Goobuy UC-528 USB Industrial Mining Camera is a handheld IMX291-based USB camera with near-range IR illumination and an IP65 metal housing, designed for miners and field technicians who need reliable close-up visual inspection of equipment details, components and surfaces in dusty, low-light industrial environments.

With its sealed IP65 housing, compact metal body and integrated 9pcs IR LEDs optimized for short-range illumination, the Goobuy UC-528 provides clear close-up imaging for on-site inspection tasks. It connects via UVC USB2.0 to laptops, industrial PCs or tablets, enabling workers to quickly examine cracks, labels, junctions, fasteners and equipment surfaces under challenging dust and moisture conditions found in mining and heavy-industry environments.

 

Product Overview

The rugged USB mining camera UC-528 is engineered for extreme industrial conditions such as underground tunnels, mining shafts, and harsh factory environments. Built on the IMX291 starlight USB camera sensor, it delivers superior low-light performance, distortion-free wide-angle imaging, and reliable operation where safety and visibility are critical.

With a sealed industrial USB camera IP65 housing and integrated 9 IR LEDs (850 nm or 940 nm optional), the UC-528 enables continuous monitoring in total darkness, dust, and moisture. It is fully UVC compliant (MJPG, YUY2, H.264) for quick integration with Windows, Linux, Jetson platforms, and even ROS machine vision USB camera applications.

This camera is an ideal choice for a wide array of industrial scenarios where ruggedness, excellent low-light performance, and clear, undistorted wide-angle views are crucial for safety, security, and operational efficiency.

Problems Solved:

1. 24/7 Surveillance & Monitoring in Harsh Environments:
   • Problem: Monitoring large industrial sites, outdoor equipment yards, hazardous material storage, or production areas that are prone to dust, water splashes, physical impacts, and operate 24/7, including during nighttime or in dimly lit zones.
   • Solution: The IP65 metal case ensures survival in demanding conditions. The IMX291 STARVIS sensor with IR LEDs provides clear, reliable night vision. The 92-degree no-distortion lens offers a comprehensive, accurate view of the area without visual ambiguities, enhancing security and operational oversight.
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2. Machinery & Process Monitoring in Dirty/Wet Conditions:
   • Problem: Visually inspecting critical machinery, conveyor belts, or production processes that involve dust, cutting fluids, wash-downs, or vibrations (e.g., in manufacturing, waste management, construction material processing).
   • Solution: Its rugged, waterproof design allows for direct installation near machinery, providing crucial visual feedback on equipment status or product flow without fear of damage from the operational environment. The low-light capability means monitoring can continue even with minimal ambient light.
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3. Quality Control & Anomaly Detection (Accurate Wide View):
   • Problem: Overseeing a broad section of a production line or large work area to detect inconsistencies, spills, or unusual activity, where accurate geometric representation is important for automated analysis or human inspection.
   • Solution: The no-distortion wide-angle lens ensures that images are geometrically accurate, making it easier for human operators or machine vision algorithms to identify and measure objects or patterns without correction. The low-light performance is a bonus in varied industrial lighting.
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4. Outdoor Construction & Infrastructure Monitoring:
   • Problem: Monitoring remote construction sites, pipelines, bridges, or energy infrastructure in all weather conditions, day and night, where cameras are exposed to the elements and potential vandalism.
   • Solution: The IP65 rating and metal case provide the necessary durability for outdoor deployment. The IMX291 with IR ensures continuous visibility, capturing activity and deterring theft around the clock.

Solution: Its compact size, ruggedness, and night vision make it suitable for vehicle integration, providing reliable visual aids for operators or recording evidence of operations, even in challenging terrain or low light

 

Special Demands Met:

• Extreme Environmental Resilience: Functions reliably where consumer-grade or even many industrial cameras would fail.
• Uncompromised Night Vision: Provides clear video in total darkness due to STARVIS and integrated IR.
• Accurate Wide-Angle View: Essential for precise monitoring and avoiding geometric distortions in analysis.
• Low Maintenance: Built for longevity in harsh conditions, reducing replacement and service needs.

 

Key Advantages of the Rugged Version Camera

• Ready for deployment in mining, tunnels, oil fields, construction sites
• No additional housing, lighting, or mounting required
• Reliable performance in dusty, wet, or low-light environments
• All-in-one plug-and-play field camera
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screenshot compressed picture when this imx291 usb camera  work in daytime, October, 2024

( the following image had been compressed much because of website design request)

 

 

Comparison: Rugged IMX291 Mining Camera vs Standard IMX291 USB Camera Module

Feature / Spec	Goobuy Rugged IMX291 USB Mining Camera	Standard IMX291 USB Camera Module
Sensor	Sony IMX291 (1/2.8” Starlight CMOS, color or B&W)	Sony IMX291 (same)
USB Interface	USB 2.0 (UVC compliant)	USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 (varies)
IR LEDs	✅ 9pcs 850nm IR LEDs for night vision	❌ Usually no built-in LEDs or requires external IR
Housing	✅ IP65 waterproof, metal shell, sealed connectors	❌ Open PCB or basic plastic housing
Ingress Protection	✅ IP65 — dust-tight and protected from water jets	❌ Typically none or IP20 at best
Mounting Style	✅ Screw-mount ready, heavy-duty build	❌ Requires additional casing or bracket for field use
Night Vision Performance	✅ True 0.01Lux starlight + LED illumination	❌ Good low light, but not usable in complete darkness
Heat and Dust Resistance	✅ Designed for harsh industrial/mining conditions	❌ Sensitive to dust, heat, moisture
Power Supply	Powered via USB (with LED power management)	Powered via USB
Applications	Mining tunnels, underground inspection, outdoor monitoring	Lab testing, indoor surveillance, general low-light use
Durability & Field Use	✅ Industrial-grade, 24/7 outdoor-ready	❌ Requires extra integration steps
Customization	Lens, LED, cable, and housing customizable for projects	Mostly fixed or limited customization
working distance	Focus video in short distance

 

Why UC-528 is NOT a Surveillance or Heavy-Duty Machine Camera

❌ Not designed for:

• long-range night vision

• impact resistance / anti-crush

• heavy vibration mounting

• vehicle exterior installation

• explosive/flammable zones (not ATEX)

✔ Designed for:

• handheld inspection

• close-up visibility

• low-light detail checking

• portable USB imaging

• worker-operated field usage

 

Industrial Applications

Mining & Tunnel Safety

As an underground tunnel inspection USB camera, the UC-528 provides reliable video even in zero-light conditions filled with dust and moisture. Operators gain real-time awareness of worker safety, vehicle blind spots, and shaft operations.

Mining Field Inspection (Handheld Use)

Workers inspect equipment surfaces, bolts, metal joints, cracks, and identification marks in underground tunnels.

Conveyor Belt Monitoring

In steel mills, cement plants, or quarries, the UC-528 serves as a conveyor belt monitoring USB camera. Its rugged IP67 housing withstands splashes, vibration, and airborne particles, reducing downtime caused by undetected material blockages or equipment wear.

Factory Machine Vision

The rugged USB mining camera is also suited for washdown production lines and heavy-duty machine vision environments. With no-distortion optics and UVC streaming, engineers can implement automated inspection, defect detection, and predictive maintenance with minimal setup effort.

Maintenance and Repair Verification

Technicians confirm repair quality, lubrication points, tightening torque marks, and replaced components.

Industrial Workshop Inspection

Supports technicians performing checks in factories, steel plants, cement plants, or heavy machinery workshops.

 

Professional FAQ

Q1: What environments is this camera designed for?
It is optimized as a rugged USB mining camera for tunnels, shafts, conveyor belts, and heavy-duty outdoor equipment monitoring.

 

Q2: Can it integrate with ROS or Linux systems?
Yes. The UC-528 is a fully ROS machine vision USB camera, compatible with Linux V4L2 and Jetson platforms.

Which computing devices does it work with?
It supports laptops, industrial PCs, rugged tablets, Linux systems, Jetson modules and Android OTG.

Q3. What is the Goobuy UC-528 usb camera mainly used for?
It is designed for handheld close-range inspection of equipment surfaces, cracks, labels and components in mining and industrial environments.

 

Q4. Is the UC-528 camera suitable for long-range monitoring?
No. It is optimized for short-distance visibility (5–80 cm), not for long-range surveillance.

Q5. Can the camera withstand dust and water spray?
Yes. The metal housing provides IP65 dustproof and water-resistant protection.

 

Q6. Are the IR LEDs meant for long-distance night vision?
No. The 9 IR LEDs are optimized for near-range illumination, ideal for enclosed or dark inspection areas.

 

Q7. Can workers use it while wearing gloves?
Yes. The metal housing and compact design are easy to grip and operate during field inspections.

     Is the UC-528 shockproof or impact-resistant?
No. It is not designed for heavy impacts. It is meant for handheld inspection, not vehicle exterior mounting.

Q8. Can the UC-528 be customized for specific projects?
Yes. Lens, cable length, connectors and IR options can be customized for OEM industrial users.

 

Q9: "What is the best working distance (Depth of Field) for this camera?"

This camera is calibrated for close-range inspection, providing the sharpest details at a distance of 5cm to 50cm. This allows workers to clearly see hairline cracks or ore textures.

"Is it heavy to hold for long shifts?"

No. The housing is designed to be lightweight for handheld use, minimizing fatigue for operators inspecting mining equipment.

 

Q10: "Can I connect it to an Android tablet underground?"

Yes. It supports OTG. Miners can connect it to a rugged Android tablet or phone to view live video and capture snapshots of equipment defects on the spot.