Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[McBryce]

That is why I built DIY microscope with ~40€ chinese C-Mount long-working-distance optic & "Allied Vision" industrial GigE camera.What you see is about working distance. Yes, it is enough to do hot air without angled nozzle.9V battery for scale. GigE does a fine job of 30FPS low latency video to the PC. Magnification is partially set by size of computer monitor
Allied Vision "Demonstration Software" is avaivable from Win x86 to Linux arm_v8 64bit. I tried running it on orangepi - just fine.

Only downside is said cameras are only avaivable sporadic on ebay for ~100€ for 1280x1024. But they are very light sensitive.

Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' aboot. A lot more than I was willing to spend for my own random use, tho. The G1200 hits the sweet spot for "too cheap not to" vs "actually usable piece of kit".

I know Tony loves his G9... but if he tried the G1200 with its larger work surface and adjustable angle-of-dangle, I think he'd kick the G9 to the curb.

mnem
 

That's why I went for the USB Andonstar microscope. Why add (and pay for) another LCD screen, when I have a PC close by with a screen more than 10 times the size?

McBryce.

[mnementh]

In a sane world, that would be the only salient point. But the difference here is economies of scale vs marketplace, I'll wager.

The G1200 is aimed at the school student/hobbyist/gizmo addict; a much larger market than the USB one intended for professional/semi-professional use. As a result, the G1200, etc can be produced very cheaply, even including a mostly superfluous 5-7" LCD (that costs a few dollars in bulk) compared to a USB only model that will be marketed to a much smaller, more technically savvy market.

Sadly, you can get a better camera and a better elevator and a LCD you don't need, and still pay less simply because the device can be produced in larger quantities per run.

Just out of curiosity, how much did you pay for yours/which model? I see a number of different USB-only AndonStar models at a huge variance in prices.

mnem
 

[Cerebus]

Lightning is AC. Pretty sure your cap discharge will be too, for some small fraction of its duration. Also, voltage multiplication from arc-welding inside the transistor's package.

mnem
 

  Lighting is DC (static discharge) any AC seen is ringing induced in circuts.

(This is in my professional expertise and I'm not going to comment further on it)
[/quote]

He's just playing with the old trope that "There's no such thing as DC really.". At least I hope he is...

[Kosmic]

That is why I built DIY microscope with ~40€ chinese C-Mount long-working-distance optic & "Allied Vision" industrial GigE camera.What you see is about working distance. Yes, it is enough to do hot air without angled nozzle.9V battery for scale. GigE does a fine job of 30FPS low latency video to the PC. Magnification is partially set by size of computer monitor
Allied Vision "Demonstration Software" is avaivable from Win x86 to Linux arm_v8 64bit. I tried running it on orangepi - just fine.

Only downside is said cameras are only avaivable sporadic on ebay for ~100€ for 1280x1024. But they are very light sensitive.

Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' aboot. A lot more than I was willing to spend for my own random use, tho. The G1200 hits the sweet spot for "too cheap not to" vs "actually usable piece of kit".

I know Tony loves his G9... but if he tried the G1200 with its larger work surface and adjustable angle-of-dangle, I think he'd kick the G9 to the curb.

mnem
 

Bought a Mustool G600 in the past. Was crap. I was not going to repeat the experience with the G1200. The Andonstar is working a lot better.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/msg3077725/#msg3077725

[mnementh]

Yeah, my two were similar ones with different names. Similar experience. Yours has the same exact elevator assembly mine has, only on the smaller workplate like my first.

If I were going to spend more than I did on the G1200 (from another label), it would be a proper commercial-type build with C-mount camera, 8020 chassis, etc. like ch_scr did.

You gotta remember... Andonstar, MusTool, EatMyShortsOptical, etc ALL get their bits & pieces from the same half-dozen (or less) factories. You simply cannot count on any single one of these China-direct labels to ALWAYS BE crap or not crap.

mnem
 

[Cerebus]

That's why I went for the USB Andonstar microscope. Why add (and pay for) another LCD screen, when I have a PC close by with a screen more than 10 times the size?

McBryce.

Personally I quite like single use devices that don't need you to futz about with some other bit of kit, even if it's something you're bound to have, to get it working.

I have several spare screens, but getting one out, a power cable, a signal cable and getting it all plugged up is a lot of faffing about compared to "grab, power on, use".

[Kosmic]

That's why I went for the USB Andonstar microscope. Why add (and pay for) another LCD screen, when I have a PC close by with a screen more than 10 times the size?

McBryce.

Personally I quite like single use devices that don't need you to futz about with some other bit of kit, even if it's something you're bound to have, to get it working.

I have several spare screens, but getting one out, a power cable, a signal cable and getting it all plugged up is a lot of faffing about compared to "grab, power on, use".

Exactly why I bought an all-in-one unit. I don't use it all the time and it's normally stored somewhere. It's easy enough to deploy on the bench when needed.

The other thing I really like is the articulated lights on the side. Allow you to play with lighting and get the best results.

[Kosmic]

You gotta remember... Andonstar, MusTool, EatMyShortsOptical, etc ALL get their bits & pieces from the same half-dozen (or less) factories. You simply cannot count on any single one of these China-direct labels to ALWAYS BE crap or not crap.

Yes but Andonstar are clearly requesting better specs than Mustool.

[Zucca]

You guys sucks I have a Mantis. 

[Zucca]

BTW this is my top impulse buy ever, not TEA or yeah sort off:

[cyclin_al]

@cyclin_al -

Check your PM, dude.

mnem
 

Done! 

[PA0PBZ]

You'll regret that one; for the same angle-of-dangle issues I had with my first one: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/msg3368968/#msg3368968

The Andonstar easily focuses at a distance > 20cm (yes, I just went measuring it) and can't even focus closer than about 5cm, which is still enough to solder.
Depending on what iron you use, a gas heated one will be a little difficult. At greater distance the object will appear smaller of course, that's where the HDMI comes into play.

[ch_scr]

You'll regret that one; for the same angle-of-dangle issues I had with my first one: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/msg3368968/#msg3368968

The Andonstar easily focuses at a distance > 20cm (yes, I just went measuring it) and can't even focus closer than about 5cm, which is still enough to solder.
Depending on what iron you use, a gas heated one will be a little difficult. At greater distance the object will appear smaller of course, that's where the HDMI comes into play.

It should be considered that at about 100€ for the chinese c-mount microscope optics a type can be had that has fixed focus distance when changing magnification.

[BU508A]

@mnem
I haven't forgotten you. I tried to create a new image with all the newest versions but it failed. The build script stops at 4% and I haven't found out yet why. I'll start another attempt this evening. Keep fingers crossed.

More TEA related: ordered a Siglent SDL1020X-E electronic load from Welectron.      Ordered as well a digital microscope, the Andonstar ADSM302.   

Now it comes the tough part: waiting for their arrival. 

You'll regret that one; for the same angle-of-dangle issues I had with my first one: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/msg3368968/#msg3368968

If you're going to buy one of these little all-in-ones, you really need to be able to adjust the angle of attack on the objective; they just cannot get the objective high enough to be out of your way when you're working. The commercial ones are a different story; they have an elevator 30-50cm tall, and they will focus with usable magnification at that elevation.

No rush on the WinBoot image; Thanks for taking the time. 

Cheers,

mnem
*~Lessons Learnt The Hard Way~*

@mnem: I'm with you. But what I didn't mention was this thing I'm planning to use:


With its 900mm length and its sturdyness it gives me any angle at any point I want. 
Mounting the microscope on it shouldn't be that hard with some adapter modifications.

[BU508A]

Ordered as well a digital microscope, the Andonstar ADSM302.

I, for one, expect a full report on that one when it arrives. I was toying with buying one a while back and gave up trying to make a decision from lack of a reliable source of accurate information on what they're actually like, especially to solder with.

Will do. Anything special I should have an eye on it?

[BU508A]

That is why I built DIY microscope with ~40€ chinese C-Mount long-working-distance optic & "Allied Vision" industrial GigE camera.What you see is about working distance. Yes, it is enough to do hot air without angled nozzle.9V battery for scale. GigE does a fine job of 30FPS low latency video to the PC. Magnification is partially set by size of computer monitor
Allied Vision "Demonstration Software" is avaivable from Win x86 to Linux arm_v8 64bit. I tried running it on orangepi - just fine.

Only downside is said cameras are only avaivable sporadic on ebay for ~100€ for 1280x1024. But they are very light sensitive.

Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' aboot. A lot more than I was willing to spend for my own random use, tho. The G1200 hits the sweet spot for "too cheap not to" vs "actually usable piece of kit".

I know Tony loves his G9... but if he tried the G1200 with its larger work surface and adjustable angle-of-dangle, I think he'd kick the G9 to the curb.

mnem
 

That's why I went for the USB Andonstar microscope. Why add (and pay for) another LCD screen, when I have a PC close by with a screen more than 10 times the size?

McBryce.

Because I'm planning to use it also as a mobile device, e.g. when I'm volunteering in the Repair Café when they are open again for the public.

[ch_scr]

[...]
Because I'm planning to use it also as a mobile device, e.g. when I'm volunteering in the Repair Café when they are open again for the public.

You think you are getting that old?

[Ice-Tea]

You guys sucks I have a Mantis. 

Ooohh.. Had one at a company I worked for some years back. Makes you feel like a solder demi-God. Sometimes I wake at night and silently cry for the loss of it...

BTW this is my top impulse buy ever, not TEA or yeah sort off:

... and had a Festool stack at another job. Ah, the things we leave behind..

[BU508A]

[...]
Because I'm planning to use it also as a mobile device, e.g. when I'm volunteering in the Repair Café when they are open again for the public.

You think you are getting that old?

*harr harr harr*
You bet!

 

[mnementh]

@mnem
I haven't forgotten you. I tried to create a new image with all the newest versions but it failed. The build script stops at 4% and I haven't found out yet why. I'll start another attempt this evening. Keep fingers crossed.

More TEA related: ordered a Siglent SDL1020X-E electronic load from Welectron.      Ordered as well a digital microscope, the Andonstar ADSM302.   

Now it comes the tough part: waiting for their arrival. 

You'll regret that one; for the same angle-of-dangle issues I had with my first one: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/msg3368968/#msg3368968

If you're going to buy one of these little all-in-ones, you really need to be able to adjust the angle of attack on the objective; they just cannot get the objective high enough to be out of your way when you're working. The commercial ones are a different story; they have an elevator 30-50cm tall, and they will focus with usable magnification at that elevation.

No rush on the WinBoot image; Thanks for taking the time. 

Cheers,

mnem
*~Lessons Learnt The Hard Way~*

@mnem: I'm with you. But what I didn't mention was this thing I'm planning to use:   

With its 900mm length and its sturdyness it gives me any angle at any point I want.  Mounting the microscope on it shouldn't be that hard with some adapter modifications.

Noting just how insanely sensitive the camera is to even the slightest amount of jiggle at these magnifications... and having considerable use of 5x magnifiers on a similar gooseneck...

My immediate reaction to that is   I do hope for your sake that I'm wrong.

mnem
*toddles off to thaw some chicken butt*

[tautech]

You guys sucks I have a Mantis. 

Ooohh.. Had one at a company I worked for some years back. Makes you feel like a solder demi-God. Sometimes I wake at night and silently cry for the loss of it...

Yeah them cool things and on a tour of an avionics cadet training school a few years back walked into their milspec soldering lab where there were 15 of them !   
And 2 Metcal units at each station too ! 

They had all the toys....and now have a few more too. 

[Cubdriver]

BTW this is my top impulse buy ever, not TEA or yeah sort off:

Mine wasn't an impulse buy (thought long and hard about it, and had to borrow my friend's Jeep to get it at the time - it wasn't going to fit in the Miata), but I'm very happy with it.  Very accurate, and a pleasure to use.  Have used it to cut aluminum (with the proper blade) on a few occasions, too.  Buy once, cry once.


Crack for woodworkers

-Pat

[mnementh]

You guys sucks I have a Mantis. 

Ooohh.. Had one at a company I worked for some years back. Makes you feel like a solder demi-God. Sometimes I wake at night and silently cry for the loss of it...

You both so belong here. 

mnem
*sighs sadly, remembering his toolbox held hostage against the Canadian Bureaucracy*

[BU508A]

BTW this is my top impulse buy ever, not TEA or yeah sort off:

Bought this one 9 years back, still very satisfied with it:
metabo KGS254M

[Cubdriver]

BTW this is my top impulse buy ever, not TEA or yeah sort off:

Bought this one 9 years back, still very satisfied with it:
metabo KGS254M

Metabo makes some nice stuff, too - Have SDS hammer drills and angle grinders from them.

-Pat