Lyman Borecam 2.0: Full Review

The only clues most shooters have about the condition of a barrel’s bore are learned from increasingly frequent malfunctions or from a cleaning patch run through the barrel. While examining a patch can reveal whether a barrel is clean or dirty, it can’t warn of throat erosion and wear at various points along the barrel. For builders installing a barrel to an action, tool marks and scars to the rifling of a new barrel don’t have to be a mystery.

The Lyman Borecam 2.0 takes the viewer inside the barrel of most pistols, rifles, and shotguns providing a status check with 1920x1080 high-definition (HD) resolution. In addition to verifying overall cleanliness, the information obtained could alert you to unusual copper or lead fouling, which could then be removed. Perhaps there is a pending problem, or an explanation of performance.

Rather than appraise the life span of a barrel based on a number of rounds fired through it, the Borecam 2.0 can be used to provide specific information for a more informed decision concerning whether a barrel should be replaced.

The unit is simple to use, with only three buttons: One to power the unit on or off, another to brighten or dim the light, and a third to snap a photo or record video. After downloading the Lyman Borecam 2.0 app from the App Store or Google Play, you can view and store images and video through the screen of a smartphone or tablet.

Hold down the power button to turn the unit on. The button will flash blue. In your device settings, select “Borecam 2.0” to connect, followed by entering the unit’s six-­digit serial number. When connected, the power button stops flashing and remains a solid blue. Remove the rubber cap from the end of the 26-­inch rod and thread on the appropriate mirror size, which is based on the bore’s dimensions. Mirror sizes include .2 ­inch (.22 caliber), .24 inch (.243 cal.), .28 inch (.30 cal.), .34 ­inch (.38 cal./9mm), and .4 ­inch (.40 cal./10mm).

Insert the Borecam 2.0 into the barrel and use the brightness button to choose between one of three settings, or to turn the light off. The 26-­inch rod is marked with even numbers from 2 to ­22 ­inches. If you spot a concern that warrants further inspection, the rubber stop at the base of the rod can position the camera at a designated point. The rubberized grip allows the user to easily rotate the camera and view 360 degrees inside the bore.

When you see something worth noting, a tap of the camera button takes a photo. Holding the camera button down begins video recording. (You may also take photos and record video through the app.) Photos and video are saved to the camera roll of your smart device for documentation and future analysis.

When the power button flashes quickly, it’s time to charge. The power button lights up red when charging, and the light turns off after the unit is fully charged.

The Lyman Borecam 2.0 is delivered in a cardboard case, which has a magnetized closure. The case is foam lined with cutouts to safely store the Borecam 2.0. A plastic case is provided to contain the various mirror sizes, USB-­C power cord, and instruction manual.

Cleaning patches are for cleaning. If you want to know what’s actually going on inside the barrels of your firearms, check out the Lyman Borecam 2.0. 

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