AmScope SM-4TX-144A Trinocular Stereo Microscope, WF10x Eyepieces, 3.5X-45X Magnification, 0.7X-4.5X Objective Power, 0.5X Barlow Lens, 144-Bulb Ring-Style LED Light Source, Double-Arm Boom Stand, 110-240V , White

This is a great microscope for PCB surface mount work. Working under this microscope you can easily work on 0402 parts and other fine pitch IC parts. The 144 LED light with dimming and light zones works well, having the various zone options helps with reflections under some working conditions. Using the 144 LED light I have not issues working, at the maximum setting I have more light than I would want.As previously noted the microscope operates from 3.5X to 22.5X using the 0.5X lens, and 7X to 45X without the 0.5X lens. It would have been nice if the microscope had included a 1x Barlow lens, I had to purchase this separately. I highly recommend that if you plan on using the 7X to 45X to purchase the 1X Barlow lens to protect the microscope optics which are exposed without this. Note, the microscope will still function just fine without the 1X protective lens, but you are open to dust and other contaminates getting in. In my case working with solder hot irons, hot and other chemicals highly recommend getting the 1X lens (have I stressed this enough ;)All this said I generally operate using the 0.5X lens since this gives me a good field of view and more than sufficient magnification.Operating clearance with the 0.5 lens is about 7 inches.The Boom stand on this Microscope if very nice, I can have the stand in the corner of my work area with the arm fully extended providing a nice big clear area to work. The base of the stand, as previously mentioned, is very heavy so no problems with stability.I wear glasses and found the eye pieces that come with the microscope to be comfortable and easily adjustable. I can work comfortably for hours under this microscope.I have not use the third eye, camera attachment, but figured if I was spending the money might as well get this feature just in case I need it at some point.I had considered several of the AmScope configurations, and I think this Microscope provides the best combination of features, especially for surface mount PCB electronics work. Good LED light (does not get hot like halogen), great boom stand, good magnification (I don't have a need for more than 45X, but you always have the option of getting a 2X adapter), camera option is a nice feature.For the price this microscope is excellent, controls are smooth, work space clearance is great.If your eyes are getting older this is a purchase you will not regret.

This Scope seems to be well made and very articulating on multiple axis. I love the working distance and the zoom is great for working on dense pcbs with good zoom even on 0201 surface mount components. As some have mentioned the tracking of focus when zooming IN/OUT is not perfect but all it takes is a slight adjustment of the focus knob and your in business. After using a few times the tracking does not bother me at all. Works well, light is nice and bright and as I mentioned the working distance is quite good compared to my last scope.

I wear glasses and though its not as good as native eyes, the inage is large enough to see and do work.The image quality is fantastic and clear.This is worth every penny.

Love it. I'm glad that I'm too lazy to properly research a microscope. I probably would have been steered away towards something more expensive and brand-namey, when this scope is more than I even hoped for.One of my colleages has a fancy digital scope with a small dedicated LCD monitor and zero perceptible lag. I have spent a lot of time using both scopes, and I am happy for taking the chance on this old school monstrosity. The video scope is great for inspecting. But somewhat unnatural and awkward for working under. And truth be told, an $80.00 USB microscope is ALMOST as useful, other than having a bit of lag - if you have a computer to plug it into.This scope is great for inspecting and amazing for working under. Instantly, this becomes your eyes. The FOV becomes your world. And you can inspect/make/dissect/solder just about anything under perfect lighting conditions. The stereoscopic view really helps when picking up and manipulating small objects. Especially because you can adjust the viewing angle to be offset from straight up/down, to closer match the way you would naturally see. The adjustability of the stand is amazing and near effortless. And oh boy, the FOV must be 10 times bigger on this scope. My eyes get tired of looking up/down/around when using the entire FOV!Warning for you lazy guys that buy stuff based on reviews without bothering to read all the specs for yourself: This thing is huge and must weigh 70-80 pounds. You will want a minimum of 36" of bench depth, and 38-40" might be even better. This is NOT something you will want to pull out when you need it. If you do not have a spot to permanently place this, you should strongly consider getting a smaller scope.Note, this is not a serious review. I have no basis for comparison. I don't know squat about microscopes. I didn't do any research. I'm just a guy that designs and makes small stuff, and I happen to have $500.00 to spend frivolously on a microscope on the off chance that it is useful to me. This is not only useful to me, it's seriously cool. The weird thing is I hardly ever used my magnifying lamp for anything but light. But I use this nonstop and don't want to ever live without it.The only thing I wish is that the lighting were more diffuse. Viewed through the microscope, it's super. No glare. Just bright and even lighting. But it would be nice to be able to use this as a spot lamp, as well, since it is so adjustable and takes up so much space. The LED lighting is a little harsh when you're not looking through the scope. But I'm pretty particular about my lighting, and I can't use an LED magnifying lamp, even.Oh, also, the lighting ring was messed up. There is a little ring that has to screw onto another bit of tube thing, and it doesn't fit. The threads are too small so it's too loose and doesn't stay together. I never bothered with customer service, because stuff like that doesn't bother me. They can't make it work any better, and certainly not faster... than hot glue. So I can't comment on service/support.

This scope works great, I had been using one of those small microscopes, like the ones you use in elementary school, for years to do my smd soldering which has been a pain in the rear but after purchasing this scope it has made soldering small smd components so much easier, it is the best investment on any tool I have purchased recently.

can't see anything in the microscope. Supposedly a "workstation" microscope, but without any way to see what is being worked on, the unit is utterly useless.the optics don't align, so eyestrain happens within 20 seconds.the image is upside down. really? how can anyone work with an image that is upside down?mechanically, the unit is sturdy with many adjustments, but overall it is totally useless