Supereyes USB microscopes?

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How does that compare to the Veho VMS-004D with 2MP CMOS sensor which sells for $56 online?

Which Supereyes model and sensor are you talking about?

I recently bought the 200x kind.

From a quality and resolution POV it looks more like 1MPixel. But that could also be due to the lens. Obviously there can't be a $1k lens in there :-)

It works out of the box into Windows Explorer. But for using the various resolution modes (which affects frame rate) you need their software. The one on the CD didn't work and they have a free download. It took a while to figure out that only the non-w version works.

LED: This is not SW-controllable and the LEDs will stay lit even with the PC off, depending on PC-configuration and whether you use a powered hub (I do). Until USB power gets cut.

Another thing you should now: The USB cable does not have any rotational strain relief so don't use this in a rough environment where it gets moved a lot.

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I cannot speak to the specifics of what you are looking at....

I have been looking at cracked solder joints through a traditional microscope, but am not able to get very good pictures. A guy in the office has one of those usb microscopes and they are very good....but.... the focal point is so close to the device that I could only get good images looking straight down on the chip. Unfortunately, the cracked leads were only visible when viewing through a traditional microscope and tilting the board a lot.

So, while I think these devices are great, they may not get some angle you need.

There is an adjustment wheel for focus though. Also, there are two protrusions to prevent hitting the lens on the object, probably can be sawed off.

Get a Mantis!

... and buy a fortune cookie factory and clean it out, to get the space for a Mantis :-)

Seriously, that and the fact that it easily fits into my briefcase is why I bought the Supereyes microscope.

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Can you get a focal point 3 inches away?

How much did it cost?

No, about 1/2" from the protrusions or almost 3/4 from the LEDs.

For soldering very fine stuff I use a Veho VMS-001, that can do several inches and it also has a cap against the solder fumes.

I think I paid around $120 for it, including a somewhat flimsy stand. Could have gotten a better deal but needed it for a job, and fast. I found the image quality quite remarkable for that price so to me it's definitely worth it.

Phase contrast anyone?

You're apparently fighting a depth of field problem. Your unspecified model PCB inspection microscope probably has a limited depth of field, as controlled primarily by the objective lens. More magnification means a smaller depth of field. Nikon DoF calculator (Java required): By tilting the PCB, you're making things more difficult as getting a decent photo of a tilted PCB requires an even larger depth of field. It's the same DoF problem with both microscopes.

I suspect that you can put the camera perpendicular to the PCB, and move the light source around until the cracks become visible. You can also cheat a little. Smear some fluorescent dye on the solder joint crack. Let it penetrate into the crack. Wipe, and illuminate with a UV flashlight. You can buy the dye at any auto parts store: (Note: I haven't tried this yet).

Some interesting reading on USB cameras for PCB inspection: Mine looks exactly like this: It's flimsy, cheaply built, poor construction, and takes great photos mostly because of the close in LED lighting.

I have a Veho VMS-004, $69 from Amazon with a stand. It's 640x480, adjsutable focus, but strangely stops just short of infinity. The problem with all these Dyno clones is that the LEDs are close-in, and there's a lot of reflection glare.

This one works without loading any software in XP, but Win7 doesn't seem to have a built-in video cam viwer. Strange.

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I use my Veho mostly with its LEDs turned off. On the Supereyes there is a potmeter (a literal one) to adjust brightness from zero to full, much better.

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There are webcams with adjustable white-illuminated LEDs for as little as $1. Forget the video, that's a pretty good USB utility light.

Why don't cars have USB connectors?

Why don't you have one in your forehead?

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They do. Last time I was in a Ford Fusion it had several. IIRC the Mustang we rented had that as well, plus blue pedal lighting for whatever reason. You drive a European car and some of those features take a while to make it over there. Just like cup holders did :-)

There are also various microscope ring illuminators, most of which are adjustable:

A cigarette lighter to USB adapter is usually sufficient. You can choose between igniting a cancer stick, or charging a smartphone. The decision should be obvious. The difficult part is finding one that will supply 2A for powering an iPad.

It might also have something to do with padded dashboard collision safety, where a USB connector projecting from the dashboard would be considered a hazard.

Some after market car stereos have them so you can play MP3s from a USB stick.

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I wish I could plug a laptop into my Audi and reprogram most of its Im-Smarter-Than-You behavior. The windshield wipers are amazing.

Almost everything has USB these days: