I am just wondering if anyone has purchased a 200x USB Microscope Wand offered by Hammacher Schlemmer Catalog to look at coin's. My eye site is not the best and a lope just does not do it for me. I don't want to spend the money if its not going to work. Maybe someone could tell what they use? I want one that I can bring on computer screen and it will be clear!
In the catalog, it doesn't give much technical details so here would be my problems 1. 480 x 640 resolution will limit how large the image would be on the screen and how much a photo program could enlarge it for putting it on a website such as this. The resolution is even less than many webcams. 2. If you just wanted to see small items or part of large items, it might be sufficient, but you probably couldn't even focus sharply on a whole nickel. Some can, but they have to have a very extended focus range. Can't tell with this one. Since much of the fun is to be able to photograph a whole coin in high resolution, this would not be such. BUT.... Their guarantee is well respected and you would be out s/h both ways if it didn't work. Also there have been many other with similar questions of similar optic systems. You might search "USB camera" using the search box at the top/right of the page. Several years ago I purchased one, but it didn't work out for me, but at least try to find some other threads. Maybe you could ask them how it turned out. And Welcome to the Forum!! Jim
Jim, I use a Digital Blue QB5. It has 3 settings, 10X, 60X and 200X. Is easy to work with, takes nice photos but has some drawbacks also. You cannot photo a whole coin at one time. It is harder to take a photo of a slabbed coin as the lens sometimes will touch the plastic. With the 200x power setting you have to know where on the coin to focus because of the large magnification. You can get lost on the coins surface very easily. Otherwise I like it. Bruce
