Mantis Compact vs Mantis Elite

[Richard Head]

Does anybody know what the differences are between the Vision Engineering Mantis Compact and the Mantis Elite?
I think it has to do with the viewer area but the website was a bit vague.
Also, does anybody have any experiance using the compact version?
Thanks

Dick

[sacherjj]

The elite has a little more zoom range capability.  I don't remember seeing much difference when we were looking through them at the APEX show.  The one thing I noticed is they both look like a joke, compared to the Lynx.  But I believe the Lynx was multiples of the price of the other two.  We are trying to decide on Lynx vs camera based human inspection vs AOI.

[Richard Head]

Thanks for the feedback I'll have a look at the Lynx, but if it's more expensive than the Mantis then I definately won't be getting one.

[sacherjj]

I would much rather have a Mantis Compact or Elite vs my standard stereo microscope.  But if someone else was paying the bills, the Lynx is about as big of a jump again.  I found it interesting that the light channel is perfectly parallel for a section, so there are about to make a Lynx that is high adjustable without changing the table and board height.  Useful for positions with greatly varying people height during use.

[Richard Head]

I'm getting tired of using my illuminated magnifier for SMD work. I end up fogging the thing up by getting to close to it!
I think a Mantis is in order. Pity they are so damn pricey.

Dick

[Kjelt]

Too bad we are all living on different countries/continents or we could do a power buy.