Suggestions on a coin microscope???

Long story short, I bought one and it was not compatible with Windows 11. Now I need to find a microscope that is x1000, takes photos and hooks to my laptop. I really don't want to spend over $50. I am tired of looking through mytemp magnifier set up, quite caveman style(see photo). If anyone could point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

What are you looking to do with such high magnification?
See the coins atoms?

 

I like the Cell Phone method best.
I also have a Dino-Lite USB Microscope I paid $200 for, but They start around $100 plus the stand. You can't be too cheap when it comes to microscopes. It doesn't get pictures that are as clear as a cellphone, even my Moto G does a pretty good job. It just shows things closer up in my opinion.

 

Ive had a Dino scope since they became available on the market. I highly recommend that scope as ive had mine near 15 years never had any issues or problems.
I know for a fact you can buy cheaper....but you get what you pay for.
I believe that Alan @ coinzip is a dealer in the Dino scope line. He also sells a light box and other accessories one may need.
I have heard also from others the same about the quality of the cheaper scopes.
Besides this isnt an item you'll be replacing. Like I said Ive had mine since the Whitman show I first saw the scope demoed.
I hope this answered your question any other's feel free to pm me.

I just noticed your $50 budget ....that may buy you a scope on line but again quality as well wil it be compatible with your system?
If your budget at present is only 50$ then I would wait until I could afford a better model. Again 15 years of use on mine and works as good as day 1.

 

I feel my cell or my camera lenses does just fine. That’s my opinion of course lol!

 

I use one similar to this and it works great.

https://www.amazon.com/Elikliv-Micr...prefix=digital+microscope,aps,276&sr=8-8&th=1

 

If you use more than 10X to 300X you will be, as @paddyman98 says, looking at the atomic structure and not seeing the coin. My set up allows me to see and photo a full silver dollar size coin. Will under $100. You can see the dollar on the microscope platform and on my desktop monitor.

 

Additionally, look through the previous posts. There are hundreds of postings on microscopes. Most people don't want to write out all that every time the question comes up.

 

Inspector, will yours work on a Apple IMac

 

I think it will. It is a MustCam 10X-300X 5 Mega Pix. The package says Windows/Mac/Android.

 

I have an opti-scope. I like very much.

 

What model?

 

Don't get one. Instead learn how to collect coins.

 

There are many uses for a "microscope" in coin collecting. For the most part I use a loop. But, I collect ancients and the scope is important to complete cleaning and identification. The "scope" is also used as a camera to make records of coins and display them. Then there is the 79 year old collector that can't see as well as in the younger days. And, what does how to collect have to do with the tools a person uses?

 

Not sure, don't have the box anymore. Just says Opti-tek scope on it.

 

That's a nice photo!

 

This is what a scope can show you.

 

Most without a scope would pass this ddo as Longacer doubling....instead of thevtriple die it is.

 

I think that I have written at least 10 posts about this subject. Most with no optics knowledge use "Magnification " and "Resolution " as the same. Look at this image below:



this what an Uncirculated surface of a Morgan Silver dollar looks like at 400X. I
took it using a 10X eyepiece and 40X objective lens. I had won a full scholarship to study Genetics and microbiology. After 6 years, I had used a Electron Microscope
over time in both areas.After going on research grants, I learned a Scanning electron Microscope ( Which I love as live structures can be used and not destroyed.
Resolution is how close ( microns or atomic wavelength level) 2 lines/ points can still be recognized as separated sharp lines. The same 2 lines can be used and with lens increase ( Magnify) the visual size not just 1000 times ( but the size of the moon if they had a strong enough light source. So much light information is lost at magnifications of 500X on a lens scope, that the image will not be sharp or accurate, unless the object is contact with immersion oil to bend the light back. Microbiology students have to use it between their 1000X lab scopes and the microorganisms on a slide.

So the numbers of 1000X used by the offshore manufacturers is strictly "Size" and not accuracy of what is there. The scopes sold on Amazon and elsewhere will never explain it . As magnification goes up on these types of scope, the resolution goes down. The small significant thing you are looking for, may be fuzzed out. Using a larger screen image ( used for extra magnification) is even worse , as the screen is assuredly not a high pixel level, but usually 720 to 1040, ( low resolution) claims 1500X magnification and the inverse in resolution.
Why so many people put up photos that are large, but not sharp. Not trying to say you need $500 to do well, as a well made , highly accurate , optic glass lens , such as used by jewelers, miners, medical , under $50 etc. is often better for coin collectors. If you sent the camera signal to a 70 inch screen, it would be magnified greatly, but the resolution ( accurate information of what is actually there) will deteriorate. IMO.

Astronomy cameras for telescopes are similar to look for things similar in context to coin searchers, are far more accurate, and far more expensive.

Just to complete below is a similar observation of the surface of a UNC Peace dollar to the Morgan . Not the same "peaks", thus less natural toning refraction.

Jim