[chbot] Contemplating the purchase of a (cheap) inspection microscope

[Mark Atherton]

Hi All,

Having endured the pain of assembling a small video capture card 
using 0603 passives, a 64 pin QFN, and some res-packs (4 x 0402), it 
might be time to get something a little more grown up than a 3x loupe.

A 10x / 20x stereo microscope is to hand, but there isn't much room 
to maneuver in the inspection area.

Anyway, please take a look below and let me know your thoughts, 
alternatives, ideas etc.

-mark

==============

Requirements:
- total unit can be stored in an A4 photocopier paper box (300 x 210 
x 210mm), when disassembled
- at least 2M native pixel sensor = 1920 x 1080, or higher
- 8x magnification, or more (whatever that means)
- VGA, HDMI, CVBS (PAL), or USB video interfaces
- LED ring illuminator
- C mount lens mount
- low latency
- easily connected to foreign systems (at robotics meetings)
- Lifetime before replacement, 5-10 years
- less than US$300, inc shipping
- local SD card recorder undesirable, prefer to spend the money on a 
better camera
- any features that have been left out ?

Notes:
Current monitors are 22" DVI or VGA, 1680 x 1050, so direct interface 
a bonus (implies image down-sampling).
PAL output while lower res may still be useful (or will it)
USB allows direct screen captures via a PC, and the pet ant can 
finally use Skype :)
VGA is ubiquitous but on it's last legs as a video standard
HDMI does not always interface directly with DVI
Lens may be the limiting factor, so not sure if there is a benefit 
for using a 14MP sensor !

Some candidate units (may not meet all requirements)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311032131805
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/1938041954.html
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/1815355170.html
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/1544318134.html