{"id":7360,"date":"2015-04-06T22:01:16","date_gmt":"2015-04-07T05:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/?p=7360"},"modified":"2015-09-26T11:10:55","modified_gmt":"2015-09-26T18:10:55","slug":"cool-tools-dino-lite-am4113t-usb-digital-microscope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/2015\/04\/cool-tools-dino-lite-am4113t-usb-digital-microscope\/","title":{"rendered":"Cool Tools: Dino-Lite AM4113T USB Digital Microscope"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"61V-Rea54FL._SL1000_\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Dino-Lite Pro AM4113T 1.3MP Handheld Digital Microscope<\/a>\"\" is a surprisingly handy tool for\u00a0inspecting all sorts of fine details at home and on the road. The small size and light weight are ideal for travel. I keep this microscope along with several other tools in my “go box” of electronics supplies for overseas travel.<\/p>\n

Dino-Lite<\/a>\u00a0offers a wide variety of digital microscopes with a similar basic design to the AM4113T but varying resolution and other features. \u00a0This particular model is not cheap ($399), but the extra resolution and features of the “Premier” series scopes are handy. \u00a0If you don’t need these features, there are several lower cost options available, including the lower resolution AM311S<\/a>\"\"\u00a0(which I have not used myself but gets generally positive reviews).<\/p>\n

Here’s a sample image\u00a0from the AM4113T (converted to jpg but otherwise unmodified):<\/p>\n

\"A108<\/a><\/p>\n

The included Dino Capture<\/a> software is surprisingly usable and allows you to take instant snapshots and videos and make a number of measurements and annotations directly within the tool (only supported on the more expensive Premier series). \u00a0This is super handy for field work. \u00a0For example, here’s a measurement of the angle of a USB connector relative to a PCB edge.<\/p>\n

\"Capture\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The USB 2.0 interface is fast and responsive which makes the critically important live preview (there is no viewfinder) a pleasure to use. There is a handy touch-activated sensor on the side of the scope for quick snapshots.\u00a0(Pro-tip: mark which direction is “up” with a sharpie or you’ll get dizzy trying to orient the cylindrical scope every time you use it.)<\/p>\n

Compared to more inexpensive USB microscopes, like the Andonstar OT-V1<\/a>,\u00a0the Dino-Lite offers significantly better image quality, one touch snapshots, a better focus mechanism, and better, more uniform illumination.<\/p>\n

One disappointment is the very obvious rolling shutter, which is particularly annoying when the microscope is being used to make measurements without a stand. At this price point, I would have expected\u00a0a\u00a0sensor with a global shutter. Despite this limitation, the Dino-Lite AM4113T is still a very useful tool and has already helped me make some critical measurements in the field.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Dino-Lite Pro AM4113T 1.3MP Handheld Digital Microscope is a surprisingly handy tool for\u00a0inspecting all sorts of fine details at home and on the road. The small size and light weight are ideal for travel. I keep this microscope along with several other tools in my “go box” of electronics supplies for overseas travel. Dino-Lite\u00a0offers … Continue reading Cool Tools: Dino-Lite AM4113T USB Digital Microscope<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7369,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[485,152,32,153],"class_list":["post-7360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-electronics","tag-cool-tools","tag-microscope","tag-pcb","tag-smt"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/61V-Rea54FL._SL1000_.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pioCd-1UI","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1029,"url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/2009\/01\/new-stereo-zoom-microscope\/","url_meta":{"origin":7360,"position":0},"title":"New Stereo Zoom Microscope for my Electronics Lab!","author":"Jeff","date":"January 21, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Soldering surface mount (SMT) components is tricky, particularly if you can't see what you are doing due to the small scale of most SMT parts.\u00a0 Since I started working with SMTs at home I have suffered with a 10x magnifier ring-light.\u00a0 It works, but it's tricky to use, mainly because\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electronics"","block_context":{"text":"Electronics","link":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/category\/electronics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Stereo Zoom Microscope","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/files\/flickr\/3214065384_226b724e8a.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2493,"url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/2009\/10\/improvements-to-my-microscope-setup-for-smt-work\/","url_meta":{"origin":7360,"position":1},"title":"Improvements to my microscope setup for SMT work","author":"Jeff","date":"October 26, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Why do I need a microscope for SMT? The single biggest challenge to doing \"real\" SMT work (0805 or smaller components and fine lead pitch ICs) at home is being able to actually see what you are doing.\u00a0 I know that there are many hobbyists (and maybe even some budget-conscious\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electronics"","block_context":{"text":"Electronics","link":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/category\/electronics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Stereo Zoom Microscope","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/files\/flickr\/3214065384_226b724e8a.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3677,"url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/2011\/02\/ao-stereostar-microscope-wiki-page\/","url_meta":{"origin":7360,"position":2},"title":"AO StereoStar Microscope Wiki Page","author":"Jeff","date":"February 27, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Today, while I was tweaking the microscope that I use for surface mount soldering, I realized that I have collected quite a bit of hard to find information about this circa~1975 model 569 American Optical StereoStar Stereoscopic Zoom Microscope (say that three times fast!). So, I made a wiki page\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electronics"","block_context":{"text":"Electronics","link":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/category\/electronics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/AO1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1010,"url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/2009\/01\/diy-pid-controlled-soldering-hotplate\/","url_meta":{"origin":7360,"position":3},"title":"DIY PID Controlled Soldering Hotplate","author":"Jeff","date":"January 17, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"In preparation for my Arduino-based AVR HV Programmer boards coming back, I decided to step up my home lab surface mount soldering capabilities. Step one was to find a cheap stereo zoom microscope on ebay, with 7-32X magnification, perfect for working on surface mount devices.\u00a0 One of my biggest frustrations\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electronics"","block_context":{"text":"Electronics","link":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/category\/electronics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/3201234462_c0a761b898_o.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/3201234462_c0a761b898_o.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/3201234462_c0a761b898_o.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/3201234462_c0a761b898_o.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/3201234462_c0a761b898_o.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/01\/3201234462_c0a761b898_o.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3122,"url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/2010\/10\/arduino-oops\/","url_meta":{"origin":7360,"position":4},"title":"Arduino Oops!","author":"Jeff","date":"October 4, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"That's a closeup of resistor R1 on my new Arduino Uno board. \u00a0See how the left terminal isn't touching the solder bump on the land pad? \u00a0That's not good. Surprisingly, my Arduino seems to work just fine with one side of the resistor open. \u00a0Arduino, don't let the cost reduction\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electronics"","block_context":{"text":"Electronics","link":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/category\/electronics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Closeup side view under the microscope","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/files\/flickr\/5051973365_93c169076c.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2279,"url":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/2010\/01\/tonys-diamond-chop-saw-part-4\/","url_meta":{"origin":7360,"position":5},"title":"Tony’s Diamond Chop Saw (Part 4)","author":"Tony","date":"January 4, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Finally, I bring you the conclusion of my Diamond Chop Saw series! In this part I'll cover a few remaining issues, but mostly I'll report on my use of the machine in the construction of my 47 GHz radio, for which this project was intended.\u00a0 If you're not already familiar\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Amateur Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Amateur Radio","link":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/category\/amateur-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Method for centering the blade","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/01\/blade_gluing1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7360"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7376,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7360\/revisions\/7376"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mightyohm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}