soldering stereo microscope

[ant17]

hi guys i was hoping someone could help me i am wanting to buy a soldering microscope trinocular for microsoldering i found this amscope which has all specifcations i want such as 65mm field of view and 200mm working distance SM-4TZ-144A but being in australia the postage is like $300 dollars which sort of makes it an expensive microscope does anyone have any advice or model suggestions from china perhaps thanks

[DaJMasta]

I don't know if it's for you, but you could consider an HDMI/VGA digital microscope too.  Not quite the same with the look, but cheap for shipping and if you get one that interfaces directly to a TV/monitor, the update rate is generally quite fast, so you can do work in realtime on it, whereas a lot of USB scopes are lower framerate or have some latency that make them hard to work under.


have you looked for local equipment auctions?  You may be able to find a nice microscope locally (or comparatively) for cheap and then just swap out the objective or eyepiece for a wider field of view and working distance.

[ant17]

hi thanks for your quick reply but i currently have a hdmi microscope 20mp but i can't use it for micro soldering because my brain won't coordinate my arms thats one of the main reasons i need a optical micro scope plus the field of view doesn't compare pure optical scopes that i have tried

[amspire]

The actual microscope head is fairly light. It is the stand that is heavy and that causes the shipping cost to be so high.

The question I have is do you really need that kind of stand?

If you want a cheaper solution, you can get a tube and a focusing arm for under $100 and mount it on a wooden base. You get a more manageable result that can reach over the target horizontally by about 130mm. When you need the base out of the way, swivel it behind the microscope and put a weight on it. I find that is adequate for me.

You then just need to find a head you like with a 0.5x barlow and you get the 200mm of working height. A few of us have been happy with the 'scopes from Lucky Zoom on AliExpress. I seem to remember Louis Rossman on Youtube having a bit to say about Amscope microscopes, so you might want to see his reviews. If you get a trinocular head, make sure it has simul-focus so you can have stereo vision and the camera at the same time.

Richard.

[ant17]

thank  you for your reply my current boom stand has only a 20mm holder hole for holding digital microscope but i belive the heads are more like 75mm diameter so if were just to get the head what would i do for a stand thanks for your help

[amspire]

I had a quick look at that Amscope and it does not have simul-focus. If the camera is working, you loose the left eye vision.

You want a head like this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32661017928.html

Then you can get a focusing arm like this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32660065365.html and a pole of at least 340mm: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32582198008.html

I haven't done any real leg work looking for great prices.

The goal is for something looking like this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33017257588.html (this is not a simul-focus head, but you can certainly contact this store and ask for exactly what you want).

[ant17]

thanks so much you have given me great ideas on what to thanks i will do the leg work

[teksturi]

No need to buy from luckyzoom. They many seller to these scopes  AmScope, Koppace,  Louis' microscope (Yes Louis Rossmann), Efix, Eakins, Wozniak, Jyrkior, Sunshine, Yizhan, Minsvision, Lucky Zoom, GXM.... Almost every microscope in the market is the same. These microscope are made by same factory  Manufactor is http://www.yydag.com or http://www.sunnyoptical.com

Just pick one wich is right for you https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?trafficChannel=main&d=y&CatId=0&SearchText=simul+45x+microscope&ltype=wholesale&SortType=default&maxPrice=250&page=1

I think that every newer models are simul focal. Also newest are black.

Camera mount: For camera my only recommendation is that get at least 1080 camera. Not hdmi 720p or some vga bullshit because of the price different is so small. For camera you need c-mount buy SZMCTV 1/2 and you will be good. If you want to use your own camera (dlsr) you can buy somekind of CTV adapter. Many cameras have also hdmi output so you can plug that in to your monitor. I have not reasource these things further.

LEDS: There are many different models but basically you want 144led version if possible. It cost little over 20$. But sometimes you can buy bundle which do not come with 144led version. It is up to you what to do. Remember to ask right plug for electricity. Here is video about 54led vs 144led.
There is also 46led version or something similar.

Eyepeaces: In default eyepeaces are 10x/20. I have not resource these further.

Lenses: I have read that almoust all use 0.5x lens. Some use 1x lens also call protective lens. If you realy want to buy 2x lens for the kicks you can do that.

This looks like good deal https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32697462226.html but led is not the best. But you can but also 144led dimmable https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000078789996.htm 17,97$ if you need more.

For camera maybe 1080p camera 37MP - Eakins

If you want full package with awesome stand you can buy https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33000718102.html  this will be way over your budget.

[thinkfat]

You'll need the 0.5x Barlow lens or the working distance will be too small and also field of view too small.

[ant17]

thanks everyone so much i really apreciate it its quite an investment all thats left to do now is make a decision on which way i go

[DTJ]

Im in the same boat living in Aus. I just paid the delivery, it sucked but I'm very happy with the amscope. I bought the standard mounting base and regret not buying the boom arm. I bought my Barlow lens from AliExpress.

[amspire]

No need to buy from luckyzoom. They many seller to these scopes  AmScope, Koppace,  Louis' microscope (Yes Louis Rossmann), Efix, Eakins, Wozniak, Jyrkior, Sunshine, Yizhan, Minsvision, Lucky Zoom, GXM.... Almost every microscope in the market is the same. These microscope are made by same factory  Manufactor is http://www.yydag.com or http://www.sunnyoptical.com

This makes sense. The microscope I have from Lucky Zoom was made by Sunny Optical. I am very happy with it.

[loki42]

I'd contemplate a second hand microscope. I bought a very old Carl Zeiss from gumtree and it's really nice. Feels great. I use it for a few hours a day and it was pretty cheap.

[Brutte]

Why not a 7" and 5 dioptre magnifying glass on a lamp stand? Intrinsically stereo, no delay and huge viewing angle.

[German_EE]

With a lens like that you won't get the stereo effect. A proper stereo microscope with dual optical paths all the way through gives you true stereo vision and a great sense of depth.

[Brutte]

With a lens like that you won't get the stereo effect. A proper stereo microscope with dual optical paths all the way through gives you true stereo vision and a great sense of depth.

I have used the stereo microscope some time ago but only with serious magnification (x4 or so) that made it very hard for soldering. However, the setup was great for 0201 inspection.

Now I use the 3 diopter 7" magnifying glass/lamp - I think this is much more practical for SMD soldering but I must admit I only go down to 0402. A 5 diopter would have been just spot-on IMHO.

[dicky96]

Hi guys

A trinocular simul-focus microscope is also the next thing on my shopping lest

This looks like a good deal from aliexpress
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32957912653.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.6f0f2e0eWJvfPN

It has the 0.5x and 2.0x lenses plus the stable double boom stand.

Then I could buy my own camera as some reviews say these 34 megapixel cameras bundled with a lot of microscopes are actually 2 megapixel.  How about this sony one?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000091003226.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.4ddb69b64Rd3Lq&algo_pvid=23a87ce3-36f4-473b-9336-4d6c5245c414&algo_expid=23a87ce3-36f4-473b-9336-4d6c5245c414-9&btsid=291d7f16-70e4-49e4-ab6c-4d407809d40f&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_8,searchweb201603_55

How do I tell a good camera from a bad one anyway?  I only want the camera to do videos for youtube etc anyway.   I already have an Andonstar 302 that I use for inspection.

The above microscope is €245 plus €180 DHL postage = €415 delivered to Gran Canaria at the moment.  Is it as good as the zillions of other bundles on aliexpress or is there some reason it's not as good as others

The camera is €56 with free postage so gives me a total of €470.  Most of the bundles I can see that include camera are working out about €550 posted.

Can I do better than that?

[teksturi]

This looks like a good deal from aliexpress
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32957912653.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.6f0f2e0eWJvfPN

The above microscope is €245 plus €180 DHL postage = €415 delivered to Gran Canaria at the moment.  Is it as good as the zillions of other bundles on aliexpress or is there some reason it's not as good as others

What about this comes with better stand at least for my taste. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32951332605.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.4a484d62ccsZxp&algo_pvid=146d5856-f081-4c4e-b201-b48c2304a6bf&algo_expid=146d5856-f081-4c4e-b201-b48c2304a6bf-58&btsid=392cb4ed-0bd2-4152-8fd7-29c8abf3bea4&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_7,searchweb201603_52

[dicky96]

I've spent a long time looking at microscopes and it seems to be common opinion that the double boom stands are far more stable than the articulating ones?

Rich

[OM222O]

I'm not sure about the shipping cost, but louis rossmann sells that exact microscope:

https://store.rossmanngroup.com/index.php/soldering-diy/microscopes.html

see what's their shipping rate.

[Joku]

I bought from LuckyZoom based on comments on this forum, wish I had never seen it.

According to the freight company documentation, 3 out of 3 times LuckyZoom did not ship a package when they claimed.

The tracking number submitted on Aliexpress was also fake.

There were also multiple occasions where LuckyZoom claimed to be discussing the shipment status with the freight company where the freight companies documentation later showed that LuckyZoom hadn't even sent the package yet.

Upon not receiving all parts, LuckyZoom claimed they were packed together with other parts in a box where they couldn't possibly fit.

Upon explaining this to them and letting them know I still had the box and foam inserts to prove it. They then apologised and promised to send the part. This just lead to more lies about shipping the parts and querying the freight company about why I haven't received them yet.

To make matters worse, I've got to experience just how shockingly restrictive and inadequate the Aliexpress dispute resolution process is. Basically just wasting your time. I asked for partial refund for the value of missing parts. They ruled $0, did not provide reason, I disputed that and made another attempt at explaining and documenting, which just resulted in $0 again with no explanation (unless you think "Reason: Invalid" "Explanation: Evidence is invalid" is an acceptable explanation). The items all had delivery date guarantees "or full refund" on the item listings, which the freight companies documentation showed that even the parts I received didn't come in that time. Aliexpress appears to have no interest in doing anything but taking money and closing cases.

Chasing it up with my bank at the moment, which is looking a lot more positive for me. I've got a lot of evidence of lies, they appear to understand. Apparently have to wait up to 2 months to allow Aliexpress's bank to potentially contest though.

All up I'm going to get a refund that's worth less than a junior burger flippers wage per hour I've had to spend on this though, which is probably why Aliexpress can do what it does.

I'd take my chances elsewhere. LuckyZoom isn't the cheapest or the highest rated anyway.. eevblog discussion was all it had going for it. 


 

[krisskross]

I bought from LuckyZoom based on comments on this forum, wish I had never seen it.

According to the freight company documentation, 3 out of 3 times LuckyZoom did not ship a package when they claimed.

The tracking number submitted on Aliexpress was also fake.

There were also multiple occasions where LuckyZoom claimed to be discussing the shipment status with the freight company where the freight companies documentation later showed that LuckyZoom hadn't even sent the package yet.

Upon not receiving all parts, LuckyZoom claimed they were packed together with other parts in a box where they couldn't possibly fit.

Upon explaining this to them and letting them know I still had the box and foam inserts to prove it. They then apologised and promised to send the part. This just lead to more lies about shipping the parts and querying the freight company about why I haven't received them yet.

To make matters worse, I've got to experience just how shockingly restrictive and inadequate the Aliexpress dispute resolution process is. Basically just wasting your time. I asked for partial refund for the value of missing parts. They ruled $0, did not provide reason, I disputed that and made another attempt at explaining and documenting, which just resulted in $0 again with no explanation (unless you think "Reason: Invalid" "Explanation: Evidence is invalid" is an acceptable explanation). The items all had delivery date guarantees "or full refund" on the item listings, which the freight companies documentation showed that even the parts I received didn't come in that time. Aliexpress appears to have no interest in doing anything but taking money and closing cases.

Chasing it up with my bank at the moment, which is looking a lot more positive for me. I've got a lot of evidence of lies, they appear to understand. Apparently have to wait up to 2 months to allow Aliexpress's bank to potentially contest though.

All up I'm going to get a refund that's worth less than a junior burger flippers wage per hour I've had to spend on this though, which is probably why Aliexpress can do what it does.

I'd take my chances elsewhere. LuckyZoom isn't the cheapest or the highest rated anyway.. eevblog discussion was all it had going for it.

thank god i read this, thanks for the warning about lucky zoom, was just browsing their page for microscope