Good Quality Microscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 09:40:36 pm
content: Hi,I want to buy a good quality microscope. I have a Chinise microscope with camera and a flexible arm but the image isn't so clear... image has shadows and reflections. I have worked with the mantis microscope in my university and his image was absolutely perfect with the only downside; the body possition destroys my back.I found the tagarno microscope (I saw that and Dave Jones uses this brand) and I want to ask your opinions.Also, do you know what is thedifference between the ZAP and MOVE version. I can't find many details of these microscopes or for a price at all.Tagarno Digital Microscopes:https://tagarno.com/digital-microscopes-solution/I read that MOVE version has more applications, but I would like a personal experience if any guy has with these microscopes.https://tagarno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/TAGARNO_ZAP_refurbishment_for_MOVE_compatibility.pdf

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 10:15:40 pm
content: Mantis is 3D, Tagarno is 2D, they aren't really comparable.Why was it a back issue? If you have an adjustable height bench that might fix the problem.What is it that you are actually doing? Many of us do not like 2D microscopes for soldering, and prefer 3D.But 2D microscopes can be great for inspection."Image has shadows and reflections" is generally a lightning problem, and nothing to do with the camera itself. What lighting are you using?

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 11:03:37 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on June 19, 2025, 10:15:40 pmI want mosly for repair PCBs and soldering especially.I am using the below light:https://pepetools.com/products/extra-wide-silver-finish-jewelers-led-task-lamp-with-usb-portI wish mantis to have a better camera resolution so to buy this (a 3D microscope like the mantis if had a HD1080p camera will ssustain the same 3D image quality... I am not so familiar about the characteristics of the microscopes so maybe I am saying nonsense).

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 11:22:41 pm
content: That looks like a decent task lamp but its not a useful microscope lamp. For a microscope lamp you want something that is focused almost entirely on a small area. Some prefer ring light, some gooseneck style. You can see an example here:Quote from: 2X on June 19, 2025, 11:03:37 pmI prefer 3D stereo microscope for soldering, but, if you have already used a 2D microscope with a LCD screen and you like that, that is fine too.QuoteYou can get a much better camera than the one in the Mantis for not too much money:But I see no point in having a Mantis with a camera, I would get one thing that works well that you prefer to use.

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2025, 11:58:24 pm
content: The below I had:1080P 60FPS SONY IMX385 V2 HDMI WDR Video Industry C-Mount Camera Microscope Set w Articulating Stand Clamp 0.75X 0.5X Aux Lenshttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005000054889.html

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2025, 12:03:19 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on June 19, 2025, 11:22:41 pmDo you know if Mantis can take an HD camera? As I remember back then... the only thing where bothered me in Mantis is that I had to have my face perfectly 90degrees and my back was on the fly without touching the seat.

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2025, 12:27:55 am
content: Interesting, I found that Vision have new version of Mantis stereoscopes with HD camera on IOTA model.https://www.visioneng.com/products/eyepiece-less-stereo-microscopes/mantis/#technicalAlso, before years I have found and the below (from an old dealer... now where I searched for him... unfortunately he retired). This dealer told me that it good for PCB soldering but I didn't made any further research. If a guy have experince with this please tell me.EASY view 3D 3D video microscopehttps://www.renfert.com/en/products/equipment/dental-microscopes-visualization-systems/easy-view-3dThis not seems very good camp[ared to Mantis.Full HD 3D monitor with special 3D eyeglasses for sharp high-definition image reproduction.EASY view+ | EN

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2025, 01:11:32 am
content: Quote from: 2X on June 19, 2025, 11:58:24 pmI would expect decent quality from that camera, and it comes with a ring light, though it might not have been bright enough, compare to the demo video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2H6SFHU10QMantis pixio camera slightly higher resolution, but, thats $500 vs $5000 price point.If you really have $5000 budget then go see if you can borrow a demo unit or something.

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2025, 08:10:52 pm
content: Also,I found and this. If any guy have experience please tell me.A guy told me that chinise microscopes don't use glass to fabricate the lences of the microscope but they use plastic and so the image quality after some time degrades even more. Do you know if this is true?YCS Red Shenlong Arm 6558X 6558S 6575X 7050X Trinocular Microscope Set For Mobile Phone Repair Maintenance Circuit Board Specialhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008320253548.html

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2025, 09:18:44 pm
content: Quote from: 2X on June 22, 2025, 08:10:52 pmOnly the cheapest garbage microscope would use plastic lens, $10 kids toys. Any decent stereo microscope $300+ is all glass.If you are now looking at stereo microscopes, see existing threads on Amscope and Eakins. I don't know if YCS has enough of a reputation to trust.

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 05:44:06 am
content: Quote from: 2X on June 22, 2025, 08:10:52 pmThat looks like one of those products that is built to be good enough – which may not be good enough for everyone. Am I mistaken or do you need something like a hex wrench to adjust the stand?Hereis an annotated photo of the Divine Dragon swing arm. (I am not sure if the link is robust.)

author: 2X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 07:16:13 pm
content: Quote from: jfiresto on June 24, 2025, 05:44:06 amMe too I have doubts about the robust/stability of the arm... chinese products always look perfect in images and videos but in reality this perfection is questionable. Thanks for your reply.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2025, 02:37:18 am
content: you may want to mount arm not to your desk but to wall - thus your movements/vibrations will not transmit to it