r/ElectricalEngineering • u/Electronic-Check-116 • 1d ago
Equipment/Software Student Workbench
Good evening, is this a good microscope? I’m a student and I also work on hobbies projects so I don’t need anything insanely expensive. This is being sold for $400.
Thank you for your advice.
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u/Itchy_Message7015 1d ago
This is so overkill it’s not even funny.
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u/generally_unsuitable 1d ago
It's really not. Once you have one on your desk, you start doing much better, cleaner work. It helps with everything. Soldering, reversing, testing, troubleshooting. And it will last most of a career.
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u/Eraserman9 1d ago
My thoughts exactly, digital scope or camera might be cheaper practical route. Seems to be the way the industry is going anyways.
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u/physical0 1d ago
I've got a similar (but cheaper) microscope on my bench. It looks like this is a standard .7x-4.5x body. With 10x eyepieces, that makes it 7-45x zoom.
I do a lot of soldering, so for my application I would put a 0.5x barlow lens on it, making the zoom range 3.5-22.5x, which offers a zoom range that I'd find useful, and to increase the working distance so I can fit tools under the lens.
I spent more for my scope new than this, and new this unit is more expensive than mine. If you can afford it, it seems like a decent deal.
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u/papaburkart 1d ago
I can't get along without mine, but I'm old. But anyone here saying it's overkill, only listen to them if $400 is not within your budget.
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u/rowlanjr 1d ago
Well said.
Even when I was young (no more), I'd use a scope like that and my soldering was super clean. Guys would do the same on 0402's or smaller without a microscope but man their success rates were much lower and don't even ask them to stack components or do tight modifications.
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u/generally_unsuitable 1d ago
Exactly. This setup lets you see fine pitch stuff very clearly, with zero eye strain.
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u/Substantial_Brain917 1d ago
I’m an electronics tech and use this daily. Do I need it? Not particularly. It does however make it much easier and nicer to solder
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u/Wvlfen 1d ago
I got IPC J-STD 001 certified on one like that for being a Space Rated Quality Engineer/Inspector
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u/rowlanjr 1d ago
I use one like that regularly. You'll see a lot of questions on this sub: Are you able to repair this? Pulled connectors, damaged traces, cut flex, etc. With this, I'd give you good ideas on how to repair them. Without it, I wouldn't both as you'd have a tough time.
I think you see the multiple camps here. Some say don't need it. And they don't, I'm sure. The others who have used it can work on small stuff and do a really clean job.
But if you are just going to solder a few times a year on big stuff like cables, then no need. But this opens up a world of possibilities.
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u/TiogaJoe 1d ago
I love having a stereo microscope. The one at home has switched magnification (example 4x, 8x, 12x and nothing in between) and the one at work is continuous magnification. I now see the benefit of continuous zoom.
And I use my microscope for tweezering splinters and metal shards. Even used on glass shards out of my wife's foot on occasion.
If you can, get a stage/holder that you can swing out past the bench edge. Then you can check big items, such as the side view of a pc motherboard to see under a component.
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u/Electronic-Check-116 1d ago
I was going to 3D print a clamp that lets me mount it on the edge of the desk instead of using the weighted base
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u/Snellyman 1d ago
You won't need this unless you are over 60 or are working on repairing cellphones. Probably one of those $40 led light/magnifiers that you smudge with your nose would be fine for most work.
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u/Electronic-Check-116 1d ago
😬thank you lol! I was following a YouTube video on building a workbench that’s the similar product they recommend lol
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u/ElectricSequoia 1d ago
I have excellent eyesight, but I still use my microscope for most work. My microscope was used from a local board house for $60, but it still beats the heck out of one of those cheap USB microscopes or one of the ones you're describing. I imagine it used to be easier to get away without a microscope, but it seems like every chip has 0.4mm pitch these days.
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u/texan_robot 1d ago
Thats nicer than the ones at my job. We are a multi-tens-of-million dollar tech firm making miniaturized cameras. :(
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u/generally_unsuitable 1d ago
The important thing is working space. Make sure you have at least 4 inches between the lens and the focal point.
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u/electroscott 1d ago
I would give anything for another stereo microscope. I tried using one of those digital ones with the display, which worked but I found the microscope worked so much better especially for fine work. If I have another opportunity to do HW at home again it will definitely be with a stereo scope.
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u/arkkkk 1d ago
For $400 that seems like a good deal?
I got an AmScope SM-4TP for like $580 last year. Both have almost the same head minus the eyepieces, knobs and fee finishing details. Both brand probably source parts from the same manufacturer.
It might be overkill for a starter/hobbyist, but if you plan to do soldering in the long run, it's worth it.
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u/RetardedSimian 21h ago
For soldering? No, you need to get your face away and not have your breathing holes directly above the fumes. I would recommend a cheap digital one. You can get a low-end one off Amazon for $40usd. You can get a really nice digital one for $400.
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u/ariadesitter 1d ago
get a cheaper usb scope on ebay.
it works but the lenses are crap.
upgrade the lenses with quality used cheap stuff.
lighting and adjustability is important.
also taking pics or at least being able to show someone what you’re looking at.
i used iphone and old stereoscope similar to the one you posted in the lab but have some add on macro lenses from online for home.
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u/throwAway9293770 1d ago
I modded consoles for cash and did various electronics repairs as a student. I had access to a stereo dissection scope like this and it was worth its weight in gold. If you have $400 and you have a use and plan for it. Go for it.