{"title":"Microscopes for electronics and soldering","description":"\u003cp\u003eMicroscopes for soldering, PCB inspection, watch and phone repair, and other close work on a bench. The two things that matter here are working distance, meaning the room between the lens and the board for an iron and tweezers, and a stable stand. Our current picks are the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/levenhuk-dtx-500-lcd-digital-microscope\" title=\"Levenhuk DTX 500 LCD digital microscope\"\u003eLevenhuk DTX 500 LCD\u003c\/a\u003e, a digital microscope with a 3.5-inch screen, 150 mm of focus travel and measurement software, and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/levenhuk-dtx-350-lcd-digital-microscope\" title=\"Levenhuk DTX 350 LCD digital microscope\"\u003eLevenhuk DTX 350 LCD\u003c\/a\u003e, with a larger 4.3-inch screen and a 7-hour battery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStereo or digital for soldering\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/stereo-microscopes\" title=\"Stereo microscopes\"\u003estereo microscope\u003c\/a\u003e gives you depth perception, which makes placing a component and judging a solder joint easier, and a boom-stand version swings out over a large board. A \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/digital-microscopes\" title=\"Digital microscopes with a screen\"\u003edigital microscope with a screen\u003c\/a\u003e lets you sit upright rather than hunched over eyepieces, records your work, and costs less for the same magnification. For occasional repairs and hobby electronics, the digital route is the easier one to live with. For daily SMD work, a stereo microscope on a boom stand is the professional choice, and we'll stock one as the range grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to look for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTen to forty times magnification covers almost all electronics work; anything higher shows you a single pad and nothing around it. Look for at least 100 mm of working distance, lighting you can dim so solder joints don't glare, and a stage or base wide enough for the boards you repair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eElectronics microscope FAQs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat magnification do I need for soldering?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround 10x to 20x for placing components and 30x to 40x for checking joints. The DTX models start at 20x, which suits inspection; for the lower end a stereo microscope is better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I use the microscope and a soldering iron at the same time?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, if the working distance allows it. The DTX 500's 150 mm focus range gives room for an iron tip under the lens; the DTX 350's 80 mm is tighter but workable for tweezers and inspection.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"levenhuk-dtx-350-lcd-digital-microscope","title":"Levenhuk DTX 350 LCD Digital Microscope","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe DTX 350 LCD is a digital microscope with a 4.3-inch colour screen, so you look at a display rather than through an eyepiece and the whole table can see at once. Magnification is 20x to 300x, which covers coins and stamps, plants and seeds, fabric and print, and inspection of small electronics. Eight LEDs light the object from above with adjustable brightness, and the stand has a 120 by 165 mm stage with a measuring scale and clips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt runs for up to seven hours on its built-in 2500 mAh battery, or from any USB power source, and photos and video save to a microSD card (a 1 GB card is included; it takes cards up to 32 GB). The camera sensor is 0.3 megapixels, which is sharp on the built-in screen and fine for sharing, but soft if you print or enlarge; if photos matter, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/levenhuk-dtx-500-lcd-digital-microscope\" title=\"Levenhuk DTX 500 LCD digital microscope\"\u003eDTX 500\u003c\/a\u003e with its 5-megapixel sensor is the one to choose. The DTX 350 can also connect to a Windows or Mac computer over USB and output to an external screen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFocus travel is 5 to 80 mm, enough for tweezers under the lens but tight for a soldering iron. Because it lights from above, it's for solid objects; for prepared slides and pond water you want a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/compound-microscopes\" title=\"Compound microscopes\"\u003ecompound microscope\u003c\/a\u003e. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/guides\/best-digital-microscope\" title=\"The best digital microscope with a screen\"\u003edigital microscope guide\u003c\/a\u003e explains why a screen model beats a USB stick for most adults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the box are the microscope, stand, USB cable, microSD card, software CD and manual. A mains adapter isn't included; any USB phone charger powers it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Levenhuk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67751591772524,"sku":"74768","price":151.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/5966\/2956\/files\/74768_levenhuk-digital-microscope-dtx-350-lcd_00.jpg?v=1792279016"},{"product_id":"levenhuk-dtx-500-lcd-digital-microscope","title":"Levenhuk DTX 500 LCD Digital Microscope","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe DTX 500 LCD is the digital microscope to choose when the photos and measurements matter as much as the viewing. It has a 5-megapixel sensor behind a 3.5-inch colour screen, 20x to 500x magnification with 4x digital zoom, and software for Windows and Mac that measures lengths, areas, angles and radii from a calibrated image. That makes it a working tool for electronics repair, coin and stamp grading, watch and jewellery work, and recording plant and insect specimens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stand is the other reason to pick it over the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/levenhuk-dtx-350-lcd-digital-microscope\" title=\"Levenhuk DTX 350 LCD digital microscope\"\u003eDTX 350\u003c\/a\u003e. The 95 by 98 mm stage moves 40 mm vertically and carries an 8 by 6 cm measuring scale, and the focus range is 0 to 150 mm, which leaves room for a soldering iron or a screwdriver under the lens. Eight white LEDs light the object from above with adjustable brightness, which you'll want turned down for polished metal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt runs from the mains adapter in the box (100 to 240 V) or a rechargeable 1050 mAh battery good for about two hours, and saves photos and video to a microSD card of up to 32 GB (not included). Outputs are USB 2.0 to a computer and AV to a television or projector, which suits a classroom or club.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe magnification is digital rather than through an eyepiece, and the microscope lights from above, so it's for solid, opaque objects. Prepared slides and pond water need a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/compound-microscopes\" title=\"Compound microscopes\"\u003ecompound microscope\u003c\/a\u003e. The box includes the microscope, mains adapter, battery, USB and AV cables, a cleaning wipe, a calibration scale, software CD and manual.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Levenhuk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67751591805292,"sku":"61024","price":227.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/5966\/2956\/files\/61024_levenhuk-dtx-500-lcd-microscope_00.jpg?v=1792279017"},{"product_id":"bresser-dst-1028-usb-digital-microscope","title":"Bresser DST-1028 USB Digital Microscope","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe DST-1028 is a USB microscope on a metal stand. It plugs into a Windows computer, which powers it and shows the picture from its 5 MP Sony sensor, and the zoom lens covers 10x to 280x. It's for solid things, such as circuit boards and components, solder joints, coins, stamps, printed documents, insects and plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe working distance is 110 mm at the lowest setting, so there's room for a soldering iron or tweezers underneath, and the stand adjusts in height for tall or flat objects. Eight LEDs in a ring around the lens light the subject, with a dimmer on the cable. Bresser gives the field of view as 42 by 32 mm at 10x and 1.6 by 1.2 mm at 280x.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe software is a download for Windows 10 and 11 only, so it isn't a choice for a Mac or a Chromebook. It lights from above only and won't show slides or pond life, which need a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/compound-microscopes\" title=\"Compound microscopes\"\u003ecompound microscope\u003c\/a\u003e. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/levenhuk-dtx-90-usb-microscope\" title=\"Levenhuk DTX 90 USB microscope\"\u003eDTX 90\u003c\/a\u003e costs less and works with a Mac, and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/levenhuk-dtx-350-lcd-digital-microscope\" title=\"Levenhuk DTX 350 LCD digital microscope\"\u003eDTX 350 LCD\u003c\/a\u003e has its own screen.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bresser","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67769487163756,"sku":"78983","price":147.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/5966\/2956\/files\/78983_bresser-usb-digital-microscope-dst1028_00.jpg?v=1792429349"},{"product_id":"levenhuk-dtx-90-usb-microscope","title":"Levenhuk DTX 90 USB Microscope","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe DTX 90 is a USB microscope with a 5 MP camera and a proper stand, with a 120 by 165 mm stage marked with a measuring scale, two clips, and a focus column that gives up to 150 mm under the lens. It plugs into a Windows or Mac computer, which powers it and shows the picture at 10x to 300x.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEight white LEDs around the lens light the subject, with adjustable brightness. The software saves photos and video at up to 2592 by 1944 and measures lengths, perimeters, radii, diameters and angles, and there's a calibration scale in the box to set it up. The camera lifts off the stand if you want to use it in the hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike every USB microscope it lights from above, so it's for coins, stamps, circuit boards, fabric, insects and plants rather than slides or pond life. Levenhuk says it doesn't take other cameras. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/levenhuk-dtx-30-usb-microscope\" title=\"Levenhuk DTX 30 USB microscope\"\u003eDTX 30\u003c\/a\u003e is smaller with a 2 MP camera and a tripod, and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bresser-dst-1028-usb-digital-microscope\" title=\"Bresser DST-1028 USB digital microscope\"\u003eBresser DST-1028\u003c\/a\u003e has a metal stand but Windows-only software.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Levenhuk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67769505612140,"sku":"61022","price":126.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/5966\/2956\/files\/levenhuk-microscope-dtx-90_s4Tl86U.jpg?v=1792429426"},{"product_id":"levenhuk-dtx-700-lcd-digital-microscope","title":"Levenhuk DTX 700 LCD Digital Microscope","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe DTX 700 LCD is a bench digital microscope with a fixed 5-inch screen and a 5 MP camera, for electronics, jewellery, coins, minerals and metal surfaces, and for insects and plants at home. Optical magnification is 10x to 300x, and digital zoom goes up to 1200x. The working distance adjusts from 5 to 70 mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has a built-in polarising filter, which cuts the glare off shiny metal, solder and coins, and LED lighting with adjustable brightness. It runs from the mains adapter or a built-in battery that Levenhuk rates at about three hours. Photos (up to 12 MP, interpolated from the 5 MP sensor) and 1080p video save to a microSD card, which isn't included, with time-lapse and loop recording built in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt also connects to a computer by USB, with measuring software for Windows and Mac, and to a TV or monitor over HDMI or AV. It isn't for slides or pond life. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/levenhuk-dtx-500-lcd-digital-microscope\" title=\"Levenhuk DTX 500 LCD digital microscope\"\u003eDTX 500 LCD\u003c\/a\u003e below it has a smaller 3.5-inch screen, and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/levenhuk-dtx-rc1-digital-microscope\" title=\"Levenhuk DTX RC1 digital microscope\"\u003eDTX RC1\u003c\/a\u003e adds a remote control and flexible spotlights for less.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Levenhuk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67769526124908,"sku":"75075","price":278.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/5966\/2956\/files\/75075_levenhuk-digital-microscope-dtx-700-lcd_00.jpg?v=1792429498"},{"product_id":"levenhuk-dtx-rc1-digital-microscope","title":"Levenhuk DTX RC1 Remote Controlled Digital Microscope","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe DTX RC1 is a digital microscope with a 4.3-inch screen on a stand and two remote controls, a wireless one for zoom, photos and video and a wired one on the cable for power and lighting. Using the remote means you don't touch the microscope while you take a picture, which is what usually blurs it. Total magnification is 3x to 220x, optical and digital combined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs well as the light inside the lens, it has two LED spotlights on flexible arms that bend to light a watch movement, a circuit board or an engraved surface from the side. The stage is 100 by 160 mm and focus travels 23 mm. Photos save at up to 4032 by 3024 and video at 1080p to a microSD card, which isn't included, and it connects to a Windows or Mac computer by USB.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePower comes through a USB cable from the mains adapter in the box, and there's no battery. The wireless remote takes a CR2025 coin cell, also not included, and Levenhuk lists a UV filter in the box. It doesn't take slides. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/levenhuk-dtx-700-lcd-digital-microscope\" title=\"Levenhuk DTX 700 LCD digital microscope\"\u003eDTX 700 LCD\u003c\/a\u003e above it has a bigger 5-inch screen, more magnification and a battery.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Levenhuk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67769526157676,"sku":"76821","price":151.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/5966\/2956\/files\/76821_levenhuk-dtx-rc1-remote-controlled-microscope_00.jpg?v=1792429499"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/5966\/2956\/collections\/photo-1640955785023-1854685dae05.jpg?v=1792343631","url":"https:\/\/scopeandfield.com\/collections\/microscopes-for-electronics.oembed","provider":"Scope \u0026 Field","version":"1.0","type":"link"}