FS (NZ) - Mantis for sale on TradeMe  (but needs some attention) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: amahon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2014, 07:32:04 am
content: FYI... Just noticed this listing:http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/industrial/electrical-equipment/other/auction-794832845.htmAny ideas on what one would be getting into, or even how much $ it might soak up, with this one?CheersAndrew

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2014, 08:45:28 am
content: Why is the cool stuff always at the wrong end of the country.Anyway, it's an original Mantis by the look of it...http://www.visioneng.com/products/discontinued/original-mantis-spares-and-supportAnd sounds like it has the 4x objective.Search ebay for mantis objective shows that the larger magnifications appear to be available without issue, but be prepared for insane sticker shock. Don't know how decent 4x would be.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 22, 2014, 09:06:49 am
content: On ebay in EU it is 1000 Euros and up for a second hand Mantis.

author: CrashO
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 22, 2014, 09:12:21 am
content: Quote from: eurofox on October 22, 2014, 09:06:49 am500 more (incl VAT) and you can get a brand spanking new MantisCompact.

author: tod2002
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 22, 2014, 09:59:03 am
content: Quote from: CrashO on October 22, 2014, 09:12:21 amI'm looking to buy a Mantis Compaq new or second hand for about € 500Give me a link where I can buy?I'm from EU

author: CrashO
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 22, 2014, 10:04:54 am
content: Quote from: tod2002 on October 22, 2014, 09:59:03 amI said for 500more, thus making it 1500. Don't count on finding one for € 500. Although it should/might be possible for a 2nd hand model without the universal stand (just the head) and no lenses.

author: amahon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2014, 10:11:36 am
content: Sticker shock indeed on the price of the objectives... Yikes! The current model (elite) is slightly different but with an adapter it looks like you can mount most elite objectives.That working distance of the 4x might be kind of short for rework... (86mm, see p8 of manual)... but never had the honour to use a Mantis though for rework. Maybe its not too cramped the way the longer objectives poke down vs using wide/flat/cheap mag lamps. The x6-SLWD objective looks interesting (112 mm working distance)... I think I saw a couple on ebay at $600-800 used!Manual link:http://www.cmm.com.mx/pdf/vision%20engeneering/mantis/Mantis%20Operators%20Manual.pdf-A

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2014, 10:28:15 am
content: Several forum members own an original Mantis like this one, and there is information around about fitting LED lights and other modifications.I have one with 4x and 8x objectives, and use the 4x about 90% of the time - it's perfect for most SMD work. The 8x lens is considerably longer, and often gets removed completely to provide better access to the board being worked on.They can occasionally be picked up for reasonable prices - I paid £435 (around $850 NZ) for mine, and it was in pretty good condition.The one pictured appears to have lost the original base - make sure that machined replacement is an accurate fit or it could be rather unstable in use.KJDS on this forum sold some original Mantis objectives for very reasonable prices last year:Mantis X2 £20Mantis X4 £30Mantis X8 £80

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2014, 10:52:10 am
content: aww, i was watching that auction with great interest.I guess im not getting that for $200 any more

author: tod2002
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 22, 2014, 01:18:34 pm
content: User of this forum has sold May this yearMantis Compact with x6 lens for € 500https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/mantis-compact-microscope-for-sale/msg449793/#msg449793Where I slept then.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2014, 02:36:28 am
content: Looks like this one sold for nz$550