Buying tips for the hobby

[level42]

Just ordered this....I actually searched for it because I wanted something to check the condition of the stylus on my record player, but this also will be handy for PCB inspection etc.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=351049187710&globalID=EBAY-FR

Crazy price....free shipping....

[Etienne MacGyver]

that is indeed nice to have in the toolbox, and for that price and free shipping you cannot go wrong i think 

[level42]

that is indeed nice to have in the toolbox, and for that price and free shipping you cannot go wrong i think 

Exactly my thoughts !

I was also somewhat tempted by one of those USB microscopes but figured that I would never use that for my record player stylus (need to be able to check very regularly and quickly) and that hooking it up is clumsy every time you want to use it.

Would be nice for making PCB pictures but then again, my camera has been doing great Macro photo's when needed

[Etienne MacGyver]

i clicked on "buy now"   

[level42]

LOL

It's so cool....these days I'm actually quite well organized with my arcade tools. I got a new "suitcase" for my tools from work (one with wheels and a long handle so I don't have to lift the heavy weight...hey daddy's getting older ) and I kept the old one....although really not too good anymore it's still good enough to house about all my arcade tools and this one will still fit nicely in there

[ckong]

i clicked on "buy now"   

+1 LOL

[level42]

Mine arrived today...the tiny box was thrown in a bubble envelope and shipped across the globe....naturally the box was crumbled but the microscope survived fine.

First of all it was much smaller than I had thought.

Second, it actually works quite nicely !

I was pretty shocked at what I saw on my record player stylus yugh !

Also looked at PCB solderings and ROM pins today....quite nice. The LED is a great help.

You do have to put it almost against the object you want to see but if that's possible it's great for the price

[Etienne MacGyver]

Yep, got mine too, you can pull out the viewpart and focus with that also.

LED is great.

nice little thing in a nice little pouch.

Daddy like.

[level42]

Wow, just had a look at the double-wipe sockets on the Asteroids board.....from the top they looked rather Ok, but once I bent out both pins and looked at the inside (where they make contact with the chip pins) WOW ! Some amazing black gunk there !

No wonder this causes resets.

While replacing the sockets used the mini microscope to check the holes after desoldeing the old pins and again after soldering.....it's remarkable what this thing reveals.....yes I reall like this little fella !!

[Etienne MacGyver]

I like the size and pouch.
not to mention the super high price of 2.20 € 

[anunaki]

Now that you have approved it I made the investment too

[lesoleil70]

Now that you have approved it I made the investment too

same here looks perfect for my ageing eyes, but that seller would not ship to the UK, so found it here for £1.75 shipped from China!, same product.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5X-45X-60X-100X-Mini-LED-Eye-Jewelry-Loupe-Unfold-Magnifier-Microscope-Fashion-/300905942347?var=&hash=item460f644d4b

[level42]

Weird that he will ship to Europe but not to the UK....oh well...plenty more sellers...

[level42]

I am bad. I just bought this.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24MHz-8CH-USB-Logic-Analyzer-8-Channels-USB-Logic-Analyzer-Compatible-to-Saleae-/190956566562?

[Etienne MacGyver]

does that come with software ? or is that downloadable ?