Mini/nano/micro camera drone for in-chimney inspection?

[Adahn]

These things are getting pretty darn small and so cheap as to be almost disposable.
(one article among dozens on cursory search: https://www.dronethusiast.com/best-micro-mini-nano-drones/
Thoughts?

 

[begreen]

I strongly suspect that shielding causing a signal loss while flying down a double-layer of stainless steel pipe would be an issue. Not to mention what would happen if a blade hit the pipe. Lowering a camera down a pipe on a cable or even a cell phone on a tether, would work better.

 

[bholler]

I know lots of guys are using drones to inspect chimney tops

 

[Adahn]

I guess you could address signal loss by holding the remote at the lower T cap where you float up the drone. Many of the drones have bumpers around or fully enclose their blades. This wouldn't be to look for hairline cracks or other details, just how clean.

 

[begreen]

I know lots of guys are using drones to inspect chimney tops

Yes, that makes sense. Flying down or up a metal 6" pipe, not so much so, particularly if there is creosote buildup constricting passage at the top.

 

[bholler]

I guess you could address signal loss by holding the remote at the lower T cap where you float up the drone. Many of the drones have bumpers around or fully enclose their blades. This wouldn't be to look for hairline cracks or other details, just how clean.

I don't see how that would be any better or easier than a regular camera on rods that we use all the time

 

[jetsam]

They do have drones with fully enclosed blades, but last time I researched this (around 6 months ago?), there was really nothing in the sub-$1000 price range that was both enclosed and small enough to fit in a flue.

Wifi boroscopes, on the other hand, are dirt cheap and highly available.