Modifying Shitty USB Microscopes

[echen1024]

We have all seen these little shitters: http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-LED-2MP-USB-Digital-Microscope-endoscope-2-0-Mega-Pixels-Magnifier-20X-800X-/310932077469?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4864fefb9d

I recently had one bestowed upon me, much like it, except it was a Celestron microscope and has zoom from 10x-150x. The stand itself was pretty horrid, and the working distances were absolutely awful. I could get slightly farther away, but the stand prohibited that, as well as the loss of a meaningful level of zoom. With this in mind, I first fashioned it a stand out 0.65cm*0.65cm(1/4"x1/4") pine, which is acceptably sturdy. reinforcement may be required. These stands are basically 3 pieces, the stand with a ball bearing, the arm, which is tightened by a screw in the middle, and another ball bearing on the microscope clamp itself. I simply took out the bottom stand and mounted the arm and the clamp on. This now allows for quite good movement. Next comes the lens:

I had a previous set of jewelers loupes: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4pcs-Universal-Jeweler-Photography-Magnifying-Eye-Loupe-2-5x-5x-7-5x-10x-/121320944015?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3f4ab18f

Note that this ha 4 built in LED lights which are inadequate, however, if left in, will cause permanent glare from the sides of the lens. Remove this feature by unscrewing one of the nuts holding in the PCB, which is also the power supply for the LED ring.

With experimentation, I found that the best results were achieved using the 7.5x loupe directly force-fitted into the lip of the microscope, and this now allows for ~8cm of working distance with a good level of zoom. I find this perfectly adequate for SMD soldering, and if needed, the zoom knob can be used to zoom in or out, necessitating focus by adjusting the scope up or down. The primary problem now is that the sensor resolution is not adequate for this task. And yes, I can get 30fps out of the camera into a Microsoft capture program. Not bad for $30.

Photos below. Note that the picture with the screen looks weird because I did not have the light directly shining on it to prevent drastic autoexposure.

[miguelvp]

imgur is been down for me today, can't see the pictures

[echen1024]

imgur is been down for me today, can't see the pictures

Huh. I see them fine, even on different computers and networks.

[SeanB]

I have the same microscope, and did a modification that involved a big block of granite, a cheap magnetic clamp ( used for the mounting hardware) and now it is rock solid.

Here it is..

http://mjlorton.com/forum/index.php?topic=585.msg4074#msg4074

[miguelvp]

Maybe network maintenance, they show now, Nice!

[echen1024]

I gave QFP and 0603, 0402 a try today. Shows up quite nicely. For 0402, a 5cm working distance with more zoom was preferred. but, eh. I only wish that this thing were higher resolution.

[echen1024]

Wow. Your cheap mod has turned a worthless POS into an extremely useful and extremely cheap soldering aid. I guess you still need to consider the cost of the stand but that won't be much.

I expect we will see Chinese sellers on eBay offering them with a free loupe and tube of superglue soon. I'd definitely go for a kit where someone has checked that everything fits together nicely. echen1024, you should make a short video (just record from the microscope).

I'll probably try and get that in this Friday after finals are over.

[What_NZ]

Makes me think I should do something about the one I purchased locally during a lapse of judgement http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=QC3199 don't believe the "Professional Stand" bit, the stand is a joke. Maybe the old saying "a fool and his money........" applies - lol.