What microscope do I use? Andonstar AD409 Review - LFC
This week I'm taking a look at Andonstar's AD409 microscope. This is the big brother to the scope I use for my motherboard repairs - so let's see if the big screen is worth it, and talk about these screen-view scopes in general!
I forgot to add in my 'review/sponsor' information thing at the start, Andonstar sent me a free sample in exchange for a review video.
Looking to buy? Find the Andonstar AD409, as well as their other microscopes at the links below:
Amazon UK: www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCNC88BW
AliExpress: www.aliexpress.us/item/325680...
Website: andonstarmicroscope.com/produ...
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Side note, my Link camera's auto-zoom was at a weird angle for the last shot of this and went funky - I should've voiceovered b-roll for the goodbye, but no matter!
Adonstar sent me one too, and someone left a comment mentioning you did a review as well. If you're interested in what the internals of the device are like I ended up doing a teardown of it as I already had a trinocular microscope and I also compare it to my setup. The main SOC is a NT96663BG which seems to be commonly found in dash cams, it has 4mb ram and an SPI serial flash chip, along with a realtek wifi chip. I also noticed two test points marked TX / RX on the main PCB so it looks like possibly a debug UART, so I might have a poke at that at some point.
Very nicely recorded and the sound was sharp and clear. Enjoyed the catch up video and look forward to the unboxing and a big smuge smile 😁.
Of course Andostar engineers will take your opinion into account and add an adapter... internal or external? Well, I can't know that but they will keep it in mind. Another personal opinion, I would not be surprised at all if you received more test instruments or tools related to your field of action (PCs, laptops, audio, etc.). Finally, the courtesy of this manufacturer to you is well deserved and of course a thank you from me to them as well. I use an Andostar at my work site. Thank you very much, young Graham, for your time and sharing. All the best.
I found that the stock base plate for the pro stand works well until you want to work on anything larger than a current high end graphics card. The AD249S-M I have comes with the same stand and I hard mounted mine to my workbench and was able to fit and work on huge server motherboards that way.
A couple of ideas for potential buyers: 1 buy the cheaper model, run the hdmi output to a splitter, plug one output to a bigger monitor, the other one to the capture card OR (better) 2 just buy a camera module, with a c-mount objective instead. Then split the signal in the same way.
Yeah, I have one. The stand is a obtuse design masterclass in and of itself. 3D printing a stand for a microphone boom attachment is a good secondary option.
Great video as per usual Graham. It's a real shame about this not doing both HDMI and screen.
That endoscope cam is pretty nice. You can play around with the position of the lights for a sharper picture.
That smaller travel can be used if you were say close but just needed that bit more so it would be easier to use that instead of adjusting the travel on the tall post.
Very nice review.
Regarding the height adjustment maybe it’s a way of working thing. I see it as a coarse and fine height adjustment with the coarse being the main pole and the fine being the twiddly knob.
The whole microscope doesn't have to be placed and tightened like the instructions, it can be placed and tightened near an area close to that RED area circling the Lens at the bottom. Another KZheadr was reviewing the same type, and couldn't understand why people, were complaining of the lack of space available to work with at the bottom.. He clearly just moved the screen microscope up to a notch space, near the red area.
I used a and modified to a swivel arm tool ! So I can go up or down freely!
You brought up many points important in deciding what to purchase. I wouldn't have known any of this and would have made a few disappointing purchases.
You have adjustable stands for these light. Bend them, so they are shining from sides and not from top. Does that help glare problem?
Even if it just had an hdmi input. U could split and go to capture card and back into display. Stronger chip not needed
Done watching, thank you very much for the informative review video. I have learned significantly more troubleshooting & repair lessons in this tutorial video and to your other repair videos as well compared to my ENTIRE 4 YEARS OF COLLEGE EDUCATION. I hope you will soon have a mini-series for Schematic & Boardview-free Voltage/Power Rail Tracing[12V/18-20V Main Voltage Rail, 5V, 3.3V, CPU/GPU Core Voltage Rail, DRAM Voltage Rail, IGPU Voltage Rail, System Agent/Northbridge Voltage Rail, PCH Voltage Rail, BIOS Voltage Rail, Battery Power Rail], Proper method of testing/checking of potentially faulty MOSFETs & ICs/Controller Chips, CPU/GPU/PCH Reballing and BIOS Bin File Editing.
Okey in this project is going to be great lesson
great review. I do have the ad407 (pro with the "better mount) and yes it will do both hdmi and attached screen at the same time. I chose the "pro" model thinking that the better mount would be worth it but after seeing what you did with the articulating monitor mount, if I were to choose again I would get the non-pro version with the much longer geared vertical post and save the $40 over the pro version. What monitor are are you using?? I'd like to convert to the monitor arm set-up so the microscope is always ready and tucked away for quick access. Also you can change the way the microscope is mounted in the mount and move the optical tube up in the mount such that it is mounted right above the bottom of the optical tube which gives more clearance below. But with your setup with the monitor arm it would not make a difference. Cheers!
I compared the captured to microsd video vs live feed via hdmi on my ad407 and video on the microsd card seemed much sharper, so I wonder if on the 409 the video output via hdmi is better by disabling the internal screen
I like your modification with the stand and the ring light. I can't seem to find this light on it's own. do you have a link or name for it?
Weldon Sir, please can you do a video on how you modified the 407
bi- or trinocular for me all the way. Doing the job conveniently for me is priority #1. It might cost a "few" bucks more. But imho it's better to buy the right equipment from the get go, than finding out 2D just isn't it and having spent valuable money on that as well.
I was about to buy an Andonstar AD409 pro, then I found your video. Well, I'm from Brazil and the tax on Aliexpress is high. I would be a total waste of my money because like you I need it to work at the same time. Well, actually I'll prefer to buy the previous one. the AD407, I would like to know if the 407 Pro works with HDMI together with an external monitor and records at the same time. I thank you very much for the information you posted, helping people around the world.😀
Yes, my AD407 does display and HDMI output at the same time.
You forgot to mention the limitation the back pod gives. When you are working with certain PCBs, the back pod is annoying. The PCB touch with the pod and you are not able to see the "center" of the PCB. That's the reason why the best mounting system is the one you have in your smaller scope.
Mount the microscope just under the red ring at the bottom and you get more working height
As someone who is getting on, and my eyesight isn't what it was 20 years ago, I would not go back to viewing a screen for my microscope work. Firstly, I can focus perfectly, even adjusting the focus on a single eyepiece to get 20/20 vision. Secondly, my microscope vision is in stereo and the depth perception really makes a lot of difference. It does x3.5-x45 (natively x7-x90) but I hardly ever use the magnifications over x10-x15, although if I ever decide to go down to 0204 chips, I know it could handle that. Mine was from Amscope and cost about £420 in 2021 including the barlow lens (£50) and 144 LED ring (£80). It does not have video capability, and I know that is a dealbreaker for many people, especially KZheadrs.
Good explanation on the microscope, would prefer to use a podcasting mic stand with more movement than the pro stand. A ring light would be better. Wondering if it would be better having the microscope plugged into a TV/monitor with a scope as the PIP. For personal use, it looks fine but I'd put it onto a podcasting mic stand, for better movement.
I agree that the stand looks less than optimal really limits what you can put on it. You'd have to get a sturdy boom arm for it though. Those arms tend to wobble a bit and with the magnification it can be quite jarring.
I have this one "vevor 3.5x-90x" it is the best microscope for the small budget and is equal if not better than the Amscope
What stops you from using any cheap HDMI splitter and hook up the small screen and your external stuff (big screen, capture card) to the splitter?
I have one 407 pro and i love it. Can you tell me where may i buy one good support? Im from europe. Thanks
How are you focusing? Is the up and down 1 inch adjuster for fine tuning of focus? What CCD does it use? I ask because I'm off the opinion that Sony CCDs are better than the Panasonic ones found in most monocular scopes. I'm guessing a certain Fixer that resides north of a ridge uses a scope that has a Sony ccd. They have way better contrast and also autofocus hence my earlier question. As always great review and thorough analysis. Thx for all your content.
Yeah, I've got an old Amscope steroscope. It's fine and really good but my eyes have retired somewhat due to age. I have to constantly put on / take off my reading glasses to use them. Tried all sorts of scope lenses etc. I think for the money this might be time to do an lcd one. I don't make videos. I can also resell the Amscope so not much of a loss on tool money.
Would you be willing to take a look at a lightning damaged synology at all?
Cool, Now wee need it to see infrared
Stay tuned, I've got a new IR cam from Infiray with a really nice macro lens 👌
Does it function as a USB Capture device, and use the built in display at the same time?
what about a capture card with HDMI passtrough ? should work ....
I have bought lots on Electronic equipment from Amazon etc. And have been caught out quite often. It's very difficult to know exactly what you are getting. I have found, it's not the stuff they tell you, it's the stuff they leave out. Reviews on KZhead are always a good bet. But smaller devices, and you're on your own.
I have the 407 on a modified monitor arm and it's great. Can't really justify the much more expensive 409 or pro just for the screen size. Not sure what sensors they use, are they FHD or not but since the screens are not FHD there's no point.
Hi Graham, Why do you use the Andonstar instead of an optical microscope? I have the AD407 and I use it for making videos, the HDMI output quality is superb. I also have an 'Amscope clone' optical microscope and it gives me stereoscopic vision through the lenses but a lower quality output on the C-Mount camera. When it comes to actually using either for microsoldering the optical microscope is far better and I always use it, otherwise I look like I solder really badly rather than just plain badly 😅 Apparently It's not just me, various subscribers and other creators who have visited and tried the Amscope completely agree.
Yea as I say in the first section where I talk about digital vs optical scopes, optical is going to be better, but also if you need a video output from it, it's also going to be more expensive. Your solution was "I'll just buy two microscopes..." which is fair enough, but obviously doubles the cost of the equipment 😅
If I’m going to start this and I want to buy capacitors for laptops, they are cheap so I’d like to but pretty much all the ones I would ever need. What are the most common ones? This site sells each on in a 50 pack and Id like to get a pack of each of the common ones. 10 and 22 i see a lot but what else?
I love how all companies describe product shortcomings as being "by design"? Just call it what it really is...shortcuts to increase margins and then hope that people don't go through the trouble of returning it when they find out.
Good day to everyone! Please advice what setup should I choose to have 1mm object in 4k quality view and have the full screen filled in with this object?
I keep dreaming of this microscope. It has given me sleep less nights. The day I'll own it I'll be the happiest soul on earth. Unfortunately the pocket is not friendly. But I love it so much
Tomlov Dm602 Pro Hdmi Usb Digital Microscope 2000x 10.1" ?
And board, if soldering, will not be easy to do it, need some holder
NOPE this one would be a pass for me lol. I really like Amscopes budget sub $180-210 ( depending on the sale that week ) a HC210 hdmi microscope. It's powered by a USB C cable and has the real IMX291 2MP sensor in it. It does a true1080p 60 FPS with no frame interpolation and has similar technology for low light to the IMX290 sensor which in my opinion is the best sensor for our kind of work. The only issue is the IMX290 has been discontinued for about 4-5 years now and all the " A/E - Ebay " Sellers are lying if they claim it has the IMX290 sensor. Ive scoured the globe buying many different " IMX290 " MS Cameras just to file a charge back / return to get my money back. You can couple the HC210 with a Ali/E 180X lens kit and a cheap stand to have a great video preview. I record through OBS not a SD card for the best quality. I have a few more MS cameras but I wanted to mention this one if someone is looking to do this on a budget. My trinocular ms has a RisingCam RT5109 camera on it and the video quality at a real 4K 60 FPS is unmatched with what's out there now. I have this one connected to OBS and a 55" 4K TV. Granted the RT5109 is closer to 3-4x the price but you do get many other features. The HC210 is super basic but all the settings you need are right there and are easy to adjust to get the best video quality.
What do you think about the IMX385 sensor? ""Lapsun 1080P 60FPS SONY IMX385 HDMI WDR Industry C-Mount Camera Microscope 0.3X 0.5X 2X Barlow Lens 144 LED Ring Light Stand V2""
@@stadugThe IMX385 is one of the better cameras out there right now for the money if you can get it for under or around $200. You definitely have to be careful. If Lapsun does send you a real IMX385 Model V2.3 you will like the video quality. I’ve only tried that version specifically. Honestly the real cost for that one to be made is roughly $65-90$ to make but the company has to make a profit. Lapsun will sell a decent product and then switch the internal components with out telling anyone. They have and do it on multiple cameras they sell. They even go to lengths of sending customers PCB screen shots of the “sensor you paid for” showing that the camera is legit but then when you check it for yourself it’s not. The IMX385 has much better low light than it’s baby brother the IMX185 which is terrible and a slight improvement in video quality. The frame rate is good when the settings are not maxed out. I personally wouldn’t buy another IMX385 since I have a IMX290 and IMX291 camera. It’s a decent starter camera but the only note worthy camera out there right now is from RISING CAM - RT5109 - 4K true 60FPS through HDMI. No fake frame interpolation like 95% of these other cameras that claim 60FPS. You don’t need 4K for a high quality video but there aren’t any other cameras that offer a real 4K 60FPS with the video quality like the RT5109. If you go to older North Ridge Fix videos and compare his real AF IMX290 that he using vs the one he has now you will see the video quality difference in the way the IMX385 takes light in. If you decide to go AE route make sure to use a Credit Card and not a DC so you have request a charge back if they want to scam you.
Does the wifi output disable the screen?
Nice
i have a 208S version, for now it is enough for me, it is about 25% of the price of this one
Looks just like the one Adam Savage received recently and set up. I suppose there's some marketing involved. Score!
They have been giving these away like candies to many channels with a focus on electronics / repairs..
cant use a hdmi splitter??
The thing about the view with microscopes is deceptive Normal microscopes in reality are also Monoocular. The sight of both eyees will be merged together through a prisma and from there thrugh the lenses to the object for bouth eyes. Ergo: You see the object with both eyes from the same Angle. (2D) Thats why stereovision is not possible. For stereovision (3D) you need the sight from two different angles to the Object so you can estimate distances. ;)
Can you hack the device and grab the lvds or what ever is available and split it out, then grab it externally?
I am blind in one eye so i don't have any depth perception anyway !!
So the company that sent it to you didn't see this review coming? Obviously a KZheadr needs a HDMI dual feed. Not to mention, even if the video goes to an SD card, the fact that you would have to remix everything forget it. However, for everyone else who's simply trying to make use of an affordable monitor microscope, I would imagine this to be fine.
Did you use an HDMI splitter? and maybe your capture card? maybe?
The built-in display is connected internally. There's probably a way of modifying the display's connection into a splitter from the HDMI port, but for that level of effort, just buy a scope that can do both in the first place.
this should fit your scope its a wide angle lens ... Xit XT30WAB 30mm 0.43X Wide Angle Lens
Fits Ad409 ?
Did you see the Northridgefix micrscope ?!
I want to know which brand he uses as it is clearly better than most. I'm almost sure it's Sony ccd based tech as it has autofocus. Most importantly the lenses are also good. This makes a heck of a difference to all cameras in the world.
He has a website to sell all equipments the microscope is on the website 👍🏻
NRF's setup is $1000. IMHO at that price point you should be buying trinocular, unless you have a very specific reason to prefer a screen-view scope.
Made by morton just released a video of the teardown of it kzhead.info/sun/aNmpe9Ctfl-nnHA/bejne.html
I suppose a fix for the HDMI problem is getting a HDMI splitter
Does the screen have HDMI input from external source to do this?
@@Iruleyou1 unfortunately I found out it doesn't work that way the main screen shuts off no matter what you do if you connect a hdmi
i think your original screen looks better, obviously its smaller
Whats the point latest smartphones got the best cameras even macro setting then just get a tripod
Assalamu'alaikum
can't you use a HDMI splitter that does all the work?
No because when you plug in the hdmi splitter it turns off the telescope screen.
@@paulh6395 but you have HDMI splitters that can do the heavy lifting and then scope doesn't know that 2 screens are connected.
@@KyzoCryptoboy But you still need to connect a HDMI cable to the output of the microscope. Even a headless HDMI connector will switch the screen off.
The built-in display is connected internally. There's probably a way of modifying the display's connection into a splitter from the HDMI port, but for that level of effort, just buy a scope that can do both in the first place.
Hello , that’s what I use and it have its own power supply and give me a clear and 1080p on 3 monitors! Thank you that was the comment to look for for someone to reply also I have been using it for 4 years !
What microscope do I use? one that works...
You can buy a proper Parco Microscope for this price.
Yup, but that won't include the camera for recording/streaming the microscope view. So the price parity between these scopes and bi/trinocular scopes depends on what features you need.
@@Adamant_IT Sure it won't, but most people are doing this as a hobby. 90% of people want the microscope for repair, don't need a screen and/or won't stream.
Im here for the scope - but u talked soooo much, whats not depends on the scope, i have to leave ^^