EEVblog #566 - Cheap USB Microscope Reviews

[MLXXXp]

It would be better to use the Andonstar microscope 180° horizontally turned around , so that the PCB is resting on the table, or an ESD mat, instead that the downside of the PCB, and its components scratch around on the stand plate.

Is it possible to turn that around?
And is the plate heavy enough that the stand does not tilt over? (One could put an additional weight on it..)

Yes, the horizontal arm can be spun around 180° or more (It rotates freely and continuously until locked down).

Yes, the plate is heavy enough that it doesn't tilt over, with the arm rotated 180°. It can even support the full weight of the cable. Adding more weight on the base wouldn't be a problem but it's not necessary.

[Selectech]

Linking this thread for those who haven't seen it:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fs-new-1080p-usb-microscope-for-easy-smt-soldering/
(short version, poster took the good stand with a custom head, a microsoft lifecam, replaced the lifecam's lens assembly, and seems to get good results, if rather more expensive).

I bought one a week ago and it was delivered today { to Canada }.

Did a quick test setup out of the box and it works great.  A busy week for me but I'll see if I can get some time to post some views of using it with real circuit boards.

At 1st glance it has good lighting, focus, field of view. Lots of room to work on a board with SMT tools without the camera getting in the way. The optical scope I use where I work is more for inspection and is hard to use with typical tools.

I have a collection of cheap USB scopes and none did what I needed. This is way better.

[GiskardReventlov]

Yes, the horizontal arm can be spun around 180° or more (It rotates freely and continuously until locked down).

Yes, the plate is heavy enough that it doesn't tilt over, with the arm rotated 180°. It can even support the full weight of the cable. Adding more weight on the base wouldn't be a problem but it's not necessary.

That's good to know, that makes it more useful.

[Mike Warren]

I bought an Andonstar after Dave's review, and for $60 I think it does a good job.

Anyway after a couple of weeks the LED light would no longer turn off. I figured the pot had failed , and since I don't find the light practical I thought I'd just unsolder the wire from the pot. To my surprise, the light stayed on.

I couldn't work out how to get the body of the camera apart safely, so I wrote to Andonstar support to ask how. They wrote back saying they would send me a new unit, which tuned up a week later.

Very good service for a cheap Chinese supplier.

[GiskardReventlov]

They wrote back saying they would send me a new unit, which tuned up a week later.

That is rare but a good sign. They are learning that being honest and treating your customers well equates to repeat business.  And word-of-mouth adds more sales.

As to the failure, you're saying that something failed open, but it was in the camera body not inline?

[Rubi]

I bought the diyinhk lens and modded a life cam and am pretty happy with it.
I already found a fault on my sdr cube build and therefore could fix it.

Example pics:
https://secure.flickr.com/photos/12416978@N06/sets/72157641206389593/

Cheers
OE1MIS

[pedro48]

I too bought the Andonstar after Dave's review ... what a neat little unit, does everything I was looking for .. so thumbs up !!!..

One thing it does, I was not expecting ... if you start to record a video .... but then forget to turn it off... it does not stop... just keeps recording and chews through all the available disk space... in  my case 55Gb. .. then the PC crashed

pretty boring movie ... what an idiot !

[joseph.anand]

A REALLY important note: The "jell-o" effect Dave noticed at higher resolutions is easily resolved by increasing the amount of light!

I was initially planning to buy the cheaper USB microscope as a SMD soldering aid, but after this video decided against it because of the latency issue. However since I plan on building my own reflow oven controller(s) (with individual control of the bottom and top elements) I would need something for inspection. So I decided to buy one with the lowest possible zoom from ebay India (http://www.ebay.in/itm/USB-200X-Magnification-Digital-Microscope-8-LED-3MP-Interpolated-For-Windows-/261342134683). It cost me ?2699 (USD 45 approximately). I  The first thing I observed (in daylight) using "guvcview" was there was hardly any latency (low enough for me to solder by hand) or odd effects due to low frame rate. However at low light the frame rate dropped significantly. I had a look a the box and the specifications mention 30fps at 600lux ambient light). In the meantime I placed an order for a PS3 eye camera and hoping to see if I can get even lower latencies.

[Rasz]

PS3 eye camera

you can control exposure directly on eyetoy = light has no influence on fps

[joseph.anand]

Well I can control exposure manually with most webcams and even with the USB microscope using guvcview on Linux. With PS3 eye with or without the auto exposure  there is no latency or drop in frame rate.

PS3 eye camera

you can control exposure directly on eyetoy = light has no influence on fps

[tjxkeith]

Hi

 I am thinking of buying an Andonstar after watching the review. I cannot find a  Manufactories Website for Andonstar so I am unable to check about a new version of this item.

It was posted  on U-tube by Yaodong Liu about 4 months ago. It looks as if it has the design of the stand has been changed and the new arm to move up and down may be operated by a plastic knob. I wonder if the spec of the microscope has been changed.

Does anyone know of the Website address for Andonstar also any supplier that has UK stock on E-bay someone else asked this question but haven't seen a reply.

[nixfu]

They seem to be selling models with a gooseneck style mount.  I think I like the type Dave had with the metal bars instead. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Andonstar-2MP-USB-Digital-Microscope-Camera-Magnifier-video-Endoscope-Camera-US-/201001891642?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ecca5773a



I have also seen that they are making one even THINNER now, that would make it theoretically even easier to get your soldering iron around.  It seems to have a very similar design with the twist at the top for the focus etc.  I wonder if the image is as good.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dental-USB-LED-Microscope-Endoscope-Magnifier-Oral-ENT-Camera-Vedio-Otoscope-/261473927434?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce10f810a

[tlk]

The twist-to-elevate mount for the Andonstar is wobbly.

The camera end of the arm has 4mm backlash.

I drilled and tapped 10-32 UNF into the retaining ring above the knurled sleeve.

I added a thumbscrew to lock the shaft in place.  Works great.

[sugi]

I tried the document camera of EPSON ELPDC20.
I think that it has the function which was excellent as an SMT micro scope.

Youtube.
http://youtu.be/XgScwj0IcK8

Explanation blog.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/sugimlabo/archives/40834310.html
It is Japanese. However, I think that you can understand by Google translation.

[miguelvp]

Frame rate is not that good for real time soldering. Looks pretty laggy.

[sugi]

I also think so.Soldering in USB connection is impossible.
HDMI connection is very fast.
However, HDMI Monitor's response is worrying for me.
I like a magnifying glass.

[sugi]

EPSON ELPDC20 is connected to PC monitor by HDMI, and it is photoed with a camera.
I think that Frame rate in HDMI is not bad.

http://youtu.be/C3qZXNJFLeU

[Futterama]

So if anything, this appears to be an older model than Dave's.

Actually, I just got a reply from Andonstar sales, the model where a black plastic tube is becoming visible when adjusting focus, is the new type, Dave got the older type where the USB cable moves when adjusting focus.

Also, they have a new stand which they claim to be more stable than the older one, like the one in that Dave's review. The new stand with the new style focus system is attached.

[sugi]

I tried many things.
However, the substance microscope was the best to me.
It is perfect real time.

[miguelvp]

An old DSLR with HDMI output and a cheap macro lens seems like the best option by far. Mounting is a bit of an issue but there are cheap mounts on eBay.

Most cameras don't give you a live update on the HDMI output and they only use it for playback.
Maybe indicating what cameras supports a live preview update will be helpful to others.

[Seekonk]

I just bought a cheap USB scopr on ebay, $16 US ship.   This is a handy tool for identifying chips.  Following picture is a .16 inch package and the black on black etch is easy to read. No photoshop was done to this photo. Beats any hand magnifier I've used!

[metRo_]

I want to buy one also, there is any new version of the Andonstar?

I found on the previous posts that these two are the new ones:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Microscope-Magnifier-Video-2MP-USB-Camera-Repair-Watchmaker-tool-camera-/131489320157?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e9d5fccdd
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Microscope-Video-Magnifier-2MP-USB-Camera-Otoscope-Dental-oral-Magnifier-/141642110360?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20fa871598

Do you think it is only a different stand or could be any increased performance compared to the old one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2MP-HD-200X-USB-Digital-Industrial-Pen-Microscope-Magnifier-Camera-Metal-Stand-a-/121215501023?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item1c3901c2df

[all_repair]

Got a USB type sometime back, but never really use it as needing a PC is just too inconvenient.  This just came out in China, and shall take a while to appear on ebay.  If you can wait, the next version shall be even better as the mount is made of plastics so wear out almost immediately for my set.   

[metRo_]

Can anyone share the andonstar software?

Thank you

[Icchan]

If someone already posted these to this thread, please remove this, but i found these reviews of the lapson model just the other day... only reviews on YouTube for these cameras.





From this it seems that  Lapson takes their customers complaints seriously and that the devices are good for their price even if the optics that they offer are just "OK". But they offer c-type mounting like someone in this thread previously mentioned, so just whack on what ever optics you want basically.

I'm seriously considering these for the basis of my soldering/inspection station in the future.

You'll find these things from Ebay in 3 basic models that offer different specifications.

I would consider the 1080p @ 60hz model that they offer and add to that an HDMI capturing card and off you go. With decent optics you can get really nifty inspection/soldering microscope for under a 1000€ and it surely is better than anything else you can get from ebay with similar price tag.