Good (and bad) inspection tools
I lost the loupe Sunstone gave me, so I ordered this one off Amazon. It's perfect, triplet optics, and has a ring illuminator that prevents side lighting. The one thing I wish is that manufacturers would start using warmer balanced LED's. I know white LED's are actually blue with some phosphor, but I'm pretty sure it's possible to sacrifice some brightness for a warm balance.
Now, on what not to get. I ordered this magnifying lamp a while ago off Amazon. I like the large viewing area, but if I'm using to solder, I have to have it so close to the board that it gets in the way. Also, the bulbs that come with it are daylight balanced, and I obviously have a problem with blue light. Also, since it has to be so close, the offset of the bulbs make fore pretty poor illumination. If anyone happens to be near Queens, NY, I'll give it to you if you want.
Just thought I'd share what I've tried so far. Chime in with your favorite tools. I think I remember PhiPi recommending head mounted unit. Are they compatible with glasses?
Now, on what not to get. I ordered this magnifying lamp a while ago off Amazon. I like the large viewing area, but if I'm using to solder, I have to have it so close to the board that it gets in the way. Also, the bulbs that come with it are daylight balanced, and I obviously have a problem with blue light. Also, since it has to be so close, the offset of the bulbs make fore pretty poor illumination. If anyone happens to be near Queens, NY, I'll give it to you if you want.
Just thought I'd share what I've tried so far. Chime in with your favorite tools. I think I remember PhiPi recommending head mounted unit. Are they compatible with glasses?
Comments
http://www.lakeland-microscopes.co.uk/stereo_sm.html
The quality is surprisingly good.
It's intended for dissection, so the objective is well above the working area.
You should be able to get something similar from a supplier in the USA. It's made in China.
http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm/terms/14585
Go with a pair of 2.5X surgical telescopes. I paid usd $50.00 for a pair on ebay. There are a lot of types and choices;you can easily exceed the 1k range at the high end. But if you like room to work this is the only way to fly. What keyed me into this was seeing some of the cardiac surgeons at St. * using them in surgery. It is a bit of an adjustment to being to do detailed work 14 inches away from what i am soldering. But what a treat it is.
If you go this route, talk to your dentist or other practitioner who uses them. Mine got the fixed in lens version and wishes he got the flip up ones because he has to try to look around them so often. Mine just flip up though the price for that i more weight.
FF
Fifty bucks for a pair of surgical telescopes is a steal! I've been wanting a pair for a long time but haven't been able to stomach the $500 or so that most seem to cost.
-Phil
Made y microsurgical instruments out of Texas. Dentist had used them for school then must not have used them or upgraded when he was practicing. I think that since normal is $525.00 people were afraid to bid on them. Currently these are on special for (I think) $325 for 2.5X 110mm field. They also have 130mm field for more, but with a larger field, wonder what kind of resolution would be traded for the extra field size.
There are some lower cost made in PRC all the time; no idea of quality.....
FF
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-type-Binocular-Dental-Loupes-2-5X-420mm-glass-Loupe-420MM-Optical-glass-/390319366873?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae0d8e2d9
FF