Microscope recommendations?

[funk]

Kind of off topic as most components on PCBs are big enough not to need one but I do dabble with projects I could use one for.

Not wanting to spend a fortune, digital seems to be the way to go, but there is a school of thought the traditional optical ones are better to use?

 

[Ace`]

I use a digital microscope from aliexpress, they start from about £30-40 all the way up to £300+. I went with a lower / mid range one which was £100 or so but with the lights, stand etc it soon adds up. I started with a cheap one but it was hopeless so make sure it has a Sony sensor at least. (imx334, imx290 or imx345) in that order.

This isn't my video but it's the camera I bought

I use it at 1080p rather than 4k as 60fps is more important to me than higher resolution.

The first thing you learn is lighting is everything and a ring light is no good when the board is covered in flux as you'll get all the light reflected back at the sensor.

 

[funk]

Thanks @Ace` you reference the 60fps for actual filming purposes or just for speed of refresh with what you're looking at on screen?

 

[Ace`]

The speed for looking at the screen, it takes some getting used to as it is so the lower the lag the better.

 

[Phils Arcade]

The speed for looking at the screen, it takes some getting used to as it is so the lower the lag the better.

That's the biggest issue I had was trying to concentrate on the screen rather than the board itself. Also judging distance I found to be awkward as it's a flat screen as apposed to a dual microscope that has an image for each eye.

 

[TheDaddy]

I had one from Ali as well , I posted it a thread but cant find it !!! It was £130 odd quid I think :-



These are ok for the price but quality of the stand thingy is prety guff to be honest , but , it was this versus £500 +.

Ok for how often I use it , I only use to diagnose I dont do much on surface mount and avoid if I can as to be fair I aint brilliant at that side, I just dont do enough of it. Its great for finding bad tracks and damage the naked eye struggles to see. Obviously I am really young and my eyes are fantastic ! Cough Cough !

Dave.

P.S Just found it , Looks a bit less than I paid but there is delivery & vat to add. **** Scrap that its free delivery !!! Was £10 - £15 for me *****

48MP 4K 1080P HDMI USB Industriële Videomicroscoop Camera 1X-150X Zoom C Mount Lens Afstandsbediening voor Digitale Beeldacquisitie - AliExpress 1420

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[NivagSwerdna]

I do a lot of small stuff and have a Zenith Widefield stereo microscope.

A bit like this one... https://amscope.co.uk/products/amsc...RDeINPd2L6OpvXaB3Aqn9YkaR7Ag5sLhoCwnIQAvD_BwE

If you have more £££ then you can get Zoom... I've always been happy with x10

And if you want to be a YouTube sensation you can pay more and get trinocular so you can record what you are doing.

Determine exactly what you want to do so that you only buy once!

 

[ArcadePCB]

I would highly recoomend buying a used Vision Engineering Mantis (generation 1) device if you can get one for a reasonable price. It's a stereo device in opposite to the USB camera microscopes. 4x and 8x lenses are a good choice for working on electronic devices. It has become quite rare in the meantime, so it is pricy. But usually you'll buy such a device once in your life. Be aware to buy one in good condition if you are looking for one because there are no spare parts from the manufacturer available any more. If you don't destroy it by dropping etc., it will survive many major updates of Microsoft Windows...
If you can afford, you will not regret buying it.
If you need further spare parts availablity, you may also buy a generation 2 or a generation 3 device - of course, they're much more expensive.
Because of the working distance, 4x lens is recommended for soldering, etc. and 8x lens is recommended for inspecting. There is also a 6x SWLD lens available, but this is very rare for the generation 1 devices and extremely expensive if you can get one. For the newer devices, the 6x SWLD is still available in new condition for over €1000 (just the lens).
e.g.: Ebay