Is Andonstar AD407 PCB / SMT Microscope Good? Image quality is ok (see the video), but the stand ?!
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2021
- What is your tip for a good microscope for soldering? Leave a comment. Thank you. ( Andonstar AD407 Review )
Links:
- A video where I use this microscope: • Tutorial #6: Steps To ...
- On Amazon.com: www.amazon.com/dp/B07VK52X9C/...
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It is much appreciated. Thank you,
- Robert
Thanks for the information! I was looking for a microscope and had no idea what I should observe before buying one.
Robert, as always super instructive!
Would be great if you could share more also about other lab equipment.
I look forward to seeing your next videos, and thanks for sharing ;)
I've been looking for a good soldering microscope for a long time now (years and years). This is good information, I'm going to keep investigating this subject and hoping to be ready to buy something by next spring.
I have similar microscope (Andonstar 208) and I've attached it to the ring be end of optics.Also quite easy trick to get better working distance is to use M4 standoffs. Needless to say I completely agree with you about the length of the arm.
You can actually mount the microscope to the stand below the red line (near the lens). It is a bit fiddly to get it to mount straight but once it is in place you have about 15cm of space between the desk and the lens. The focus remains adjustable above the new mounting point. I have used it like that for a while now and loved soldering under it ever since.
Same for me
I have a similar one at home, but i went with just the camera module that does not have a screen. It's nice for documenting, and i like that i can place a large enough screen directly in front of my eyes, so i don't need to look down in a strange way to see what is going on under the camera.
I still kinda prefer to work (solder) with real optical binocular microscopes tho, they just give me a better depth perception, and i'm used to have zero lag.
We have a Mantis Elite scope at work too, but that is a completely different beast, and it takes time to get used to working with that thing. The biggest problem i have with the Mantis is that i need a raised platform for my PCB to sit on, so i can use a normal desk and look straight into the optics of the Mantis sitting upright and comfortable. For precision soldering, i kinda want my wrists to rest on something tho, so you have to build up on your desk and find ways to set up your workspace ergonomically. Maybe with different magnification lenses it is better, but i think the ones we have now give a good field of view for soldering. The focal point of the Mantis would need to be about 10-15cm higher up to be ergonomically ideal, and i don't see how we could change that (we have the 6x SLWD lens already).
Dear Robert, you have made a very personal and honest review, thanks so much. I wonder if it would be possible to look for a suitable length shaft on the trade or letting make a new one by melting Al alloy. Another question: is it possible to upgrade the microscope firmware, if it would be necessary in a future?
The English ad on Amazon says: "The parcel will be shipped from WC, you will receive parcel in 5-7 business days." I think WC stands for Western China, but the translator you used thought it meant water closet which of course is a toilet. This is a simple mistake anyone could make! ;-)
What about adding a barlow lens? Would it be an improvement? What size would be the right one?
I have the oldest model and still the best i had so far.
Since i have glasses it's kinda hard to use those stereo ones, it helps a lot to work with this
This is very tempting. I use a binocular optical microscope for soldering. However I normally wear glasses for the mild astigmatism in my right eye, and I can wear them when looking through the microscope. A video screen would let me see what is going on while wearing my glasses.
I have the 8.5” version, the field of view is it’s only downside. However, I bought a cheap clamp on mic boom and I don’t put other lens all the way through the makes it that you can have 60cm (restricted by the wires which is easily fixed) between the clamp and the lens which is very workable. It also enables you to have more space to work in.
Seems like a good value for money, but shipping rates to EU are huge from the Amazon link in the description, does anyone know an alternative for lower shipping and import fees?
I received a broken one, with a burned line on the LCD, andonstar never really helped me to exchange the unit.
Oh
My friend had an issue and they gave him a new one and he kept the other one for spares.
Maybe you just had a bad luck
Why would you want the image on the screen of the microscope is 1:1 with the object itself?
I think it’s not bad at all. For 0201 or 0402.
Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the video and review!
PS. You confirmed my hypothesis about buying heavy books :P and why we need them!
Yeah, especially this one :) I started reading it, but I have never finished it. It has a good title Successful Manger's Handbook, just ... if we all become successful managers (or millionaires) after reading a book, that would be too easy :) However, I didn't know that at the time when I was buying the book. Now I do not buy this kind of books anymore .. there are no shortcuts and no book is going to tell how you can become successful.
I ordered a Xit XT30WAB 30mm 0.43X Wide Angle Lens for it. Will see how it goes.
I recently bought a microscope similar to this (but way way cheaper, the KKMoon x1000 720p). And whilst the screen resolution was enough for me, being an electronics novice, I also found the problem of the vertical axis being too short and the view field was too narrow. Thankfully the Z axis in my case was a simple 140mm diameter metal pipe so I found a longer one on Aliexpress and problem solved :) Now I can even use the microscope with a PCB holder. Thanks for the review, it was very interesting!
@Mr Guru lol, you're right xD 14mm.
Nice review as always.
And hilarious "microso..cope" phrase.
Is there any statement made on the physical resolution of the internal TFT? Plus how long is the delay for the internal screen? I have another Andonstar for like 3 years or so and as you mentioned the delay drives you crazy when try to solder. I would consider this as an upgrade but only if the internal TFT is fast.
I have not measured the delay, but I regularly solder under the microscope, no problems. I actually use it much more than my optical microscope. PS: If the resolution of TFT would be small, you can always connect it to a HDMI monitor or TV, but I have no problem to use the TFT for soldering. I made number of videos where I use it for soldering: search on my channel for "wand" or "desoldering" or "Tutorial #6" ruclips.net/video/UTkluwr2KOw/видео.html
@@RobertFeranec Thanks I will have a look.
The focus issue is lens distortion. Lenses which correct this aberration usually kick you up to higher tier systems. You are right, it's tricky finding a low cost system that checks all the boxes. But these Adonstar scopes really check off quite a few boxes! A decent stand for microscopes cost more than the whole Adonstar you have there, so you have to overlook this point and do what you did! Half the time you end up having to rig something anyway. Nice review, thank you.
Thank you Craig
I have exactly same distortion on andonstar ad409 on exactly same side, so it seems normal for their sensor, its mostly noticeable when the microscope is mounted in the upper position and is at maximum height
@@vassilikouleshov2209 That's interesting! Thank you for getting back on this issue on another model. It may not be the lens after all, unless they happen to be reusing the same one one a different model. Can the lens be turned a little, to see if the distortion rotates as the lens is turned? Thanks again Vassili.
@@craigrotay3732 Yes, it probably is same lens as it has same diameter of 30mm as andonstar 407, the difference here only the screen is 10inch, how do I rotate the lens ? should I unscrew something ?
@@vassilikouleshov2209 OK thank you. I'm not familiar with these devices so I don't want to suggest anything that might cause damage. I was just curious. Nice of you to feed back. Take care!
I bought one a few months ago, have not used it much, but so far i like it, I always intend to replace the stand, its terrible, Id like a swing arm or boom, and its light enough to use ones made for mics I bet.
How do i connect to my computer and how do i take photos and save on my computer?
On this model, I use the microscope SD card slot for pictures/videos or I connect the HDMI output from this microscope to record videos on my ATEM (or you can use any other HDMI grabers). To be able to use USB for pictures and video, I think you may need to buy a more expensive model.
Regarding the too-short support post (and too-tight field-of-view), as of late 2023 there's an AD407-Pro model that has a 32cm post (as compared to 19cm for the AD407 model). Though I note that at 10:25 Robert says he wants the post to be 47cm, which is a bit taller still.
Hope they are not made in the toilet :D I have Adsm301 and the image quality and the stand are great. The only problem is the slight delay which is pretty annoing durring soldering. Also one advice - add polaryzing filters on the lights and on the lens. I promise you will love it!
Hello Svetoslav. Where can I buy the polarizing filter from? Thanks in advance.
@@mortaldrumming I bought a cheap polaryzing film from aliexpress. 10x10cm size. Than I carefully cuted a circle shapes with a scissors.
Спасибо, очень полезное видео 🤗
I may try this ... Some people recommend to use a wide angle lens with this microscope, something like this www.amazon.com/Xit-XT30WAB-0-43X-Angle-Camera/dp/B00B49LOMO I guess, it should be possible to fit it instead of the UV filter.
16:57 maybe this is due to the microscope being very slightly tilted on the books it is standing on?
maks886 that's an interesting point. When I am in the office, I will try to move it. It could help with the problem on edges ... but in some cases the unfocused area is also in the middle ... let's see. PS: Mohammad Reza MiM also commented on this point and shared this link (for some reason youtube automatically removed his comment, maybe because of the link): www.microscopyu.com/tutorials/distortion
Bought one couple of months ago, satisfied. It’s not expensive… realize a leica would cost you thousands…
I agree. PS: I have also an optical microscope which was more expensive, but I actually use Andonstar more, especially because of the HDMI output which I can see on a big monitor - super comfortable.
It looks good. But we can take photos by mobile. We can record all things by good mobile camera. We can zoom more than this in good mobile. Why we need this. May be I am wrong. Please compair it against with good mobile camara quality
I have not tried to use a phone camera for this purpose. But it is an interesting point. In my case, I needed HDMI output. Also I am not sure how far away you need to hold the phone from the board (e.g. would it be suitable for soldering? For soldering, you may want to have the phone maybe 10cm away from the board, but still having a good zoom)
@@RobertFeranec ok try with good camara mobile and make comparison
@@RobertFeranec my company wants microscope which can measure PCB thickness, copper thickness, core, prepeg thickness. Can you suggest
@Robert Feranec this is great video!
@mahadev kolhe I use my old Huawei P10 when I need closer look to my PCBs. I made a holder for the phone and there is enough distance between the phone and PCB. For the best viewing I use camera in manual mode . I have no problems for soldering resistor 0402 or 0,4mm pitch connectors. The picture is good, there is almost no any delay in the video. But there are two problems, when the display is inactive for more than 30 sec the camera turns off and this is too annoying and the display is small ! This is the reason why I consider buying microscope like this.
The package is shipped from the toilet :)))