Commercial Products that work - but don't meet goals and restrictions:
- Dental Loupes (Links Comming)
- Simple Magnifying Glasses – hand held and fixed
- need to be very close to object being viewed
- Reading glasses (various magnifications)
- higher the magnification → closer you need to be to what you are viewing
- Binocular Microscope
- works quite well but still need to be bent over the scope
- a movable stage would improve its ease of use
- USB Microsope
- not much experience but they can have a bit of a delay (what you see can be a fraction of a second behind what is happening at the moment).
- Video Scope – NTSC camera, lenses and composite display
- works reasonably well
- may be able to improve by moving view screen lower and angling it
- Comfortably working with small parts, components, etc. without having to be bend over or bring the parts close to my face.
- More comfortable – better ergonomics
- same as above
- able to sit upright while working (not bending over)
- inexpensive (under $100 or better yet, under $50)
- hands free / wearable / light weight
- Magnification (at least 2x)
- Field of view (at least 3cm)
- Depth (about 3cm, enough that working on projects does not lead to neck strain from holding position).
- Price - affordable for most people
- ideal is re-purposed parts
