The eCAM ACE 2 pipeline inspection system from Electric Eel Mfg. Co., designed with simplicity in mind, is an upgrade from the basic ACE system that has been on the market for several years. New features include one-touch USB recording, on-screen footage counter and a wheel kit for easy transportation and maneuverability.

"Part of the idea was to keep it at an affordable price range," says Mark Speranza, vice president of sales. "There are a lot of $10,000 and $12,000 cameras out there, but this is priced under $7,000. And we still have our standard ACE without those options. It's whatever fits your budget."

The AC-powered system, weighing 42 pounds, has a stainless steel-housed 1.68-inch-diameter color camera with 20 LED light ring and high-resolution CCD element. The auto iris automatically adjusts to lighting. Other features include impact-resistant polycarbonate light ring cover, 200 feet of Kevlar-braided 1/2-inch-diameter push cable, 512 Hz sonde, 5.4-inch LCD monitor with AR film and anti-glare monitor shield, reel brake and centering skid. A self-leveling camera head is available.

"What's really nice is it's compact and easy to use," Speranza says. "You have all the features you need without lugging around extra pieces and components."

The system is made for inspecting 3- to 10-inch pipe and can negotiate a 3-inch P-trap. Video can be transmitted to a laptop or downloaded to a PC via the USB drive. The system comes with a 2G memory stick.

"It's very simple to operate," Speranza adds. "Put a USB stick in the drive alongside the monitor, press one button and you're recording. There are a lot of cameras out there that have so many bells and whistles that you have to take a class to learn how to use them. This system is very simple in the way it operates: Plug it in, turn it on, put your camera in the line. You want to record, press the record button." 800/833-1212; www.electriceel.com.