advice on magnifying lamp thingy! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: njkmonty
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 12:45:18 pm
content: im in the market for a magnifying lamp, but i want to get a good one tyat is a pleasure to use.i recently held of a few months a saved up for a fluke 87-v,and are very happy with the investment, I'm after the similar experience though this time with a magnifying lamp?my main use is smd work etc no smaller than 0805 stuff,how many diopters do i need etc? any suggestions recommendations?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 01:30:46 pm
content: I got one with the most magnification I could find. IIRC 5 or 8 diopter.

author: njkmonty
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 09:39:20 pm
content: is there an industry standard brand or particular model or features to look out for?ie an xyz 560c? !

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2015, 11:35:59 pm
content: I have and like a Luxo Wave Plus:http://www.amazon.com/Luxo-17845BK-Illuminated-Magnifier-Diopter/dp/B00DJS7ZPSIgnore the price there - I got it new off Ebay for about £50 some while ago. Just need to keep your eyes open as things pass in front

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 09, 2015, 12:26:08 am
content: You can do 0805s with a magnifier lamp (or just generic non-prescription reading glasses).But it is much, much easier if you have a stereo microscope. Used ones run $75 to $150 on eBay; a new Chinese one (I think they're pretty good) $200 or so.Stereo, not "binocular". 10x is plenty. Zoom is nice to have (up to 40x max or so), but 90% of the time you'll want 8x or 10x, not more.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2015, 12:45:19 am
content: Actually 8x is already too much. Based on my experience with a Mantis 6x offers the best trade off between distance, lightness and field of view. However I don't have the room for a stereo microscope let alone a Mantis.

author: kedr_vostok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2015, 01:09:37 am
content: I have found this model from Jaycar to be very useful.http://www.jaycar.com.au/Tools-%26-Soldering/Magnifiers/Desktop/5-Diopter-LED-Illuminated-Magnifying-Lamp/p/QM3548

author: jolshefsky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2015, 01:09:28 am
content: I have a magnifying lamp but find it annoying to use since it's not a very big (despite being a fairly generous 12cm diameter) or high-quality lens. It's hard to position and ends up getting in my way more than I'd like.I bought aclip-on 2.5x stereo Galilean Loupe from LW Scentificlast year and couldn't be happier with it. It has a deep 60mm depth-of-field, a working distance of arms-length 380mm±30mm, and a pleasant-to-use 80mm field of view. The optics are high quality and produce a crystal-clear, undistorted, bright view.I don't think the 3.5x (or variable 2.5x to 3.5x) would be any additional benefit for two-handed work as I can easily distinguish pins on a SOT-23 or TSSOP package at 2.5x. For inspection, I find it adequate to use a cheap 10x loupe but if I did it often, I'd want a microscope or digital camera microscope.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2015, 03:00:12 pm
content: I haven't used this style magnifier, but they must be good because they have completely taken over in the dental industry over the last couple of decades. The ones my dentist uses are very pricey, it is good to hear that there are lower priced ones that are good.

author: GlowingGhoul
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2015, 11:14:43 pm
content: Quote from: gazelle on September 12, 2015, 06:48:15 pmThanks for the advice, just bought a brand new one on ebay for $275! Is the 3.5 or 5 diopter preferred for electronics work?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2015, 08:13:27 am
content: Be careful not to set your house on fire with mag lamps.With the sun at the right angle it can gets into the lamp and focus on your desk.The good ones have a cover.