Recommendations for microscope, given my use case - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 07:06:16 pm
content: I don't have a ton of room on my bench so I can't get anything huge. At most I'd like to spend <= $400 or so in total, of course I am fine going cheaper if there's something good for the money. That's just the general ballpark for my max budget.I want to be able to do a few things with my microscope:1. SMD soldering (I don't work with huge boards or anything so I don't think I necessarily need a boom arm or whatever it's called).2. Part inspection (taking things apart, seeing how they work, observing finer details).3. I also want to be able to make videos of what I see through the microscope. I don't know what most people do here. Do they get a stereoscopic microscope and literally attach a camera up to the eyepiece, or do they get a USB microscope and use special software to record what the camera sees? Or just a basic screen recorder? I don't know what my options are here.Thank you.

author: sentry
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 07:34:59 pm
content: I recently bought this microscope from Banggood.com for doing SMD soldering and part inspection. Like you my workbench isn't huge either.https://www.banggood.com/G600-Digital-1-600X-3-6MP-4-3inch-HD-LCD-Display-Microscope-Continuous-Magnifier-Upgrade-Version-p-1152799.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CNIt only cost 56 dollars and it works great. I'm happy with it. You can watch a review of it here:It can also record videos via Micro SD card.

author: Discotech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 07:45:36 pm
content: 1. You only need upto 10x mag for SMD2. Probably less than SMD requirement unless you want to look for tiny hairline cracks in things ?3. Most use simul focal trinocular where it's effectively 3 eye pieces 2 for your eyes and 1 for camera, be careful on getting normal trinocular though as if it doesn't say simul-focal you will get 1 eye while camera takes the otherhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/simul-focal-Continuous-Zoom-7-45X-Trinocular-Stereo-Microscope-HDMI-VGA-microscope-camera-56-LED-Light/32851330647.html?spm=2114.search0604.3.22.25274d6fs388TV&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10151_10065_10344_10068_10130_5012917_10324_10342_10547_10325_10343_10340_10548_10341_10696_5013115_10192_10190_10084_10083_10618_10307_10820_10301_10821_10303_5013017_10059_100031_5013215_10103_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_51,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=b9852ecc-c18e-4531-bb23-92f003b502b8-3&algo_pvid=b9852ecc-c18e-4531-bb23-92f003b502b8&transAbTest=ae803_2&priceBeautifyAB=0Is cheapest I have found for what looks to be decent scope + camera (camera isn't the best but it's okay) from a decent seller as well with good reviewsI've seen a lot of folk on here will recommend Lucky Zoom store too -https://www.aliexpress.com/store/3246006?spm=2114.search0604.3.5.4b3e5b6d8Dn1hB#Other than that there's really only Amscope but these are premium and probably out of your budget

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 08:53:36 pm
content: Quote from: Sekkai on August 16, 2018, 07:06:16 pmOK, a very important parameter is the "working distance" ie. the distance from the objective lens to the object in focus. You want enough room to get your hands, tweezer and a soldering iron under there. 4" is a must, maybe up to 6" is even better.If the microscope has a ring light, make sure the ring light doesn't eat up some of that working distance. I had to make my own LED ring light, the one that came with the scope added 1.5 - 2" which really got in the way.Jon

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:08:52 pm
content: Yeah the working distance indeed seems very importantI'm in the States and would prefer not to order equipment off AliExpress/BangGood/etc if I can help it; are there any good ones on Amazon?I came across these, any good? (not sure their difference though)https://www.amazon.com/Opti-Tekscope-Digital-Microscope-Definition-1600x1200/dp/B00PEZ3GMKhttps://www.amazon.com/Opti-Tekscope-Digital-Microscope-Advanced-Definition/dp/B0184CCOY0

author: Discotech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:15:54 pm
content: There's only really Amscope then if you don't want to go through Aliexpress routeThose USB scopes aren't really worth it, the only decent ones are the Andonstar ADSM201 and ADSM301

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:35:59 pm
content: Quote from: Discotech on August 16, 2018, 09:15:54 pmUnless I am looking at the wrong ones, these don't seem that popular / reviewed at all on Amazon?There also appears to be a ADSM302?https://www.amazon.com/Andonstar-Digital-Microscope-Soldering-ADSM302/dp/B076XYRCYM/

author: Discotech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:39:19 pm
content: Quote from: Sekkai on August 16, 2018, 09:35:59 pmThey're the best of the cheap"ish" USB scopes

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:42:09 pm
content: I had just found / was viewing that video myself.The black one on the far left I think is the ADSM301?, not sure how it differs yet from the one I just linked, the ADSM302. Which do you think is the best/better pick?Edit: Nvm I think it's actually the 302, lol no wonder I was having difficultyStarting to heavily tilt towards the ADSM302

author: Discotech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:51:35 pm
content: Quote from: Sekkai on August 16, 2018, 09:42:09 pmThere's very little difference302 is smaller and has a taller standThe camera sensor is the same for both so it's whether you want to pay a lot extra for the 302 heightIt's also worth mentioning in you want to capture via USB you'll only get image in 720p if you want full HD you'll need HDMI and a capture device in order to make videos/stream

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:51:41 pm
content: the adsm302 is has a tilting monitor you can adjust, and also a higher stand height (better to reduce the zoom that is too large for smd)I have one adsm302 and very happy with it.I also have a former $56 like in the second post in this thread, with a nice aluminium stand that make it far betterbut the monitor definition is complete crap compared to the adsm302.I only use the adsm302 now. I don't have room for an amscope.

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:54:06 pm
content: Quote from: Discotech on August 16, 2018, 09:51:35 pmSorry my English isn't the best but what does this mean?With the 302, USB recording is only 720p (even though it says it's HDMI)? Full HD I need a separate device entirely?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:55:21 pm
content: Is this style really to big?http://s.aliexpress.com/buUNr2Yv

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 09:56:00 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on August 16, 2018, 09:51:41 pmDo you record video with ADSM302 at all?

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 10:02:55 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on August 16, 2018, 09:55:21 pmThis also looks like a very attractive option, but not sure I fully understand the camera and how it works (there is a switch that goes between two eyes + no cam and one eye + cam), presumably the camera fits into the top somehow, it doesn't show how it's supposed to be used. Microscope only goes to 45x magnification I believe, ADSM302 goes to 560x, correct?

author: Discotech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 10:11:19 pm
content: Quote from: Sekkai on August 16, 2018, 09:54:06 pmIf you connect the scope via USB it will output only 720p videoIf you connect the scope via HDMI it will output Full HD @ 1080p to anything that accepts HDMI as inputBut if you want to record in full HD on your PC you need an adapter called a capture device which takes the video and inputs it into your PC at HD because PC's do not have HDMI inputs, only outputsSomething similar to this -https://www.elgato.com/en/gaming/game-capture-hd60-s

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 10:12:17 pm
content: Yes switch for 2 eyepiece or 1 eyepiece and camera port at top.I have used a simulfocus microscope without the switch and it seemed that the eyepiece optical path was not as good. Which makes sense. They have extra optics to split some light to the camera. So unless you plan to livestream, it maybe better to get the kind with the switch.Yeah. I don't know much about the camera they show in that listing. I got the bigger blue one.Heres a link to the camera being sold by itself with more infohttp://s.aliexpress.com/U7RfUvAFThese hdmi/usb/sdcard cams arent to bad. We use them at work. Dont expect more quallity than a 720p image though.I think thats the sensor size they use.http://s.aliexpress.com/aMBFjQJzIf getting one of these type of microscopes you definily will also want to get a 0.5 barlow lens for the bottom and a 1/2 cmount adaptor for the camea.

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 10:18:48 pm
content: Quote from: Discotech on August 16, 2018, 10:11:19 pmI own a Macbook Pro, there is a port on the side of my computer labeled HDMI, is this HDMI input?edit: google suggests it is output only.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 10:23:04 pm
content: Hdmi input for capture is very rare.No laptop/pc would have it by default. It would be an expensive ad on

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 10:26:40 pm
content: I think I will just settle for 720p if I have to buy a bunch of extra stuff just to get 1080p recording out of it.That Luckyzoom, it will work without a computer as well which seems to be a plus, and then I can use the camera + USB to computer to record in 720p? Blue camera is 14MP vs. the 5MP that comes with the scope, main difference? Would it look not so great with the 5 MP camera vs. the 14? I don't see any reviews of this scope or cameras on YouTube.

author: Discotech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 10:30:59 pm
content: Quote from: Sekkai on August 16, 2018, 10:18:48 pmYou need a capture device if you want HDMI input on any computer (unless that computer has a device pre installed)Something like thishttps://www.amazon.com/Capture-ezcap-Video-1080P-Recorder/dp/B00KMTYPXC/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1534458472&sr=1-5&keywords=ezcapIt will capture 1080p at 30fps which is all you need if you're on a budget and need something to capture hdmi

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 10:36:26 pm
content: Quote from: Discotech on August 16, 2018, 10:30:59 pmSo connect HDMI-to-HDMI cable from microscope to input port in capture box, then HDMI-to-USB cable from output port on capture box to output HDMI port on Mac?

author: Discotech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 10:48:09 pm
content: Quote from: Sekkai on August 16, 2018, 10:36:26 pmCapture device will either be a PCI expansion card or connected via USB2 or 3 (Usb 3 allows 1080@60fps due to higher bandwidth)Scope -> Device -> PC

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 10:56:51 pm
content: I may just stick with 720p to save on the complications / cost... I'm looking at 720 vs 1080 comparison videos online and most people can't seem to tell the difference (I know I can't).

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 11:25:57 pm
content: Fullscreen over hdmi you can tell 720 vs 1080But 720p is fineIve used both the 720p and 1080p versionsWith the blue720p cam i got you can record 720p video over USB. I cant recall what the frame rate was though.Usually with usb video capture the high resolutions have slower fps.If you want to solder while watching a monitor then youd def want to use HDMI though, and im sure HDMI recordings using a hdmi capture card will look better than usb recordings.

author: Sekkai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2018, 11:26:09 pm
content: Choosing between the ADSM302 and the Luckyzoom is like...https://media.tenor.com/images/aadc8595e67d3072118d0d147af16255/tenor.gif