IDEA: Use Cell Phone as a Tool - SRT Forums

buzzkill · 07-29-2009, 10:34 PM

Hey guys, some of you may already do this, but for anyone who hasnt tried yet this might be a big help. There are a lot of times when you are installing in that cramped engine bay that you cant see around or behind something, whether it be to see if a bolt hole is lined up or whether a part is mated up correctly. Some guys may have a small mirror as part of their collection of tools but some may not. If you are like me, I have no little mirror to see around corners. so I just use my cell phone. Hell, almost all cells have a camera and most have camcorder too. Just use a light and your phone to see what you cannot due to the fact that there is little to no room in this engine bay (especially between the motor and the firewall). Get the light positioned correctly and your phone where the area in ? is in view of the camera and snap a pic or video. then you can pull the phone out of whatever nook and cranny you stuck it in and inspect the picture to see whether or not you got it right.

Like I said, some may already do this, but if it helps even a few guys out it was worth the 30 seconds it took me to type it.

rasp · 07-29-2009, 10:50 PM

Yeah I do this all the time. Or use to, when I had more room to work on my car. I'd use the camera with flash to take pics of shit so I'd remember where things went back, and I'd use the camcorder to record various things, too.

I also have a mod on my BB where I can use the flash as a light, so I will use that sometimes when I'm doing something simple in my parking garage like mounting a sensor or something.

buzzkill · 07-29-2009, 10:57 PM

Hell yeah, i have a program on my bj II where i can use the screen as a light and it works pretty good. Taking pics makes things a lot easier.

rasp · 07-30-2009, 12:00 AM

My friend just came over and we were talking about this. He has a built truck (forgot the exact model), and his actually has a light from the factory on the inner passenger side fender well that extends out that you can use to see around the engine bay. When you're done you turn the knob and it connects back into its housing. Mighty cool.

buzzkill · 07-30-2009, 07:49 PM

that sounds pretty useful. anyone else use their cell?

esarete · 08-03-2009, 02:01 PM

kinda late but that wheel well light comes on the older chevy pickups. btw

kr33p · 08-04-2009, 09:30 PM

pretty cool, but i dont wanna damage my cell phone trying to stick it in small places that my hands dont fit.

buzzkill · 08-04-2009, 11:27 PM

welli have a blackjack II (pretty wide) and i use it all the time. just gotta be careful and dont drop it.

works awesome though especially the video!

rasp · 08-05-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by esarete

kinda late but that wheel well light comes on the older chevy pickups. btw

They should be standard in every car, tbh.

buzzkill · 08-14-2009, 01:24 AM

bump it up just because it might help a brotha out

nutz · 08-14-2009, 03:14 AM

i did this once, the phone had an LED light and the camera was awsome (like seeing around corners). we did a WGA in complete darkness.

tinctorus · 10-05-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rasp

My friend just came over and we were talking about this. He has a built truck (forgot the exact model), and his actually has a light from the factory on the inner passenger side fender well that extends out that you can use to see around the engine bay. When you're done you turn the knob and it connects back into its housing. Mighty cool.

Older chevy trucks have that