Peek-a-boo tool sees all

I admit that when I first saw this instrument, called the Borescope, I immediately thought it was the coolest tool ever and I just had to have one--even though I had no idea what I'd ever do with it. (Actually my first thought was, "Is it too late to consider proctology school?")

The Borescope is a video inspection tool that looks a bit like a pistol-grip drill fitted with a long flexible snout. And, although this tool can't drill holes through walls, it can let you see what's behind them.

The 40-inch-long, snake-like shaft of the Borescope is packed with optical fibers. Some of the fibers shine light down the shaft, while others project an image back to a 2 1/2-inch-wide color viewing screen mounted to the rear of the Borescope.

That means you can use the Borescope to clearly see what's inside walls, above ceilings, under floors, and behind furnaces, washing machines and other large objects. (The laziest among us can use it to see what's in their back pockets.)

The tool has an impressive 60-degree field of view, and it can see objects as close as 1 inch and as far as 12 inches from its 1/2-inch diameter tip.

Available from Garrett Wade, the Borescope ($197.50) is powered by a 9-volt battery and comes with a plastic storage case, mirror, magnet attachment, and pick-up tool. A two-meter extension shaft ($39.95) is sold separately.