Moderately-Priced Microscope for SMD Soldering

[JuKu]

< image >

Nice! I have similar setup. Here is a prediction: On the first big board that you are going to work on you are going to turn the base around and find the need for a microscope stabilizing device. I have the basic model (a rock) since it looks nicer, but I could have gone for a high-tech unit (a brick) as well. 

[SLJ]

Well, I ended up completely blowing my budget out of the water 
 http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=200596773862&index=1&nav=SEARCH&nid=99490970459

Good choice.  I've been looking at upgrading for a long time and that's exactly the one I'm planning on upgrading to.  Camera can come later if I need it.

[roli_bark]

Sorry for the bump,
but I'm interested to know whether the LED Power unit (the little black box with some buttons on it) is capable of handling 240v ?

[SLJ]

Sorry for the bump,
but I'm interested to know whether the LED Power unit (the little black box with some buttons on it) is capable of handling 240v ?

I have the LED-144A with the buttons for the dimmer and turning sections on and off.  It states on the bottom it's for 110-240V, 50-60HZ.

http://www.amscope.com/led-144a.html

[Carrington]

You've seen this:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fs-new-1080p-usb-microscope-for-easy-smt-soldering/

[roli_bark]

Sorry for the bump,
but I'm interested to know whether the LED Power unit (the little black box with some buttons on it) is capable of handling 240v ?

I have the LED-144A with the buttons for the dimmer and turning sections on and off.  It states on the bottom it's for 110-240V, 50-60HZ.

http://www.amscope.com/led-144a.html

Nice, Thanks. Looks to me that the boom-less is a better choice if handling large boards isn't required.
Hence, one may save ~50 Lbs on weight and shipping costs.

[Lunasix]

I think a binocular is important for a 3D view when we must operate with a solder iron for example. Try to solder while closing 1 eye : not so easy. So, I'm not convinced by USB camera.
Large vision size is also important, it's better if you can see all of your tqfp as only 4 pins. Magnification around 9x is sufficient.
I have an Olympus SZ30 I really like. Time to time I use a Leica GZ4, quite similar but I prefer the Olympus : more space under the Olympus for same magnification (distance and size of lens support).