At the 2011 Milwaukee New Tools Press Event, Corey Dickert (Cordless Product Manager) gave us an up-close-and-personal look at the M-Spector 360 – the company’s newest M12 inspection camera with a fully rotating LCD display. What probably impressed us the most was it’s small focal length. At just 1″ away, the camera gave a really good view of materials and let you get right up close to check out what’s happening in pipes, behind walls, etc. Most inspection cameras can’t get that close without losing focus. We also appreciated the detailed and colorful images that the new camera presented. There is at least one competitor that does an equally impressive job, but the Milwaukee is far and above most of the typical inspection camera, which looks, for all intents and purposes, black and white. The Milwaukee M-Spector 360 Inspection Camera also has a very narrow 9mm camera head as opposed to the more common 17mm head. Right off the bat it’s already suited for residential, commercial AND automotive applications. In our hands-on use of the camera we examined jean material, circuit boards, and Cat 5e cable close-up and the images were excellent.
Editorial note: Don’t miss our inspection cameras comparison head to head shootout
Milwaukee M-Spector 360 Inspection Camera Features
As we mentioned, the new tool’s 2.7″ color LCD display even rotates 360 degrees to adjust the image to where you are. Milwaukee also demoed how current cameras tend to come with 3′ cables with extensions that have 4″ inflexible points at each junction. To increase cable flexibility, Milwaukee opted to provide the Milwaukee M-Spector 360 inspection camera with both 3′ and 9′ cables and do away with extensions whenever possible. Also available is a brand new pipe guide attachment that lets you run the camera head through some very difficult places. We were even able to get it nearly all the way to the bottom of a standard Kohler toilet. Now, I’m not all that anxious to see what’s down there, but it’s certainly a great proof of concept for the virtually snagless head.
In terms of sheer specifications, the Milwaukee M-Spector 360 is quite a value-oriented product. For starters, the 2.7″ LCD display does well to convey the clear color images produced by the 9mm 640×480 digital probe. There are also 4 dimmable LED lights that surround the camera and light the target area without producing much in the way of shadows or glare. The tool has three LEDs that tell the battery status of the M12 battery when inserted.
Milwaukee will offer its new M-Spector 360 with the industry standard 3ft cable (2313-21), as well as a 9ft cable version (2314-21) that comes with the new Pipe Guide attachment. A mirror, hook and magnet will also be included to help the user inspect, diagnose and solve countless problems in service, maintenance and repair applications. A bare tool model (2313-20) is also available without a battery and charger to allow current Milwaukee M12 users to add to the versatility of their system and get an inspection camera at a tremendous value vs. competitive alkaline units.
The new Milwaukee M-Spector 360 Inspection Camera (with the exception of the bare tool model) comes with Milwaukee’s M12 Red Lithium Battery and is available now.
Specifications (2313-21)
- LCD Display: 2.7″ High-Resolution Color
- Image Sensor Pixel Density: 640×480
- Camera Head Diameter: .35 in (9mm)
- LED Brightness: 4 LED’s, 5 settings
- Waterproof: Yes
- Gas/Oil Resistant: Yes
- Operating Temperature: -4F – 150F
- Cable Length: 3′
- Display Resolution: 320 x 240
- Includes 2313-21 M12 M-Spector 360, (1) M12 Red Lithium Battery, 30-Minute Charger, Hook, Magnet & Mirror
