General > General Technical Chat

Tools for magnification for surface mount?

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cybergibbons:
So, now that surface mount is well within the realms of hobbyist electronics (take a step back 15 years, and see if you could imagine it!), I should imagine most of us need some form of magnification. Oddly I don't find I need much help when making up PCBs - it's when I'm working with existing PCBs that I need help. Things like repairing broken tracks and adding probe wires, especially to commercial products.

When I worked in electronics, we had long reach stereo microscopes with a good working distance. They cost a lot of money though!

So, what do people use for magnification?

I've tried a magnifying glass, which is great for inspection but not whilst working.

I got this:
http://maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=219971

And it was a pile of crap - the review on the page is mine.

I've tried those magnifying lens with lights as well, and the optical quality is so poor it just isn't worth it.

Currently I have a jeweller's loupe which is OK for short periods.

So what do other people use and recommend?

Simon:
I keep saying it ! NEVER NEVER NEVER buy anything from Maplin other than raw materials and basic parts, if you do find anything decent it will be horribly overpriced. Really I've had more luck on ebay than with maplin, Maplin makes eBay look like Jesus's own table top sale !

slburris:
I use a Optivisor with an OptiLoupe:

http://www.doneganoptical.com/optivisor.php
http://www.doneganoptical.com/optiloupe.php

and then I also have a USB microscope connected to a laptop:

http://www.dino-lite.com/Microscope-Products-More.aspx?product_number=AM311S-Dino-Lite

Scott

TheDirty:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=570.0

cybergibbons:

--- Quote from: Simon on June 19, 2010, 12:46:29 pm ---I keep saying it ! NEVER NEVER NEVER buy anything from Maplin other than raw materials and basic parts, if you do find anything decent it will be horribly overpriced. Really I've had more luck on ebay than with maplin, Maplin makes eBay look like Jesus's own table top sale !

--- End quote ---

The same one is for sale on eBay for more, and I wouldn't have got my money back next day with eBay.

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