Looking for suggestions for a microscope within Australia - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Raddic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 16, 2023, 12:58:07 pm
content: I am looking for a decent microscope for hobbyist electronics work.I have been looking at the AmScope options but I would prefer something local in Australia due to ease of warranty, import costs etc.My budget is $2000 AUD or less.If I am forced to get something internationally, I would most likely lean towards an AmScope.They have quite a few options for electronics work. Is there one model that is recommended over another?Thanks in advance!

author: slugrustle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2023, 02:42:46 pm
content: Can't help you with the Australian vendor. I'm also not sure what you're looking to do with the scope. Having a camera or not is probably the biggest question.I have a binocular Amscope with a gooseneck LED light, boom stand, and long working distance. I primarily use it for soldering; the long working distance means there's plenty of space to maneuver an iron. It's also handy for inspecting components/soldering/traces/etc. and for other fine work like cutting traces with a knife. I almost always use the 5x eyepiece. I used the 20x eyepiece one time: I intentionally cracked a ceramic capacitor in order to see the layers. They're crazy thin! I don't recall using the 10x eyepiece. The scope does not have a camera or anything like that.The scope I have looks like this onehttps://amscope.com/collections/stereo-microscopes-boom-stands/products/se400-x, although that might not be the exact model.I've thought of buying a fancier microscope from time to time, but this one works very well for my purposes, and I haven't been able to justify spending more for the fancier ones. Maybe I'll eventually get one with a camera (or buy a separate USB microscope).Edit: When the microscope arrived, the LED light did not function. The power supply was fine, and the LED itself was broken. I relayed this to Amscope and asked for a replacement LED to avoid shipping costs, and they sent a new LED. They said sending only the replacement part worked better for them as well. It's not cool that it was broken, but I was happy with their response.

author: Raddic
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 16, 2023, 05:22:12 pm
content: Thanks for the response. I would be looking for something with a camera. It is reassuring to hear that AmScope were happy to sort out the issue too.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2023, 06:28:29 pm
content: Look for something like this:https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/204346818934?hash=item2f94050176:g:AGYAAOSwrmdkbYSx&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8E%2F9Rov4cmQnsIYkEo1wyIKoKriv5aleZLJWCyuBFpnWb23jGlLBrY%2FyFIf6I6vChE5Qjw03LKSC1G0P0aYwQ2WkruJJR5pusRfH7c0OOek9czr5Le%2Bp%2BFopKyFID4M3BjKOnqT0C6UkH5j%2BjJ1AGsMgvT5rjzu%2FTJsHmox1a%2BPfsYM1V3mgB7Ky16TCkwkKaxXhmIps%2FUihGqZ%2FbFl11z7GPQjakEY6Jmcqog8veT1R37HDDodI%2FZ4VRbdvga4rpoAoMo275XvfUcWfN7ph%2BEb15bGdzx1yj%2FlE6f%2FvpiVwIHl4HKyNtyiORx3yqK7NFQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4yt7PPTYgThey make different types of these things and the one I have has camera.It projects onto a computer monitor or a projector.