First Impressions of the Amscope SM-3TX Stereo Zoom Microscope



I’m sure there are many hobbyists and professionals out there working with very small electronics components who need a microscope. I have used a stereo scope for the last 20 years and could not function without one now that my vision is catching up with my age. But a microscope is a bit like a good RF signal generator, they are just so darn expensive to get a good one that you end up with something cheap and second rate or something very old (which might be just fine) or just do without. That’s especially true for hobbyists or those new to the business. Well, we recently had need to buy one, but on a tight budget, and here is how it went.

To begin with, I decided I wanted more working room than my old scope, adequate optical quality, zoom feature, and smooth controls. I sought advice in scientific and electronic forums on what to buy. Commenters generally advised...