Vision Engineering Mantis (Original not Elite) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ruairi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 03:19:28 am
content: Hi all,I have been offered an apparently working Vision Engineering Mantis for a fair price. I'm not sure what magnifications are installed and it is missing the base, which seems to be available on eBay for approx $50.I know that the Elite is very well regarded. Any thoughts on this unit for SMD work? I'm using a nice Luxo magnifier but my eyesight is not what it once was.Cheers,Ruairi

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 03:25:06 am
content: How fair is the price?What are the magnification

author: ruairi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 03:42:42 am
content: I'd rather not say the price, but cheaper than anything listed on eBay. There are two lens fitted but I won't know the magnifications until tomorrow.This is my first microscope so assuming it works as it should I'm just wondering if it's a good buy?

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 03:50:42 am
content: Mantis is very good if is in good condition and price is fine, is a must have.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 03:57:51 am
content: Trying to figure out the differences between the original and elite. I would love to have one, but have not yet been able to make it happen.Sent from my horrible mobile....

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 05:18:00 am
content: Both the original Mantis and the Mantis Elite can mount two objectives.They both can be fitted with 2x, 4x, 6x, 10x, and 6x SuperLong-Working-Distance objectives, but the Elite also fits 15x and 20x objectives. The new objectives have different product codes (but I'm not sure if they are compatible).Only the Elite has LED illuminators (it has one for the left and one for the right). The Elite can also use an epi-illuminator (a halogen bulb that shines down along the same optical path as the image). The original Mantis only has a diffuse halogen light. The original Mantis bench stand version (Mantis FX) also uses a halogen substage illuminator for transparent samples, whereas the Mantis Elite substage uses LED lighting. The Elite is available with an articulated boom, in addition to the standard boom type like the one on the original.

author: ruairi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 06:27:48 am
content: Excellent info Gents, thank you. I'm going to try to pick this one up tomorrow and will report.Cheers,Ruairi

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 08:38:09 am
content: i have both 6x and 10x lense on mine.. The 10x doe'sn get use that much. The 6x is my go to.

author: SvanGool
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 08:54:11 pm
content: I equipped my "original" one with a LED ring lamp like:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-144-LED-Bulb-Microscope-Ring-Light-Illuminator-Lamp-US-UK-EU-AU-Plug-/271482803721, that was a very useful addition to an excellent piece of equipment (4x and 10x lenses) for working with SMD/SMT.

author: ruairi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 09:22:01 pm
content: Great info, thank you.Just picked it up,bothlenses are x10! What are the chances of someone here having a x4 or x6 and wanting to swap for a x10?Will set up and test later today.

author: SvanGool
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2017, 10:34:07 pm
content: I think you will have no problem finding people who are willing to make that trade

author: ruairi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 12:02:18 am
content: Quote from: SvanGool on April 17, 2017, 10:34:07 pmI can't tell if you are serious or not?! I'm not up to speed on the relative desirability of the various lens.

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 02:16:44 am
content: Now you have it, can you tell us how much you paid for it?

author: ruairi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 02:22:37 am
content: Quote from: mrpackethead on April 18, 2017, 02:16:44 amI paid $100. The lens are not perfect and it's all a little dusty but it did come with the desk mount and the bulbs are working. All in all I'm very happy.It was from an assembly house and the owner told me that for all day work his team prefer tradition stereo microscopes. I got a quick tour of the pick and place, reflow and assembly setups.

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 09:11:38 am
content: $100 is an absolute steal!! even with a 10x..I'm suprized that anyone would want a stereo microscope over a mantis... but you've lucked in on that!!

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 10:20:58 am
content: Quote from: mrpackethead on April 18, 2017, 09:11:38 amThe ability to swing my microscope head away from the edge of the workbench to inspect larger boards from arbitrary angles isn't something I'd want to give up.I'm very skeptical that Mantises are any better than a good stereo microscope in pretty much any respect. I don't see how they could be. I can imagine them being better than abadmicroscope, though, or a microscope that hasn't been set up properly.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 10:36:38 am
content: Quote from: KE5FX on April 18, 2017, 10:20:58 amIsn't Mantis the one you can see "around" the object by simply moving your head, without moving the board?

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 10:37:35 am
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on April 18, 2017, 10:36:38 amThat's my understanding, but how is that better than moving the board?

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 10:45:09 am
content: Less neck fatigue, I guess. Bending over the oculars of a normal microscope, in a fixed position, for hours - not fun. Also frees both hands for soldering. Still, I never used a Mantis, so I don't really know how much of an advantage it gives over a normal microscope.

author: ruairi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 03:40:20 pm
content: Quote from: KE5FX on April 18, 2017, 10:20:58 am

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 08:00:12 pm
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on April 18, 2017, 10:45:09 amEveryone I know who has one absolutely loves it. I've never had a chance to try one, so I might turn into a believer one of these days too...

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2017, 02:11:10 am
content: Quote from: KE5FX on April 18, 2017, 08:00:12 pmYou can't have mine. :-)

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2017, 08:05:32 pm
content: Quote from: ruairi on April 17, 2017, 09:22:01 pmI've got a spare x2 if that would be of any interest. I suspect the x10 might make the working distance too short for soldering work but might be good for inspection.

author: 4thDoctorWhoFan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2017, 12:17:30 pm
content: Quote from: H.O on April 19, 2017, 08:05:32 pmI agree that the 10X working distance is not conducive to soldering. I prefer using the 4X for overview & the 8X for doing the soldering.