Good deal on a 144 LED Four-zone ring light

[Stiletto]

Just an FYI, I wanted to point out what I believe is a decent deal if anyone is thinking about buying a 144 LED four-zone ring light for Amscope and other similar stereo microscopes.  I bought one of these ring lights from FY Scope last month for $71 for use with my Amscope SM-4NTP and have been very happy with it. Especially since it was $34 less than the comparable product from Amscope direct ($105).

Check it out at https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-144-LED-Four-Zone-Microscope-Ring-Light-with-Adapter-90-240V-Microscope-led-light/32656667629.html.
If you order it, make sure you specify in the order comments what power cord and plug you want (attn: USA buyers). It's a 90-240VAC autoswitching power supply, but they ship the two prong European plug as the default.

Here is another Aliexpress vendor that sells what appears to be the same product for a bit less than FY-Scope. I don't have any experience with them, however.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-LED144-microscope-LED-ring-light-with-4-zone-control-illuminator-Dimmer-for-stereomicroscope-machine/32487017447.html

If your objective or barlow lens does not have a groove machined into it to accept a ring light, I would also recommend this 48mm adapter. I have found this aluminum machined ring more durable than the plastic ones that come with many of the ring lights.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-48mm-Ring-Adapter-For-SZM-and-SZ-Stereo-Microscopes-LED-light-adaptor/32662528796.html

Enjoy.

[PlainName]

I am not up to speed on these lights, so forgive me if my question seems daft: what's the importance of the four zone thing?

Here's a different 144 LED light: 144 LED ring light

Doesn't have the four zones, but does have a figure-eight power lead so what plug you get is irrelevant. That's a pretty good feature-set for a third of the price, it seems to me!

[Stiletto]

I am not up to speed on these lights, so forgive me if my question seems daft: what's the importance of the four zone thing?

Here's a different 144 LED light: 144 LED ring light

Doesn't have the four zones, but does have a figure-eight power lead so what plug you get is irrelevant. That's a pretty good feature-set for a third of the price, it seems to me!

Yeah, I had the 144 LED light ring that was a single zone with adjustable brightness, which I bought for around $25, like the one you mentioned.  It was not bad and did the job, but for me having the multi-zone feature was very helpful in fine tuning the lighting (especially when using a camera) and not washing out some areas of the board with highly reflective components. In addition to varying the illumination brightness, it allows you to light up 1, 2, 3 or all four quadrants of the light ring independently as needed to obtain the best results.  To me, this was much nicer and provided better and more flexible lighting than I was able to achieve with my $25 144 LED kit.

The power cord received is pretty relevant to me when you are in the USA and the vendor ships you an EU cord. Sure, I could modify the cord, replace it, or use an adapter, no rocket science there. But I could ask the vendor for the correct "figure 8" power cord in the first place when ordering it and use the product out of the box when it arrives, which is my preferred option.

[PlainName]

OK, thanks. Is each zone only of or off (which I would have thought would lead to shadows) or independently controlled for brightness?
 

[Stiletto]

OK, thanks. Is each zone only of or off (which I would have thought would lead to shadows) or independently controlled for brightness?

Each zone can be turned on or off independently, but the brightness can only be set for all zones as a group.

[PlainName]

Thanks. I can spot a business opportunity

[jfiresto]

It has been a long day and perhaps I am imagining this, but a few of the FYSCOPE pictures appear to show 72 LED ring lights.

[Stiletto]

Yeah, it appears in their haste the seller must have cut 'n' pasted the wrong photo from one of their other items. Hah, not a good way to sell 144 LED ringlights, eh? 

Attached is a snapshot of the item I received from FYScope on low brightness with all 144 LEDs illuminated. You'll notice there are three circular rows of LEDs in my photo, unlike what appears to be the case with the website photos.

Nevertheless, I found the seller FYScope to be legitimate and cooperative. The China EMS package delivery system, well, leaves a lot to be desired, but the seller was communicative and legitimate, with good feedback with regard to prior sales of this item.