View source for AD249S-M Digital Microscope

{{Tool
|image=File:Ad249s.jpg
|aka=Embiggener Mk II
|manufacturer=Andonstar 
|model=AD249S-M
|obtained=Pledge Drive
|obtaineddate=Jan 2025
|location=Electronics Area
|team=Electronics
|induction=No
|defunct=
|defunctdate=
|category=Vision Aids
}}

The AD249S is a digital microscope purchased as part of [[2025 Electronics Pledge Drive]]. It has up to 2000x zoom and a 10.1in display. The microscope is also able to host a wireless network for streaming to a PC over WiFi. Alternatively, it also has HDMI and USB outputs. The antennae lights can be adjusted in brightness using an inline remote on the power cord. The minimum focal length is 12mm, and at this scale, everything is huge! The microscope was chosen for the pledge drive after numerous recommendations on Mastodon - for the money, it's very decent!

It is not recommended to move the microscope between areas of the hackspace, as this risks dropping it (or parts of it) and causing significant damage. Microscopes are for looking at small things, so please take the small thing to the microscope.

==Specifications==

There are three lenses available. Lens A is probably the most reasonable for most electronics work, but the wide focal range means there are some spherical aberrations towards the outside edges when used towards its minimum focal length. 

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Magnifications
|-
! Lens !! Focus Range !! Magnification
|-
| A    || 12-320mm    || 18x to 720x
|-
| D    || 4-5mm       || 1800x to 2040x
|-
| L    || 90-300mm    || 60x to 240x
|}

The microscope is able to record video at 2880x2160 @ 24fps. This resolution can be reduced if a higher frame rate is needed, up to 120fps.

==Swapping Lenses==

There are a total of three lenses, the other two lenses are in a small plastic container behind the microscope. It is labelled "microscope lenses" - please do not lose this. The lenses can be swapped out by unscrewing the two thumb screws on the left and right of the main tube. Please put the "A" lens back in when you are finished, as it's primarily for electronics work, and put the spare lenses safely in the plastic pouches and inside the plastic box.

==Measuring==

Andostar provide [https://andonstar.com/download/ some software] for performing measurements - for this the microscope needs to be connected to a Windows PC using a USB cable. We don't have a computer in the [[Electronics Area]] (yet?), so this is probably something for your laptop.