Stereo Microscope Options

[BrendanDixon]

Hi All,

I am looking for some advice. I am in charge of repairing electronics in my company. I was given the oppotunity to order some equipment. Part of this was to order some Stereo Microscopes. After a bit of research on what I can get in SA I decided on the Bernstein 9-158 microscope.
https://www.bernstein-werkzeuge.de/en/products/productdetails/9-158-stereo-microscope

When the supplier came to deliver they are supplying the Kern OZL-963 microscope that they purchased from RS Components part number 136-3514
https://za.rs-online.com/web/p/microscopes/1363514

At first I thought the Bernstein had superior magnification as it said 10X / 20x and the kern said 0.7x to 4.5x but then looking deeper it looks like it has 10x eyepieces so it is actually 7x to 45x. also I do not know if the Bernstein's magnification is variable. Thoe other factor is the reach over the PCB. The Bernstein has 850mm but i cannot find anything on the Kern.

Would you consider the Kern either equivalent or superior?

[thm_w]

Bernstein one looks like junk unless you are doing the same task over and over. Its fixed magnification 10x/20x, quite high.

Kern is a proper adjustable zoom microscope on a decent boom stand. Though similar units can be found for $500-800, so $1700 at RS is pricey.

Typically you'd use 10x eyepieces, 0.5x barlow, which would give an adjustable zoom range of 3.5x to 22x.

The Bernstein has 850mm but i cannot find anything on the Kern.

Where did you get 850 from? Page says 85-100mm.
Kern should be ~180mm with 0.5x, or ~100mm without.

[jfiresto]

The Kern instruction manual gives 105mm as the standard working distance (what you mean by reach?) and 177mm if you attach the 0.5X lens. It also gives you the choice of adding an 0.3X, 0.5X or 1.0X c-mount camera port. The 1.0X should accept a consumer, micro four thirds or aps-c camera using simple thread adapters.

[BrendanDixon]

Hi guys,

By reach I mean how far the microscope can reach from the side of a PCB. the Bernstein has an arm the can reach about 850mm i eventually found that the arm on the Zern can reach about 615mm. Options can be a bit limited in SA. And when I found I had the opportunity to get some more equipment I looked to see what I could find locally with the limited time I found the Bernstein. however the supplier has been trying to use RS components to supply what they tendered for. after. Much research I realiced even though the Zern has a shorter reach it was a far superior microscope so I have told the supplier that we will accept the Zern. Opened one today and installed it. I am really impressed with it.

Thanks for your help.

[jfiresto]

My experience with Kern is limited to buying and using four of their digital balances and scales, plus a fifth they replaced without question because they had sent a customer return instead of new stock, and could not be absolutely sure it had not been overloaded.

They have made their stuff in Asia for years. I do not think it is the best there is, but from what I have seen it is decent quality and does not surprise you with overeager cost cutting.

Enjoy the new microscope.