EEVblog #590 - DIYINHK USB Soldering Microscope Review + Tagarno FHD ZIP - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 12:00:43 pm
content: Dave reviews the DIYINHK 1080p USB soldering microscope. A hacked Microsoft Lifecam webcam with optics enabling a large working distance and good depth of field.Also showing off the Tagarno FHD ZIP Full HD 1920x1080 60fps USB 3.0 30x optical zoom vision inspection microscope using Youcam 6Cheap USB microscope review:https://www.diyinhk.com/shop/11-usb-microscope-1080p-for-smt-solderinghttp://www.tagarno.com/products/magnus-fhd-zip-0

author: somlioy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 12:22:21 pm
content: That Tagarno is truly "sex on a stick".

author: RobB
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 12:42:26 pm
content: If I were making that stand I would include some sort of drag mechanism to the adjusting collar. Something like a simple rubber O-ring for example. Might be worth taking a look Dave.Oh and to mangle an old Shell advert catch line. Remember the lubrication, It's your old fellas preservationHow stable is the camera with the stand reversed so the base plate is around the back leaving the immediate area clear?Bang for buck it looks pretty good.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 12:44:25 pm
content: Quote from: RobB on March 15, 2014, 12:42:26 pmIt falls over. But you could of course weight it down which I think I will do.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 02:52:49 pm
content: Nice review. Have not been giving thumb up for a while. I wanted a USB microscope for a while, and DIYINHK is good enough for me.On the Raspberry Pi wiki page, there is a report of success supporting lifecam 1080. I would have to test out and can put some spare monitor to use.

author: Dr. Frank
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 03:09:02 pm
content: What about mounting the camera clamp the other way round, outside the bracket and turn latter 180°?Then the camera would be 30-40mm lower and you could have a sharp picture on the table plane.Frank

author: ceecrb1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 05:07:18 pm
content: For usb capture/playback..I REALLY cant recomend enoughhttp://www.screenmonkey.co.uk/It is actually designed for playback of videos, cameras or presentations on projectors.. but what it can lend to this system is that you get a full quality direct feed on fullscreen on any windows pc.No it wont record. but its really worth a look, if anything people might find it useful for other reasons.

author: dc101
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 05:33:25 pm
content: When I was searching for resellers of the Tagarnos, I came across this camera:http://www.aventools.com/avens-complete-product-line/microscopy-and-inspection/digital-microscopes/cyclops-digital-microscope/cyclops-digital-microscope-1Seems like a nice compromise between the life camera and the Tagarnos. Has USB (can't remember if it's 3.0, probably not) and HDMI, but not at the same time. The one caveat is that the highest zoom level is with the scope just an inch or so above the board. The software is OK, but could use some work. Leica makes some REAL nice software for their DMS300 digital microscope, but I suppose that's why it costs $4,000

author: youbecha
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 05:36:49 pm
content: This camera is much more expensive than a B&L microscope with boom stand...used.Would you recommend this over the microscope?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 09:23:03 pm
content: Quote from: youbecha on March 15, 2014, 05:36:49 pmI have no idea what the specs of the B&L microscope are. What is the working distance and zoom level?I presume it's an optical one? if so they are apples and oranges.

author: amwales
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 10:41:27 pm
content: Dave, if you twist the camera mount so it looks like the one pictured on the sellers website I think the camera will be a little lower. The seller also shows the board he is working on sitting on the stand, raising it a little higher. I think that would fix the problem with having to raise the board off the table to be in focus. I think this looks really good, I'm really tempted since I have yet to get into SMT. It must feel really weird and disconnected soldering without depth perception.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 01:31:40 am
content: A bit of MDF and some ESD matting you could make a simple extention that slides over the stand's base.Excuse the crudity etc.It is DIY after all.

author: LapTop006
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 02:13:31 am
content: For the Tagarno, if it outputs HDMI why not use a recorder that takes HDMI, probably cheaper than the PC.Ex:Black Magic's (Another good Aussie company) HyperDeck Shuttle:http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/au/products/hyperdeckshuttle

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 02:21:17 am
content: Quote from: LapTop006 on March 16, 2014, 02:13:31 amIt doesn't do 1080p60.

author: Rutger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 04:58:35 am
content: Why does the expensive Tagarno show the zoom factor in hex? For all that money they should have fixed that issue.

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 02:21:19 pm
content: Excluding inspection (AFAIK that's what Tagarno was developed for), in my experience any other job like soldering, PCB repair and similar tasks, require stereo vision to coordinate your hands and tools.Just to try how could be the 2D vision, I've used only one eye on my stereo microscope during solder work: I could not distinguish the distance between the solder tip and the PCB.Even with high frame rate option, isn't a USB microscope worst than a classic optical stereo microscope? In other words, suppose I can afford a Tagarno HD, wouldn't I work better with an optical stereo microscope like the Mantis?

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 02:36:18 pm
content: Quote from: AhhhChoo on March 16, 2014, 02:26:31 pmIf by the 'guy' you mean Dave, then you're obviously new here.Dave's reviews tend to be brutally honest, just check out a few of his videos.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 02:55:59 pm
content: Quote from: mcinque on March 16, 2014, 02:21:19 pmDave did mention about Depth of Vision. Is that enough? I am curious to know too. I have a stereo microscope, not Mantis, that need my eyeball to be touching the eye piece of the scope. That do not make comfortable setting.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 10:40:05 pm
content: Quote from: mcinque on March 16, 2014, 02:21:19 pmOne eyed people generally learn to adapt, use other cues etc and function just fine in a 3d world.The narrow focus range would provide a good subconscious cue I imagine.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 10:47:47 pm
content: Quote from: mcinque on March 16, 2014, 02:21:19 pmYes, the Mantis is superior, but you still have to peer through the hood.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 10:51:57 pm
content: Quote from: AhhhChoo on March 16, 2014, 02:26:31 pmAs Geoff said, you're new here right?Yes, stereo optical microscopes will always be better in terms of true human interaction and perception of depth, but that's not being discussed. It also doesn't mean that optical scopes are the only tool for every job, there is big need for these digital inspection systems, that's why they exist. The Tagarno is the Rolls Royce of digital inspection system. If oyu don't have the need for a digital inspection microscope, then obviously don't buy the Tagarno, go buy an optical scope.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2014, 10:53:54 pm
content: Quote from: all_repair on March 16, 2014, 02:55:59 pmThat is the difference with the Mantis, you don't sit in an uncomfortable position. Also, the lenticular distance through the Mantis matches the true distance to the bench, which means that you don't get tied eyes like you do on regular stereo microscope by them having to refocus all the time.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 03:26:45 am
content: Yay for DIY scope, looks like it delivers whats promised. I hope DIYINHK will get at least few sales from this review so he can work on next better version (same camera, but with zoom/af lens assembly).Tagarno looks loverly, but their engineers failed on the computer interface front. $3K piece of equipment should incorporate $20 encoder chip instead of transferring raw video, encoder chip would also enable recording to sd/usb without computer. $40 chinese cameras can do that, and this $3K camera cant? Forcing users into using separate powerful and expensive computer for something that random fly by night chinese shop can deliver for the bottom dollar :/ Shame

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 04:43:24 am
content: Quote from: sleemanj on March 16, 2014, 10:40:05 pmIndeed. Depth perception is no issue, the only issue with one is is checking of alignment, and that only happens at a distance really...I'm short sighted in one eye and longsighted in the other so I experience this every day.

author: LapTop006
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 09:08:39 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on March 16, 2014, 02:21:17 amQuite right, my bad.NAB is soon so they may well fix that :-)

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 09:31:44 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on March 18, 2014, 04:04:03 amWe are really talking $20 here. Novatek, ambarella, icatch, they all offer at least fullhd/30Hz encoder turnkey solutions at that price. Small chinese fabs are able to make whole fullhd action/car camera products starting at $40, and that includes case/battery/optics/sensor/pcb/design and labor. Hell, maybe even Broadcom would sell some of their VideoCore IV's (soc inside of pee). Any of the above would enable lag free USB 2.0 1080@30Hz capture on10 year old computers.And if they wanted to be really fancy TI has whole range of davinci chips dedicated to this stuff and able to do effortless 1080@60Hz.I bet they are using Cypress FX3 (practically the only usb 3.0 I/O on the market that is sold in form of interface chip and not IP) like Dave said in last mailbag, and this chip is ~$20 ...

author: dc101
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 11:49:05 pm
content: Quote from: ErikTheNorwegian on March 18, 2014, 09:07:04 pmNice looking cameras. Seems like most of the C-mount zoom lenses would be limited by the minimum object distance, one was 0.43 meters.

author: st
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2014, 07:49:03 pm
content: Hi subolog,Today I had the chance to test the Tagarno FHD ZIP for a few hours.Short story, a great tool, but not 2500eur great (which it costs here).My application is SMD rework, largish components, 0.4 and 0.5mm QFN, 0603, that sort of stuff, so that's what I tested it with.First impressions were really good. The image looks great on a large screen, the zoom is astounding. Autofocus and auto exposure controls work fine in normal situations.Good points:Fantastic working distance, does not get in the way. You can seamlessly look down on your work or up on the screen.Nice image.You can show stuff to others.Fantastic zoom range.You can use the monitor for other stuff on your bench if you connect it to a computer too.Bad points:Stand lacks height adjustment. The long working distance does not allow very high work (50mm) on all zoom levels, or at least the auto focus will not work, manual has a greater range.Mediocre build/design quality of the stand. I mean it is not bad, but I could do better and I am not a mechanical engineer. The connectors on the side (bad place) for HDMI and USB are just SMD PCB connectors placed on the PCB edge. You can see the PCB and the cutout in the case is much larger than the connectors. When you fold the stand back and hit something with the connectors you will definitely rip the sockets from the board.The cables sticking out on the side will prevent you from folding the camera back next to other lab gear on a crowded bench. The hinges are not all that well made, you can see into the extrusions and look at exposed electronics. The screw at the top hinge that locks the unit in the upright position looks like an afterthought, probably was to firm things up, the thread was already showing signs of wear on my demo unit.The stand can _only_ fold back and down, so you need space behind the unit to fold it away. You can't fold it up or anything. You can however tilt the horizontal arm down without folding the vertical arm back.Lack of 3D vision. This is the biggie compared to a Mantis. You will not see things like raised solder points nearly as well as on a stereo microscope. Manipulation is not too difficult without stereo vision (try working with one eye, no problem) but just ever so slightly more tricky.Picture quality. While very good for a digital microscope nowhere near an optical instrument. The weakness does not show on good contrast scenes, but when it gets tricky such as solder joints dirty with flux you just do not see as well. Even the chinese cheapy ebay special stereo microscope I had on hand as a reference had just slightly better optical quality.At close to maximum zoom you start to see the image quality degrade. There were some very minor optical abberations (purple edges) which I did not like.The autofocus got stuck three times with just blur on the screen, and the object completely covering the field of view with nothing in the way. It would start to work again as I moved the object in and out. The autofocus did work fine much of the time, but it is not super fast. Got annoying after a while to wait for focus.Auto exposure is slightly too bright for my liking, the solder joints were always a bit too reflective under any light conditions. I know solder is a difficult object, but it's what I have to look at. A step or two darker on manual exposure worked better for me.Observations:The lens (standard comes with x4) is a Japanese photography lens, 58mm thread or thereabouts if I recall right. Directly behind the screw-on lens is another non-removeable lens. Through that you can see another smaller lens on a carrier which moves in and out as you zoom.Recording in Windows 8 with the camera app did not work. I believe it is a problem with my computer.Magnification in hex. I don't consider it a negative, but it goes with the slightly unfinished feel of the unit.I don't want to give the impression that this is a bad unit, even if I focused on the negative points. But at this price point you deserve a _perfect_ tool, or close to. The positive features are really as good as you imagine anyway I don't have to describe them ;-).It would be a great deal at $500, and OK at $1500, but $3000 is too much for what it is.I will order the Mantis now, it really blows you away.I hope I listed the main points, feel free to ask any questions.ST

author: PLATIJET
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2014, 10:51:50 pm
content: No one refers to illumination. LED's are very bad ( white reflections around bright points ) . Best solution is halogen lamps with blue filter ( around the view field)

author: st
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2014, 08:07:04 am
content: I'll remember the halogen / blue filter advise, thanks.The Mantis is somewhat better in that regard since it has many small LEDs spread out wide.The Tagarno uses two medium power LEDs next to each other. I did play with different lights and the best view was just using indirect daylight.I'm lucky enough to have wrap around windows in the lab, nothing like Dave's bat cave ;-)ST

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2014, 11:28:19 am
content: Quote from: subolg123 on March 21, 2014, 12:48:10 amNot too much yet. No noticeable problems so far with the autofocus hunting or anything. But I wasn't consciously looking for that.

author: st
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2014, 05:12:43 pm
content: I caught the auto focus oscillating back and forth by itself once. But it was just within a small range barely visible on the monitor and stopped as soon as I moved the board. It would not have interfered with work at all, no problem there.Generally the auto focus is very good, it does not react at all to tools moving in or wires crossing above the PCB. It stays pretty much on the plane of the PCB as you work.Also with the board at an angle it still does well, placing the point of focus in the center.It's important that the auto focus does not react to tools, since you use the blur to estimate your distance above the work. But that part worked great really.The focus is really quiet by the way, I could not hear it move even with my ear to the camera.ST

author: dc101
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2014, 02:17:57 am
content: Some people were asking about DIY digital microscopes (macroscopes to be correct) and I wanted to post a couple photos of my own setup after receiving some recommendations from this thread. I decided to go with the Point Grey Blackfly GigE 2.3 MP (@27FPS) and a Computar MLH-10X lens. A decided on that specific Blackfly because of a couple reasons. First it has one of the highest dynamic ranges of all Point Grey cameras, it can also do full HD @ 27FPS which was good enough for me. Lastly after my experience other USB 3.0 devices, I wanted a camera with a GigE interface. It also has power over ethernet, so there's only one flat ethernet cable running to the camera. The camera was also pretty cheap at less than $350 USD from Point Grey's online store. I decided on the Computar lens because it has one of the largest zooms for a C-mount lens without having to purchase a specialized microscope lens, it was incredibly cheap, and it has a suitable working distance. Many of the lenses I researched had working distances that were on the order of several meters or only a few millimeters. There's several other excellent options for micro/macroscope lenses, unfortunately they cost upwards of $2,000 USD. I found a used MLH-10X on eBay for $100, but even new from BHPhoto it's only around $300. I bought a few extension tubes and some close-up lenses, but for now I don't feel as if I need them. All of the pictures below were just the MLH-10X by itself and the 5mm C to CS adapter. I ordered a boom stand from AmScope, so the the tripod in the picture is just temporary until the stand arrives, which is good because the tripod is annoying to work with. Enjoy!-TimActual image from camera using tripod as shown in previous picture...this is at the widest angleSame setup as the previous picture but at the closest zoomAnother sample image using the same setup showing a different section of the boardAnother sample image using the same setup showing a different section of the board. This gives you a good idea of how close you can get to small components.

author: delzz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 20, 2014, 02:04:19 pm
content: @dc101, great setup!I'm also considering to build one myself, I dont want to spend 3K on a professional scope, I rather hack something.MLH-10X seems to be doing a great job, did you find any other cams? I'm looking for something similar but usb2 based, maybe you can across your research?Thanks ahead.

author: nixfu
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 20, 2014, 04:37:01 pm
content: Quote from: delzz on August 20, 2014, 02:04:19 pm@delzzCheck out this thread for more ideas...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-566-cheap-usb-microscope-reviews/

author: spool_of_wire
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 28, 2014, 03:00:30 am
content: I'm wondering if anyone has actually gotten the complete setup from diyinhk besides Dave? or better - if someone had gotten that lens kit and how did the swap go?I watched the video for swapping the OEM lens for the new one and it doesn't look too difficult. However it doesn't appear that the lens kit includes the LED ring that appears in Dave's review.Also, if anyone (hopefully) got the lens kit how did you support it?It appears on the diyinhk.com site that there's a new stand but you can only get it if you buy the complete camera assembled. I don't mind paying the cost for a stand but shelling out almost $264 USD (today's price) is a bit high for my budget. I don't mind doing my own assembly and paying a reasonable markup for some of the parts.I just wish the parts could be available for the DIY type.So did anyone get the lens kit and how did it go?TIA-J

author: wreeve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 03, 2014, 08:32:13 pm
content: Has anyone one of these:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5MP-HDMI-USB-Digital-Microscope-Camera-C-mount-Lens-Video-Recoder-DVR-Industrial-/310934464402?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Lab_Equipment_ET&hash=item4865236792

author: muffenme
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2014, 11:12:11 pm
content: EBay has newer version of that $30 you where talking about and EBay has an better stand you can but to improve that cheap usb microscope.Ebay has thishttp://www.ebay.ca/itm/5MP-300X-USB-Digital-Video-Microscope-Set-Magnifier-Camera-Stand-Windows-7-Mac-/311005825638?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4869644a66It like that cheap you got but better stand, 5MP 300X zoom. Cost 79.95 + s&hEBay has thishttp://www.ebay.ca/itm/30cm-Universal-Metal-Stander-for-USB-Digital-Microscope-/260936451404?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc106454cIt's a better stand for that cheap microscope and it $14.23 no scope with it just the stand itself.Try that cheap microscope with this, it help it a little.EBay has thishttp://www.ebay.ca/itm/Supereyes-500X-5MP-Handheld-Digital-USB-Microscope-Magnifier-Otoscope-Stand-TE32-/251604376140?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a94ca1a4cIt's 5MP 500x with stand for $91.95This one look good on EBayhttp://www.ebay.ca/itm/Supereyes-500X-5MP-Handheld-Digital-USB-Microscope-Magnifier-Otoscope-Stand-TE32-/251604376140?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a94ca1a4cIt has 3.5" LCD display with 500X zoom and a solid stand for $139.95 + S&H . There AV out, nothing HD.There other one too but you are right, most of the time, you get what you pay for. Just try the second option and that would take care of some of the problem with that cheap microscope. The stand would fix all the problem just some.Because the links are from EBay, they do go bad several week. Keep up the good work.

author: korlatos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 06:09:11 pm
content: Quote from: spool_of_wire on October 28, 2014, 03:00:30 amI bought the lens kit and swapped it out based on instructions provided in the video - it was pretty straightforward. BTW, the lens kit doesn't contain the illumination LEDs. The attached photograph was taken with the modified camera.

author: jsavukoski
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 30, 2014, 10:43:45 pm
content: Quote from: wreeve on November 03, 2014, 08:32:13 pmI just ordered this sethttp://www.ebay.com/itm/121216959307, a little clearer specs herehttp://www.kalinu-technology.com/sell-vga_usb_double_output_microscope_camera_industrial_camera-105342.html.Thehttp://www.ptgrey.com/mentioned by dc101 seems to be definitely winning in all areas regarding the cameras and prices, but I had already placed the order, and the camera was essentially free with the included lens and (the more expensive) table stand. (And ring light, yay.) The lens and stand seemed surprisingly expensive separately... Also, a question arises how well the Point Gray GigE option would turn out as they don't have OS X support and I'm running Windows on VirtualBox.. (USB3 is out of the question, IIRC.)I considered the HDMI version --http://www.kalinu-technology.com/sell-hdmi_usb_tf_card_720p_microscope_camera-204951.html-- but it was more expensive and still seemed to lose a tiny bit in video resolution: 1280*720P (HDMI) vs. 1280*1024 (VGA). HDMI is naturally a superior signal, but I probably wouldn't notice the difference in this application.. Also, the VGA version promises 1600*1200 via USB (assuming low FPS) whereas the HDMI camera specs “only” 1280*720 but at solid 30fps (via USB, that is). Naturally, I'd take a solid 720p over some pitiful-FPS UXGA any day. But, I'm not expecting to use USB much.I just recently tried one of those common, crappy <$100 USB microscopes and returned it immediately. I was so surprised when I then bumped into these right a way with a single eBay search, and I hadn't seen any mentions of even anything like them before.The modularity sounds just wonderful, as they consist of a “standardized” camera module and real, c-mount lenses. (Also the ring light is just an add-on component.) The USB driver hell with the returned camera was such that I will be assuming to be using this new camera mainly just via VGA. Let's see how well the USB connections work with these, but I'm expecting to rather just buy a VGA-input trinket for my macbook air. (Though, USB is the only way to get the full 1600x1200 out of it. But getting the USB working and getting access to that resolution would be just a nice little extra; for the price.)I was also considering to order a M4/3->C-mount adapter to see what kind of pictures I can get with my old Olympus PEN with the “microscope” lens.(Hooray modularity!)ps. It was a bit of a stretch to find the assumed manufacturer,www.kalinu-technology.com. Typical chinese.Edit: fixed two links.Cheers,Janne

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2014, 02:23:04 am
content: Quote from: jsavukoski on December 30, 2014, 10:43:45 pmThis listing (121216959307,) has been removed, or this item is not available.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2014, 02:32:41 am
content: Quote from: Rasz on December 31, 2014, 02:23:04 amSeems like he let the forum tag the url and the forum included the comma:http://www.ebay.com/itm/121216959307

author: jsavukoski
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 23, 2015, 12:55:00 pm
content: Quote from: jsavukoski on December 30, 2014, 10:43:45 pmBy the way, this purchase a total success. The set works fantastically. The VGA refresh rate at 1280x1024 is very good. Rolling shutter is visible, but very acceptable for my usage. 1600x1200 works via USB (also: true resolution, not interpolated), but as the still file sizes are nearing 2MB, you can guess what the refresh rate is. But it doesn't matter, as the VGA output is just fantastic. (Mainly as you don't need to boot up a fucking computer.)Working distance with the accompanied lens is basically 20cm; you can raise the scope as high as the stand provides and still get quite a magnification.* Highest magnification (led ring nearly touching the board) gets pretty high; may be the 100x what the marketing talk says, but I wouldn't be surprised if it surpassed that.*) Needs a 0.5x attachment if you want just a “conservative” magnification.The stand is perfect. By the definition that I don't find anything to improve with it. (It's also just the right size; I would've hated to go to the/a larger model.)I also didn't find anything missing from the setup/configuration options. All the color and contrast adjustments are available, for example. I flipped and mirrored the picture to get it to match my orientation. There's also a set of measurement functions included, but I haven't tried those. (I know all the distances on all my PCBs with good enough accuracy.) The menu language was chinese by default (no surprise there), but I can post pictures on how to navigate to english if anyone would like. (Trial and error worked for me.)Oh, one 2.5mm bolt (or scrub screw) will come handy for locking in one adapter ring. This one particular ring was difficult to tighten when I was screwing the lens on and off for testing it with my micro 4/3 camera. There was a threaded hole for this purpose, but it was left unpopulated. (Result with the camera: no benefit. Pixel density of the microscope's sensor is significantly better.)Verdict: I would be very surprised if any other digital microscope in this price class could approach this set in any way.And the setup looks the part as well.So industrial.ps. I can post pictures if anyone's interested. Video (eg. for refresh rate) would be a bit more laborious, but can be done. I decided not to spend time on multimedia now as the results would be pretty much, if not exactly, what you'd expect.

author: xyberz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 30, 2015, 12:16:25 pm
content: Quote from: jsavukoski on January 23, 2015, 12:55:00 pmThe link you provided is the whole setup it looks like with stand, light, and all for about $178 US. I saw the camera itself on Amazon for $100. You think the extra $78 is worth it? Also if you wouldn't mind, I'd love to see some pics of the results.I looking for a setup that I will be using for realtime soldering of parts as small as a 0603 SMD for tablets and smartphones. I can't unfortunately afford a setup that costs thousands but would be able to swing about $200 or hopefully less for something that's usable. I use a stereo microscope at work with a ring light but sometimes I need the soldering iron at a higher angle and I've melted the sides of the ring light.So after seeing the Lifecam hack, it seems like a perfect fit since the working height is more than enough to put my soldering iron even at a 90 degree angle if needed.

author: quarros
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2015, 03:44:58 pm
content: Quote from: dc101 on June 02, 2014, 02:17:57 am#OFFTim Sorry to ask this more than half a year after your post and being completely unrelated to the subject at hand. But I couldn't help but notice.Is that a Rhode und Schwarz RTO Series Oscilloscope in the background?#ON

author: Jidis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2015, 09:29:36 pm
content: Sorry to resurrect this, but I just went ahead and pulled the trigger on one of these (the DIYINHK type) after reading the discussions here. I've only ordered the Lifecam camera and was about to grab the lens/mod kit, but am now thinking about the magnification and wondering if I jumped the gun.Long story short, I broke the 6-pin speaker connector on an iPad motherboard and did a pretty crappy, unsuccessful job of resoldering it. I ordered a new one, but promised myself that I would find a better means of magnification before messing with it. With SMD, I typically use either generic reading glasses or one of those plastic binocular headband visors. I think that might only be 2x, but I'm generally only dealing with stuff like 805/1206 size parts. Some of the stuff in the iPad is so small I can't evenseeit without magnification, though the connector in question is a bit larger. Not sure what category it falls into, but checking with a caliper, the pin pitch looks to be around .05 inch.Do any of you guys who know this stuff think the lens he uses in the mod is powerful enough to work on smartphone/iPad type devices, or is it only going to be marginally better than what I've got? If not, would anyone possibly know if there's a lens in the same price range with stronger magnification and the same footprint which could be used with the Lifecam? I do realize he wasn't all that forthcoming with exact details on that part of it.Much Thanks!GeorgePS- FWIW, I'm not looking to tackle this level of rework on a regular basis.

author: hugos31
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2015, 02:42:41 am
content: http://www.aliexpress.com/af/lab-microscope-camera-vga-usb.html?spm=2114.031010208.0.308.nt6jEi&site=glo&SearchText=lab+microscope+camera+vga+usb&g=n&initiative_id=QRW_20151017194838&isAffiliate=y&shipCountry=pe&needQuery=n

author: runbren
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 24, 2017, 06:58:43 am
content: Just opened up my Targano FHD ZIP and found this. The microHDMI connector has been completely dodged to fit the wrongly designed pad. Pins have been bent to be soldered to adjacent pads and all ground pins have been folded up and soldered to the chaasis. Has anyone found this on theirs?

author: luiHS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2018, 04:36:34 pm
content: Quote from: shodan@micron on March 03, 2018, 07:14:05 pmHello.What brand and model is that articulated arm with holder that you use in your Tagarno, the one that is fixed to the wall?I want to buy a quality digital microscope, initially I thought of the Tagarno, but after seeing the review compared to a Chinese microscope with Autofocus, which is much cheaper and of the same or better quality, I will buy Chinese.What I'm looking for is an articulated arm support to fix it to the wall, because on the table I have no place, I have an optical microscope with an articulated arm fixed to the edge of the table, and a magnifying glass with an arm also fixed to the table.

author: luiHS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2018, 05:29:08 pm
content: Any link to buy it ?, It looks like a wall mount for TV.