The world of sewer and drain inspection is packed with a wide range of camera systems and diagnostic tools — from compact push cameras to full-scale mobile inspection rigs. Both large-format and miniature cameras fill this space, along with essential supporting equipment needed to get the job done right.
In this guide, we highlight some of the top pieces of equipment available today. We gathered details directly from leading manufacturers, combined with professional tips from seasoned technicians in the field. Keep in mind, this is just a snapshot of what is available in this rapidly evolving segment.
For deeper details on any of these products or to explore additional options from each manufacturer, be sure to visit the respective websites referenced alongside each product below.
Aries Industries
Mobile Pathfinder System
The Mobile Pathfinder System delivers a lightweight, fully portable solution for inspecting mainlines measuring 6 inches and above. It bundles a robust transporter, a cutting-edge camera, and a compact reel — all managed through a unified wireless remote control. The transporter is offered with multiple wheel configurations and comes equipped with a rear-facing camera as well as an adjustable electric lift that centers the lens precisely within varying pipe diameters.
At its core is an Aries WiperCam Pan & Tilt camera featuring an integrated pipe-cleaning system with field-swappable wipers. With a generous 300-degree field of view and built-in LED illumination, the camera captures fine pipe details for thorough, reliable assessments. The reel holds up to 1,000 feet of low-friction, multi-conductor cable to keep the entire setup truly mobile. Transporter, camera, and reel are all governed by a single wireless remote with a rechargeable keyboard.
★ Pro Tip
Preventative maintenance is key for maximizing the life of your mainline and lateral inspection gear. Always keep these practices in mind:
Pressurization: Cameras are pressurized to keep water out of sensitive internal electronics. Verify camera pressure every day before deployment. Only use dry nitrogen for pressurization.
O-Rings & Seals: Check O-Rings each time equipment is disassembled. Never reinstall a used O-Ring.
Cable Inspection: Examine cables regularly for kinks, gouges, casing wear, and signs of previous improper repairs.
Reel Inspection: Look for worn wheels, worn guides, and verify the manual counter works correctly. Keep the trolley carriage moving smoothly by greasing guides and bearings while clearing out debris.
Cleanliness: Wash all equipment with a mild cleaner and low-pressure water after every retrieval. Maintaining sanitary conditions on your truck helps reduce downtime and extends the life of your gear.
Electric Eel
eCAM Ace 2 SL Pipeline Inspection Camera System
The Electric Eel eCAM Ace 2 SL Pipeline Inspection Camera System now ships with a built-in battery cradle as a standard inclusion, accepting a Milwaukee M18 battery (sold separately). This upgrade delivers effortless power access for remote fieldwork or locations without electricity, offering 6 to 7 hours of continuous operation on a single charge.
Key features include a self-leveling color camera, one-touch USB recording, an on-screen footage counter, and wheels for convenient transport. The rugged stainless-steel housing protects a 1.68-inch diameter self-leveling color camera designed for inspecting lines from 3 to 10 inches. A sapphire lens paired with 20 LEDs and a high-resolution CCD element provides crisp, detailed imaging. The flexible camera spring is engineered to navigate 3 P-traps with ease. Auto iris adapts lighting on the fly, and the industry-standard 512Hz sonde comes built in. A 5.4-inch LCD monitor with AR film, 120V AC supply or battery cradle option, protective anti-glare acrylic shield, and 200 feet of braided fiberglass premium 0.5-inch push rod round out the package.
Envirosight
Verisight Pro+ Push Camera
The Verisight Pro+ Push Camera from Envirosight merges exceptional pushing strength with top-tier recording and annotation capabilities. Municipalities and contractors alike rely on it to carry out thorough drain pipe and lateral inspections with speed and precision. Its stainless-steel, self-leveling camera records up to 90 hours of color video from pipes 2 inches in diameter and above, irrespective of material type.
The camera navigates multiple bends effortlessly, and the integrated tri-band sonde (33 kHz, 512 Hz, 640 Hz) works with virtually any locator on the market. The rugged welded-steel coiler is available in 130, 200, or 330 feet of push rod. The entire system runs for up to 6 hours on internal rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, or it can run off mains or vehicle power. The controller presents real-time footage on an 8-inch LCD with full camera control, custom text overlays via a QWERTY keyboard, and easy off-loading of inspection footage through SD card or USB drive. An optional H-30 cart simplifies transport to and from the job site.
General Pipe Cleaners
Gen-Eye X-POD Plus Sewer Camera System
The Gen-Eye X-POD Plus sewer camera system from General Pipe Cleaners now bundles the Gen-Pack battery adapter, a Wi-Fi transmitter, and an on-screen distance counter as standard equipment — all designed to boost your productivity and profitability. Depending on battery type and settings, the built-in Gen-Pack battery adapter provides power for up to 12 hours in remote locations where outlet access is limited. The unit is fuse-protected to safeguard your investment, and the Gen-Pack battery adapter can also be purchased separately. Battery and charger are not included.
The X-POD Plus makes sharing inspections effortless. The built-in Wi-Fi transmitter lets you view and record work on a cell phone or tablet, while the USB port allows archiving footage to flash drives. The new on-screen distance counter tracks how far the camera has traveled down the line in feet or meters. For optimal accuracy, settings can be tuned for full-size or mini-reel configurations.
Milwaukee Tool
M18 Pipeline Inspection System
Milwaukee Tool raised the bar in sewer inspection with the launch of the M18 Pipeline Inspection System. Engineered to reveal more detail inside drain lines than ever before, the system is built around the M18 500 GB Control Hub. This hub powers both the 120-foot and 20-foot Pipeline Inspection Reels, which swap seamlessly between one another. Each reel boasts a 1080p HD self-leveling camera head and a push cable tough enough to handle cast iron, clay, and PVC pipes.
Technicians can digitally zoom and pan up to 4X for close-up examination of areas of concern. Footage can be viewed, recorded, edited, and shared from the M18 Wireless Monitor or through the Milwaukee Pipeline Inspection mobile app. The built-in ONE-KEY technology enables location tracking, inventory management, and tool lock-out in case of loss or theft.
★ Pro Tip
Drain cleaning professionals need the ability to build, organize, and share reports quickly — and the Milwaukee Modular Pipeline Inspection System makes that easier than ever. The M18 500 GB Control Hub stores HD images and video recordings on board. An internal battery keeps things running while M18 batteries are hot-swapped during live recording, so you never lose a second of footage.
Trim videos to shareable sizes, add labels or audio to key points of interest, or let the system auto-generate a highlight reel — all directly from the M18 Wireless Monitor or the Milwaukee Pipeline Inspection App on your mobile device. Replay saved videos for instant customer feedback via the monitor or a mobile device within 200 feet of range. Large files can be downloaded to USB, or saved recordings can be sent directly from the mobile device.
MyTana
MS11-NG2 Inspection System
The MyTana MS11-NG2 is a mid-size inspection system built to tackle smaller lines with ease. This versatile push camera is compact enough for any service truck, weighing just 45 pounds. A self-leveling mid-size camera head handles 3-inch to 6-inch lines, while the optional MS11+ Combo Kit adds an interchangeable, fixed-position mini camera head for lines as narrow as 1.5 to 3 inches.
Each head integrates a 512Hz transmitter and delivers high-clarity footage to a 6.4-inch daylight-readable monitor mounted on the reel frame. All-digital recording saves to internal or removable drives, or you can stream wirelessly to multiple devices. The reel deploys 150 or 200 feet of durable push-rod, and camera guides assist with navigation across various pipe sizes. Every MyTana camera is backed by factory-direct support and service.
Pearpoint
Flexiprobe P540c System
The Pearpoint Flexiprobe P540c system integrates the most in-demand capabilities — survey reporting, video titling, digital recording, and portability — into a streamlined, user-friendly package. Its controller features a high-definition 10.1-inch TFT display with on-board Wi-Fi so reports can be shared instantly via email or Dropbox. With 128 GB of internal memory, the system holds over two months of video in typical use.
The IP55-rated, ruggedized controller has a built-in rechargeable battery, ensuring reliable operation in the most demanding environments. The P540c push system lineup includes the P541 plumber reel, P541 mini reel, P542 reel, and P543 reel system, with two camera choices — all rated for approximately 160 psi water pressure or over 300 feet of submersion. These systems cover inspection needs from 1.5-inch to 16-inch pipe.
RIDGID
SeeSnake CSx Via Inspection System
The RIDGID SeeSnake CSx Via is a flexible, bring-your-own-screen inspection solution that lets you stream, capture, and share inspection imagery using any iOS, Android, or Windows device. It equips reels with a Wi-Fi-enabled interconnect port and leverages the free RIDGID HQx Live app for full remote camera control.
Simply dock the CSx Via Wi-Fi control device to unlock a full suite of flexibility, convenience, and camera operations from your mobile screen alone. Remotely control every function and feature of your camera reel, including TruSense, distance counter, sonde, and more. Multi-reel compatibility offers maximum adaptability. Purpose-built for jobsite durability and protection, the CSx Via pairs with the RIDGID HQx Dock to secure personal devices. It works as a free-standing unit or mounts onto any RIDGID SeeSnake Compact Series reel for quick setup. Backed by the RIDGID full lifetime warranty.
★ Pro Tip
"The CSx Via is a game changer! I love being able to stream directly on my own device and send footage to customers in seconds. Controlling all camera functions and accessing anything I need from the HQ app is incredible," says Robert Broccolo Jr., owner of Professional Drain Services of SNE.
"My iPhone and iPad are my most-used devices, so being able to stream and send from them is phenomenal. The time savings alone make it worthwhile. And the ability to connect to any of my RIDGID devices? It is simply a game changer. I highly recommend it to anyone running RIDGID SeeSnake equipment."
Spartan Tool
Spartan Sentinel Camera System
The Spartan Sentinel is a lightweight, open-reel camera system designed for everyday inspection and locating work in 2-inch to 4-inch pipe. It features a waterproof stainless-steel camera head paired with 100 feet of fiberglass push rod. Ideally suited for use alongside the Revolution line of high-speed flex shaft machines, the Sentinel is the go-to camera for business owners who want a unit on every truck.
Its compact footprint, competitive pricing, and easily interchangeable parts make it a standout value. The camera is field-repairable, which eliminates costly downtime waiting for service. The 7-inch monitor and 6-hour battery life mean the Sentinel covers the vast majority of inspection jobs from 1.5-inch through 16-inch pipe without breaking a sweat.
Subsite
Armored SinCon Cable
Engineered to elevate utility inspection productivity, the Subsite Armored SinCon Cable delivers substantial cost and performance benefits compared to multi-conductor alternatives. This single-conductor cable provides full multi-conductor functionality, enabling inspectors to drive, pan, tilt, and lift — executing every task with a single system.
Built for durability, it boasts the industry's strongest CCTV cable break strength at 5,400 pounds. Its 0.25-inch outside diameter is wrapped in two layers of steel armor for outstanding protection against tears and scrapes. To minimize downtime, the Armored SinCon Cable can be reterminated in the field without specialized tools, soldering, or epoxy — getting inspection teams back to work fast.
★ Pro Tip
"Sewer and utility inspection technology has evolved tremendously over the years. One notable advancement is the shift toward multi-conductor systems over single-conductor setups," says Patrick Iyonsi, Utility Inspection Product Manager at Subsite Electronics.
"While many municipalities are exploring this shift, the reality is that today's single-conductor systems are just as advanced and deliver the same capabilities as multiconductor technology. A single-conductor system's durability, multi-function capabilities, ease of repair, and fast setup can reduce downtime and boost profits. Inspection teams planning future sewer or drain inspections should seriously evaluate the advantages that single-conductor cables offer."
Vivax-Metrotech
vCamMX-2 Inspection Camera
The vCamMX-2 from Vivax-Metrotech is an ultra-portable, all-in-one camera built for inspecting pipes between 1.5 and 4 inches. The control module features an 8-inch daylight-viewable LCD that displays the distance of pushrod deployed, along with the current time and date. Video is recorded in MP4 format and images in JPEG — saved directly to a USB thumb drive with instant SD card backup.
The built-in microphone supports audio commenting over recorded footage. A traceable pushrod works with an external locator transmitter and comes in 100-foot or 150-foot lengths. The 512Hz frequency sonde is standard issue. Two interchangeable camera heads are included: the smaller D18-MX with a fixed position at 0.70 inches in diameter, and the D26-MX which is self-leveling at 1 inch in diameter.
★ Pro Tip
Protecting the pushrod on your camera system is essential for its longevity. Always use as many resources as possible to safeguard the pushrod at the entry point of the inspection — this is where the greatest stress occurs on the jacketing.
Downhole Tubes: Create a downhole tube using a straight PVC pipe with a 90-degree elbow attached. Shave part of the elbow so it matches the width of the tube.
Tiger Tail: Use a tiger tail when working in manhole entries. It prevents the pushrod from rubbing against the pipe opening, just like it protects jetter hoses.
Pool Hose: Available in multiple diameters and easily cut to your desired length, pool hose helps guide the camera through toilet bowls, tees, and sweeps during cleanout work.
Cherne Industries
I-Series Test-Ball Plugs
The newly redesigned Cherne I-Series Test-Ball Plugs are among the most innovative pneumatic plugs on the market for underground and waterworks applications. Lightweight, compact, and highly flexible, these plugs deliver state-of-the-art solutions for a wide range of tasks — blocking and bypassing flow, installing new pipes, repairing junction boxes and old pipes, and sealing utility holes.
Available in eight expansion ranges from 6 to 24 inches, the I-Series meets both U.S. and international industrial and municipal standards for engineers and contractors. These plugs set the standard for quality and durability, featuring robotic mechanical bonding of aluminum end plates to premium natural rubber, eliminating the chemical bonding failures common in other products. The optimized design delivers improved performance and safety with superior back pressure (maximum: 15 psi; inflation pressure: 45 psi).
★ Pro Tip
Safety should always be the top priority when working with pipe plugs. When a plug is deployed, a danger zone extends outward in a cone shape from the manhole opening. The most critical safety rule is to never enter this danger zone under any circumstances.
Remember that the total force acting on a pipeline plug is directly proportional to both the pressure and the pipeline area. The force behind a plug can be immense and extremely dangerous — always respect the physics at work.
CUES
Currahee Cutters
The CUES small and large Currahee cutters are purpose-built to reinstate wastewater service laterals, remove protruding taps, and brush-finish existing cuts. These cutters operate in pipe ranging from 5.25 inches through 36 inches and perform equally well on CIPP, fold-and-form liners, and can be mounted on any CCTV manufacturer's truck-mounted system.
CUES also introduced a new 1.9 hp air motor for the small Currahee cutter line, delivering greater power, improved productivity, and a smoother cut when working in 6-inch to 12-inch relined pipe. Retrofit kits are available for upgrading existing cutters used with Kangaroo air-motors, and service kits can be purchased for routine maintenance on existing motors.
This article is provided for informational purposes by Backyard Provider. Equipment specifications are subject to change by their respective manufacturers. Always verify current details with the manufacturer before purchasing.