microscope recomandation - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bolovan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2023, 11:14:49 am
content: Hello All,I want to buy a microscope.First think: I am not a professional and it will not be used as professional. It will be used as home user (for ocasional repairs/inspection/build DIY etc). As with age...my eyes are not so god anymore and I had to replace a mosfet on my motherboard...and it was a pain. Also I want to make some modifications (experimenting) on a transceiver board...almost all components are smd...and with just a magnify lens...is not too easySo the price range is something between 150-300 euro (if in this range it will be also the shipment...it will be nice). I don't make pictures (even the facility is nice...and probably I will use this)What I found until now:https://www.amazon.com/Andonstar-AD246-M-Microscope-Soldering-Biological/dp/B09VPN2561?th=1https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000052074925.html?gps-id=pcStoreJustForYou&scm=1007.23125.137358.0&scm_id=1007.23125.137358.0&scm-url=1007.23125.137358.0&pvid=0d3ca068-1a16-4e4e-84d9-241a62aeb458&spm=a2g0o.store_home.smartJustForYou_512523718.3https://www.amazon.com/TOMLOV-DM601-Microscope-Soldering-Compatible/dp/B0BK6Q33KK?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1But I am not very decided what to chooseThanks for help

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2023, 11:23:57 am
content: Your 1st and 3rd links are more toys than real microscopes. You really need 3D to get a good experience and you only get that with two eyepieces and not a screen.I recommend the seller called "Lucky Zoom Official Store" on aliexpress.Have got 5 microscopes from them over the years for various people and never had an issue.https://luckyzoomluckyzoom.aliexpress.com/store/300856?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.14.35d93618pnbaBoYou first need to decide if you require a microscope with support for adding a camera as that will limit optionsor reduce cost if you dont need it.oh and I recommend getting a 0.5x barlow adaptor as that will give you a really good working distance.Some listings will include a 2x and 0.5x with the microscope, but not all do.

author: bolovan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2023, 11:41:12 am
content: In the meantime...I also found one more interestinghttps://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07HDXXKD7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&p&sc=1and is in my price range.@PSI I see that they have also in my price range ..even is on upper limit (around 400 euros with shipping ...as I said...I am not professional...and I will use the miscroscope 2-3 times/month ...so is not worth to sped 6-700 euros on one)https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004447697950.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.52.583055e12G0hvD&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21RON%21RON%201%2C744.25%21RON%201%2C447.72%21%21%21%21%21%40211b88ec16742143780647432ef9c4%2112000029210580196%21shCamera is not a must...but is nice to have

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2023, 11:58:45 am
content: Last Spring, I got a scope like that for about $50:https://www.amazon.com/Microscope-Micsci-Magnification-Electronic-Rechargeable/dp/B09313M6HD/ref=sr_1_11?crid=3HK0EBNBB07FR&keywords=LCD+Digital+Microscope%2C4.3+Inch...&qid=1674214910&sprefix=lcd+digital+microscope%2C4.3+inch...%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-11Yes, it's a toy, and that stand is wobbly as shown, and there is noticeable distortion. What I didn't like most was the magnification was too high, and to get something usable for me, I needed to raise the camera on a real ring stand. However, current listings show more robust stands that allow greater working distances for slightly more money. NB: They are not 3D like a dissecting scope is, but it might be usable for you. It's a tradeoff between looking at a screen with a comfortable tilt and a dissecting scope where you either sit higher or have a lower table. The screen version, of course has built in ability to take photographs.That said, I just use a head visor with 2X glass lenses. For pictures, I use a dissecting scope with camera adapter or just a camera macro lens.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2023, 11:06:34 pm
content: Quote from: bolovan on January 20, 2023, 11:41:12 amThe first one would be OK if you don't mind no zoom, but, you'd also want to see if 10x and 20x are reasonable levels for you to work at, its fairly high for electronics.I would usually work at ~5X, and then maybe zoom to 10X when doing fine modifications or inspection.Do a local search if you can for used stereo zoom microscopes, you might see something reasonable.

author: Krotow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2023, 04:35:16 pm
content: TOMLOV DM601 is toy/classroom grade as people said. Also it and Andonstar AD249-M are useful only for small boards. Like no larger than 5x10 cm. Even smaller laptop motherboards doesn't fit fully between lens and mount, which made such board repairs very inconvenient. Plus zoom is very limited. Swift S41-20 have same space limitations as both scopes above.Scope under second link seems fine for the money.I have mentioned Andonstar scope too and don't use it anymore because of mentioned bottom space issues. Instead got a set of stand camera with mount and lens. Particularly because I have 27" monitor at front of my working spot and also shop had discount on most items at the time when I searched for a new scope. Doesn't woble too if table is firm enough. No problems with zoom too.