Re: USB Microscope for PCB work

On Fri, 7 Dec 2007 06:50:34 -0800 (PST), a7yvm109gf5d1@xxxxxxxxxxx
wrote:

On Dec 6, 10:53 pm, ChairmanOfTheBored <RUBo...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
On Wed, 5 Dec 2007 06:40:14 -0800 (PST), a7yvm109gf...@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
On Dec 5, 9:07 am, "Joe G \(Home\)" <jo...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi All,

I am looking for recommendations at indicative costs of a USB microscope to
assist in PCB smd hand assemble and re work etc....

All your comments appreciated.

Joe

You're better off with a "real" piece of lens, the delay in processing
to make a picture on a PC will mess up your coordination.
Or maybe I just need a new PC.
I use my Canon S3 in super macro mode to take some nice close up
pictures, with a LED illuminator.
Or try the QX series of USB microscopes. Not a super great picture,
but I hear there is a new version out.

ACtually, a good digital camera that has a good, close macro mode
would be killer at what you want. Mount it in a frame (heavy steel wire)
at the minimum hard focus distance (or more), and use the zoom feature to
adjust your view below. Move the PCB around by hand under the frame, and
use the screen to view the result! Viola! Point a laser pointer at the
center of the camera's view. BAM! Hi-res PCB live video micro-viewer for
under $500. Want a snapshot? Press the button!

Or use the software that came with the camera to remote control it via
USB, like my S3. BTW, once in macro mode, there is no zoom.

A lot of digital camera "zoom" lenses aren't. They are more like
variable focal length.

John

.