As featured at the 2015 Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show, the Gen-Eye SDP video inspection system from General Pipe Cleaners provides plumbers and drain cleaners with everything they need for small- to medium-size pipe inspection.

“Its portability is very appealing to septic and pipe cleaning professionals,” says Marty Silverman, vice president of marketing for General Pipe Cleaners. “The target market is drain cleaners, but it’s popular with municipalities, plumbers and pumpers who perform septic system inspections as well.”

Weighing 14 pounds, the Gen-Eye SDP offers a full-size video inspection system in a compact package. It has a four-hour rechargeable battery and a Wi-Fi transmitter. A full-size reel can be mounted on the docking arm to troubleshoot 3- to 10-inch lines. The unit’s 10.4-inch LCD sunlight-readable screen with on-screen distance counter makes viewing easier in bright sunlight, and the whole unit is protected by a heavy-duty Pelican case.

“The Wi-Fi capability means photos and video can be sent right to the customer without the tech having to set foot in the home,” Silverman says. “That saves time for the tech and inconvenience for the customer.”

A panel indicator lets technicians know when the battery is running low. Not only can the Wi-Fi transmitter send video to a smartphone or tablet, a free app allows for the easy viewing and recording of real-time video inspections at a range up to 500 feet. In addition, an integrated SD recorder captures 32GB of video or still images with a date and time stamp.

The unit includes a built-in voice-over microphone with switch, LED dimmer control, camera test port, video- and audio-out connections for external recording devices, and AC and DC power cords. A self-leveling color camera keeps pictures right-side up so contractors and customers can follow the camera as it moves through the line. The system has been available since fall 2014 and Silverman says feedback has been positive.

“The techs who already have the SDP really love it,” he says. “The best reviews have been focused on its lightweight portability and the Wi-Fi capability. It’s met our expectations so far.”

Silverman notes that many techs who show interest in the SDP also look at General’s Gen-Eye Hot Spot digital locator. Compatible with the SDP, the Hot Spot eliminates guesswork when inspecting and tracing drain, sewer or septic lines.

“We certainly market the SDP and Hot Spot together,” he says. “Once the SDP is used to identify the type and nature of the problem, the Hot Spot is used to pinpoint that spot to efficiently repair the problem without any unnecessary digging.”

Silverman says General chose the WWETT Show to roll out the marketing campaign for the system because it’s a great opportunity to put General’s products in front of the target audience.

“This show always has great traffic, and the attendees, especially this year, are buying,” he says. “We always get a ton of feedback here that we can take back and integrate into our products.”

General is already thinking ahead to the 2016 WWETT Show. “We’re always looking for ways to improve and integrate,” Silverman says. 800/245-6200; www.drainbrain.com.