Which microscope for repair?

"yvan

@yvan_be


Rep: 97




3


1"

"The first questions is: what do you need it for? The second is: do you really need it?

If you just want something to play around with, any of the $40 Amazon digital ones are fine. If you want it for doing board level repairs, forget about seeing it on the screen. I have the Amscope SM4TZ with the camera. The camera is really only good for taking pics...not much else. It actually gets in the way more than it helps."

"Just facts here…

(Seeing things through a microscope or trying to view a screen of some type is purely up to you. I have worked with both and as long as both are in relatively the same position to the work being done both are very usable. By same position I mean a screen above and slight up between your line of sight to the board work area. About the same area where a microscope would be viewed. Small endoscopes are not as useful as a full size microscope.)

You need to see things closely but not so closely where you can not see the area your are working on. Minimum required magnification is 3.5X. Best for the large view to see damage areas, bad connections, and cleanliness of the PCB.

You need to zoom in on some things more closely to determine what needs to be done. Maximum required magnification at least 45X.

You may desire to be able to get extreme close views of things occasionally but it is unlikely it will help you work. Maximum magnification goes as high as you are willing to spend with my recommendation set around 135X to 200X, both are great for looking inside an IC circuit when opened up but it is not something you will ever fix.

I suggest getting a stereo scope with camera port, these scopes are also know as Trinocular Microscopes.

I suggest a good quality microscope camera (video and still for customer photos of damage repaired and repairs done.) NOTE: The camera will help your business over the long run after showing your video/still photos to friends and word gets around, pictures are unique and people remember them while they forget ordinary comments.

You need a quality light system, there are several available and each are good,. Decide which one is best and a light system that can remove shadows or allow shadowing from various angles can be helpful but is not required. Shadowing can make things easier to see because of the contrast it creates in the image. If you are looking to go for least cost look into a ring light or buy an external light you will constantly have to re-position (not a good idea). NOTE: LED lights come in various light wave frequencies, choose a frequency that allows you to see best. My suggestion is a bright white or slightly yellow lighting. These are the colors we are used to in home and offices,. I find bluish lighting makes it difficult for me to see as well, you may be different so try it before you buy it or have an options to return the light for another spectrum color.

You need a way to suspend the microscope over you work area. Find a boom or other system that will allow you to move the microscope around over the entire surface of your work area. The less time you have to spend adjusting fasteners to move a microscope the easier it will be to use and enjoy.

Cost of equipment depends on what you buy. There are microscopes that can run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars and essentially do exactly the same thing. Very high quality optics are very expensive, all you need are quality optics that are clear and bright. Big brand names Leica, Nikon, and others add dollars to cost for no real return other than the reputation they have for quality. Today I have to admit China is producing some good Microscopes for electronics SMT (surface mount) technology or BGA (ball grid array) repair work.. Some Chinese choices are less than excellent but one I find pretty good is “AMSCOPE” which you will find on eBay or Amazon web sites.

IMPORTANT: Making choices like Stereo Binocular or Trinocular to allow a camera must be made knowing is you choose Binocular now you can not change the microscope to add a third view port later. If you want a camera and can not afford it now get the Trinocular Microscope so you can add the camera later. Anything that can not be changed after you buy your microscope needs to be purchased to accommodate future plans. If you do not do this you in the beginning will have to buy a new microscope later to have what you eventually want.

For electronics work everything you need is in detailed above. You know your finances and you have to decide what to buy beyond what is required. Expect to spend a minimum of $400.00 and a Maximum of $1,500.00 unless you go with a long time respect brand like Leica where cost could go sky high. It’s your money!"

"You might want to review what Jessa uses and how she does micro-soldering Introduction to Microsoldering with Jessa Jones.

Besides having the tools you do need to be able to read schematics and understand how things work. Have you taken any college level courses in microelectronics? You may want to start there."

Another thing that I would look for, a Simul-focal microscope. Can view through both eye pieces and use the camera, at the same time.