Microscope recommendation for soldering/repairs

Chain · 29 October 2018, 09:53

Title says it all.
Budget under $100-150.
Digital or not?
Is it enough? or waste of money?

project23 · 29 October 2018, 12:19

You can 'make it work' as a kind of budget amateur setup to use one of the cheap usb scopes, but its important you use a sturdy and stable stand - not the flimsy POS that comes with it, and obviously you'll need a display (I have an old 15" flat screen right infront of me as a second monitor) to look up at as you're working.

With this configuration its more a case of - do changes, check, do changes, check, etc etc.

You may also need extra lighting etc.

I've done this successfully on a super cheap budget. So it really is entirely up to you.

Others will suggest getting a second hand but good non-digital scope, and they're probably not wrong.

All I can say is that my setup works for me, and was low cost.

John

Predseda · 29 October 2018, 12:43

AFAIK you wear glasses, so I do not think the classic microscope is suitable for you for soldering.
Beside that, I experienced this toy recently and it was okay. Analog device with lightning.

Chain · 29 October 2018, 14:48

LOL@Senzor: 0.3 CMOS, interpolowany do 2 Mpx

I think it needs at least full 2mpix for HD

elenachen · 29 October 2018, 19:27

https://www.ebay.de/itm/14MP-HDMI-mi...uYDR:rk:3:pf:0

I can recommend this one, or similiar. You can even remove the lower metal plate and screw it directly onto your table. I think this is about the most you get out of little money. Cheaper Cameras tend to have really bad Image Quality and/or bad refresh rate.

project23 · 29 October 2018, 20:15

Let me just ask you this:

What is this scope for?

Because the last recommendation - whilst great - is almost a hundred euros over budget.

If its going to be used every day, then sure, but for one or two introductory projects or repairs?

I dunno man, think we can do better than 216 euros. Even if it means analogue.

Just my opinion, of course!

John

EDIT: For what its worth the pics in this post were taken with a USB scope that cost me just over 10 GBP delivered from China. Not saying its great, just saying its (for now) the tool that fits the job. Ya know?

EDIT2: Here's a pic from the same scope of an area of an A600 board that has some gunky cap leakage going on. Again, not bad for 10-12 GBP - remember though its stabalised by a sturdy lab... holder.... thingy and probably lit from a couple diff. sourcces.

By the way thats the same resolution you see live on the screen.

It does take some jerry rigging - it really does - but you can make it work on a low budget for sure.

BippyM · 29 October 2018, 20:20

Use your phone and an app called magnifier

Not sure how you'd mount it though but has okay zoom levels depending on the phone

nogginthenog · 29 October 2018, 21:32

If you just want to inspect your soldering I recommend a jeweler's loupe. I have a great set from China with built in LEDs. Won't give you a link because I ordered some more and they sent me crappy ones.

TimT · 29 October 2018, 22:46

I highly recommend this scope https://www.ebay.com/itm/AmScope-10X-Binocular-Stereo-Microscope-on-Boom-Arm-Stand-LED-Goose-Neck-Light/401623948478?epid=2255406389&hash=item5d82a71cbe:g:EYkAAOSw8Wdbmqzu:rk:18

f:0

Sometimes they come up used, I got mine for $25usd at a flee market!

nexus · 29 October 2018, 23:11

https://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-D...pe-c-5313.html
i use the Andonstar ADSM302 and before that the A1
guy on ebay sells filters
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Andonstar-A...YAAOSwnHZYh~P7
but as you can see there are many in your budget and most have HDMI out and take snaps shots and vid ofc
[ Show youtube player ]
your budget i would say Andonstar ADSM201

Chain · 30 October 2018, 10:59

hmm adonstar looks good

29 October 2018, 09:53	#1
Chain A-Collector, repairments Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Czech Rep. Age: 50 Posts: 1,536	Microscope recommendation for soldering/repairs Title says it all. Budget under $100-150. Digital or not? Is it enough? or waste of money?

29 October 2018, 20:15	#6
project23 Used Register Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Liverpool Age: 41 Posts: 437	Let me just ask you this: What is this scope for? Because the last recommendation - whilst great - is almost a hundred euros over budget. If its going to be used every day, then sure, but for one or two introductory projects or repairs? I dunno man, think we can do better than 216 euros. Even if it means analogue. Just my opinion, of course! John EDIT: For what its worth the pics in this post were taken with a USB scope that cost me just over 10 GBP delivered from China. Not saying its great, just saying its (for now) the tool that fits the job. Ya know? EDIT2: Here's a pic from the same scope of an area of an A600 board that has some gunky cap leakage going on. Again, not bad for 10-12 GBP - remember though its stabalised by a sturdy lab... holder.... thingy and probably lit from a couple diff. sourcces. By the way thats the same resolution you see live on the screen. It does take some jerry rigging - it really does - but you can make it work on a low budget for sure. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by project23; 29 October 2018 at 20:24.

29 October 2018, 22:46	#9
TimT Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Savannah Ga USA Posts: 32	I highly recommend this scope https://www.ebay.com/itm/AmScope-10X-Binocular-Stereo-Microscope-on-Boom-Arm-Stand-LED-Goose-Neck-Light/401623948478?epid=2255406389&hash=item5d82a71cbe:g:EYkAAOSw8Wdbmqzu:rk:18f:0 Sometimes they come up used, I got mine for $25usd at a flee market!

29 October 2018, 23:11	#10
nexus Registered User Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: USA Posts: 728	https://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-D...pe-c-5313.html i use the Andonstar ADSM302 and before that the A1 guy on ebay sells filters https://www.ebay.com/itm/Andonstar-A...YAAOSwnHZYh~P7 but as you can see there are many in your budget and most have HDMI out and take snaps shots and vid ofc [ Show youtube player ] your budget i would say Andonstar ADSM201 Last edited by nexus; 29 October 2018 at 23:20.

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29 October 2018, 12:19	#2
project23 Used Register Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Liverpool Age: 41 Posts: 437	You can 'make it work' as a kind of budget amateur setup to use one of the cheap usb scopes, but its important you use a sturdy and stable stand - not the flimsy POS that comes with it, and obviously you'll need a display (I have an old 15" flat screen right infront of me as a second monitor) to look up at as you're working. With this configuration its more a case of - do changes, check, do changes, check, etc etc. You may also need extra lighting etc. I've done this successfully on a super cheap budget. So it really is entirely up to you. Others will suggest getting a second hand but good non-digital scope, and they're probably not wrong. All I can say is that my setup works for me, and was low cost. John

29 October 2018, 12:43	#3
Predseda Puttymoon inhabitant Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tromaville Age: 46 Posts: 7,560	AFAIK you wear glasses, so I do not think the classic microscope is suitable for you for soldering. Beside that, I experienced this toy recently and it was okay. Analog device with lightning.

29 October 2018, 14:48	#4
Chain A-Collector, repairments Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Czech Rep. Age: 50 Posts: 1,536	LOL@Senzor: 0.3 CMOS, interpolowany do 2 Mpx I think it needs at least full 2mpix for HD

29 October 2018, 19:27	#5
elenachen Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Nürnberg Posts: 97	https://www.ebay.de/itm/14MP-HDMI-mi...uYDR:rk:3:pf:0 I can recommend this one, or similiar. You can even remove the lower metal plate and screw it directly onto your table. I think this is about the most you get out of little money. Cheaper Cameras tend to have really bad Image Quality and/or bad refresh rate.

29 October 2018, 20:20	#7
BippyM Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Derby, UK Age: 48 Posts: 9,355	Use your phone and an app called magnifier Not sure how you'd mount it though but has okay zoom levels depending on the phone

29 October 2018, 21:32	#8
nogginthenog Amigan Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: London Posts: 1,312	If you just want to inspect your soldering I recommend a jeweler's loupe. I have a great set from China with built in LEDs. Won't give you a link because I ordered some more and they sent me crappy ones.

30 October 2018, 10:59	#11
Chain A-Collector, repairments Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Czech Rep. Age: 50 Posts: 1,536	hmm adonstar looks good

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