Borescope review

By Billy Allen 

In the world of firearms maintenance, few tools have transformed the way shooters inspect and care for their rifles quite like the modern digital borescope. Once the domain of professional gunsmiths wielding expensive optical instruments costing upwards of $1,000, borescopes are now accessible to everyday hunters, target shooters and reloaders. Affordable, user-friendly and packed with features, these devices allow us to peer deep inside barrels, chambers and actions to diagnose issues that were previously invisible or guessed at through indirect symptoms. 

A borescope is essentially a tiny camera on a probe that transmits live video to a screen, phone or tablet. Its primary role is to reveal the true condition of a barrel’s interior – fouling, wear, defects or damage that can affect accuracy, safety and longevity. Hard carbon rings, copper buildup, fire-cracking, throat erosion, crown damage, and even manufacturing voids can all be identified with clarity. Beyond diagnostics, borescopes verify cleaning effectiveness, guide maintenance schedules, and help troubleshoot precision problems. For the reloader, they offer insight into pressure signs, chamber condition, and can even be used to inspect the internal condition of a fired case. For the hunter, they provide peace of mind that a rifle is safe and ready before a hunting trip and a critical shot. 

This review examines two Teslong borescopes supplied by OPMG (Outback Pursuit Marketing Group Pty Ltd): the wireless NTG150W at $299.95 RRP and the premium NTG200H+NTS500B bundle at $661.95 RRP. Both represent significant advancements in accessible bore inspection technology, but they cater to different users and budgets. 

First impressions 

The NTG150W arrives in a compact, branded box that immediately signals practicality. Inside, the components are neatly organised: a wireless transmitter, a long flexible probe, a USB charging cable, six side-view mirrors ranging from 0.2”/5mm to 0.4”/10mm and a quick-start card, all enclosed in a sturdy zip-opening softshell case. The probe feels robust yet lightweight, with a smooth, durable sheath. The transmitter is palm-sized, with clearly labelled buttons. At under 415 grams total, it’s highly portable – ideal for range bags or hunting kits. 

The NTG200H+NTS500B bundle exudes premium build quality. The complete kit comes housed in a sturdy foam-lined box with a magnetic closure. Inside there is a folding 26”/66cm rigid probe, a five-inch NTS500B monitor and charging cable, two braided USB-C cables for connecting the probe to a PC and/or the NTS500B monitor, a cased five side-view mirrors kit ranging from 0.2’/5mm to 0.4”/10mm, and a kickstand. The monitor’s aluminium-framed screen and knurled probe handle suggest durability. The rigid folding probe mechanism – unique in the Teslong lineup – feels innovative yet reassuringly solid. At first glance, this is a system designed for frequent, detailed work. 

Both units are designed and built to reflect attention to longevity and image quality. 

Technical specifications and data 

NTG150W 

RRP  $299.95 

Probe Diameter < 5.0mm (.20 cal)  

Probe Length Options 48-inch flexible/ semi-rigid 

Display Phone/tablet via Wi-Fi 

Video Resolution 720p (app-dependent) 

Photo Resolution 1280×720 

LED Lighting 3 levels + off (ring LED) 

Focus Fixed (~10 mm forward); mirror-adjusted side view 

Connectivity Wi-Fi (Smart Endoscope app) 

Storage Phone/tablet gallery 

Battery Transmitter: ~4 hrs (rechargeable) 

Mirrors 6 threaded (standard) Calibre-specific kit (.20 to .40+) 

Water Resistance Probe tip IP67 

Weight (approx) 280g (probe and transmitter) 

NTG200H + NTS500B 

RRP $661.95 (bundle) 

Probe Diameter < 5.0mm (.20 cal)  

Probe Length Options 26-inch folding rigid 

Display 5-inch IPS screen (854×480) 

Video Resolution 1080p (monitor), 720p (app/PC) 

Photo Resolution 1920×1080 

LED Lighting 3 levels + off (ring LED) + monitor work light 

Focus Adjustable focus ring (side view) 

Connectivity USB-C monitor, USB-A/C/PC 

Storage Micro SD card (up to 128GB) 

Battery Monitor: ~4–5 hrs (rechargeable) 

Mirrors Cased 5 threaded (standard) Calibre-specific kit (.20 to .40+) 

Water Resistance Probe tip IP67 

Weight (approx) 650g (with monitor and probe) 

The NTG150W prioritises simplicity and wireless freedom. The NTG200H+NTS500B bundle combines high-resolution recording, standalone operation and innovative focusing. 

Setup and ease of use 

NTG150W – Wireless simplicity 

Setup begins with charging the transmitter with the provided USB-A to USB-C universal cable. Select your flexible probe and thread on the aviation connector and plug it into the transmitter. A long press on the power button activates the unit; the ring LED illuminates, and the Wi-Fi beacon broadcasts within five seconds. 

On an Android or iOS smartphone-type device, download the Smart Endoscope app (free, ~50 MB). Connect to the ‘Wi-Fi Cam_XXXXXX’ network – no internet required. The app auto-detects the borescope, requests media permissions, and delivers a live feed in fewer than 15 seconds. Image orientation adjusts via on-screen controls; brightness is toggled via the transmitter’s middle button (three levels plus off); a long-press zooms digitally. 

The Teslong NTS500B five-inch monitor is attached to the 26-inch folding rigid probe, providing a clear, hands-free view inside the barrel. 

Inserting the probe is straightforward. The flexible probes require slight coaxing to enter the chamber but conform to contours once inserted into the chamber and slide easily down the bore. Side-view inspection demands a mirror. Thread it onto the probe tip, adjust the distance for focus, and lock it with the ring. Focus may require two to three attempts, but once set, the image is sharp and stable. 

Capturing media is intuitive: tap the shutter for photos, switch to video mode and tap record. Files save directly to the phone’s gallery. The transmitter’s physical shutter button allows one-handed operation. 

Battery life comfortably exceeds 3.5 hours of continuous use. The lack of a dedicated screen means reliance on a phone, but this also eliminates extra weight and failure points. 

NTG200H + NTS500B – Premium Standalone System 

The bundle’s centrepiece is the NTS500B five-inch monitor – a rugged, bright IPS panel with physical buttons for power, mode, lighting, capture and navigation. Charge via USB-C (cable included), attach the NTG200H folding probe via the braided cable, and power on. The system boots in fewer than three seconds, displaying battery, SD card status and mode. 

The folding probe is the star. Unfold, twist the collar to lock, and it becomes a rigid 26-inch shaft – perfect for rifle barrels. The adjustable focus ring near the tip is a game-changer. Screw a side-view mirror fully down, insert the probe, and rotate the ring until the lands and grooves snap into clarity. No more trial-and-error mirror positioning. Focus holds across the entire barrel length, even in varying light. 

The monitor’s interface mirrors a digital camera: 

Mode button: cycles photo, video and playback 

Light button: adjusts probe LED (3 levels + off) 

Up/Down: digital zoom (1.3×, 1.5×) or image flip 

Settings: resolution, date stamp, audio, auto-off, format SD card 

Video records in full 1080p to microSD. Photos are 2MP. A built-in work light illuminates your workspace – ideal for evening cleaning sessions. 

Insertion follows standard practice: chamber-end entry with a bore guide. The probe’s measurement markings and rubber depth stop aid repeatability. The monitor’s kickstand allows hands-free viewing, though most users hold it naturally. 

Transferring files is flexible: remove the microSD card, connect the monitor via USB-A to C cable to a computer (it appears as a drive), or use the secondary USB cable for live PC viewing. 

Ease of use is exceptional. The standalone screen eliminates phone dependency, and the focus ring simplifies side-view inspections. The folding design reduces packed size by nearly half – brilliant for range transport. 

Final thoughts 

The Teslong NTG150W ($299.95) is the ideal entry point for shooters seeking wireless convenience and portability. Its robust probe options, reliable app and sub-$300 price make bore inspection accessible without complexity. It excels for occasional use or field diagnostics where a phone is already on hand. The lack of a dedicated screen and 720p ceiling are minor trade-offs for the freedom it offers. The flexible probe required more finesse at times when maneuvering the scope within the barrel, as the feel and response to movement was sluggish, but expected due to the scope being flexible and only semi-rigid. There was some buffering between the transmitter and iPhone app; overall, functional use of the scope was acceptable.  

The NTG200H+NTS500B bundle ($661.95) is a professional-grade system designed for frequent users – reloaders, precision shooters, gunsmiths or anyone regularly inspecting multiple firearms. The five-inch 1080p monitor, adjustable focus ring, folding probe and calibre-specific mirrors deliver unmatched clarity and efficiency. It justifies the premium cost through time saved, image quality and standalone reliability. The 26-inch probe was too short to allow a complete full-length bore inspection from the chamber end on my standard- and long-action rifles in barrels 22 inches or longer. Muzzle-end entry was required to inspect the entire barrel. While not a major drawback, it is worth noting. 

Both units share Teslong’s hallmarks: durable construction, IP67 probe tips, effective LED lighting and thoughtful accessories. They outperform traditional optical borescopes in terms of usability and cost, while revealing details – such as carbon rings, throat erosion, and crown condition – that directly inform maintenance and performance.