QX-5 Digital Microscope

I bought one of these Digital Blue Computer Microscopes, the QX-5 and was wondering if anyone else here has had any experience with this or the QX-3. I bought this to get a closer look at my coins, date varieties and such. What have you found to be the ups and downs of this product. I know its marketed as a toy but I thought it would be interesting to mess around with.

http://digiblue.com/digital_blue/qx5.html

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I think the QX-5 does a very good job for the price. Nice for showing intricate features or errors at high magnification. It would be great if it also had a lower magnification to show the entire coin and the Lighting could stand some improvement.

Here is a shot of a 1944 D/S OMM#1 that I took with my QX-5

 

My QX-3 worked 1 day.
It doesn't get along well with Windows XP.
I even downloaded updates.
I'll find and old computer that has the proper requirements and run Windows 98 on it.

 

I have the QX-3, and love it.
The only problem that I have noticed is that for extreme close ups it may need some additional light.
Also, as noted elsewhere it does show a reddish color at times.

Check out the attachment.

 

I noticed in a few pictures I've seen of the QX3 and QX5 there is a lighted base underneath the microscope. Is this something you can buy seperately from the microscope. I didnt see it offered on the Digital Blue web site. I've also read a few reviews where people said that they had trouble with redness. I wonder what causes that. I should be getting mine in a few days, I'll post a few pics that I take with it.

 

Indianhaed:
Mine (the QX-3) comes with both the upper & lower light. (I believe).
But, I haven't used it since my hard drive failed -- so I have to re-hook it up.

 

I also have the QX3 and love it. There is lighting at both the top and bottom.

The color issue isn't a big thing with me as I bought it to get a good look at the coins not perfect color.

I have found (as most have I believe) that 60X is the way to go with this "toy".

 

I think I have the QX-5 and I use it without any problems. It maybe a toy, but it is good for coins.

 

I have one as well. Not sure the model I believe it has a + in it though, maybe QX3+. Anyway bought it on ebay 1.5 to 2 years ago played around with it and because I just couldn't get good lighting (has lighting from above and below) put it up and just use a 20X loupe with my didital cam for closeups. The old QX hasn't been out of the box of over a year now.

 

I also have a QX 5. I use an external light source. Here' a pic I just taken at 60 X.

Lou

 

Lou:
Nice doubled die!

 

Thanks Frank! My daughter got it as a Christmas gift along with some other coins from a dealers foreign coin box.

Lou

 

Frank, can I have the subject of that pic ?
I need it for the set.

 

me no speaky da language.
se habla chinese?

 

I'm not sure what those are but just before Christmas I saw adds on TV for a portable toy microscope type thing. Not sure about the store since I wasn't interested at the time. It was demo'd by showing you could just move this thing anywhere and it would magnify up to 200X. They showed it moving up an arm and the hairs showed up on a computer. Being that portable you could just lay out coins on a table and scan the entire mess. Maybe I'll go looking for that now that the christmas rush stuff has died.

 

Let me help if I may be so bold Roto and Treashunt.


I think he means NO!

 

Nice picture! I just got a QX5 myself and am having lighting issues... could you describe (or better yet photograph) the external light source setup you use?

 

But, with it blown up like that, you can see my name on it !
It's my soulmate, well for right now anyway.

 

Print a picture and put it under your pillow.

Then late at night either the coin fairy or your girlfrient will find it!

Either way you'll get your butt kicked.

 

LOL!