Sub $100 Usb Microscopes?

[peps1]

Anyone had any luck with Sub $100 Usb Microscopes?

I have really poor eyesight, but have also started getting into SMD....not a good combination! So, looking for a scope that will let me work off my laptop.

Trouble is the last couple iv looked at had way to much lag to be practical to work with though fine for checking work.

 

[mrflibble]

I use a cheapo USB microscope for inspection, it was about $27 on deal extreme.

It was http://dx.com/p/8-led-illumination-230x-zooming-usb-digital-microscope-with-dock-stand-and-tripod-29661 that type, only a little cheaper. Can't find the exact SKU right now. Anyways, those work pretty well for checking out joint quality and seeing if you made any shorts.

Oh yeah, and the tripod is total crap. Just so you know.

[KJDS]

I'd spend money on a simple optical microscope to work with rather than dealing with the many limitations of a cheap camera system. Lag, lack of 3d, resolution etc

[Flump]

I have an old video camera (takes tapes) which i use
here are some sample captures for you

[G7PSK]

I have a USB microscope next best thing to useless for smd assembly but OK for looking afterwards, I found that one of those magnifying headbands is best for assembly I tried a jewelers loupe but that gets your face a bit to close for comfort to the soldering iron, the usb microscope has the same problem to close to the work and you are not looking at the workpiece but at a screen.

[MrAureliusR]

I'm curious myself, I've seen a few on e*ay and was wondering if they were any good. I'm definitely going to need some sort of magnification going forward and decent stereoscopic microscopes are expensive. I don't do much SMD but it'd be nice to check joints with.

Would the above mentioned one be good for through hole soldering?

[mrflibble]

Would the above mentioned one be good for through hole soldering?

If you mean the usb microscope I linked to ... yes, works just fine for inspecting through holes as well. Those kind of microscopes are no use during soldering itself though. Focus point is far too close, so you have the microscope right above the pcb. No room for soldering iron or hot air gun. But it made inspection a breeze. I used to use an optical microscope for that at first, but usb microscope + laptop is far more convenient.

I'd love to get me one of those stereo microscopes a la mantis, but the price is a bit too steep for me at the moment...