Amscope Microscope Owner Reviews.  How do you like them? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2015, 03:26:48 pm
content: I saw that a few folks on here purchased Amscope microscopes a few years ago. How are you liking them thus far?Any issues? How is the optical clarity across the field of view? Any eye strain over long stretches of use? How inconvenient is the need to refocus when changing zoom levels?I saw online that some had issues with roughness in the focusing rack. Is that common?Anything else? Has anyone had to make a return to Amscope? How did that go?Thanks!

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2015, 04:48:54 pm
content: I have AmScope SE400-Z. I rarely need it, so I went for a cheaper model. It is perfect for its price. The optics are fine, but field of view is limited. The diameter of the work area you can see with 10x magnification is around 1". This is fine for doing SMD work from time to time, but it will not be good for continuous use. The work distance is huge, more than 8", which is nice and actually bigger than I'd like it.I don't see any problems with mechanics or construction in general, it works just like any other microscope I've used.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2015, 05:07:13 pm
content: Thanks! The other criticism that I read was regarding the small exit pupil - that one had to hold their head very still behind the eyepieces or lose their view. How is that on your scope?And you don't use it much because you have new eyes, youngster!!

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2015, 05:17:49 pm
content: Yes, it takes some getting used to. I would not say you need to be perfectly still, but it is rater easy to loose the view. It gets slightly annoying when you need to switch between the microscope and naked eye work. Just working under the microscope, I don't find it to be a huge problem. But again, I use it for occasional QFN work and such, not assembling entire boards.It is not as nice as some high end microscopes I worked with, but that's why they have 10x price tag. I'm sure bigger AmScope models will be better, but the price goes up quite fast.Another thing I don't care for is the base. I find it pointless, it is big, so it has to be placed "behind" the microscope, but the microscope tends to tip over, since the work distance is so big and the construction is not well balanced. I'd rather have a plate as a working surface and microscope over it. But again, it is perfectly usable, just could be improved, IMO.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2015, 06:08:35 pm
content: Very happy with mine after several years of daily use. The only thing that I would change is buying a simufocal head where both eyepieces are active when using a camera. The regular trinocular head that I purchased works fine but it blocks one eyepiece when you switch in the camera. It is VERY difficult to work using one eyepiece (no stereo vision) when trying to do a live video. If you are only taking still shots them it would not be an issue.