Andonstar AD407 Microscope + RØDE PSA1

[@GadgetUK164]

Massive massive thanks to Kavanoz for the amazing Andonstar AD407, and a massive thanks to Phil (Four_X) for creating and sending me the mounts!!! Special thanks to sparxUK too - for organising this and getting it sent over to me!!!! Four_X - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2auenaqmMd1ec0 Massive thanks to Deepak for fixing my wifes vision too! ViewPoint Vision St Helens - Vision Correction - www.viewpointvision.com/ I didn't cover all the features in this video! And I didn't show a couple of the other bits Four_X sent in that package - those will be covered in another video! Note: The default stand the AD407 comes with does "tilt forward" - I completely forgot to try adjusting that! But... It doesnt move any higher up...

[@Four_X]

It's so nice to see something you've made help others. Thanks for the shout out Chris, You're setup is looking Sweeeeet. I can confirm there is some latency with my Andonstar AD407 Microscope also but I eventually got used to it after a while, I use it now to all sorts of Repairs and Mods, it's become a valuable tool in my arsenal. My thoughts on the Original Andonstar microscope stand Is. I think the problem with the stand is Andonstar don't know who to cater the microscope to. Do they cater to the Medical \ Education Enthusiasts or the Electrical \ Inspection Enthusiasts. The original stand feels as if there trying to cover both and because of this it's falling short for us Electrical \ Inspection Enthusiasts. As for V2 of the Mount, I've not had much time to work on it, I'll get back to it very soon. I don't see it needing much tinkering.

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks Phil, and thank you for designing and manufacturing the parts I needed - incredible work!!!!

[@MorganJustGames]

Great Video Chris. Glad you were able to solve the initial issues with the thanks of further Donations. Nice work Four_X. Great news also about your Wife's Vision.

[@Otakunopodcast]

A microscope is a game changer. I have very poor vision, and without one, I would have no hope of doing any SMD work, and even my through-hole soldering was pretty bad. But now, I can work with even small pitch SMD components with relative ease. It did take a while for my brain to adjust to working with it (not looking directly at your hands, plus the small but noticeable lag definitely felt weird) but after using it for several months now I've gotten to the point where my brain has adjusted to it; it still feels weird, but just a bit. Like you, one of the first things I did straight away was ditch the crappy stand that mine came with. I used to podcast, so I have an articulated arm clamped to my desk that I used to mount my microphone on. It's been kind of annoying me and I was thinking of removing it from my desk. But when I got the microscope I thought maybe I could repurpose it for use with the scope. So I designed and 3D printed a mount that screwed onto the microphone mount, that let me mount the microscope to it. Works like a charm. I even slapped a little bubble level on it so that I can tell if it is crooked or not. :) For lighting I got some clamp-on LED gooseneck lamps that I can turn on and aim as needed. The only problem with this setup is that changing the focus on the microscope is really fiddly. When I touch the focus dial, it causes the scope to go out of focus, and I usually end up bumping/moving the scope, which puts it even more out of focus. Recently I got ahold of some really tiny stepper motors (the kind used in camera lenses for optical zoom and such) and I'm going to try and make a little rig so that I can clamp one to the front of the microscope, then 3D print a gear that meshes with the focus knob, and use an Arduino to control the motor. That way I can (hopefully) focus without having to physically touch the scope or the stand. Not sure if it will work, the idea sounds good in theory, but you never know how it'll turn out until you actually try it.

[@MichaelEhling]

Can't wait to see how this new tool helps you diagnose and repair stuff.

[@cdhaiki]

Great video. Thank you for sharing! I often use reusable wall hanging putty at my soldering station. Works great to free up hands while temporarily holding a PCB in place. If you don't have them already, I recommend getting some precision tweezers (a cheap set from Amazon is great) for holding parts in place. My favorite are the angled tweezers.

[@Bippystopper]

Great video Chris and fantastic news regarding your wife's condition. 👍

[@andrewlittleboy8532]

If the Rode mount is like a camera tripod, that metal ring should clamp down to tighten it and stop it swivelling in the thread. I can imagine over time it will wear out the thread. Maybe there’s another adjustment? The remote is obviously just a generic remote with the buttons mapped for the microscope. Fantastic news on your wife’s recovery with her eyesight problems. 😊

[@GadgetUK164]

Thanks Andrew =D Yes, the moment she walked out of the hospital (holding her arm as she couldnt see very well at that point), she looked down at a flower bed as we stood for a minute and could see the flowers like she could when she was a kid - it did bring tears to both of us lol

[@bwack]

Thats amazing, with the arm mount and ring light thing. The scope looked very similar to mine Andonstar 302. I'm still using mine, and I'm happy with it. Yes the working distance isn't great but I get the job done. Latency quite low on mine for some reason. The latency should be in the spec I think when people buy such an expensive product.

[@nuckenfutz9983]

I used the AD407 for some 2 years and it treated me great. Got a feeling you'll be pretty happy with it. Recently upgraded to the AD409 with the wider base, larger screen, far more capable mount, endoscope (which I found surprisingly useful) and it's been perfect. I often work on larger mainboards, and I couldn't view the center regions with the restrictive mount on the AD407. If it were free from it's mount, it would've been perfectly adequate.

[@MrRawUK]

How is the AD409? Good upgrade ?

[@nuckenfutz9983]

@@MrRawUK Yep, still doing great. It's become rather expensive as they've upped the price, but if you're able to foot the bill, it should do well for you.

[@davelordy]

Just picked one of these up, brand new, for £39 !! There's one seller on eBay who does these for - seemingly - random prices, I've seen everything from £45 to £79 (all on the same seller's eBay) he's got a few on at the moment (at the time of this post) starting at £45, I was 100% sure it would be a rip-off Chinese copy when it arrived, but was surprised it was legit, haven't got a clue how he's knocking them out for under £50 when they're £250-ish everywhere else, but get them while you can !

[@GadgetUK164]

Might be a clone, or repaired perhaps!

[@davelordy]

@@GadgetUK164 Agreed, you're probably right, there's got to be something going on, mine looked great, all brand new, but who knows! Anyhow a bargain for someone out there who can't afford £250 👍

[@jonathanlin9772]

31:49 Try moving the large silver thumbwheel below the plastic mount and tighten it up against the printed part to better lock it in place.

[@lynmillward4410]

Another amazing gadget, eh Gadget ? Nice one.

[@GadgetUK164]

[@neakmenter]

you can use the microscope to give us lot a better view of your work as you do it? :)

[@RetroMarkyRM]

I've been thinking about one of these for awhile but the price is kinda high and Im not sure I could justify it. Seems great for inspection but a bit fiddly for soldering. Not sure if I will bite the bullet on one of these.

[@GadgetUK164]

I was always put off over the last few years due to cost, and desk space (previously carpet space lol). Thanks to Kavanoz and Four_X - both of these issues were solved for me - those guys rock!

[@RetroMarkyRM]

Yeh. I must admit the moveable stand does make it all the more functional and interesting for me. Be interested to see how much you use the microscope over time :)@@GadgetUK164

[@markdjdeenix6846]

Hi so a few reviews have said they need forward and back movement Maybe a wall bracket available I have a hdmi microscope.because everything is magnified your movement is accelerated but with latency I got used to it

[@markdjdeenix6846]

I could make you a base and bracket maybe

[@neilobusk]

Blood elll.... missed this live again............... mash them magnified Amstrad boards now............ N x

[@GadgetUK164]

=D

[@randomcro24]

my mate vince sent me here I'm glad to help subscribing to your channel and what a great channel it is 👏 👏 👏 bravo my friend

[@vintagekyoshodotcom]

I wonder if you could use a pico with a camera and get the same results? Nice machine though.

[@GadgetUK164]

Yes, I am sure there are plenty of ways you could get similar if not better results! Maybe one of those super cheap cams that are just HDMI output would work! I think the big things are having good lighting (the light ring could adapt to other designs), and an arm!

[@matthewmaidment8464]

Having a microscope is a god send especially if eyesight is deteriorating, night and day difference.

[@matthewmaidment8464]

If space on the bench is an issue, wall mount/mic mount it on an arm either on desk or wall, mine is away from desk by a metre but easily moves in when needed Edit: sent this comment before seeing the whole video 😂

[@GadgetUK164]

=D

[@frankowalker4662]

Are you sure you should be using this with your OCD ? LOL.

[@GadgetUK164]

Exactly!!!!!! Its going to drive me crazy lol

[@sammydavis3796]

Mount it to the wall problem solved

[@zxrenew5642]

Is that cat hair?

[@GadgetUK164]

Very possible! That board was sat exposed for a few months and hasn't been cleaned...