Having tried various digital microscopes for smd work, I found myself always going back to my stereo beam microscope with the x10 configuration, no latency and infinite pixel resolution. To match that visual quality with digital you have to go Olympus or Nikon and that's stupid money...
I've bought a few different ones, with the intention of using them for soldering. I found them too awkward for that, but they are good for board inspections for sure.
Get a good optical binocular or trinocular microscope with a boom stand or articulating arm and you never will go back. They're expensive but if you do board repair they're a game changer
Thank you. I don't do a lot of repair and I have used the trinocular, but trying this out - I like the flexibility of moving myself around and not having to stick my face in the bincular;) But we also had a camera in the trinocular so we could watch the screen. The zoom on this is also very good and gives me room to work under the lens. I've only been using this type of setup for the last couple of years and sparingly - so maybe I'm missing something... I can totally see how you can become so good at soldering under a trinocular that there would be no reason to change.
@@KissAnalog I didn't need a microscope for a very long time working with embedded systems found in trucks. Even with mcus with fine pitch in a QFP package there's not much benefit because the surface tension of the pads lines the pins up for you. So there use case is definitely specific and you'll know when you need it. When I started getting into PC motherboard repair it was clear immediately I'd need magnification to do it effectively. I'm also prone to motion sickness and digital scope will trigger it for me. The only real downside for me with the optical microscope is the amount of space they take up and the lack of portability.
Cool stuff!!! I wish I had this to re-solder the SMD resistors on the FICM (fuel injector control module) on my Ford F350. I did see the direct Amazon links.
Thanks! I am so happy to be able to solder again. I have good eye sight but my close up sight is not as good as it one was;) Now that I can see these small SMD - I can solder;)
@@KissAnalogMy 69 year old eyes suck too. However, I messed up on my original reply. It should have said that I DID NOT see an Amazon link to the scope. Just saying in case you are affiliated for a commission. You have a great channel!!!
Dimcho Hvarchilkov... How to make unreadable label on chip (IC) READABLE He uses thermo compound to bring out the chip numbers. Also, there is a video somewhere, on using different light filters to read very faint chip numbers. Both are like magic! 😎 Thanks for the great video.
Looks ok. I am looking for a microscope (for 0.4mm pitch QFNs and 0.5mm LQFPs), but $350 is too expensive for an Untermensch. And since I already own some computers and monitors I think i should just get a camera/stand. I hope I can solder QFN with ordinary iron. Otherwise I will have to get some SMT rework station.
Thanks! They do have all kinds of models from low cost to this one. This is so cool that they sent this out to me;) Really the pay off I get for the channel;)
Sorry about that. That part of the video was corrupted and the part that looked good had no sound:( I have family coming in town and didn't have time to reshoot and re-edit the video.
Having tried various digital microscopes for smd work, I found myself always going back to my stereo beam microscope with the x10 configuration, no latency and infinite pixel resolution. To match that visual quality with digital you have to go Olympus or Nikon and that's stupid money...
Thanks! I am going to try a trinocular agian and see what I think comparing the two types.
Totally agreed, It’s much easier to work with an analog stereo microscope vs trying to solder while looking up at a monitor
Hi Eddie great stuff. Thanks for the video.😁
You bet! I appreciate you!
I've bought a few different ones, with the intention of using them for soldering. I found them too awkward for that, but they are good for board inspections for sure.
I know what you mean, but this big screen makes it easier to see, and powerful microscope lets me get under it with room to move.
Get a good optical binocular or trinocular microscope with a boom stand or articulating arm and you never will go back. They're expensive but if you do board repair they're a game changer
Thank you. I don't do a lot of repair and I have used the trinocular, but trying this out - I like the flexibility of moving myself around and not having to stick my face in the bincular;) But we also had a camera in the trinocular so we could watch the screen. The zoom on this is also very good and gives me room to work under the lens. I've only been using this type of setup for the last couple of years and sparingly - so maybe I'm missing something... I can totally see how you can become so good at soldering under a trinocular that there would be no reason to change.
@@KissAnalog I didn't need a microscope for a very long time working with embedded systems found in trucks. Even with mcus with fine pitch in a QFP package there's not much benefit because the surface tension of the pads lines the pins up for you. So there use case is definitely specific and you'll know when you need it.
When I started getting into PC motherboard repair it was clear immediately I'd need magnification to do it effectively. I'm also prone to motion sickness and digital scope will trigger it for me. The only real downside for me with the optical microscope is the amount of space they take up and the lack of portability.
Looks like a nice piece for the bench, for all of us old, blind guys, Eddie! Lol
LOL You are so right! I am loving this thing and looking at all kind of boards and such under this - like seeing again for the first time ;)
That's a beautiful microscope.
Thanks - I agree;)
Nice microscope...
Thanks
Nice review video 👍
Thanks so much!!
Cool stuff!!! I wish I had this to re-solder the SMD resistors on the FICM (fuel injector control module) on my Ford F350. I did see the direct Amazon links.
Thanks! I am so happy to be able to solder again. I have good eye sight but my close up sight is not as good as it one was;) Now that I can see these small SMD - I can solder;)
@@KissAnalogMy 69 year old eyes suck too. However, I messed up on my original reply. It should have said that I DID NOT see an Amazon link to the scope. Just saying in case you are affiliated for a commission. You have a great channel!!!
Thank you. Here's the link. I also added it to the description below. www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFKC2BVL
Dimcho Hvarchilkov... How to make unreadable label on chip (IC) READABLE He uses thermo compound to bring out the chip numbers.
Also, there is a video somewhere, on using different light filters to read very faint chip numbers. Both are like magic! 😎 Thanks for the great video.
Thanks for that great info!
Looks ok. I am looking for a microscope (for 0.4mm pitch QFNs and 0.5mm LQFPs), but $350 is too expensive for an Untermensch. And since I already own some computers and monitors I think i should just get a camera/stand. I hope I can solder QFN with ordinary iron. Otherwise I will have to get some SMT rework station.
Nice, but a bit out of my price range. I've never used a screen type for solder work...always a stereo optical 'scope.
Thanks! They do have all kinds of models from low cost to this one. This is so cool that they sent this out to me;) Really the pay off I get for the channel;)
make sure yours has USB-C otherwise you get very old stock .
Thanks for the heads up!
'Solder' in the title and you didn't show us how feasible it is to solder with 2D magnification. Andy, don't be lazy.
Sorry about that. That part of the video was corrupted and the part that looked good had no sound:( I have family coming in town and didn't have time to reshoot and re-edit the video.