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Hand-held "Sound Camera" Shows You the Source of Noises
Zothecula writes "If you work with machinery, engines or appliances of any type, then you've likely experienced the frustration of hearing a troublesome noise coming from somewhere, but not being able to pinpoint where. If only you could just grab a camera, and take a picture that showed you the noise's location. Well, soon you should be able to do so, as that's just what the SeeSV-S205 sound camera does."
Knowing where the sound comes from is quite handy, but often that's only half the battle - knowing what kind of sound it is is equally important.
A 'ping' coming from your engine block has an entirely different mechanical connotation than a knock or whine from the same region.
Still cool, can't wait to see what lies ahead.
An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
You can augment that by stuffing the end of the screwdriver into a length of rubber hose; you get the same effect, without having to stick your face 4 inches from the reciprocating assembly.
Or you can use a long screwdriver.
That's what real mechanics do.
to find that damn cricket that woke you up at 3am
Somebody down below mention the other solution of using a longer screwdriver (which works very well :>) ), but your solution works and is also called a stethoscope! I'm just not sure I'd want to have rubber tubing near a running car engine, as a hot part could melt the rubber and fuse the tube to that hot part, or a dangling loop of rubber could get caught up in some moving part or a fan-belt.
:>)
I personally think that the longer screwdriver approach is safer ! ! !