Using a USB microscope for board work - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dumle29
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2013, 10:32:03 pm
content: Hi, I've been wondering if one of these:http://dx.com/p/portable-usb-2-0-20x-800x-2mp-digital-microscope-with-8-led-illumination-black-72915USB microscopes (x20-x800) could be used as a microscope, for working on smd and that sort of stuff.That particular model claims a focus range of 10mm ~ 500mm.It would be very interesting to see a video about this

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2013, 11:10:05 pm
content: I use a very similar unit occasionally. Very handy for reading numbers on smaller SMD parts.

author: dumle29
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2013, 11:19:55 pm
content: What about hot air smd work? would there be enough distance, to not scorch the scope? Or wait, thinking about it, you probably wont use the scope during reflow, but for placement an inspection before and after

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2013, 11:23:22 pm
content: I have generally found them difficult to use - a lot of setting up, cabling to a VGA monitor, then it's not in line of sight, constant focus adjusting,poor contrast resolution (2D image), bad shadow effects from the lighting etc etcIF you have reasonable sight, then a goosenecked LED magnifier lamp is your best choice, say 130mm lens, 2X - 3X mag.Option2 is the headset type. I know they look dorky, but great to use, especially when constantly moving your work around.Option3 is a Boom Stereo microscope, but that's the deluxe option !! We use all 3 here all the time

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2013, 12:57:50 am
content: A USB microscope is not the right tool for all occasions, but that's why you have a variety of tools!Sometimes I find the USB microscope handy, other times I'll use a loupe or head magnifier, etc.

author: Skimask
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2013, 04:38:24 am
content: Those things are on ebay all the time for ~$10.$41 from dealextreme is way overpriced.

author: dumle29
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2013, 05:34:01 am
content: what are the specs on those?resolution, focal length, zoom degree?I doubt they are x20-x800 or 500mm focal length (which i doubt that one is too)

author: Skimask
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2013, 05:48:31 am
content: They'll all from China, as Dave would say, One-Hung-Lo brand. Spec's are dubious at best, for practically anything branded as such. Either works or it don't. And at $10, I can afford to burn one here and there.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2013, 05:53:49 am
content: I have a clone of that, and find it useful to inspect the occasional small part, but would not recommend it to do a lot of work with. Shallow DOF, slow ( software it comes with is worse than useless, I use an open source alternative) speed camera but pretty good picture. Not going to solder under it, you cannot get a finger in unless you take the plastic hood off and then you can cook the lens and lights with the iron easily.I use a big magnifier that I got with a set of helping hands ( that are not that great otherwise) but most often I use a set of salvaged optics ( made by ISCO in Gottingen, very nice glass) from an old video camera I bought at auction ( big old fashioned 3 opticon unit with a massive beam splitter and a whole set of lenses inside) ultra cheap as non working. For really big I have the fresnel lens from an overhead projector.

author: JoannaK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2013, 05:43:44 am
content: I'm testing one good resolution (at least 720P) Usb.microscope at the moment. Image feed is *slow* so thre's not much hope of real time work (or fluid video) with it, but it does offer quite good still images. If I find easy/foolproof way to test real Resolution I'll do it and report back here with link to seller and my test.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2013, 08:17:01 pm
content: Has anyone tried one of these (not mine)?http://www.ebay.com/itm/2MP-USB-Digital-Microscope-Endoscope-Camera-Circuit-Board-repair-Inspection-tool-/400399105263Looks like it would be OK for board work. It's got some videos posted with it and it looks like it could easily be adapted to a different stand if needed.

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2013, 08:36:06 pm
content: I wonder how much lag these USB ones have, like to see JoannaK’s findings, one with real time video would be a lot better I guess.I am planning to look in to this here:http://www.ebay.com/itm/320947370334?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649This should be real time and if the resolution is right with 2M it can be good candidate for this price.I got a TV loop which is for people with sight problems but it is black and white and there is not depth in there that makes harder to solder.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2013, 09:25:16 pm
content: IMO you willNOTbe happy with any camera microscope setup forregular board worklike component placement and soldering. the camera update rate to the laptop is too slow and you do not have binocular vision so you have no depth perception. The only reason I have one is for doing videos and measurement on still photos.

author: dr_p
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2013, 09:58:11 am
content: I recently disassembled a scanner and recovered a lens assembly similar to these in the photo. With good lighting they are excellent for inspecting SMD work or part numbers. Kind of like a jeweler's loupe. Also free, so...I'm thinking of adding a small DIY LED ring.