SURVEY: USB Microscope

[EEVblog]

We are designing a new microstand, primarily for the Andonstar HDMI model:
http://www.andonstar.com/e_products/HDMI-DIGITAL-MICROSCOPE-4.html

But it can be universal and would suit other microscope. What other USB microscopes are people using?

[ElektroQuark]

Supereyes B008.

[DTJ]

Perhaps design it such that there is a convenient mounting point for those that wish to fabricate a mount for their own microscope whatever that may be.

[EEVblog]

Perhaps design it such that there is a convenient mounting point for those that wish to fabricate a mount for their own microscope whatever that may be.

That's the idea, but we really need to know what models are out here being used so we can optimise the design range.
People will be able to 3D print their own adpaters.

[technogeeky]

I have this microscope, and the only problem I've ever had with it would be fixed by a stand (the internal strain relief for the USB cable doesn't work as well as one would hope).

It's very popular, pretty good, and very cheap.

[SeanB]

Just a cheap Celestron braned USB microscope, but i took the existing base and tossed it as being too flimsy. Bought a magnetic dial indicator holder, and used the 1/5 UNC standard tripod mount, that most of these microscopes have somewhere on them, to mount it to the magnetic base, and a heavy steel plate as the base itself. Later on I took off the magnetic base, and replaced it with a black granite block, with a M8 bushing epoxied into a hole drilled into it, making it very sturdy and rigid. Put some felt under the granite so as not to mar the table, and a little polyurethane as a coating on the top to keep it nice. Granite block was a scrap from the stonemason, just grabbed it from the scrap offcut pile next to the dumpster, must have been making a tombstone and this end broke off.

[rsjsouza]

We are designing a new microstand, primarily for the Andonstar HDMI model:
http://www.andonstar.com/e_products/HDMI-DIGITAL-MICROSCOPE-4.html

But it can be universal and would suit other microscope. What other USB microscopes are people using?

I can't wait for the outcome; I have an Andonstar-like and love the microscope. The base... it is workable.

One modification I was planning to do is to make a longer arm that allows room for inspection of wider boards. Other issues prevented me from moving on.

[pelule]

I am using the Andonstar HDMI model.
For most inspections the stand is quite useable.
Just when the board you like to inspect becomes bigger or high parts like trafos are mounted. The stand is a crap.
/PeLuLe

[neslekkim]

I think I have the Andonstar v160 (the ebay article didn't say anything, but the specs they promised are closer to that than the v1)

But maybe the HDMI model would be a better choice if I find a review for it.
The one I have, have an small lightring built into it, but the hdmi one seems to have external lights?, if so, plans of making an lightring also?

[floobydust]

For the price, I built a microscope using Raspberry Pi with pi camera module and I get HDMI/DVI output to an old 17" LCD monitor on my bench. chinese microscope lens and 144-LED ring that outperforms the Andonstar for less dollars. It's just not as pretty though.
The Pi Camera Module V2 $25 Sony IMX219 8MP, back-illuminated sensor supports 1080p30, 720p60 and VGA90 video modes at decent refresh rates for real-time soldering use. You could use a Pi Zero, or older Pi V2 from your junkbox.

USB microscope is not useful for me, I can't have my PC tied (at) my workbench, it's just not practical to move the PC stuff over to my bench to solder. 90% USB cams have fake specs on # pixels and refresh rates.

For me, the main aspect for a stand is room to work, a place for a fume fan, nothing that can get melted by soldering iron, glass protective lens to keep smoke residue/flux off, and enough weight on the base it doesn't fall over if you bump it.

[Specmaster]

I'm using the Addonstar A1 USB microscope and the biggest problem with this is the stand is not heavy enough and it also suffers from way too much sideways play on the vertical column.

Sent from my SM-J510FN using Tapatalk

[dorin]

For the price, I built a microscope using Raspberry Pi with pi camera module and I get HDMI/DVI output to an old 17" LCD monitor on my bench. chinese microscope lens and 144-LED ring that outperforms the Andonstar for less dollars.

What lens exactly and what working distance are you getting with them?

[vipprog]

cheaper price,  not good!  if USB cables connection,  some delay on image transmission, not the real time

image transmission 15-35 frames per seconds

[pongagt]

I received my ADSM201 yesterday and i would be interested in a new stand. My camera holder was loose because of the 4 screws holding it were loose. I tried getting the height adjustment wheels off so i could get to the screws necessary to get out in order to tighten the loose screws but the height adjustment shaft broke and a knob fell off. I still have one knob at least.

I have my base turned 180 degree with a weight taped on it to keep it from tipping over. This may make it possible to reach components in bigger boards by placing the base on the board and i prefer to have the board rest on my workbench then have to support it on the metal base.

I'm looking forward to seeing  a new stand design although i am pretty happy with the microscope except for being unable to tighten them without breaking something.

[julianhigginson]

I have the Andonstar ADSM201 as well.

I'd be keen to see what kind of improvement for the stand you come up with, as it definitely seems to be the worst aspect of the product.  I've been considering trying to source a boom arm for it sometime, though would still want a mechanism (or the original? mounted somehow) for raising/lowering the scope directly.

[chickenHeadKnob]

I have the Andonstar ADSM201 as well.

I'd be keen to see what kind of improvement for the stand you come up with, as it definitely seems to be the worst aspect of the product.  I've been considering trying to source a boom arm for it sometime, though would still want a mechanism (or the original? mounted somehow) for raising/lowering the scope directly.

If you haven't  seen this video, have a look at the inverted mounting to a shelf:



It is like the Andonstar  mount was designed for this! Works really well as shown for low magnification large field of view of board on the bench. Which is what most people want most of the time. If you need high magnification inspection simply place your board on a few thick books. (I knew that copy of art of elec. was going to come in handy one day!) and refocus.

ooops. edit to link to intended video

[LaurentR]

Apparently brand new ADSM302:
$399

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/New-HDMI-AV-microscope-long-object-distance-digital-USB-microscope-for-mobile-phone-repair-soldering-tool/900802_32830149342.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.76e058aeUIIqVG

[LaurentR]

Confusingly, the Andonstar Aliexpress store also shows a ADSM301, which looks slightly different (matt screen):
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Andonstar-new-HDMI-USB-microscope-long-object-distance-digital-microscope-for-mobile-phone-rapair-soldering-tool/127104_32834484294.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.4ff0fd74nDVWsc

No mention on YouTube.

[ChrisLX200]

Just need a camera and a lens. I use a low-light USB2 Astro camera (I have many, including USB3 models which provide very fast fps). Then you need a decent lens, those megapixel types designed for machine vision are good but you can also get adapters for standard camera lenses to C/CS mount (I have a Canon bayonet one). SLR lenses used this way offer high magnification because they were designed for larger (35mm) sensors whereas the camera sensor is physically much smaller and has small pixels. For a mount I use a flexible arm which can be locked in any position - much better than a simple XYZ mount as you can set the camera to point at any angle.

In the attached images I'm only using a cheap 2.8-12 mm zoom lens, not ideal but it works. The display is on the computer monitor (not ideal either as it's a cheap one that must be viewed close to perfectly on-axis for clarity!) However, the large 22" display is far better than the smaller ones commonly used for the task.

[kPATm]

I wouldnt mind doing this myself. Can I ask how much that setup cost you Chris?

[ChrisLX200]

I wouldnt mind doing this myself. Can I ask how much that setup cost you Chris?

Most expensive item is the camera of course, mine is similar to this basic version from Altair Astro https://www.altairastro.com/Altair-GPCAM-Colour-BASIC-Guide-Imaging-Camera.html

These things can be picked up s/h for less. The 2.8-12mm CS lens was about £15 from Ebay but if you have an SLR camera lens I recommend you just buy an adapter instead. I will set mine up with a variety of camera lenses and post the results over the next day or so. Obviously a 35mm SLR camera lens is more bulky. I have much better lenses (machine vision) than the one shown, price of those was around £40 each. The camera works in very low light so you can afford to stop down a cheap lens so it's working at smaller f-ratio and thus much of the distortions are reduced (they are mainly apparent when the lens is used wide-open).

The flexible arm I use is taken from an old DTI magnetic stand, I also use it for holding my hot-air gun where it's usefulness is enhanced for the same reasons of flexible positioning. I've never tried to buy the arm alone, it may only be available together with the magnetic base. It's probably in the £40 price bracket also.

[kPATm]

Nice set up. Way above my budget though. :-(

[Ghydda]

What other USB microscopes are people using?

Andonstar A1, the old USB model. Slow as frigg, but decent picture quality.

Cheers!

[julianhigginson]

I reckon for $200 the ADSM201 is a very good deal. the 302 looks nicer, but twice the price - not sure it's twice as good.

I have seen the upside-down hanging trick, but my desk has no shelf like that, so...  how's the new microscope mount design going, Dave? anything more you can tell us yet?

[BlackEagle]

Hi guys. I also bought this microscope and wanted a stand. Actually, I found one which is pretty perfect:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-Big-Size-Adjustable-table-Stand-Holder-Multi-axis-Adjustable-Metal-Arm-for-Lab-Industry/32494616997.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000014.20.45ba7bb9zILyOr&traffic_analysisId=recommend_3035_null_null_null&scm=1007.13338.80878.000000000000000&pvid=fdd5f490-1202-4bcd-bdee-cb4535f4bd29&tpp=1
or
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Universal-bracket-Big-Size-Adjustable-table-Stand-Holder-Multi-axis-Adjustable-Metal-Arm-for-Lab-Industry/32619200581.html?spm=a2g0x.10010108.1000013.11.51b54619neRqLn&traffic_analysisId=recommend_2088_6_90158_iswistore&scm=1007.13339.90158.0&pvid=0ad58017-d1ed-4a28-878d-f55db6aaf8d3&tpp=1

But problem is: the ring has inner width of 50mm but the USB microscope has 35mm. Anyone has a clue how to solve that problem?