Quest4Treasure Archives

Let's face it. Ground penetrating radar is expensive, complicated and pretty unattainable for most people. But this got me thinking, does a simple soil probe camera type tool exits? This would be extremely useful for spot checks and hunches. Sure you would see a lot of dirt but there is an off-chance you might strike plexiglass.and be able to confirm it. I couldn't find any of these commercially but maybe someone could create a 3D printed attachment for some sort of spy cam lens.. I don't know, just throwing it out there.

It’s been done with a regular probe and a snake/plumber’s camera. Both are readily available and fairly inexpensive.

amazon borescope for iphone or android...

BINGO wrote:: It’s been done with a regular probe and a snake/plumber’s camera. Both are readily available and fairly inexpensive. maltedfalcon wrote:: amazon borescope for iphone or android... Any word on effectiveness? Worth the time / cost? Has a member posted footage? Thanks! looking into them now.

Well this was a waste of thread

Choice wrote:: Well this was a waste of thread That boat sailed a decade ago....

Pretty darn effective. Pending usage and goal. Some people don't think that any kind of probe/probing is effective. That is a fair point. Info below is for others that want to try it. Not a cure all. But best case scenario can let you know if it's definitely not worth digging a hole. You can find them under endoscopic camera on Amazon for $30-$40 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073ZFC59R/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_imgGCbZ7SK9HJ Link to any iPhone or Android via built in Wifi after app installed. Can then use phone/tablet as viewer and take pics or video. Usage: If you want to make a hole slightly wider diameter than your standard solid shaft probe, you might try something like the below. Key is to put the word "sample" into your search. Pic below is a hand build of the same idea - with open topped shaft so we could snake the cam down it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007IBRZ52/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_lqgGCbCG0ZYDJ 1. Hit something with your probe. 2. Use the sampler probe to take a soil core so the hole is a bit wider and easier to cam. 3. Cam. (see notes below) Here's some info and tools a team I was working with used on an exploration in June 2018. Including pics taken with the endo cam. Note: Target is likely going to be murky or covered in dirt. Our team used a hand built extendo-brush to (spin) brush away dirt to get a good cam view. Some targets needed several brushings. I've used a simple round paintbrush duct taped to a bamboo tomato stake with similar results. Next time may investigate some sort of tiny vacuum hose to a dust buster or something. Good luck to ya!... PS/edit - bring a portable battery backup (or 2) for the endocam. Batter life on it is only 15-30 minutes depending on how bright you make the built in light on the end of the cam....

Thanks for the info Kang! So you probe and bore first then pull out and (or brush first if needed) and then insert the cam? Or are you probing with cam in? How hard is it to probe with that pole?

Jordan wrote:: So you probe and bore first then pull out and (or brush first if needed) and then insert the cam? Or are you probing with cam in? How hard is it to probe with that pole? Initial probing - standard solid shaft probe. No cam. I have a "Bully"- I think it was like $35. Difficulty pending ground/soil conditions at site. Once target struck - we switch to the"soil sample probe." Follow the hole made w first probe (no cam), remove probe and the core sample. Clear dirt from sampler probe and repeat if necessary. Cam. If target unclear - brush/cam/repeat. My store bought soil sample probe does not have an open top, which means I have to remove it and cam directly down the hole. While trying not to knock more dirt which would fall and cover target. Of course if sandy or soil doesn't hold together well, this could be a battle you will lose. Hole could immediately fill back in. The hand-made one pictured above was built for just such a contingency. As once the core is removed you can use the hollow tube to hold the walls at bay and snake the cam down the open top (even spin brush with probe in). Person who made it is handy and said it was like $15 worth of parts and fittings at Lowes... Here's another endocam pick where you can tell that in this case the pic was taken while the hollow probe was still in. Again, some would make the case that the entire premise above is flawed - including that if the casque is in pieces, your first probe might sail through and not even detect a target. That is a fair point. Only sure fire solution is to dig a hole to depth and see what's there - so do that if you can. But if that's not possible or you're trying to explore a big area, you can give it a try.