[sdiy] Cheap microscope for SMD

[Barry Klein]

Search on "Dino-lite" and you'll come across mine.
We use it all the time.  The software that comes with it is really cool.
It has some rather hidden features that enhance the use of it.  
No capture issues, easy to use.  Note that the default resolution is not
its highest.  Cost around $150 at the time, when they first came out.
We have a much more costly camera on a stereo microscope but never use it.
Heck, the capture card for it cost more than the rest of the setup.
Since getting ours they have come out with higher resolution models along
with focus stands etc.
For SMT soldering I'd recommend just getting a good Optivisor... or a
cheap stereo microscope.

Barry


-----Original Message-----
From: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl
[mailto:synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Ullrich Peter
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 1:00 PM
To: MTG; Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Cheap microscope for SMD

Hi!

>Saw these at a trade show last week. Soooo cute.
>
>http://www.aveninc.com/?main_page=product_info&products_id=1114

There are a few devices that look nearly the same, maybe the same
electronics in different housings.
But the prices are very different. The scope you showed us is very
expensive!

I bought mine via Ebay for 35 Euro inclusive shipping from HongKong.
This is about 50 $. Normally the prices in Europe are about 60 to 200 Euro.
But I found no difference in function and quality.

I bought mine for SMD soldering, but it is not really as good as an optical
stereo microscope as there is some latency
due to the digitizing, USB transfer, and graphic output.

In VGA resolution (640x480) it is nearly possible to solder under the scope
(be sure to protect the lens and LEDs from the smoke!!!
Use a strong fan to blow away the smoke...

In 1.3MP resolution the quality is very nice - nice for still images
(documentation, inspection) but too slow for soldering...
320x240 is fast but the resolution is too low for fine pitch IC pins...

Ciao
Peter

http://come.to/synpro

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