Corey, I’ll bring my work over your house. ;-) On May 26, 2019, at 1:13 PM, corey cohen via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote: Alan, I just ordered the same one as you, started doing a lot of research this weekend and I like the idea of extra workspace from the articulating arm since I work on a lot of boards that are about 10x15” in size. Cheers, Corey corey cohen uǝɥoɔ ʎǝɹoɔ Sent from my iPhone
On May 26, 2019, at 3:27 AM, alan--- via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Can't speak for the other models listed here. But I do a lot of SMT soldering - usually 8+ hours per week on average (week after week). I have an AmScope SM-6TPZ-64S-3M with the boom arm and the EP20X30 30mm eye-pieces and highly recommend it. Not cheap however (about 1K).
-Alan
On 2019-05-24 19:39, Henry S. Courbis via vcf-midatlantic wrote: For daily inspection I use a simple 35 x 50mm loupe: https://www.ebay.com/itm/192449543176 For a little more power and light I use 40 x 25mm loupe. This is name brand. Clones about as good for $10. https://www.ebay.com/itm/283444814303 50x only comes out for really fine pitch SMT parts. And even then I rarely use it. For a desktop scope you have several decent choices. Vision Engineering's Mantis Microscope is pretty good for no eye strain, large working distance, light, etc. Sometimes you can get a deal on a used one on eBay. Still might be $1k for used. Second choice would be AmScope SM-4T. 7x-45x. Like $500. See youtube for reviews. Best thing it's trinocular so you can mount a CCTV camera and output to any monitor you want. So no eye strain if you do lots of work. Third choice is AmScope SE400-Z. 10x-20x. As low as $130, but usually twice that price. Not trinocular, but you can still fit a camera to the eye piece. https://www.ebay.com/itm/223525346066 As you probably already know, main thing with inspection scopes is the working distance. Unlike a loupe, you can get your hands on the board with a soldering iron and not worry about burning off an eyebrow or worse. $.02 Please let us know what you decide and if you like it. I'm always looking for new tools too. Thanks! Henry S. Courbis Office Toll Free: (800) REACTIVE (732-2848) Office/Mobile Direct: (856) 779-1900 www.ReActiveMicro.com <http://www.ReactiveMicro.com> - Sales, Support, and News, Our Headquarters on the Internet ReActiveMicro.com/wiki - Support, Software, Manuals, and History. Create your own page today! Facebook.com/reactivemicrousa - Our Social Media Outlet and Support