what is an inspection microscope, any how?

In electronics, looking closely, debugging and inspecting small items is needed with ever more

smaller packages, soldering techniques and inspection.here is the FAQ regarding inspection microscopes.

question 1.
Is the usb microscopes better than a inspection microscope?
Answer
The main limitation with usb microscope is that "stereo vision" is not captured in a usb image
or cameras with an lcd display. thus losing the peripheral vision and depth perception
needed for electronics soldering, pull testing a wire bond, etc...

Also the slight delay in usb microscope can induce eye strain or head aches.

question 2.
How much is a inspection microscope?
Answer
A typical "proper" inspection microscopes run between 2,000 usd to 5,000 usd brand new.
cheaper chinese optics run in the 1,000 to 2,000 usd (trinocular with c-mount adapter)

here is a sample price from edmund optics.
this configuration is for general purpose.

 
all converted to usd (as of 2020)
microscope body = 971.54
stand = 405.76
10x eye piece = 165.73
0.45x objective lens = 217.17
Total Price = 2,165 USD

But used e-bay binocular microscope is everywhere at 1/10th the price.

Question 3.
Is there a better microscopes other than binocular?
Answer
The more ergonomic microscope is the expensive it is, example: mantis branded microscopes.
altho they are not binocular but a much better wide vision microscope.



sample image of a pitting in a presensitized board (7x optical zoom)

Question 4.
My usb microscope offers 1000x zoom and 1000gigapixel resolution...
then why an inspection microscope is still better?
Answer
Electronics assemblies and inspection USUALLY does not require more than 10x zoom. and beyond that the law of diminishing return creeps in as higher magnification is a lot more expensive.

example in soldering. with a 10x eye piece, you wanted to view the whole chip AND zooming in on a single pin or pad. if you have a 20x eyepiece your vision is from a single pin to a single solder ball.