AmScope SE306R-P20 or SE400-Z? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MrZeroo00
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2016, 09:58:47 pm
content: Hi all,I'm buying some soldering and test equipment and I do SMT soldering occasionally, mostly 0603 but 0201 from time to time too. I'm trying to get a cheap but still decent binocular and I hesitate between these two models:AmScope SE-400-Z for $184.98:https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SE400-Z-Professional-Microscope-Magnification/dp/B005C75IVM/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1473196186&sr=1-2&keywords=amscopeAmScope SE306R-P20 for $117.49:https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SE306R-P20-Forward-Mounted-Microscope-Magnification/dp/B005APM5C6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473198194&sr=8-1&keywords=SE306R-P20I'm not savvy enough about binocular optical characteristics, do you guys have any thoughts or experience with these models?

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2016, 01:12:21 am
content: Don't bother with the second one, it's meant more for observing than working on the subject.Personally I would pay a little extra and purchase this onehttps://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SW-3T24Z-Trinocular-Microscope-Magnification/dp/B004TOZ6AW/ref=sr_1_18?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1473210344&sr=1-18&keywords=amscopeI bought one off ebay similar to this onehttps://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SM-4TZ-144A-Professional-Trinocular-Magnification/dp/B004UBNIMC/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1473210344&sr=1-3&keywords=amscopeQuite frankly it was one of the best purchases I ever made

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2016, 02:54:25 am
content: I've been very happy with this one:https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SM-1BX-Professional-Microscope-Magnification/dp/B005MTKS4W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1473216800&sr=8-2&keywords=amscope+sm-1bx

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2016, 03:42:38 am
content: Quote from: MrZeroo00 on September 06, 2016, 09:58:47 pmI bought a microscope like the one in your second link. It's not good for soldering. The working distance is too short and since it's not on a boom it's always in the way. Good for just looking at stuff though.Louis Rossmann has posted some informative videos about microscopes for repair or youtube. He does motherboard repairs and I believe he recommended the SE400-z

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2016, 01:04:16 pm
content: I have the first one (SE-400-Z ) and it's very good..

author: alexg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2016, 04:25:04 pm
content: I've got 400Z not so long ago, very happy, and I think you should get that one too. I posted my experience here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/amscope-se400-z/msg1007774/#msg1007774Since then I've done quite few PCBs with it and still very happy. 10X lens is all you need for PCBs.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 06:05:00 am
content: I guess they don't have the 400Z for international market, with 220volt supply instead?, I guess it's only the Light, but still..

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 06:49:25 am
content: Quote from: neslekkim on September 08, 2016, 06:05:00 amI got 400X (5-10 magnifiication and gooseneck light) and that one is 240V ..Drop them an email..

author: MrZeroo00
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2016, 02:36:07 pm
content: Quote from: neslekkim on September 08, 2016, 06:05:00 amThere is a question on the Amazon page, the seller answered:QuoteThank you all for the suggestions, it seems that there is a consensus around the 400Z. I'll settle for that one.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 01:32:59 pm
content: the amscopes, do you people prefer the LED light or the other light?, i guess LED should be ok, but was curious to the fact that the LED version was cheaper than the other type.

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 03:17:05 pm
content: I've only had the LED but it is cheap and works perfect. You can adjust the brightness with a knob.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 06:13:24 pm
content: Quote from: neslekkim on September 09, 2016, 01:32:59 pmThe kit I bought came with the fluorescent tube type. I'd read elsewhere on this forum that the 144 led type was brighter, I ordered it and it was indeed brighter and adjustable.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 06:38:04 pm
content: cool, will have to think about this, the scope looks nice, and cheap, except that shipping is an extra $100, the most similar one I have found here is about $430.sorry for the language, but the picture here looks like the SE400 series:http://www.dinkikkert.no/mikroskop/optika-st-50-ledCalled Optika ST-50 here it seems

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 06:54:54 pm
content: I have recently bought the same microscope from GT Vision in UK. You will save on postage and customs compared to having it shipped from the US (it is a large box and pretty heavy!):http://www.gtvision.co.uk/I can only recommend them, their customer service is really great.The scope is indeed pretty good for the price, but I recommend that you get a 5x and 10x eyepieces instead of the standard 10x and 20x. I have also asked them to change the objectives to 1x and 2x instead of the standard 2x and 3.5x, because for soldering one really doesn't need the 70x max magnification and it gives you a bit more working distance. The lenses are for the same price, so the swap was free of charge.Be aware that itis nota zoom microscope, so you will have to change lenses to change magnification. Not a big problem but it is a bit of a mechanical PITA due to the stupidly designed fixation screws. A zoom scope is both quite a bit larger and some $200 more expensive, though. I don't have that large bench, so the small form factor is welcome.My scope came with the halogen lamp on a little ball-jointed arm - it works, but it doesn't have adjustable intensity (but no glare issues, because it shines from the side, not top) and it is fairly easy to get burned on it because it is right next to the focusing knobIf you can, get the LED light instead. Also be aware that the mains cord is not removable, so make sure to ask the seller to give you one with the correct plug. Mine came with the UK "brick" plug because I didn't realize that. Not a big deal, the cord is only for the lamp, but you will either need an adaptor or will have to replace the plug.SE306R-P20 is useless for soldering - the working distance and the size of the table is tiny, you wouldn't be able to work under it. Also the magnification is way too much. You will mostly use up to 20x, 40x is usable only for inspection.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 08:14:52 pm
content: It would be this one that is the same model then?http://www.gtvision.co.uk/epages/es141397.sf/en_GB/?

author: ulix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 08:19:56 pm
content: @neslekkim: the link is broken...@janoc: which one do you mean??Cheers

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 08:25:07 pm
content: crap, does this work then:http://www.gtvision.co.uk/epages/es141397.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es141397/Categories/Stereo_Microscopes/ST50_Long_Reach_Single_Mag_Range

author: Nuno_pt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2016, 08:40:14 pm
content: I like the C2D Long.But the 400Z from epay is giving me 41.11€ for GPS program, and $76.47 VAT + the 177.37€ for the Binocular.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2016, 12:27:58 pm
content: Quote from: neslekkim on September 09, 2016, 08:25:07 pmYup, that's the one. I got it actually through their eBay store, but it is better to order directly through their website, it saves you the convoluted mess which is the eBay's shipping system (there is apparently such thing now).

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2016, 12:30:10 pm
content: Quote from: Nuno_pt on September 09, 2016, 08:40:14 pmC2D Long is exactly the same scope, just the mount has a bit different lamp installed, thus the boom is a bit longer and they offer it with different lenses by default. The working distance is the same too, if you put the same lenses (1x objective + 10x eye pieces) in the 400-Z.If you want really long reach, then I would probably consider a different stand - there are several types available on the website, so you can mix and match the microscope heads with different stands depending on your need, space available and budget. The boom on 400-Z is so so, if you turn the scope around to have more working space (the base facing away from you), it still doesn't topple over but only barely. The C2D with longer boom will likely not hold still like that unless they made the base significantly heavier (doesn't seems so - it looks like the bases are the same).I actually prefer the side, not top-down lighting, because you won't get glare with the side illumination. The lamps are spotlights, not diffuse (unlike a ring light) and there is no intensity control.

author: crispus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2016, 02:08:55 pm
content: Quote from: MrZeroo00 on September 06, 2016, 09:58:47 pmHi,How much is the shipping for you? I tried to buy from amazon, and the shipping for AmScope SM-4TP was more than the microscope itself, more then $500

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2016, 07:05:57 pm
content: Quote from: crispus on September 10, 2016, 02:08:55 pmThat's to be expected, the scope is packed in a very large box full of styrofoam and is very heavy, so the overseas shipping is going to be expensive.From GT Vision I have paid £299,99 (€363,44) total, shipping by courrier included (it was posted as "free shipping"). Sounds expensive compared to US/Amazon prices, but there is also VAT included in the price that is not paid in the US (and you would have to pay it on receipt).

author: MrZeroo00
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2016, 07:50:41 pm
content: I just got mine. Very happy with it so far!Side note: the lighting of the binocular is rated for AC 100-240V.The little adapter they send (if you ask for it) is a US-to-EU wall plug only.Does anyone know what this little tool is for?

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2016, 08:19:36 pm
content: Quote from: MrZeroo00 on September 20, 2016, 07:50:41 pmGlad to hear that!Quote from: MrZeroo00 on September 20, 2016, 07:50:41 pmThat's actually good question, I haven't identified what that thing is for neither yet. Maybe a lever to push the objectives out of the head? (they slide out to the side). No clue ..EDIT:Apparently it is a tool to adjust the various knobs, do'h!http://www.amscope.com/how-to-use-microscope