Just scored a Mantis elite ! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: London Lad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 12:47:35 pm
content: Well this has been some month for me.Fluke 289 arrived a couple of weeks ago then last week my new Metcal solder / de-solder setup. (The ultra fine iron and tips are the nuts!)Then yesterday I saw a mantis elite on ebay and just had to have it.Now to get all the old stuff on ebay so I can eat!

author: quarros
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 08:05:49 am
content: Can I ask for what price?Just so I can envy you.

author: ben_r_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2013, 07:10:47 pm
content: Well done! Getting a nice setup put together there! Enjoy!

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2013, 03:30:06 pm
content: Where did u buy it

author: ben_r_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2013, 04:15:03 pm
content: Quote from: electronics man on December 13, 2013, 03:30:06 pmOP said eBay.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2013, 04:52:40 pm
content: durrr silly me READ

author: ben_r_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2013, 03:11:33 am
content: No worries, it happens, I do it all the time when Im bouncing back and forth between forums.

author: London Lad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 01:53:15 pm
content: I've been asked how the mantis deal went:Well I drove 100 odd miles to pick up and pay cash face to face.Met the really cool seller at his home and the mantis was as described, pretty much as new with unmarked 4x and 10x lens.It was the LED illumination version so not too old.I have it set up on the workbench and its getting daily use. It provides a very clear 3d image and is very natural to use.The only slight glitch is that you need to position the head so that you look into it square on and to do that its too high to focus on a PCB that is laying on the bench. You then need to raise the PCB to get it in focus which means its fine for inspection but not for soldering.to solder with the PCB on the bench you need to drop the Mantis down low and drop your stool really low so you are looking straight in to the Mantis. this puts your shoulders at just above bench height in a 'watchmaker' stance.Mantis do make an adjustable height 'stage' that would probably solve the problem.All in all I'm very pleased with it and I suspect it will be staying for a while :-)

author: ben_r_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 04:27:06 pm
content: Quote from: London Lad on January 30, 2014, 01:53:15 pmWhich mount did you get with that? Are yo not using the table mount arm?

author: London Lad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 04:28:37 pm
content: Yes that's the mount I have

author: ben_r_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 05:13:10 pm
content: Quote from: London Lad on January 30, 2014, 04:28:37 pmOh okay. I guess I just didnt understand these two statements before:QuoteBut after I reread them they made sense.

author: quarros
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 07:37:17 pm
content: Quote from: London Lad on January 30, 2014, 01:53:15 pmThanks for sharing.