Handheld USB microscope opinions.

I am thinking about getting a USB microscope for searching coins (variety and such). I am considering the Celestron 44300 and figured I would run it past everyone here for opinions. A handheld just seems like it would be easier to use than a conventional scope. Any input or sample pics would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

You may want to check this thread.....
http://forums.collectors.com/messag...52287&highlight_key=y&keyword1=usb microscope

Paul

 

I was referring to this microscope Not the QX5

 

A few years ago Walmart advertised something like what your saying as a toy for Christmas. It was supposed to magnify up to 300X, hand held, connects to your computer and for a really decent price. I sort of forgot about it until it was gone and could never find that one again. For general purposes it should have been great. Don't know why it vanished from thier toys.

 

I can't see how you can use a microscope in your hand. The slightest vibration kills your ability to find your subject.

Ruben

 

I am also interested in a usb microscope. Any ideas on price ranges and what is worth it?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-44300-HandHeld-Digital-Microscope/dp/B000Q74GUW

$80.42 on Amazon....looks like a sound investment to me, although I didn't see a resolution of the image in the description.

 

I had looked at these a little while ago but your thread renewed my interest, so I looked around and read some reviews. The Celestron received less than steller reviews so I went with the Dino-Lite AM311S with a stand. I'll play around with it this weekend and let you know what I think.

 

Looking forward to you're review.

 

Absolutely right; it's almost impossible to keep your subject in the visual field if you're holding the scope in your hand. You do need a stand or holder of soe sort to get good use from them.

 

Right - so what is a hand held microscope. A Microscope is about 20x to 500x fields minimal. Maybe we are talking Periscopes?

Ruben

 

My apologies.......I didn't mean to mislead you.

 

No apology necessary. Celestron is coming out with a new model that has a stand. 10x to 40x is what I'm mainly interested in. I have a hoard of Lincoln wheat's (several hundred dollars worth) that I want to search and I think my eyes will happier looking at a large lcd screen.

 

Review

I got the scope and I must say I'm pretty impressed so far, but I've only played with it for about 15 minutes. The software installed easily and updated itself and it was ready to use. I still need to play with the lighting as the LED's seem to over light the subject. I kind of wish I would have gotten the model that could do measurements, but no big deal. I also think the stand is a must, but you can focus for a few seconds holding it in your hand. My wish list for this product would be that you could magnify and focus via the computer instead of having to touch the stand and the scope. But overall I'm exceptionally happy with it.

 

Review cont

Second set of pictures.

 

Just goes to show you what you've been drinking. My hands are as steady as a rock or so they appear to be after only a few Martini's. :smile
I could hold a million power microscope and all would look great, to me that is, maybe.:hail:
That one looks like the one or similar to the one advertised a few years ago at Walmart. Not sure but I thought it was about $49 or thereabout. Not sure. I do remember that it was supposed to be about 300X but that too not sure.
As to being hand held, it was supposed to be for kids so I don't think a stand would have been of much use.
Regardless, I think I'll just have to get one of thoes with the stand.

 

I bought one (the Dinolite) at LB coin show and took it back. I bought a stand (the moveable arm kind). As said they are too sensitive and slightest vibration sets them off. Have to be oriented the right direction. I was using it to remove grime with rose thorn to make sure I didn't scratch coin, but the movements are oposite of what you see on the screen. If you move your hand right it's like looking in a mirror (reverse image). As well the LED lights made the coins look unnatural. Just my opinions. They took the scope back and were very nice. I felt really bad quite frankly.

 

The orientation of the subject depends on the orientation of the scope. If I orient the scope correctly the coin orientation will be correct. I have this stand ( http://www.bigc.com/products_accessories_MS21W.php ), and while it has a weighted base it still takes a "touch" to get the focus right because of the bounce.

None of the pictures I took are above a 50X magnification, I don't even know how you get closer, without putting the coin inside the scope. It also has the ability to make a good coin look bad, but since I do alot of roll searching and pocket change searching for my modern collections, this can only make them better, I think?! I ordered some grading books from the ANA, not only do I need the help, but I am hoping to get some input into how these coins are graded, in-hand vs. magnified.

Fred

 

Very nice xtrmbrdr. I think I'll pick one up so I don't feel like this :bigeyes::rolling::rolling: anymore. Thanks for the follow-up.

 

Interesting comparison chart:

http://www.bigc.com/products_compare_handheld.php

Anyone own the 1.3MP version? I'd like to see some pics.