Using a USB microscope roll hunting for varieties?

Does anyone use a USB microscope for roll hunting for varieties. I was thinking about buying one and using my laptop while roll hunting. I realize this could slow me down a bit but I feel like I'm washing gold down the sluice. Using a loupe to check the obverse and reverse of each coin strains my eyes and gives me headaches and depending on the design of the microscope it might actually save me time and help me find what I'm looking for. What would be the best model for shopping on a budget? ($30-$40)

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

been using mine for almost 2 years now, lot less stressfull on my eyes when i can see the coin on my puter screen enlarged to see all details, found that i can search cents an nickels for errors an varieties twice as fast than when using a loupe, i got a cheap one off ebay for 40$, works just fine...takes decent pics too..see how easy it is to spot this D over D...

 

Perfect! Any idea what brand/ model you have? Can you also take pictures of the entire coin?

 

mine just said 'made in china'. and its on a 10 inch stand i got from wizard supply. can take pic of entire cent , nickel or dime at the top position...

 

I have been using a DINO-LITE model AM311S for several years. It works great for close-up pictures. I also use it to take pictures for my Ebay listings. I hope this helps.
.
Regards,
Richard

 

DINO-LITE might be out of my price range unless I can maybe find one used. Appears Wizard no longer carries the made in China one Ken mentioned. I would like to use it for eBay listings as well.

 

i only got the stand from wizard, the scope i got off ebay...

 

Accuse the messy desk……… But this is one of our set ups…..

 

I traded one of these off...




When I got this one, much happier.


The issue I had was focus and this stand is much better.

 

Can you post some pictures of coins you took with this camera?

 

Sure, these are what I have handy...

 

Ethan,

What is the software like? Can you turn off the LED lights? Can you operate the camera from the keyboard? Is it user friendly?

Sorry for all the questions, just wondering.
Thanks,
Caleb

 

Software is ok but nothing special. I have other software to manipulate the picture as needed. Yes the LED is adjustable and for the most part you will only need it on the VERY close shots. It has a dial so you can use as much as you need. The LED switch also has a push button for taking the picture, I can not remember if the keyboard does put I think so. Yes, very user friendly. The best part vs the other one is the focus, very easy and stable. Once I had it, I gave the other one away for a golf driver as I had no need for it. It also can be used as a regular web cam but I haven't done that with it yet. I love it. You will still need another camera to get good shots of whole coins (resolution etc) but for close ups this one is hard to beat.

 

Messy desk, I accuse you!!!

 

Interesting subject. How 'bout this one for $28...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200X-2MP-8-...847?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20dbebc7a7

Seller has over 46000 feedback and sells microscopes up to at least $3k

Rob

 

These USB cameras are limited. 2 mp is very old technology, especially if you are trying to photograph a variety, or show a complete coin. Even though this one says extended focus, you will not be able to get many complete coins in the image. Look at every usb camera under $200 and you will see their webpage doesn't show a complete coin ( sharp) larger than a nickel. Looking at the photos on CT you can tell which ones are low resolution cameras and which are regular cameras/microscopes. the background of a cent may look ok at first, but then you notice the metal field seems to have square or rectangular patterns and edges of numbers and letters may look like doubling due to the low resolution.

However, if a USB like this is the most you can spend on cameras at this time, it is better than nothing, but consider it a temporary until you can get something with higher resolution and more focusing range. Also watch for software which adds details by averaging nearby pixels to increase the appearance of resolution. This can add artificial details or hide actual ones you hope for.

 

I had one like it and it was ok, that one has a stand and that might help. Still I got rid of it and got the one I posted. You can get it for $30 or so if patient.

 

I have one like the one Ethan traded. Mine has several tiny LED lights that drive me nuts when taking a photo. I wish I could disable them. The plus side is, it has been been much more easier looking at the coins on my neck (pain issues) then using the eye loupe. The down side, I probably drive you guys nuts with all my bright pics

 

That looks good and sturdy. Ended up buying mine on ebay from china. Microscope looks similar but stand doesn't look nearly as good plus it will take a month or 2 for mine to come in.

 

you beat me to it!