Hawkeye borescope
- Thread starter dbaird
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paperpuncher
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a hawkeye at one time it was the only show in town. It is a great tool... That being said I have a Teslong as well, lots of bang for the buck comes in that box.
SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
Far cheaper to give the Teslong a try. Several different choices. If you use it with an iPhone you will need to select the WiFi models. Do a search on this site for info. Lots of threads and replies on here.
The Hawkeye is far better in my opinion for detail. The Teslong has the advantage of taking reasonable photos, but that's where it stops for me. I have two Teslongs that I'm passing on to the son's. They are certainly descent borescopes for the price, but after years of using the Hawkeye I'm sold on it.
The Hawkeye is expensive for sure and adding a camera to it is awful expensive. Luckily, I'm not into sending pics of my barrels.
The Hawkeye is expensive for sure and adding a camera to it is awful expensive. Luckily, I'm not into sending pics of my barrels.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
If you need detailed views the hawkeye is the best. Nobody short of a gunsmith would ever need more detail than a teslong and it works 99.9% of the time and is easier
I have the rigid teslong and the flexible teslong. For the money they are great scopes and very clear.
I don't have a Hawkeye so I can not give you comparison. Try out a teslong worst case you are out of about $50 or so.
Last I remember you have to bring the hawkeye to your eye but with teslong you can see it on your computer, phone or ipad of some sort abd save pictures and videos.
I don't have a Hawkeye so I can not give you comparison. Try out a teslong worst case you are out of about $50 or so.
Last I remember you have to bring the hawkeye to your eye but with teslong you can see it on your computer, phone or ipad of some sort abd save pictures and videos.
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Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
I own both. I am not a gunsmith, but when I want to look at a bore, I reach for the Hawkeye, not the Teslong. I find it much easier to fire up the Hawkeye than pulling out a laptop, booting it, plugging in the borescope, opening the software, etc., not that either one is really all that difficult to use. The differences are that the Hawkeye has both optics and features that far exceed the Teslong. Those features require complex engineering and design parameters, which is why the Hawkeye costs around $900 and the Teslong as low as $50. For an inexpensive borescope, the Teslong has VERY good optics, much better than previous modestly-priced borescopes. Compared to those borescopes, the Teslong is a game-changer. However, it is not a Hawkeye, not even close. The Teslong also has the advantage of image capture, something most people will never feasibly be able to accomplish with a Hawkeye, due to the extremely high cost. If the features and optics of the Teslong are sufficient your needs, which they probably should be for at least 95% of shooters, I can't imagine why someone would spend an additional $850 for a Hawkeye. I bought my Hawkeye well before the Teslong borescope was ever available, and I use it regularly for the reasons I described above, I simply find it easier to use and the optics are unquestionably better. Had the Teslong been available at that time, I would probably only own a Teslong, as it is certainly sufficient for my needs.
kelbro
Silver $$ Contributor
I had the deluxe Hawkeye kit. Very nice rig. Professional quality. Got a Teslong and immediately sold the Hawkeye. For my use, the cheap Chinese endoscope works fine.
Kind of like Harbor Freight tools... I wouldn't get under my truck on Harbor Freight jack stands but to polish the wax once a year, their buffer is OK
Kind of like Harbor Freight tools... I wouldn't get under my truck on Harbor Freight jack stands but to polish the wax once a year, their buffer is OK
SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
I have four Teslongs. Two flex (one original and one prototype with a heavier coating on the probe to help eliminate the breakage from coiling it too tight) and two rigid (one rifle and one handgun in the Wifi version). I have to agree that the rigid ones are easier to use, but the flex ones are easier to store (just a loose coil). The flexible ones are best for long barrels if you don't want to have to stick a rigid one down the bore from the muzzle too in order to see the entire barrel. Rigid model won't reach all the way from the breech to the muzzle on long barrels. I particularly like not having to crouch over the bench to see my results. Android phone or 15" Chromebook sure makes seeing convenient and clear.
I've never looked through a Hawkeye, but in my opinion every serious enthusiast should have a Teslong (or better?). The Teslong is a bargain for what it will show you. I have the flex version that I hook up to my cell phone and it's quick and easy. Yesterday I used it to check for a carbon ring. Took all of a couple of minutes.
I would venture to say, that since the Teslong has been introduced to the gun market, Hawkeye sales have plummeted. Most folks don't use a scope very often. Why pay $1000.00 for something you only use a few times a year when the Teslong provide every thing you need and more, for a fraction of the cost.
powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
I have both, the Hawkeye optics are much better than a Teslong..........BUT, I would recommend the Teslong.
It is much cheaper, gives a decent view, allows you to take pictures, and at it's price point is a tool all shooters should have.
Use it every time you clean the bore.
It is much cheaper, gives a decent view, allows you to take pictures, and at it's price point is a tool all shooters should have.
Use it every time you clean the bore.
You can also rotate the Teslong 360 degrees.
I now have both the Hawkeye rifle & Teslong pistol scopes. For clarity Hawkeye wins hands down.
The only 3 problems I find with the Teslong are:
1. You have to re-focus every time you change caliber.
2. The little locking collar is very hard to use, making it problematic to maintain focus
3. Trying to follow the twist in the bore, the wire keeps trying to un-wind making the inspection difficult.
For $40 dollars you can't go wrong compared to the Hawkeye price. Plus the Teslong gives you the option for pictures.
The only 3 problems I find with the Teslong are:
1. You have to re-focus every time you change caliber.
2. The little locking collar is very hard to use, making it problematic to maintain focus
3. Trying to follow the twist in the bore, the wire keeps trying to un-wind making the inspection difficult.
For $40 dollars you can't go wrong compared to the Hawkeye price. Plus the Teslong gives you the option for pictures.
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