What type of magnifier to use for soldering?

[plasnu]

I'm looking for a magnifier to use for soldering and repairing equipment. From what I see on Amazon, they mainly come in two types: head-mounted ones with lights, and desktop lamp-style ones. Which do you recommend? Also, do you have any advice on what magnification level would be ideal?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=magnifying+lamp

 

[JonSnell Electronic]

I use a binocular microscope for smd work.
A standard x5 lens works well for less compact work. https://www.amazon.com/Neatfi-Magni...s=magnifying+lamp&qid=1744026397&sr=8-16&th=1

 

[Ryssen]

I use a similar to the link above.

 

[chromenuts]

I tried using a bench/freestanding magnifier. It drove me crazy because it always seemed to be in my way.

Maybe its me and my lack of organization.

I’ve used a cheap jeweler’s loop with a couple of flip down lenses that clips onto my glasses with more success.

https://www.amazon.com/Jewellers-St...cphy=9003229&hvtargid=pla-2334223444681&psc=1

I don’t really do SMD for the most part…a few parts here and there.

It gets the job done.

 

[Citizen124032]

As being a cycope, a simple eyepiece suffices.
Amplification may vary.

 

[seventenths]

I use a pair Like this and have been pretty happy with them over the last few years

 

[Ben Mah]

I use an OptiVISOR DA-5 (2.5X magnification) when I need magnification: https://doneganoptical.com/product/optivisor/

I see that there are knock-offs on Amazon now.

 

[birdbox]

I use a pair Like this and have been pretty happy with them over the last few years

I second these. Multiple magnification lenses included.

 

[kevinkr]

Like the OP I am also interested in magnifier lights and in my case lighting in general, I have visors (with lights) and loops and don't like microscopes. I have an ancient magnifier lamp 2.5X magnification which I would like to replace. I do a lot of SMD and very little else. I wear prescription glasses at my bench (several different magnifications).

 

[sser2]

+3 reading glasses allow stereo vision. 4x - 6x watchmaker's loupe, as in post 5, for higher mag. Tried binocular scope and magnifier on flex support, magnifiers with LED light - it didn't work for me.

 

[plasnu]

How important is stereo vision? Desktop lamp magnifying glass and watchmaker's loupe aren’t stereo, right?

 

[Julian RO]

Stereo...
Balanced or unbalanced, that is the question.

 

[levistubby]

I'm looking for a magnifier to use for soldering and repairing equipment.

The glass needs to be lead crystal. 😀

 

[Mark Tillotson]

Actually you need two types of glass, i.e. an achromatic doublet, to avoid colour fringes.

 

[Sumaco]

I used this and these depending how close the work. Sometimes a bit of both for the smallest SMD.

Can't believe the price increases... Ouch.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07L9JTNVZ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B007CDJKM2?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4

 

[Markw4]

For head mounted magnifiers, this one is very good with better optics than most, and lots of good ratings: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007CDJKM2?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_7

The next step after that is a long working distance stereoscope optical (non-digital) microscope. This is a good yet pretty low cost one in that class: https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-SE400X-Professional-Microscope-Magnification/dp/B0056X4RRS/ref=sr_1_16?crid=AEVLPL75ERRP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SR43ihCGWgQg1LCTdCtM1TWKTZut2lvycSYk4IioL1FWqE4MRgz3KquTYSjvNQdhkxxKAP8eYHudffFcpVlXqZjbmrEhHEG5tqeZvmmEpRiFu-JOQYbVOadUmzrr2RgB_fLFbQVdI6pybftOAUr__QuQZg6Xk7QJHmaalHnNpw6I6EzaEh-39Urw63QUwspt_zMeqBVyX70anWQ0tshiTD7JidzOWAycbL6VAZYDmLs.DRfWJCcXVirBY-wn0e5erYbgrVfWDMvFr6UiasYSUUs&dib_tag=se&keywords=amscope+stereo+soldering+microscope&qid=1744397581&sprefix=amscope+stereo+soldering+microscope,aps,150&sr=8-16

Either way, stereoscopic vision greatly improves hand-eye coordination. That's the main reason for avoiding digital magnifiers, as they are 2-D and thus give poor depth perception.

 

[tjbox]

For soldering smd I use my daughter's iPad. It's an old model but it works very well, I recommend trying it.

 

[EC8010]

I spent quite a lot of money on a bench magnifier with ring lighting, fitted it carefully, and hate it. I use an Optivisor DA3 and it's much better. I use it when soldering diddy SMD and also for tricky lathe work.

 

[DRONE7]

I'm a jeweller (and hobby solderer) and use (in order of most often to least)
1) Optivisor DA3. 2) Ring-light with central magnifier. 3) Nikon Stereo Dissecting Microscope - (with Bowman 0.5x reducer lens to give a better field of view.)

However, what makes more difference to view and control is lighting..lighting..lighting!

I use Anglepoise lights with the strongest LED bulb they will accommodate and get them as near as possible to the work without impeding access.

When needed I will use more than 1 and even up to 3 to provide the best possible shadow-free illumination and thus accurate positioning of the 'little pointy bits' that do the work

https://www.anglepoise.com/
https://microscopecentral.com/products/nikon-smz-1-stereo-microscope
https://doneganoptical.com/product/optivisor/
These all use proper ground glass lens... not nasty last a month plastic!

For really close inspection (not working) I have several loupes but generally just flip down the Optivisor loupe.
https://doneganoptical.com/product/optiloupe/
🙂

 

[EC8010]

Yes! Lighting is crucial. You need lots of it. The more light you have, the tighter your pupil can close, giving you a sharper image (just like using f/22 on a camera instead of f/4). Sometimes, (when drilling) you need a really harsh light from a point source that throws up shadows, other times, you want a diffuse light. I have made lamps by fitting 3W downlighter LEDs on the end of goosenecks on a magnetic base; they allow me to put the light source 100mm away if needed. I used to use Anglepoise lamps but the home-made lamps are brighter and far less bulky, so the Anglepoises went to the charity shop. Likewise, for some stuff, a stereo microscope is needed. I went for a cheapy microscope, then fitted it with an XY table and one cross-haired eyepiece. That enables me to measure awkward dimensions accurately using the graduations on the table. One of these days, I'll get round to fitting the table with digital readout.