Suggestions on a decent electronics microscope?

[MacMan72]

Does anybody have experience with either of these two electronic microscopes or can recommend a third option at a similar price point (~$150)?

Andonstar AD246S-M
TOMLOV DM601

My OEM optical sensing devices are functioning outside of normal operating parameters and even with my aftermarket upgrades, I have to keep the sensors pretty far away from the UUT to maintain focus which makes troubleshooting small objects troublesome.
(Translation: I’m old and far-sighted and my glasses don’t cut it for looking at small circuit components)

I figure a decent digital microscope will help and has the added bonus of being able to record what I’m doing for future reference and possibly to make videos to post. Most importantly, it’s a new toy to play with!

[Veteran68]

I have the Andonstar AD246S-M.

For my purposes, it works well. My bench would not easily fit a double-boom arm trinocular scope. I like the fact the 7" AD246 has simultaneous HDMI and built-in screen support. If you're tempted to step up to the 10" version, it does NOT offer simultaneous HDMI-out -- the built-in screen will turn off when HDMI is connected. I like having both active as I can look straight ahead at the built-in screen but if I need to see something bigger, I just look to my left at the 24" monitor.



I first had a cheaper 7" digital microscope (the G1200 model you can find by different mfgs). It was barely functional for me, and had more limited working distance. The AD246 was a pretty significant upgrade and will serve my purposes until I have a need (and can rework the space) for a proper trinocular scope. I should note that I don't struggle with the depth perception issue that some seem to with digital scopes. Maybe it's because I'm used to it, and I don't know what I'm missing.

[MacMan72]

Yeah, the simultaneous display was a big plus for the Andonstar for me… appreciate the feedback

[KungFuJosh]

I don't have the Andonstar AD246S-M, but I do have the AD208. Both are the same price point, I haven't done a feature comparison.

With the AD208, I like it, but I run it a step below the maximum resolution to get rid of any screen lag.

[slavoy]

AD246S-M seems reasonable for the price. I've had a few Andonstar models. Overall, they're okay, but the stand is not suitable for viewing large boards as the main arm will block them.
This new stand is also overly complicated, and it is not possible to slide it fully together because its blocked by the screw. If you adjust the screws frequently, the aluminum brackets may wear out. I recommend replacing it with a telescopic monitor arm.
The new models also have lens housings and lens barrels made almost entirely of plastic (the lens in my AD249S-M doesn't operate smoothly and tends to stick a bit). Older AD40X were made of aluminium and work flawlessly.
The image quality is very good, and I use it to record all my close-up shots in videos.

[dkonigs]

I personally use one of those trinocular AmScope models (really just binocular with a switch), that has a large base instead of a swing arm.

For actually working on stuff, I absolutely love it.  And to be honest, I don't think I'd want to work under anything that wasn't stereo.  That's why I never even considered these monocular digital scopes.

But for taking pictures of things, the camera port has been a complete disappointment.  Maybe its the camera module I have, or maybe its some of the connecting options, but the quality and field of view is always lack-luster and often inferior to simply holding my smartphone up to the eyepiece.

[Martin72]

I have this one here since a couple of years:

https://www.welectron.com/Andonstar-ADSM302-Digitalmikroskop

I´m very happy with it.

[nctnico]

To the OP: have you tried your mobile phone? A decent one works just fine as a magnifier for electronics work.

Beyond that, a better option is to get a stereo microscope so you also have some depth perception. A reasonably cheap option is to use a magnifier lamp which also offers depth perception because you can look through the lens with both eyes. Like this one: https://daylightcompany.com/us/omega-5-lamp/ . I paid about half the price for mine so shop around a bit for a good price. I use this for soldering small components all the time.

[aeberbach]

Thanks for comments. I have been looking since the 4” model I had refused to turn on last week. (A generic thing with an unnecessary battery)

Search term “Andonstar AD246S-M” is a great illustration of how bad search has become btw. Google has more than half the page in sponsored garbage results, the rest of the page are fake matches from shopping sites offering the best deals on the search term. DuckDuckGo isn’t much better, filling the page with YouTube videos and links to individual reviews on the same Amazon pages 🙁 Is there a better search option?

[Veteran68]

Thanks for comments. I have been looking since the 4” model I had refused to turn on last week. (A generic thing with an unnecessary battery)

Search term “Andonstar AD246S-M” is a great illustration of how bad search has become btw. Google has more than half the page in sponsored garbage results, the rest of the page are fake matches from shopping sites offering the best deals on the search term. DuckDuckGo isn’t much better, filling the page with YouTube videos and links to individual reviews on the same Amazon pages 🙁 Is there a better search option?

Strange. When I use the same search string in Google I get all relevant results, including Andonstar's website listing and several legit sellers including Amazon, AliExpress, and eBay, as well as numerous YouTube review videos and review articles. I don't see "half the page in sponsored garbage results" nor do I see the fake search term sites.

[MacMan72]

I went with the Andonstar. I like the simultaneous display and I have a mini mill, 3D printer, and lathe so I’m thinking I’ll fab up or modify the existing chassis to suit. I was even thinking of using some old stepper motors I have lying around to rig up an automated assembly that attaches to the back wall. Thanks for the suggestions.

[MacMan72]

Yeah, I’ve tried the phone but it’s unwieldy to use and I have a magnifying glass on a flex arm but I’m looking for a bit more magnification. The last few years have been really unkind to my eyesight.

[KungFuJosh]

Search term “Andonstar AD246S-M” is a great illustration of how bad search has become btw. Google has more than half the page in sponsored garbage results, the rest of the page are fake matches from shopping sites offering the best deals on the search term. DuckDuckGo isn’t much better, filling the page with YouTube videos and links to individual reviews on the same Amazon pages 🙁 Is there a better search option?

It sounds like you need to invest in a free ad blocker like Ghostery or AdBlockPlus. You might also want to make sure you don't have any malicious browser extensions.