Interesting points here, but I wonder if wireless tech has improved lately? I've seen newer models advertising stronger signals and better interference handling. Recently, I borrowed a friend's wireless cam to check out some stubborn drain issues at my place—multiple bends, about 25 feet in—and it actually held up pretty well. Maybe not perfect, but definitely usable. Could be worth revisiting the latest options before writing off wireless completely...
Good point about wireless tech improving lately. I used to be strictly wired-only because the early wireless cams gave me headaches with dropped signals and fuzzy images. But last month, I got called out to a late-night emergency—a clogged main line at an older property with some seriously tricky pipe layouts. My wired cam wasn't long enough, and the homeowner had a newer wireless model handy. Honestly, I was skeptical at first... but it surprised me. The signal stayed solid even around tight bends and through thick walls, and the image quality was clear enough to pinpoint the blockage pretty quickly.
I'm not saying wireless is perfect yet—there's still occasional interference depending on location—but it's definitely come a long way. If you're dealing with shorter runs or awkward angles, I'd say giving wireless another shot could save you some hassle. Wired cams still have their place for longer inspections or heavy-duty use, but dismissing wireless completely might mean missing out on some real convenience these days.
"Wired cams still have their place for longer inspections or heavy-duty use, but dismissing wireless completely might mean missing out on some real convenience these days."
Yeah, I hear you. I've always leaned toward wired setups myself—mostly because reliability is key when you're dealing with emergencies at odd hours. But recently, I had a similar experience where my wired cam just couldn't reach a tricky spot behind some old plumbing. Borrowed a buddy's newer wireless model and was genuinely impressed. Still cautious about interference in certain buildings, but it's definitely worth keeping one handy as a backup option these days...
Interesting points all around. Personally, I'm still a bit skeptical about wireless cams for drain inspections, mostly because of battery life and signal stability. Had a plumber friend show me his new wireless setup recently—worked great at first, but halfway through checking a deeper pipe run, the connection got choppy and he ended up having to redo the inspection with his old wired unit anyway. Granted, this could've been just bad luck or interference from something nearby, but it definitely made me hesitate to jump fully onto the wireless bandwagon.
That said, I won't deny the convenience factor is tempting, especially in tight or awkward spaces where wires become a real hassle. Maybe it's just about finding the right balance—wired for longer or more critical inspections, wireless as a quick-and-easy backup when you're stuck. Either way, I'd probably still lean toward wired as my primary option and keep wireless as a secondary tool...at least until the tech matures a bit more.
Yeah, I totally get the hesitation about wireless. I've had similar experiences—battery dying mid-inspection or interference from thick concrete walls really messing things up. Wired cams just give me that peace of mind, especially for deeper runs or tricky jobs where you can't afford a redo. Wireless is handy for quick checks, sure, but until battery tech and signal reliability step up their game, wired stays my go-to.
