Recommendations for microscope, given my use case

[Sekkai]

I don't have a ton of room on my bench so I can't get anything huge. At most I'd like to spend <= $400 or so in total, of course I am fine going cheaper if there's something good for the money. That's just the general ballpark for my max budget.

I want to be able to do a few things with my microscope:

1. SMD soldering (I don't work with huge boards or anything so I don't think I necessarily need a boom arm or whatever it's called).

2. Part inspection (taking things apart, seeing how they work, observing finer details).

3. I also want to be able to make videos of what I see through the microscope. I don't know what most people do here. Do they get a stereoscopic microscope and literally attach a camera up to the eyepiece, or do they get a USB microscope and use special software to record what the camera sees? Or just a basic screen recorder? I don't know what my options are here.

Thank you.

[sentry]

I recently bought this microscope from Banggood.com for doing SMD soldering and part inspection. Like you my workbench isn't huge either.

https://www.banggood.com/G600-Digital-1-600X-3-6MP-4-3inch-HD-LCD-Display-Microscope-Continuous-Magnifier-Upgrade-Version-p-1152799.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

It only cost 56 dollars and it works great. I'm happy with it. You can watch a review of it here:



It can also record videos via Micro SD card.

[Discotech]

1. You only need upto 10x mag for SMD

2. Probably less than SMD requirement unless you want to look for tiny hairline cracks in things ?

3. Most use simul focal trinocular where it's effectively 3 eye pieces 2 for your eyes and 1 for camera, be careful on getting normal trinocular though as if it doesn't say simul-focal you will get 1 eye while camera takes the other

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/simul-focal-Continuous-Zoom-7-45X-Trinocular-Stereo-Microscope-HDMI-VGA-microscope-camera-56-LED-Light/32851330647.html?spm=2114.search0604.3.22.25274d6fs388TV&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10152_10151_10065_10344_10068_10130_5012917_10324_10342_10547_10325_10343_10340_10548_10341_10696_5013115_10192_10190_10084_10083_10618_10307_10820_10301_10821_10303_5013017_10059_100031_5013215_10103_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_51,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=b9852ecc-c18e-4531-bb23-92f003b502b8-3&algo_pvid=b9852ecc-c18e-4531-bb23-92f003b502b8&transAbTest=ae803_2&priceBeautifyAB=0

Is cheapest I have found for what looks to be decent scope + camera (camera isn't the best but it's okay) from a decent seller as well with good reviews

I've seen a lot of folk on here will recommend Lucky Zoom store too - https://www.aliexpress.com/store/3246006?spm=2114.search0604.3.5.4b3e5b6d8Dn1hB#

Other than that there's really only Amscope but these are premium and probably out of your budget

[jmelson]

I don't have a ton of room on my bench so I can't get anything huge. At most I'd like to spend <= $400 or so in total, of course I am fine going cheaper if there's something good for the money. That's just the general ballpark for my max budget.

I want to be able to do a few things with my microscope:

1. SMD soldering (I don't work with huge boards or anything so I don't think I necessarily need a boom arm or whatever it's called).

OK, a very important parameter is the "working distance" ie. the distance from the objective lens to the object in focus.  You want enough room to get your hands, tweezer  and a soldering iron under there.  4" is a must, maybe up to 6" is even better.

If the microscope has a ring light, make sure the ring light doesn't eat up some of that working distance.  I had to make my own LED ring light, the one that came with the scope added 1.5 - 2" which really got in the way.

Jon

[Sekkai]

Yeah the working distance indeed seems very important

I'm in the States and would prefer not to order equipment off AliExpress/BangGood/etc if I can help it; are there any good ones on Amazon?

I came across these, any good? (not sure their difference though)

https://www.amazon.com/Opti-Tekscope-Digital-Microscope-Definition-1600x1200/dp/B00PEZ3GMK

https://www.amazon.com/Opti-Tekscope-Digital-Microscope-Advanced-Definition/dp/B0184CCOY0

[Discotech]

There's only really Amscope then if you don't want to go through Aliexpress route

Those USB scopes aren't really worth it, the only decent ones are the Andonstar ADSM201 and ADSM301

[Sekkai]

There's only really Amscope then if you don't want to go through Aliexpress route

Those USB scopes aren't really worth it, the only decent ones are the Andonstar ADSM201 and ADSM301

Unless I am looking at the wrong ones, these don't seem that popular / reviewed at all on Amazon?

There also appears to be a ADSM302? https://www.amazon.com/Andonstar-Digital-Microscope-Soldering-ADSM302/dp/B076XYRCYM/

[Discotech]

There's only really Amscope then if you don't want to go through Aliexpress route

Those USB scopes aren't really worth it, the only decent ones are the Andonstar ADSM201 and ADSM301

Unless I am looking at the wrong ones, these don't seem that popular / reviewed at all on Amazon?

They're the best of the cheap"ish" USB scopes

[Sekkai]

I had just found / was viewing that video myself.

The black one on the far left I think is the ADSM301?, not sure how it differs yet from the one I just linked, the ADSM302. Which do you think is the best/better pick?

Edit: Nvm I think it's actually the 302, lol no wonder I was having difficulty

Starting to heavily tilt towards the ADSM302

[Discotech]

I had just found / was viewing that video myself.

The black one on the far left I think is the ADSM301, not sure how it differs yet from the one I just linked, the ADSM302. Which do you think is the best/better pick?

There's very little difference

302 is smaller and has a taller stand

The camera sensor is the same for both so it's whether you want to pay a lot extra for the 302 height

It's also worth mentioning in you want to capture via USB you'll only get image in 720p if you want full HD you'll need HDMI and a capture device in order to make videos/stream

[kripton2035]

the adsm302 is has a tilting monitor you can adjust, and also a higher stand height (better to reduce the zoom that is too large for smd)
I have one adsm302 and very happy with it.
I also have a former $56 like in the second post in this thread, with a nice aluminium stand that make it far better
but the monitor definition is complete crap compared to the adsm302.
I only use the adsm302 now. I don't have room for an amscope.

[Sekkai]

The camera sensor is the same for both so it's whether you want to pay a lot extra for the 302 height

It's also worth mentioning in you want to capture via USB you'll only get image in 720p if you want full HD you'll need HDMI and a capture device in order to make videos/stream

Sorry my English isn't the best but what does this mean?

With the 302, USB recording is only 720p (even though it says it's HDMI)? Full HD I need a separate device entirely?

[Psi]

Is this style really to big?

 http://s.aliexpress.com/buUNr2Yv

[Sekkai]

the adsm302 is has a tilting monitor you can adjust, and also a higher stand height (better to reduce the zoom that is too large for smd)
I have one adsm302 and very happy with it.
I also have a former $56 like in the second post in this thread, with a nice aluminium stand that make it far better
but the monitor definition is complete crap compared to the adsm302.
I only use the adsm302 now. I don't have room for an amscope.

Do you record video with ADSM302 at all?

[Sekkai]

Is this style really to big?

 http://s.aliexpress.com/buUNr2Yv

This also looks like a very attractive option, but not sure I fully understand the camera and how it works (there is a switch that goes between two eyes + no cam and one eye + cam), presumably the camera fits into the top somehow, it doesn't show how it's supposed to be used. Microscope only goes to 45x magnification I believe, ADSM302 goes to 560x, correct?

[Discotech]

Sorry my English isn't the best but what does this mean?

With the 302, USB recording is only 720p (even though it says it's HDMI)? Full HD I need a separate device entirely?

If you connect the scope via USB it will output only 720p video

If you connect the scope via HDMI it will output Full HD @ 1080p to anything that accepts HDMI as input

But if you want to record in full HD on your PC you need an adapter called a capture device which takes the video and inputs it into your PC at HD because PC's do not have HDMI inputs, only outputs

Something similar to this - https://www.elgato.com/en/gaming/game-capture-hd60-s

[Psi]

Yes switch for 2 eyepiece or 1 eyepiece and camera port at top.
I have used a simulfocus microscope without the switch and it seemed that the eyepiece optical path was not as good. Which makes sense. They have extra optics to split some light to the camera. So unless you plan to livestream,  it maybe better to get the kind with the switch.

Yeah. I don't know much about the camera they show in that listing. I got the bigger blue one.
Heres a link to the camera being sold by itself with more info
 http://s.aliexpress.com/U7RfUvAF


These hdmi/usb/sdcard cams arent to bad. We use them at work. Dont expect more quallity than a 720p image though.
I think thats the sensor size they use.
 http://s.aliexpress.com/aMBFjQJz

If getting one of these type of microscopes you definily will also want to get a 0.5 barlow lens for the bottom and a 1/2 cmount adaptor for the camea.

[Sekkai]

But if you want to record in full HD on your PC you need an adapter called a capture device which takes the video and inputs it into your PC at HD because PC's do not have HDMI inputs, only outputs

Something similar to this - https://www.elgato.com/en/gaming/game-capture-hd60-s

I own a Macbook Pro, there is a port on the side of my computer labeled HDMI, is this HDMI input?

edit: google suggests it is output only.

[Psi]

Hdmi input for capture is very rare.
No laptop/pc would have it by default. It would be an expensive ad on

[Sekkai]

I think I will just settle for 720p if I have to buy a bunch of extra stuff just to get 1080p recording out of it.

That Luckyzoom, it will work without a computer as well which seems to be a plus, and then I can use the camera + USB to computer to record in 720p? Blue camera is 14MP vs. the 5MP that comes with the scope, main difference? Would it look not so great with the 5 MP camera vs. the 14? I don't see any reviews of this scope or cameras on YouTube.

[Discotech]

I own a Macbook Pro, there is a port on the side of my computer labeled HDMI, is this HDMI input?

edit: google suggests it is output only.

You need a capture device if you want HDMI input on any computer (unless that computer has a device pre installed)

Something like this https://www.amazon.com/Capture-ezcap-Video-1080P-Recorder/dp/B00KMTYPXC/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1534458472&sr=1-5&keywords=ezcap

It will capture 1080p at 30fps which is all you need if you're on a budget and need something to capture hdmi

[Sekkai]

You need a capture device if you want HDMI input on any computer (unless that computer has a device pre installed)

Something like this https://www.amazon.com/Capture-ezcap-Video-1080P-Recorder/dp/B00KMTYPXC/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1534458472&sr=1-5&keywords=ezcap

It will capture 1080p at 30fps which is all you need if you're on a budget and need something to capture hdmi

So connect HDMI-to-HDMI cable from microscope to input port in capture box, then HDMI-to-USB cable from output port on capture box to output HDMI port on Mac?

[Discotech]

So connect HDMI-to-HDMI cable from microscope to input port in capture box, then HDMI-to-USB cable from output port on capture box to output HDMI port on Mac?

Capture device will either be a PCI expansion card or connected via USB2 or 3 (Usb 3 allows 1080@60fps due to higher bandwidth)

Scope -> Device -> PC

[Sekkai]

I may just stick with 720p to save on the complications / cost... I'm looking at 720 vs 1080 comparison videos online and most people can't seem to tell the difference (I know I can't).

[Psi]

Fullscreen over hdmi you can tell 720 vs 1080
But 720p is fine

Ive used both the 720p and 1080p versions

With the blue720p cam i got you can record 720p video over USB. I cant recall what the frame rate was though.
Usually with usb video capture the high resolutions have slower fps.
If you want to solder while watching a monitor then youd def want to use HDMI though, and im sure HDMI recordings using a hdmi capture card will look better than usb recordings.