on the highest M-Spector Flex model with PivotView. I just recently had to inspect a ceiling before opening the drywall and I used the original M12 inspection camera and had a hard time looking around corners. I would bend the camera cable to form a right angle but many times the cable would straighten itself when going through the tiny peep hole. This new PivotView feature would’ve been a lifesaver. And the new 9 foot M-Spector Flex model will come in handy for those tired of using extensions and dealing with stiff connections especially when navigating through tight pipe curves.
These new Milwaukee M12 M-Spector Flex inspection camera models will be available in June 2016 and the M-Spector Flex model with PivotView will be available in July 2016.
Models and Specifications
M12™ M-SPECTOR FLEX™ 3 ft. Inspection Camera w/PIVOTVIEW™ (2317-21) – Available in July with MSRP: $699.99
- Cable Length 3′
- PIVOTVIEW™ YES
- Camera Head Motion Up to 270°
- Camera Head Diameter 12.5mm (.49″)
- Camera Head Length 35mm (1.375″)
- Camera Resolution 640 x 480
- Display Type
Wireless 3.5″ LCD - Wireless Distance Up to 15’
- Image Capture YES
- Video Recording YES
- Audio Capability
YES - Brightness Control Adjustment Dial
- Image Rotation
90? - Zoom
4X - File Storage/Transfer SD Card, Micro-USB
- M12™ REDLITHIUM™ Rechargeable
- 5 Year Warranty
Includes: M-SPECTOR FLEX™ Console, 3ft Inspection Camera Cable w/ PIVOTVIEW™, SD Card, USB Cable, M12™ REDLITHIUM Compact Battery Pack and Charger, Carrying Case.
M12™ M-SPECTOR FLEX™ 9 ft. Inspection Camera (2316-21) – Available in June with MSRP: $499.99
- Cable Length
9′ - Camera Head Diameter 12.5mm (.49″)
- Camera Head Length 35mm (1.375″)
- Camera Resolution 640 x 480
- Display Type Wireless 3.5″ LCD
- Wireless Distance Up to 15’
- Image Capture YES
- Video Recording YES
- Audio Capability
YES - Brightness Control Adjustment Dial
- Image Rotation
90? - Zoom
4X - File Storage/Transfer SD Card, Micro-USB
- M12™ REDLITHIUM™ Rechargeable
- 5 Year Warranty
Includes: M-SPECTOR FLEX™ Console, 9ft Inspection Camera Cable, SD Card, USB Cable, M12™ REDLITHIUM Compact Battery Pack and Charger, Carrying Case.
M12™ M-SPECTOR FLEX™ 3 ft. Inspection Camera (2315-21) – Available in June with MSRP: $479.99
- Cable Length
3′ - Camera Head Diameter 12.5mm (.49″)
- Camera Head Length 35mm (1.375″)
- Camera Resolution 640 x 480
- Display Type
Wireless 3.5″ LCD - Wireless Distance Up to 15’
- Image Capture YES
- Video Recording YES
- Audio Capability
YES - Brightness Control Adjustment Dial
- Image Rotation
90? - Zoom
4X - File Storage/Transfer SD Card, Micro-USB
- M12™ REDLITHIUM™ Rechargeable
- 5 Year Warranty
Includes: M-SPECTOR FLEX™ Console, 3ft Inspection Cable Camera, SD Card, USB Cable, M12™ REDLITHIUM Compact Battery Pack and Charger, Carrying Case.
Available Cables
- M-SPECTOR FLEX™ 3ft Inspection Camera Cable (48-53-0150)
- M-SPECTOR FLEX™ 9ft Inspection Camera Cable (48-53-0151)
- M-SPECTOR FLEX™ 3ft Inspection Camera Cable w/PIVOTVIEW™ (48-53-0155)
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J-dog, you always get the news out first. These cameras are sweet!
Thanks B-Dog, I thought you guys might like to know about these