Vivax vCam-6 vs Pearpoint P550c: 2026 Review
Choose the Vivax-Metrotech vCam-6 if you want a slick, daylight-readable HD screen, Wi-Fi reporting and a system that impresses domestic and commercial clients. Choose the Radiodetection Pearpoint P550c if you need a rugged, modular workhorse for water-authority and heavy civil work in the toughest sewers. Both are excellent and WRc-capable; they suit different businesses.
If you are spending serious money on a drain inspection system, these are the two names at the top of the UK list. Here is how they actually differ.
Vivax-Metrotech vCam-6: the modern all-rounder
The vCam-6 feels contemporary. Its standout is a bright, daylight-readable HD display that is genuinely usable on a sunny driveway. Wi-Fi app integration lets you stream and share the survey to a client's phone on the spot, which is a real selling point for domestic and commercial work. The push-rod is on the stiffer side, which helps when pushing long, straight runs.
- Best for: plumbers, lining contractors, client-facing work.
- Feel: slick, light, user-friendly.
- Shop: Vivax vCam drain cameras.
Pearpoint P550c: the modular workhorse
The P550c is built like a tank and designed to be a platform rather than a single tool. The controller is universal: plug in a small reel for a sink today, a larger reel or crawler tomorrow. It shrugs off rain, rough handling and the worst Victorian clay sewers, and its flexiprobe rod handles tight 90-degree bends in 100mm pipe better than almost anything.
- Best for: water authorities, heavy civils, rough site work.
- Feel: rugged, modular, near-indestructible.
- Shop: Pearpoint flexiprobe P550c.
Head to head
| Feature | Vivax vCam-6 | Pearpoint P550c |
|---|---|---|
| Image | Bright 1080p HD | Clear, durability-focused |
| Reporting | Wi-Fi app, instant sharing | On-board, rugged workflow |
| Build | Light, carbon-fibre | Heavier, ruggedised |
| Modularity | Strong standalone system | Universal, grows with you |
| Ideal user | Plumbers, client work | Utilities, heavy civils |
The verdict
Buy the vCam-6 if you want crisp video and to wow homeowners with instant reports. Buy the P550c if you are throwing it in the van with the shovels and surveying the toughest sewers in the country. Not sure resolution matters? Read 4K vs 1080p. For the full survey method, see the professional drain CCTV handbook, or try before you buy with drain camera hire.