Can we talk about using a cheap USB microscope for checking solder joints?

I was fixing my old Game Boy last week and my eyes were killing me trying to see the tiny points, so I grabbed a $30 microscope from Amazon. It connected right to my laptop and showed every little detail, making the reflow so much easier. Does anyone else use one of these for small electronics repair, or have a better tool for the job?

2 comments

2 Comments

brianfox2d ago

That $30 Amazon scope sounds like a lifesaver. I've been using a cheap one for checking traces on old synth boards, but the focus is always a bit soft at the edges. What software are you using on your laptop to view the feed, and does it let you take clear snapshots for reference?

mia7272d ago

Ever think about the glare from your soldering iron tip on that screen? I had to angle my lamp away from the work area because the reflection was just a bright white blob. It kind of defeats the point if you can't see the joint you're about to touch.