Eakins microscope, big problems - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: stg
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2021, 11:08:17 am
content: Dear EEVblog readers.After watching EEVblog #1125 - I decided to buy an Eakins brand trinocular microscope with a camera and screen.This set me back just over $500 with taxes and import costs.This order quickly turned into the *worst* purchase experience I have ever had and I feel I need to warn others of this brand.I received the scope quickly and it was easy to set up.But the image on the camera was terribly blurry, so I started a dispute with Eakins on AliExpress.I will publish the conversation below.After noticing these initial problems it also turns out they had sent the wrong screen and that the 1x dust protecting lens I ordered as an extra is not possible to use due to strong reflections causing multiple overlaid images.Today, nearly 6 months of trying to resolve this, I have a microscope with two heads (they did send a replacement, sadly also broken) that both have bad optics and a screen that is smaller and lower resolution than I ordered.To be fair, the actual camera is very nice when used on an identical microscope head with proper and working optics (see attached image).The set-up in general is also decent enough.But there are problems with it that make the imaging useless and support when something (like this) goes wrong is... well... judge for yourself.I am hoping this post will help others avoid the same disappointment and frustration.05/11/2020 21:03> Hello. I received the microscope today and have assembled it without a problem, but I have some questions.> I need the 1x protective cover for soldering work to protect microscope optics, but the picture is *terrible* when using the 1x lens... what can I do?> It is very blurry in the horizontal plane with copy images.05/11/2020 21:42> Also, it's impossible to get a good image from the camera - I've attached a 1920x1080 capture.> The image from the camera has diagonal smearing and good focus is not possible - it is always blurry and smeared.> This is the best possible image with the best focus and without any extra lens - other magnifications quickly make the image much worse.> I have inspected everything outside - it is clean and untouched.05/11/2020 21:57> Here is also a video of trying to focus the camera: [expired wetransfer.com link]06/11/2020 06:47HiThe 1x objective lens only plays a role of dust prevention.The image is blurred diagonally. Have you adjusted the screen resolution?> Yes 1.0x is for dust and fume protection, but the microscope is not possible to use with it because of double images. This cannot be correct... for dust only there is a dust cover.> Yes I have adjusted the resolution. The problem is the same with HDMI, USB, SD card, and all resolutions. Look at the video please - there is an optical problem.> There is nothing wrong with the camera, works great on other microscope and on normal eye oculars... only third ocular for the camera has a very bad picture, possibly dirt or not aligned part inside.06/11/2020 09:29Hello, sir, or a problem with the CTV1/2 adapter, thank you> I am using CTV1/2 adapter on both photos. I have also used the normal C adapter. It does not matter - both adapters work well on other microscope but gives blurry image on this microscope.Hello, Sir, can you tell us what your judgment is? Which accessory do you think is the problem? thank youWe'll download the video. Thank you06/11/2020 11:12> First problem: The microscope head. It gives a blurry image with any camera and any adapter through the third eye for the camera, without any other lens or accessory.> Second problem: The 1.0x lens gives copy images on both viewing through oculars and with the camera (see the first picture I sent).> I can make any video and picture you want to show you the problems.07/11/2020 09:01Ok. We help to check,08/11/2020 14:09> Ok... Here are the images again, what do you say? How to fix it? What else do you need from me to prove the problem? I will make more videos or images if you tell me what you need.09/11/2020 06:58Thank you for your cooperationWe are waiting for the manufacturer's reply, thank you10/11/2020 18:16> I have now borrowed an identical microscope head from another company to make a detailed comparison. See attached image. There is definitely a problem with the microscope head.> It cannot give a good image. Thank you for checking <316/11/2020 12:05Hello. We will give you a solution, thank youI'm sorry, we helped ship a new microscope head, thank youProvide a new tracking number tomorrow, thanks17/11/2020 18:46> Thank you, do you want me to ship the old one back to you?18/11/2020 12:26DHL 6296054472Hello, please help to cancel the dispute, thank you19/11/2020 11:55> Absolutely, as soon as I receive the shipment I will cancel the dispute, give a 5-star review with a comment on good service!20/11/2020 04:34Okay, thank you27/11/2020 13:03> I have received the new head. However, I must say that I am VERY disappointed.> The new head is WORSE and PLUS incorrect assembly of the ocular interpupillary distance mechanism.> You can barely read the text on an IC!> The left and right oculars are geared at different angles so you have to tilt your head to use it.> It is also damaged on the left side (not from shipping, packaging was good).> But yes I will send a video...29/11/2020 09:17Hello, Sir, I'm very sorry, could you please provide a video? Send to {redacted}@qq.com. Thank you30/11/2020 03:45I'm sorry, we will help check your video and give a solution.02/12/2020 12:42> You have sent the wrong screen also, I ordered 11.6" but you sent 10.1"> Still waiting to send review...03/12/2020 03:47I'm very sorry..Can we refund the difference on the display? Did you send the microscope video?> I selected the higher quality screen because I wanted the higher quality and larger screen.> I selected Eakins because it was recommended as a quality brand.> I would really like to have the products I ordered...> I can still ship everything else back to you 2x head 1x screen, you just need to order a pick-up after correcting the problems with this order.> Yes I have sent the video Subject: "You asked for video" with attachment: TryingFocus.m4v to {redacted}@qq.com on Sun, 29 Nov, 19:51 (4 days ago).I'm sorry about that. We need to check the video and will provide you with a solution, thank you04/12/2020 07:54We can help to send 11.6 inch LCD, thank you14/12/2020 14:22> Please do, and have you checked the video?14/12/2020 15:53Hello, please help to provide your email address, thank you> {redacted}@gmail.com22/12/2020 05:02{redacted}@qq.comCan you forward the video to this mailbox?The current mailbox cannot be opened23/12/2020 05:29> I have done it.23/12/2020 11:05Hello, do you have an unpacking video?> No, I don't typically film myself unpacking things.30/12/2020 11:13What solution do you want?30/12/2020 13:19> I need the correct 11.6" screen and I want a microscope head that gives a clear image.> This is what I paid for.31/12/2020 05:09Hello, we send you replacement parts and 11.6 display screen, thank youThe microscope can work normally after replacing parts, thank you03/01 20:14> Ok. Thank you. When will this happen?04/01 04:24Hello, the factory will send it to you after the delivery, and the tracking number will be provided after delivery, thank you26/01 08:25> It has been a long time and I still have no tracking number or information.> Please let me know.27/01 05:00Sorry, we are waiting for the factory to send us replacement parts,03/02 11:54Hello, the problem with the display, can we refund you the difference?Replacement parts for the microscope have arrived01/03 14:30> We have already discussed this.> I would like the screen I ordered because the one I got has the wrong resolution and size, but I can ship the old screen back when I get the new one.02/03 04:44Because it is a screen, transportation is more dangerous, so we suggest to compensate you for the difference,02/03 15:41> I understand that, but you must also understand that I don't need compensation, I need the product I ordered and that is why I ordered them.03/03 04:57We give you compensation, you can discount any products in the shop> So I must pay again to receive the products I have already paid for?06/03 13:25> This is horrible. I have paid $436.29 for a trinocular microscope and a 10.1" 1080P screen.> 6 MONTHS later and I still have a broken microscope and the wrong screen.> Now you want me to pay more?> Do you understand how exceptionally badly this reflects on you?> In my nearly 40 years I have never seen anything like this.08/03 05:03...We are giving you a refund of the difference amount..This part can repair the microscopeYou returned the display to ChinaAddress:Room 6B 6th building LongBi industry arearoad crossing Longguang District ,Shenzhen,guangdongGuangdong Province ,ChinaTel:86-0755-28359654 Phone:86-15013007025Zip:518000Contact:Wu xiaoqun08/03 06:05Send it back in a postal parcel.We will refund you after receiving the package confirmation, thank you10:59I am not interested in paying shipment for your failure. You may order a DHL pick-up at the supplied address.And DO NOT refund the difference. It just messes up my accounting and makes even more of a problem.{14/03 MONEY REFUNDED}11:08Damn it! Just don't do ANYTHING else... I'm done with your incompetence. I will donate your products to the local school and will reorder everything again from a better supplier.

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2021, 01:10:40 pm
content: The ghosting suggests the maker neglected to optically coat the 1X objective cover.Have you considered buying a more local, used microscope, especially one you can first inspect and try out? Buying a used microscope, like buying a used car, can be somewhat annoying, but I reckon you have had about as much of that with this one new purchase as I have had buying four used microscopes, and later accessories, over the last ten years.

author: teksturi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2021, 04:36:40 pm
content: Can this be related to camera mount adapter? Please watch 2:29For lens protection I think that you can by 48mm to 52mm adapter and 52mm UV-protector. These are widely used with DLSR. So they are cheap and good quality.Also keep in mind that this is same microscope as AmScope and LuckyZoom and almost every cheap brand. So you can buy spare parts from elsewhere.

author: stg
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2021, 04:40:53 pm
content: Thanks for your suggestionThere are few, if any, local offerings for *used* trinocular microscopes with the specifications I am interested in.I've found several lab scopes, but none suitable for electronics work, ie low magnification, led ring lighting, large work area, etc.I have considered purchasing a new one locally.However, the locally sold ones are 4x the price and are just rebranded Chinese scopes, although likely with additional quality control.While perfectly identical on the outside, they would probably have saved me this hassle.On the other hand, I've had the chance to try two other identical-on-the-outside Chinese scopes as the one I bought, and they both performed exemplary.Apart from the optics I also noticed quality differences in minor details like choice of screws, bushings, grease (mine had none), etcetera.They were all similarly priced, but Eakins had by far the lowest quality workmanship, including grease and fingerprints on the mirrors inside, bad threads, scrapes and cuts...Cleaning the optics sadly didn't do much for the smearing, but slightly increased the clarity.

author: stg
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2021, 04:43:24 pm
content: No, I don't think so since I've tried the same adapter and camera on other identical scopes from two other Chinese sellers.On those, the camera and adapter worked perfectly well.I've also tried two completely different adapters, both show the exact same problem.