2018 Soldering Microscope Comparison
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ม.ค. 2018
- Andonstar ADSM302 HD Microscope
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Andonstar ADSM201 HD Microscope
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Use this link to get $5 off your PCBWAY order of PCBs: www.pcbway.com/setinvite.aspx...
Here's an additional coupon code for $10, just enter 1ec9d870 after registering. The stainless steel stencil used in this video was only $10 so that's basically a free stencil.
Koolerton 2.3” Microscope
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Koolerton 4.3” Microscope
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Links to Equipment Shown in the Video:
Helping Hand: amzn.to/2Ew5KLe
Claw Clamp: amzn.to/2EwNAt0
Camera Mount: amzn.to/2lDKDhI
PCB Hotplate: amzn.to/2CuIjEg
Hot Air SMD Rework Station: amzn.to/2CmEQs1
Solder Paste: amzn.to/2C86h4G
Soldering Iron: amzn.to/2EtFhOF
Solder Wick: amzn.to/2C6Opaf
Osciloscope: amzn.to/2CA6i2d
195W Lab Power Supply: amzn.to/2C7ZsjF
Spectrum Analyzer: amzn.to/2Ew9xYY
SMD Tweezers: amzn.to/2Co7OHW
Wire Racks I made my Bench with: amzn.to/2Cqj7yB
See my instructables account for step by step guides to some of my projects: www.instructables.com/member/P...
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Some of the comments here are just plain mean. I thought this was a great video and it helped me. There are so many of these Chinese cameras out there and to see someone review them who is actually a technician is very helpful. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! I try not to let those type of comments get to me.
@@ProtoG42 Excellent review. I appreciate the effort you made. Ignore the dickheads. Well done Sir.
Thanks for the comparison of those 4 model. i really appreciated u used same items and show how it looks from each video.. thanks!
Ohhhh I've been looking for a descent microscope for sometime and kinda gave up as I only found cheap&nasty or super expensive $3000+
I'm LOVED this Andostar 302 HD.. looks like they've got everything right and a good price too (this is not expensive, it could easily cost 10x or more)
Thanks for this reeeeeeally good and honest review... so much POWEEEEEERRR
Thanks man!
you can get a basic Amscope for 250, a much upgraded one at 600, or one with all the bells and whistles for 1000.
Thanks for your video: I am looking for a digital microscope for SMD soldering and was bewildered by the number of options out there. Your video was very helpful and I enjoyed watching it.
Great stuff! Was looking for a decent microscope for smd work, and this was just what I needed to see! Thanks!
Im really digging the Andonstar ADSM 302 HD. Bit pricey but the output quality is just amazing. Thank you for the review!
Yeah, it's awesome. Thanks man!
@@ProtoG42
Is this their official website ? www.andonstar.com/
Nice comparison. I made an LED ring light that works with both andonstar microscopes and I also use a microphone boom arm instead of the original stand, you might like to check the videos on my channel.
I added a battery to my adsm201, it has the pads for the battery on the PCB so you can just solder a small lithium battery, it's not that I need to use it outside or anything, it's mainly because the settings would reset everytime I disconnected the power. The adsm302 although it also can take a battery inside it already has a small backup battery to save the settings.
Great comparison video.. Exactly what I was looking for. Currently, I use an 8 Mpixel that produces an excellent picture. I use it professionally, on a shoestring budget. It was about $100 on Amazon. The pix appears on the computer screen. I did have to make a custom mount for it to be useful.The overall problem I have with all of these is that they produce a 2-D image, no depth perception. I did get "used" to it, but. I'm used to 3-D with a stereo microscope, but at 2kilobucks. I'm waiting for a VR hood for the stereo USB microscope.BTW, another reason why the advertised resolution is not met, is that the salespeople just plain have no clue what they're talking about.Thanks again.
Glad I found this review. You sold me on the ADSM302, looks leagues better that the stuff I've been looking at. Thanks!
Helpful, Thanks. Everyone Ive been looking at tells you in the specs how low/close you’ll possibly need to be for figuring out your needed working distance& space. for many people thats major buying criteria especially for soldering work. Yes generics are available before being branded, but gains in savings may be lost in support especially in language options, etc.
Thank you for this review! It helped me a lot!
This is the best Andonstar ADSM302 HD Microscope review out of all the others here on TH-cam..Very Helpful..We can see working distance Picture Quality and everything in detail man..I am going to buy this for sure within a month.good job.
Nice review! Do you know if those resolutions are true resolution or if there is some shady upscaling going on like you often see on the cheapest cameras/microscopes?
MP (mega-pixel) IS important depending on what youre doing with the images.. if you are using them to look over the pic it took for faults and such then you would want a high MP cause that gives you a better ability to zoom in onto the pic after it has been taken, basically the higher the MP then the further you'll be able to zoom in before it starts to get fuzzy/loss of detail.
Great video on the cheaper microscopes available. I actually use the first one you showed, it is cheap and cheaply made but it is very useful for me and I have used it on several electronics repair videos. If you look hard enough you can find it available with the silver ajustable stand up like the 3rd one you showed. I would love to have one like the 302 you showed. It looks really good. The older I get the more I love these little digital microscopes!
Thanks for the review. Didn't mention if the 302 has record capability.
Thank you for this! but how about lag? do they have lag in the video? good job man
for simple soldering the right most one is quite easy and nice.
you do need a custom 3d printed base depending on how large pcb's you want to solder
Thanks for sharing 😀👍, I have thought about buying one of those microcops 👍
Thanks for the review. I am currently looking at the AM4115ZT Dino-lite for soldering electronic components. The cost for this is $630.00 usd.
This review made up my mind to buy one, keep up the good reviews
thanks for the review, doesn't look like much has changed in this market since you posted this. My own research point me to the 302 as the one i need for mineral examination (and having a good image stored). Would also be good for stamp and coin collectors as well as all sorts of hobbies.
What is minimum magnification of ADSM 302, 301, and 201?
Very interesting. I have one like the last one with an 8.5” screen. My one complaint is that minimum magnification is 50x and sometimes I’d be happier with 10x. When I first got it part of me wished I’d bought one with eyepieces over one with a screen because I struggled a bit with depth, especially when using tweezers. However, it doesn’t take much practice at all to get used to using one. I am the ultimate amateur and was previously using a jeweller’s visor, the difference even a lower end microscope is phenomenal.
I graduated to a andonstar 302 from a 201.i used the 201 for several months and it does a fantastic job but i gotta say the 302 is leaps and bounds better not just a tad better.
If you are spending more then $50 for a 201 just do yourself a favor and spend the extra $150 for the 302 cause its worth every single penny.
I have the Mustek G600 from Banggood, which I believe is the same microscope as the Koolertron 4.3.
Nice video.
Yeah, that unit seems to be generic with several brand names. Thanks for watching!
@@ProtoG42 I have that one as well but I hate the base.... i can't seem to get a good understanding of the arm you are using.. which are the parts you used. Thanks Great video!
@@Nclght that is a magnetic base for a dial indicator . the arm is called an indicator holder and looks like a noga knockoff
Great review. Covered all my questions.
I've got the black Andonstar and it is great; you can focus at a far enough distance so you can comfortably get your soldering iron in there.
Hi, can you tell me about where you bought your red magnetic stand for your microscope (G600) the first left with its forceps?
Thank you
Want to know also? Nice vid!!
@@deanschepers1188 I used one Indicator holder: amzn.to/2Ew5KLe
and attached one Claw Clamp: amzn.to/2EwNAt0
I use these clamps for anything someone would use a helping hand for.
I have the Andonstar ADSM201, and although it does record full 1080 when using the USB, the HDMI out is only 720 regardless of what it is set to. I was a little disappointed in that since using it with a 1080 monitor was my primary intention, the 720 still looks good but it wasn't what I paid for. Also there seems to be an issue with windows 7, I could get it to record but the program got an error trying to use the preview screen. In Linux it worked without a hitch, i must say there is a lot of lag though.
Great review. But not enough close ups of super tiny things. Can you find a 01005 SMD to zoom in on?? Or better: 008004. I'd like to see how close it can make them appear
Looks like a Noga mount would work great. Thanks for the review
No need to spend the money on a Noga unless you're machining. These cheap red ones work pretty well: amzn.to/2Ew5KLe
I also use these claw clamps:
amzn.to/2EwNAt0
Hi, are these things good for regular soldering (no SMC but regular through hole stuff etc)?
I am starting to be pissed off at my augment lent “second hand” and thinking about trying something more professional.
Great video, thanks for all the detail. It sure is a big help for a novice
i have the 1st andonstar from years ago 1600x1200 which had no lcd and was 15fps def getting on the 302 now
Which one is best suited for electronics technician work based on fact that a solder iron have to be used under it at any given time when working on SMD's circuitry?
Fantastic! I was able to cancel my order for a cheapo $36 scope and decided the ADSM302 little brother 301 is a much smarter investment for my older eyes. Thanks for the great review
Muy buena comparativa. Muchas Gracias por compartirla.
For a microscope for working (vs. inspection), latency and focus depth are more important than image quality. I bougtht a cheapo one to try & the latency is so bad it induces tremors as the brain tries to correct for the delayed image
mikeselectricstuff the two poor quality units had a noticeable latency. I did not notice any with the two andonstar units. I solder directly through the screen with them without any issues. What’s the best way to measure the latency? Film a stop watch?
I just shot a video of me turning on the lights and counting frames until the LCD updates. In 5 frames the LCD is updated partway, and after 6 frames a full update is done. So a delay of 240ms - not bad, not good either.
@@zaprodk Is that a good test? These cameras adapt based on the light is not an indication of the latency in normal use. The frame rate will probably decrease the lower light you use as it compensates exposure.
@@mikiex The "test" i did was with normal lab lighting + the two supplied lamps for reference.
@@zaprodk Which scope did you test?
The Levenhuk DTX rc3 actually has a 3 megapixel camera. It can produce 12 megapixel pictures but they are really just blown up and do not contain more information than 3 mp pictures.
Both Andonstar models you show have 3MPx sensors and just upscale to 12MPx photos. The 302 model showed better photo, because of more magnification and you just had different angle of the light. When filming open microchip reflected light changes how it looks dramatically. Probably the lens is a little better, but overall it is not much different. Unfortunately both Andonstar models output only 720p to PC over USB. 1080p is only on HDMI. What I like on the 203 is the large enough display for actual work. I am still deciding which one to buy, but I guess it will be the 201 model as it is half the price or 302 and not that much worse if you use PC or monitor.
thank you for the demo.sir
Hi there, very interesting video, thanks ! I think the 302 is ideal for my needs, but I am wondering about the field of view (max and min). I would say that the biggest thing I would ever need to take a pic of would be 20mm squared. Even that would be unusually large. 99% would be under 10mm. Would be interested to know what you estimate this thing can go up to. Many thanks !
Did you managed it to connect them to a PC and use a software where you can change contrast, brightness, color and so on?
I found this video extremely helpful and one of the best on TH-cam to compare these types of microscopes, which led me to get the even larger (but same camera) AD407 - however - I wish Andonstar would give real specifications instead of telling you what magnification you can get on a screen they don't supply (up to 270x on a 27" screen?). Unfortunately they also fail to tell you the minimum magnification you can expect - I'm an electronics hobbyist, and for the majority of soldering I do, 2-3x zoom would be great, otherwise I'll always be moving the work around - at full height, with the camera mounted on the lower lens ring, you will only see about 25-30mm of PCB - I could not view a whole Wemos D1 chip on screen at minimum zoom. For a product sold to aid with electronics (and clearly not aimed at professionals), the magnification offered feels far too high.
Hi there, thanks 10x for this review! Comes in handy as I am looking for a soldering microscope.
Question: Does Andostar ADSM302 have any latency in the video?
With other words, say you are soldering under the microscope, do you feel any delay between soldering and this being visualised on the screen for you. Do you need to artificially slow down yourself down in order to see/get soldering right or this latency completely unnoticeable? Is there any difference in the latency between the build in screen/monitor/USB?
sir, can g600 (1st microscope) direct connect to monitor? i have monitor vga unused. hope your feedback sir, thx
Anyway you can show how you made the base to the first one? I am purchasing that camera and would like to assemble the base like yours. I just cannot see how it's all put together. I'm a better visual learner. Thanks. Make a video of it?
Thanks for the info I had no Idea what I was getting into.
Thanks for the review, I'm getting into watch repair and adsm302 looks to be what would give me the room to work on the watch.
Has anyone used it for this by the way?
Thanks for taking the time to make the video. I have a few questions.
How do these compare to a stereo optical microscope for rework and other manual soldering?
What is the latency like on these devices, and general speed of the UI?
What are the optical and digital zoom capabilities like?
The views you show are quite close in, certainly more so than I'd generally use, and I regularly go down 0.4mm pitch and 0201 passives, sometimes even 01005 size. How well would these digital microscopes work with, day, a 2" diagonal target?
Thanks again!
The UI is very similar for all of them and works fine. The cheaper unit seems to have more latency but not too bad. I’ll take more board photos a bit farther back this weekend and post them.
OK, many thanks. I'm particularly interested about the video latency, historically this is the reason I've not had much luck with these digital microscopes: I find I need immediacy for eye-hand co-ordination tasks like placing parts and manual soldering or rework. Regarding the zoom, if I can't see a reasonable board area of, say, one or two square inches, I end up spending time hunting myself which upsets my workflow. This is where an optical zoom function, preferably a parfocal zoom helps (parfocal = where the focus is maintained as you zoom in and out).
Have you used a digital microscope with a built in display? I find the usb units I've used have had a noticeable delay. I could try with a stop watch to see if I can pick up any latency. None of these 4 microscopes will zoom out enough to see 2 inches. I measured a little over 1 inch of viewing space. The 4x digital zoom on all of these will serve the purpose of a parfocal zoom.
Here are more photos of a 2cm wide board taken with the 4 units:
Andonstar ADSM302 taken @ 20.5cm i.imgur.com/uzFEcRA.jpg
Andonstar ADSM201 taken @ 12cm i.imgur.com/Zh7Pf5I.jpg
2.5" "Koolertron" Microscope taken @ 11cm with no light i.imgur.com/cVwB9KZ.jpg
2.5" "Koolertron" Microscope taken @ 11cm with light at lowest setting i.imgur.com/gLUf2KR.jpg
4.3" "Koolertron" Microscope taken @ 21cm i.imgur.com/9HJ58hx.jpg
Those stills are pretty revealing, the ADSM302 is by far the best one, I assume you're using each devices' built in lighting?
I've used two USB streamed ones which were both useless except for taking stills. One of those is a C-Mount that mates with the trinocular port on my optical inspection microscope, and it has a live HDMI out at 1080p60. I have it hooked up to a 15" 1080p60 HDMI monitor on the bench, and the latency of this setup is such that I find it unusable: it's perhaps only 1/15s or so but it's enough that I find it quite offputting: I can potentially be working for several hours at a time with a microscope. It is possible that the latency is in the monitor, I'll have to try it with some different combinations of cameras and monitors.
I did look at one of your videos a week or so ago where you did some placing without the aid of a microscope. I can do this down to 0402 particularly if I know the board, but for 0201 and below and placing fine pitch devices
Latency on the ADSM302 is approx. 240ms.
Nice informative video it helped me decide on a microscope for electronics. i chosen the cheapest since the range is better.
You usually get what you pay for 90% of the time. I am getting the 302 right after this comment. I have been working this guy so I am at 170$ that's a steal honestly. I'm going to be using it for coins and that's plenty of enough space to move coins in and out plus i like the HDMI option. Thanks brother for the awesome review and actually showing the quality for comparison. Most reviews dont show live comparison like yourself.
Andonstar ADSM302 HD Microscope
----Question can you run the Microscope display and the extra display while recording?
I noticed you wearing a respirator. Do you recommend any respirator for soldering fumes? I don't wanna breathe in too much bad stuff. With Covid it's harder to find one but I still would appreciate any recommendation.
The 1st one, with the red base, is what i can afford. Thanks for the comparisons 🤓
What do you need for an auxiliary light?
Enjoyed your review in the microscopes, thanķs
Proto G
Is that an AVE ruler I see there?
Hello, thanks for the share. Can you tell me if it´s possible to have via HDMI only the image, without timer, icons, etc. I am thinking about use this ANDONSTAR AD407 for a art perfomance and I am looking for only the image. thank you very much.
Thanks for the great review! I ordered the Andonstar 302HD after shopping for the less expensive version after seeing it in your last video. It hasn't arrived yet, but it's great to see the difference. Sounds like I made the right choice. What's are the latencies like on these?
The cheaper units seem to have more latency but not too bad. I didn't notice any latency with the Andonstar units.
Latency on the ADSM302 is approx. 240ms.
Very nice comparison with all important details. That´s what the people need and not bla bla bla! Thank you Sir!
Can I use the 302 for hotair soldering? Or will I kill it the first time it's in use? :p
It would be nice to see each one "in action". Zooming in on a chip is marvelous, but in practice you usually have lower magnification.
If the microscope can't capture video [and even if it can] then videos from an adjacent camera showing smoke blowing on sensors, or a soldering iron trying to reach a joint, make for a great visual aid to go with your comments.
Wouldn’t it better to get a cheap (80-90$) stereo microscope?
what kind of batteries does the remote take?
Thank you very much for your time !!! Super !!!
Thanks for watching!
Can you please do the same microscope review but on small coins like a Penny
Great review! Thanks!
Hello! I have a question I don’t feel is asked too often about these particular microscopes. I’m wondering if the ADSM302 is good for looking at plants, bugs, or just things around the house that you want to see up close? I’m interested in the scope for just fun and curiosity. Thanks in advance! 😊
They are all decent for that purpose. You don’t need much clearance just to look at bugs or plants or coins or whatever it is. The clearance matters if you have to work on something that you’re looking at, for instance soldering something.
for adsm302 you said 12megapixels. but the amazon link description say 3megapixels. ?
The andonstar 201 does not output true 1080p.
I have a 1600x800 Samsung monitor that when feed a 1080p signal from my pc will nag the hell out of you with a message about the signal not being supported,it will display 1080p just fine tho.
With the 201 hookup up to it i do not get this message at all so i am not sure what its outputting but its not 1080p.
Also the image is so dang grainy.i think its really 640x480 being stretched cause if i switch the output on the 201 to vga 640x480 the monitor will crop the sides but the image quality is the exact same as when in 1080p just croped.
Спасибо! Интересное сравнение!
Question. The one with the added base. Where can I get that base? I just ordered it and it should be here in a few days.
yh you can see the detail on that last 1 its decent
Nice review, lots of useful info.
P.S.
If AvE see you didn't assemble the ruler, shes gonna release the shmoooooo... :D
I looked this microscope up up on ebay (price seems to range $300 - $400 US) and the spec does show a 12 MP photo resolution...but, also a 3 MP image sensor. The image looks really good in your video but, I really do question the interpolating of pixels. Thoughts?
@David - My own vision is limited and I didn't purchase one but, I agree with the presenter that the last microscope seems the best overall and the cost for all are very reasonable (I mean it's not like any of them are $50k - 100k or some crazy price tag like that).
is it possible to add another lens on the end of it to increase the magnification and sharpness and can the ring leds for microscopes from amscope be attached to it for better lighting and will this work with 4k monitors also?
The tv in the video 4k. I'm not sure about the magnification, but I can't see needing more magnification than is available and yes those ring lights do work with these units. I've seen other people on youtube use them on the adsm201
When using the adonstar 302 , is it sensitive and wobble when moving around on the table?? Can you solder and move around without the camera losing focus and going crazy?jay
There is a noticeable lag with the cheaper units. I haven't noticed any lag with the two andonstar units when placing small smd components and soldering.
The lack of range in the 2nd microscope can be alleviated by locking the screw above the diffuser, instead of above the focus ring.
Very nicely done
HOW ABOUT THE ONE WITHOUT SCREEN IF anyone tryed one please tel me your opinion about it
You seem to talk about the quality of "pictures" a lot but to be honest as a soldering aid I am not interested in how well it takes pictures. I need to know what it is like in use whilst soldering. ie, is there a decent working distance? Is there any latency between the camera and screen? Is the stand stable? will it maintain focus in use? what is the clarity of the screen in use?
If there is going to be a part 2 to this comparison, could you please demonstrate the microscopes in use as soldering microscopes.
I bought a cheap "soldering" microscope, the USB type that you plug into a computer and it was as much use as a chocolate coffee pot. The colors are off, it won't stay in focus, it wobbles all over the place in use and worst of all there is about a 200-millisecond latency on it. It's absolutely terrible.
So I have ordered a good old-fashioned optical microscope for soldering work.instead. It has X20 and X40 lenses, a good focal distance and a good solid stand.
what lcd you have man? model?
Very helpful video!
302 super?
Thanks by the video. Helped a lot.
first 3 really look like modified dash cams, 1st one basically is.
You see, any way you cut it or dice it, one has to spend around $300-$500 for a really good optical binocular scope like an Amscope or Minvision. There are lots of drawbacks with these "cheap" ones, like lower quality sensors, narrow optical magnification if any (digital gets fuzzy), lack of working distance, and a slight video lag which some people can never get used to (myself included). These are just toys, as you've said more like modified dash cams. The old adage "You get what you pay for, certainly hold true when it comes to scopes. ;)
I once had a cheap dash camera. It is easily worth it to get a known good one. Look for reviews. Don't pay any mind to the plainly obvious fake reviews that where they sound like some ecstatic old lady is dancing around singing their praises but the real ones that simply say if it was any good. Who knows you might see a ton of reviews that say JUNK, DO NOT BUY or something similar.
12:12 thats a no brainer. Being able to have this much travel (or free space) will allow you to easily put a hot air gun between the microscope and the pcb
Perfect video and thank you for sharing ❤😊
The Andonstar 302 is $350, but there's an Andonstar 301 out there too, going for only about $200. It appears to be similar, but lower magnification (up to 260×) and lower focus range (5-12 cm) and with a slightly different form factor for the stand.
The 302 is $299 in both links I listed, I'm not sure about the 301, I've never used it.
I’m in Southeast Asia so Amazon added $50 for shipping. Surprisingly, I can’t find it any cheaper on eBay (most of these gadgets are made right next to me in China, and I can often get them much cheaper from a Chinese eBay seller than on Amazon... but not in this case).
What about aliexpress?
I have no experience with that site but they do seem to have it for $300 with free shipping. Thanks for the lead.
I've been ordering parts on there for years and my only complaint is shipping times but that has gotten a lot better recently but that all depends on the seller.
How do you prevent the soldering fumes from setting on the lens?
MetalheadAndNerd fan or fume extractor :)
thanks for video reviews...
Thank you 💪🏻
how do you come up with 12 Mega pixels
I would say 1 and 2 are more PCB inflection stations. 4 not bad, how is it working from a monitor? I tried using external out to a 20 inch monitor, or 40 inch tv. The depth of view just isn’t the same as looking down a microscope. To bad they don’t disclose that size the sensor is, or what sensor it uses. If you knew the size you could play with other lenses and maybe even increase the working distance without loosing quality. Yes, I agree megapixels don’t matter to much with the live image or HD recordings. It does help a little if your going to post editing a photo and do some major cropping on a photo. But for me, I don’t keep photos around, so it doesn’t matter. The sensor size does matter for letting in more light and capturing more area.
Does the negative view help at all with finding traces like on black soldering mask boards?
Well I’m more curious then anything on how some of the better ones stack up to a microscope, but not willing to pay $300 to find out. But for free I would have given it a try also. I’ve never used the measuring distance software myself for my setup, but i guess if your designing a board and know the dimensions of the components out need to fit onto an existing board then it might be useful. I think some of the features are not exactly targeted at electronics only, but for other hobbies as well.
Nice comparison.
Thanks, I haven't used the negative image feature yet, but the pictures look like it would add contrast to make certain thing easier to see/read. Only the two Andonstar units will connect to an external montor with an HDMI cable and they work as expected. You can see is @ 12:52
Great informative video thank you
Great review thanks
im looking at the TOMLOV 7" LCD Digital Microscope
prices have come way down . i got the G600 on ebay for $35 with free shipping!