AD246S-M

Absolutely amazing! I honestly expected to hook this up and be unhappy then return it and spend more on a better one. I was absolutely floored with my purchase. The incredible quality of the image, the depth of field of all three lenses, and the durable craftsmanship of the multi-adjustable frame are nothing short of amazing. I did three different micro soldering jobs that I had been putting off because I was unable to see the tiny circuits. I sharpen knives as a hobby and that was one of the biggest factors in me purchasing the digital microscope. It works spectacular for both the soldering job and inspecting my finished Edge on my knives. The price to value is off the charts. I thought i would have to spend double the price to receive this quality.10 out of 10. I will update my review with images.

Purchased on recommendation this digital microscope is perfect for soldering small SMB components and electronics repair. Since that's my only application, I've only really used the "L" attachment and haven't tried the other lenses. This is fairly easy to put together with comprehensive instructions, the end result is very sturdy and has multiple degrees of adjustment making it easy to focus. The two flexible lights provide well needed detail and are bright enough once you find the correct angle. The ability to record video and take screenshots is a nice feature but one I've only used sparingly. That said on the few occasions I've tried it it's been easy to use and transfer to my PC, and surprisingly high detail. There are some projects that I wouldn't have been able to do without this microscope, and some that I would have but this made much easier. This now stays plugged in on my workbench and sometimes I find myself just flipping on the lights even when I don't need the magnification.

I trained as an electronics tech in the Navy many years ago. Back when many devices were still using vacuum tubes. Miniaturization completely changed the game for doing component level repair. Most parts are now too small to be able to repair effectively without some sort of visual aid. It wasn't my intention to get into doing component level repair on modern devices after retiring. But the fact that we've had a number of devices around the house fail, and that many can be easily and inexpensively repaired at home gave me an incentive to get back into repair work. Step one was obtaining an "electronics" microscope that would allow better viewing of the work. Chose this Andonstar device after watching a number of videos reviewing it, and after reading a number of reviews about the pros and cons of different types/models. It has the majority of features that I needed, and the added benefit (for this model) of having interchangeable (and included) objective lenses for other types of microscope viewing. Assembly was simple, and the various parts fit together well Adjustments are, for the most part simple, and the 'scope stays put once set and doe not creep out of position. The entire microscope head can be positioned as needed vertically and horizontally (for closer or further from the front edge of the base). The mount arm can also be tilted out of vertical for those situations where it may be necessary. The stand is plenty heavy enough to resist tipping in normal use. Included adjustable LED lamps do a good job lighting the work. There's also an included transmitted light unit for viewing microscope slides, as well as a set of sample prepared slides. Focusing is accomplished via a large knurled sleeve on the microscope barrel. The 7 inch LCD display is bright and sharp, and can be easily adjusted via buttons on the panel or via the included remote. The display can use an SD card for recording from the microscope. The 'scope can also simultaneously output via HDMI connection to a large monitor. All necessary cables were included. So far, I have tried out all the lenses and find them adequate to purpose. As with any 'scope, the choice of subject dictates the choice of lens, and each subject/lens combo will likely require adjustments be made to the many possible positions of the microscope with respect to the subject at hand. I reduced the Easy to Use assessment by one star primarily for what seemed to me to be an odd choice in the positioning controls: lack of a rack and pinion style vertical position adjustment for the microscope head. While the fine adjustment of vertical position DOES have a rack and pinion adjustment, the coarse overall adjustment does not. This means that moving the head up and down requires more fiddling. The head has to be unlocked, then pulled or pushed into position, and held in place until it's locked once again. A rack and pinion type adjustment would be much easier. Once positioned for use in board repair, the 'scope functioned very well. There was plenty of magnification for good visibility of SMD components, and enough range of adjustment in focus and fine vertical position of the 'scope to view larger components without having to make coarse vertical position changes. This let me easily desolder and replace a couple of failed electrolytic caps on one of our home automation controls. A lot cheaper to replace what was literally about $0.20 worth of components rather than order a replacement device (at over $75). Once I've repaired the other two or three items around here that have similar failures (cheap capacitors are electronic death sentences) I'll consider that the 'scope has paid for itself. Recommended! Andonstar has a number of other microscope models available, at a variety of price points/feature sets. I'd consider any of them to be a safe choice and useful addition if the features appear to meet one's needs.

Exceeded expectations. Solid and stable, easy setup, and has a very clear picture. The included sample slides were a nice touch.

Bought and returned looking for other options like boom stand so tried several of the competitors. I eventually came back and repurchased this scope. Ticks all the boxes for me and what seemed less than turns out to be a solid scope. Competitors seem to be racing to come up with clever features to seem better but in the end this scope has some great features! -Magnification is perfect for SMD got clear picture and super close up -Great focus dial solid -Awesome base that accommodates larger pcb unlike others -Base pole even has ability to tilt to allow what competitors label 3D view which is essentially just an angled view like this. At an angled view you can see SMD PCB components from partial side view to identify labels. -Clear display capturing both photo and video -Flex arm lamps instead of lens lamps which in my opinion seem impressive but those lens LED create a huge glare on PCB yet competitors have on way too many of their models. Offset lighting from the flex lights are way more versatile and realistic. These gooseneck lamps are nice and stiff while competitors were sloppy and didn't hold on place. -usb powered no battery which is not necessary in my opinion. Included the cabling AND the power adapter which competitors did NOT. -3 lens system that uses thumb screw to secure and would have liked to seen magnetic like competitors but at end of day works just fine One disappointment was HDMI cable only goes to larger HDMI and with newer USB C HDMI can transmit on USB C. So this is a limitation as USB C can fully support HDMI. The one thing I would like to see included or sold is a lens retainer that could be attached to any flexible boom. The competitors sell booms but they are specific to their products. Booms are so prevalent for lamps, monitors, microphones etc and it would be ideal to either include or offer a simple lens holding ring to mount the scope to an existing boom would make this the perfect scope. I will be pursuing some options I'm finding to achieve this however it would have been nice to have this piece available. See my picture of tiny SMD fuse blown on a hard drive pwb. This fuse was the size of a flea and I was able to rescue this blown HDD pwb using this scope.

I was a bit weary when taking it out of the box--it feels cheap. Cheap plastic, metal, etc. I can't speak for longevity, so hopefully it lasts me a while. But it works surprisingly well. HDMI output is fantastic, and can work as a web cam. They also have propriety software. I couldn't get it to work, but I received a support response very quickly that solved the problem. However, if they put the latest drivers on their website I wouldn't have had to reach out to support. It's possible I just didn't see where that download was. Either way, their support was fantastic. This seems like the "cheap" option, but it's surprisingly useful. It can record video, take screenshots, and these are exportable via USB or you can pop in a microSD card (also included). Uses mini hdmi to hdmi for video output, and it also includes an HDMI cable. I wish it would have included a downwards facing right angle HDMI (it includes two right angle usb cables--one for power/lights, the other for PC connection) but that's the only piece of kit that I thought was lacking. The instructions are clear, but there are a few details missing. As for the microscope operation it's decent. Doesn't feel professional grade, but it functions almost as well--and it works for checking out tiny issues on circuit boards. I was able to fix a few things I couldn't before, so that's exciting. It's cheapness does, unfortunately, come into play for some aspects. It's coarse adjustment is rough--it's just two collars, one locks and the other serves as a sort of stop so you can lock it where you want. Its fine adjustment is smooth and works predictably, however--and that's really the most important one. There is a digital zoom that is also pretty good. I don't like the fact that not all of the functionality on the unit is able to be adjusted for with just the controls on the display itself. Instead, you have to use the remote to access some functions and menus you can't otherwise. That means that losing the remote bricks some of the device's functionality. the 7 inch screen is clear, and good enough. HDMI and USB output is a plus, though outputting with USB puts a bit black box on the device's screen, almost forcing you to use the computer monitor. Outputting in HDMI doesn't have this problem, and I ended up using a capture card to grab clean HDMI output while using the scope's display without the USB black box obstruction. Overall, I'd recommend it as an affordable option--and it functions as well as some of the ~$400 dollar scopes I've used. I'm honestly impressed with its functionality. It does, however, FEEL cheap. And I don't know how long some of these parts are for. I also didn't use it for any at home biology observing--even though it comes with a light box/glass slide holder (it also comes with spring-tension slide clips for stereoscopic type viewing). I didn't use the light box or check out the slides, but it's really cool that they included it.

This digital microscope is unique as it comes with multiple lenses, one long distance, another that covers most jobs, and a biological lens to see things up close like dust mites. This microscope stood out as other brands charge nearly double for the different lenses. It has pc sync which it says you can use if you have a 28 inch monitor, but I was able to use it on my 42inch 4k monitor no problem, you just want to use the USB cord & would have to keep the power supply light cord hooked up if you want light(which is a must). The device requires you to click camera on it(7 inch screen), then select usb on the software drop down menu to connect the microscope to their software. Originally I was trying to use the hdmi cable, but that's only if you're using it without a pc. 2160p is limited to the sd recording, but if using it on a 4k monitor you can hit the digital zoom button & it will nearly fill up the whole screen. I did have an issue with the device, but the manufacturer quickly addressed the issue for me. Overall its a great digital microscope & it beats the competition as it has 3 different lenses. Software was easy for me to set up, and the device feels very well built & solid with some nice weight & a sturdy base.

This microscope features great optics, a nice display, and tons of adjustments and flexibility. The monitor is a little cheap, and there is NO WAY to capture pictures directly onto a USB stick. Only onto a micro-SD card, which I find incredibly annoying. They do provide a USB interface but it powers the device so you can't plug a memory stick into it. I also wish the base were quite a bit heavier for better stability. I haven't needed to try the remote control or the USB computer link yet - nor do I want to. I'd give it 4 stars if I could capture photos directly to USB.