Original Mantis - Antiglare glass, fan-light upgrade and service questions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 03:30:23 pm
content: After a couple of months of waiting and watering in my mouth I got on original Mantis in ebayeBay auction: #191471384220it has 4 lenses included (x2 x4 x6 x8) and for Euro 700 I could not pass it, I hope I spent well my money.Now it has some minor defects which are not compromising the functionality, but I need some information about the missing antiglare glass, see below picture number 3 (PN 187-B-0090):is it important? Should I buy a replacement?Moreover I am of course planning to upgrade to LED and remove the fan which it should be not necessary if the old lights are not more there. Can you confirm me with LED the fan makes no more sense?On the side, why nodoby is thinking on putting a LED ring with the possibility to turn on just a particular section? Like this:In my experience a light coming form a particular direction could improve the visibility under particular conditions... (like reading the numbers on the IC)Now the questions for the experts, the manual says:QuoteUh? What I read in the www is normally the alignment is OK and I should not touch it (maybe just because there is no way I can set it right without the expensive fixture for it). Now, why nodoby it talking about the moisture check?Thanks in advance for the inputs.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 04:01:36 pm
content: that is just a plastic smoked neutral density filter.the reason it is there is so that, after looking to the viewer you want to look down to the board you don;t get blinded by the light.it levels out the light shining through the viewer and what comes up form the work surface. better for your eyes.get a piece of smokey plexiglass and off you go.i replaced the halogens with IKEA LED lights. the ones on the flexible arms. works like a champ

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 04:10:54 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on January 06, 2015, 04:01:36 pmThanksfree_electron, bulleye on the smokey plexiglass.Probably a stupid question forgive me, do you still have the fan running with the IKEA LED?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 04:21:39 pm
content: nopeone thing you want to do with the mantis is give the optics a good cleaning. they do attract solder smoke over time. ...i use an external fume extractor now so i dont have that problem anymore

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 04:22:58 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on January 06, 2015, 04:21:39 pmThanks I was thinking about some satanic reasons like avoid the solder fume to go into the mantis lens...EDIT: Just saw your additional comment, thanks!

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 04:23:19 pm
content: http://www.amazon.com/LED-Circline-Lamp-8-inch-NON-DIMMABLE/dp/B00PC8K74Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420561029&sr=8-3&keywords=Led+t9Zucca,This is my favorite work lamp. This is a US version, but if you contact the seller, they have a 240v/50hz version as well. The light is excellent from it.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 04:29:12 pm
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on January 06, 2015, 04:23:19 pmNice beast! Sorry guys I don't have the Mantis in my hands yet. What is the min hole radius the LED ring must have in order to work in a Mantis set up?I have this animal available for free:but it has a 63.5 mm hole radius...

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 05:37:07 pm
content: Tip for dessicant pack rejuvenation depends if the housing is a metal or a low melting point plastic. If metal place in an oven at 110C (220F) for 3 hours, till it turns blue again. If it is plastic open it, pour the gel out into a metal pie dish and do in the oven as above until blue, then refill the holder and close up then place back in the unit. I still have a 5kg bucket of silica gel, and it is still blue.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 06:24:48 pm
content: I think the Mantis lenses are much smaller. Maybe 50mm at most. Good score BTW! I wish I had room for a Mantis.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 07:10:37 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on January 06, 2015, 05:37:07 pmSometime it is so easy once you know it, many thanksSeanB

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 07:12:49 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on January 06, 2015, 06:24:48 pmpfffffffuuu ... finally someone said that,Quote from: nctnico on January 06, 2015, 06:24:48 pmIf you need one, come to Munich Germany and PM me.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 07:38:35 pm
content: Quote from: zucca on January 06, 2015, 07:10:37 pmI used to do that a lot........... But we also had some 44 gallon drums full of dessicant packs, in sizes ranging from 50g to 10kg. Not nice silica gel clear, but the bulk powder that you would regenerate in an oven, with a green indicating sachet sewn to the cloth bags.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 09:03:45 pm
content: ringlights dont work on a mantis.remeber the mantis has two objectives that you can swap by moving a lever. mounting a ring light on one blocks the other ....als , illuminating straight down doesnt work well with a mantis either. there si a reason those lamps sit under an angle and there is a wheel to change that angle. this is done to cast shadows inbetwene pins of things like tqfp packages. this aids the 3d perception you get out of this machine....

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 09:30:17 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on January 06, 2015, 09:03:45 pmMmm... In Italy we use to say too much wood on fire. I need to see how the Mantis works and then think on it.Regarding the shadow casting, it was my thought when I proposed the switchable partially illuminated ring.Can you share with us what exactly are those IKEA LED lights?BTW it is always a pleasure to discuss technical stuff with you, thanks for helping me.Take care,

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 11:28:13 pm
content: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80169636/i got four or five of those. clamp wherever you need em.