So I finally did it...

I finally bucked down the cash and ordered myself a QX5 microscope that I can plug into my computer. I just got really tired of the eye strain from my loupe and having to take a break every 10 minutes... While my loupe's permanent place in my pockets remains as there are always coins to be examined!! I am excited about this change. Anybody have experience with this product? Any helpful hints for lighting, photography, or any of the other features? I'm anxious for it to arrive as I suspect this will make RPM's Double Dies, OMM's a lot eaiser to spot as well as improved photos for showing them off on the forums.. Anyway, Just thought I'd see what you all can suggest!

(yes, I know it is a "toy" but I have heard several people really enjoy it for error coin viewing)

 

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I got a QX5 for Xmas and I still can't get it to work. As soon as it comes on
the light on the QX5 goes out and it changes the resolution on my computer.

Lou

 

LOL, that makes me feel good about my purchase...

 

dak.

Go here for some input http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=12385

Bruce.

 

Sorry dak. For some reason mine is just not working correctly. There has to be some type of an adjustment that I need to make with the resolution, but where? Yours will be fine.

Lou

 

Its all good, I expect there will be a lot of hurdles with any new electronic I buy these days, not due to the product itself but because it has me as an operater!! LSM, Check out that link Bruce provided there are some ideas for resolution problems in there... Might be worth a try...

 

found a PDF for the product

http://www.southernbiological.com/Products/Microscopes/QX5.htm

 

I have one and it works fine....nada any problemos!!!



RickieB

 

My QX3 does not have any of the problems mentioned in that linked thread about the QX5, except the poor lighting. My avatar is a QX3 10X photo, on which the color is shifted very much to the red. The actual coin doesn't look the least bit red in normal lighting.

 

We have one of these...I think it's a QX3. It's great for varities.
tradernick

 

Awesome!! I got it in todays mail, pluged it into the USB port after loading the software and it fired right up! How cool. I am dissapointed in the lack of fine adjustment, but I can see already this is gonna be a handy tool to have! Watch out nickel forum, I'm armed and dangerous.... LOL

 

dak how much did you pay? i am looking to get armed too

 

I got my QX5 on Ebay for $50 plus $12.00 shipping. It was used but came with all original box, packaging, software and whatnot... I got it today, and if he hadn't told me it was used, I never would have guessed! I'd assume it was new. New ones are on Ebay for $89 plus $16 shipping... Good luck!

 

Yes, those are really useful for looking for doubled dies etc...

 

Darn it! I didn't know about these things and I certainly thought they were more expensive.

Hmmm. I wonder what my son is going to think about having to wait on those XBox games for a couple more months......

 

dak - i have been looking at one of those for a year or so. I also have the same frustration with my loupe. The differance between us - you broke down and bought one lol - i cant get myself to part with the money that will be used for whatever my next numismatic purchase will be.

Im glad to hear you goty yours so cheap. I have been wtching them off and on, and like you said, new ones go for over $100 after shipping costs.

Hope it works well for you - cuz i really want one

 

From my one day of experience the system that has been working for me, is still using my loupe just to quickly look at a coin, I if I see anything "suspicious" I take it over to to the QX5 .. For me the majority of my eye-strain comes when I try to examine a "suspicious" coin with the loupe from all angles, squinting and straining to try and see what I thought I saw!! This microscope is an invaluable tool to me. I only wish I had done it sooner. I have been missing a lot.

 

I've had mine for several years and it works great. My kids got it for me for Father's Day a few years ago.
Just one thing, if you have a wide screen monitor you have to play with the resolution.
I haven't adjusted mine yet, so my pictures are a bit fuzzy, and everytime that I exit the program I have to reset my icons, they move all over the place.
All in all, a really nice unit.
I have used it to write an article on 1916 D Barber Quarters for the Barber Coin Collector's club, and listed about 5 or 6 new RPM's that I was able to id from it.
Also, I id'd a 1909 S, Barber half dollar with an inverted mintmark that was written up in Coin World a couple of years ago. Without the 'scope I never could have properly identified it.

 

Dak,Is this the one you bought?

 

indianhead, that is the QX-5, also called Digital Blue.