USB Micro scope suggestion

[budm]

What do you use? I need to get one especially when I inspect the SMD parts and solder joints, my eyes are not that good any more.

[TVRepairNoobie]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

I don't have one yet, but this one appears pretty good.
http://toolboom.com/en/USB-Digital-M...reyes-B008.php

[eccerr0r]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

I've been thinking about getting a digital microscope but was never sure if the magnification includes digital magnification or not... Are they as powerful as the optical ones that were meant to look at plant cells, etc.?

[ecking767]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

This is what I have on my work bench, I think it works great for the price. I didn't buy the stand and holder combo you see on eBay.

I needed another setup for the hot air gun.

So I brought this stand and holder (see picture)

[redwire]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

I find many USB microscopes are poor resolution, only 0.3-1.3 MP so spend a bit more there. The cheap lenses have a lot of distortion, so instead of fuzzy and small you get big and blurry, lol.
Around 20x mag works fine for SMD, the higher 100x-400x is too much mag for pcb work.

You can also get clip-on macro lenses for smartphones/Ipad etc. and that's 5MP to 13MP and much better to look at.
I'm spoiled by the stereo-microscopes at work.

See this too: http://www.weescribble.com/soldering...sb-microscope/

[budm]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

Just won the bid for $49 on this one after watching the review on EEV. It should be good enough for what I need.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2MP-USB-Digi...-/121292898829

http://www.eevblog.com/2014/01/07/ee...scope-reviews/

[Chriso]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

I don't have one yet, but this one appears pretty good.
http://toolboom.com/en/USB-Digital-M...reyes-B008.php

I have that too - I use Yawcam to view the output.
I use it to look at chip ID etc handheld - the stand is sort of ok

[ben7]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

How I inspect SMD joints is by using a lens from an old copier machine. You know, the ones with the mirrors and all that. The modern ones have a long strip, and no mirrors or lenses. It's a small lens, but it magnifies quite well, and it is high quality.

[paulstef]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

Do yourself a favor and do not buy the cheapest you can get on eBay etc. I ordered one and it couldn't be adjusted, total crap. Really. If you want a good one spend a little more. Mine was 25CAD I think... :-)

EDIT, just saw you already got one. Good luck.

[stj]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...uctId=11468518

[budm]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

I am pretty happy with it so far, the stand can be better though.

[Comm]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

I bought one cheap unfortunately looked like a clone of a amscope $80 for $28, a nee-wer and the electronic zoom didn't work, and the software crashed on two different computers, seller on ebay refunded money. I'd love one of those real microscope $600 amscope ones, but need to sell something else around here to afford that, LOL

[mmartell]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

Hey bud, what is the max distance between the main vertical mast and the microscope ? (can't tell if it's fixed or adjustable) If you need more space do you just go hand-held ?

And are you still satisfied with your purchase ?

[Myers]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

OK i will let you know the trick and you can get a good set up for about 20$ if you have some skills (not including computer or tablet price)

You will need one web cam a 720 or 1080 hd is best and you can find them used for about 10$ (i paid 5$ for mine from good will)

best is a tablet but a laptop computer will also work

tablet lamp with flex arm or drafting lamp (i got a drafting lamp for a few$ used)

one 120 volt led light (flood) with the bottom removed so you just have the light part and no diffuser

OK time for fun. Ill tell you how i did it and let you find your own way or try to copy. I"M SORRY FOR NOT HAVING PICS!

I took the used lamp and one 9 watt led and pulled off the diffuser. That gives you a light that will not get into your eyes.
Now the web cam. You must find a way to mount It close the the end of the light. Mine is just to one side and in front about one inch. * forgot to say pull off the case and toss it away before mounting. With the case pulled off almost any web cam you can get to the focus ring (may be glued in place) Now you can set the focus how ever you want to just turn the ring. mine is a logitech u00015? 720p it was glued but broke lose easy.

The next part is easy just hook it up with the usb to your computer or tablet. i use a XY board 10.1" and a app that just displays the pic from the camera.

In the end you have a ok camera that you can move into place If your like me and work on jigs and on a vice and so forth you need to be able to move the scope. I hope that all made scene?

I say the beat bang for your $$ would just be a htc evo (the first one) or other hd phone camera on a phone that had hdmi out! That way no PC or tablet needed just a monitor with HDMI in.
I'm going to build that next

[stj]

Re: USB Micro scope suggestion

blackberry's are good for close shots.
no video output though - just live-on-screen and foto's