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 Replies: 18 / Views: 5,174 |
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Valued Member
United States
196 Posts |
There have surely bee discussions on this, but I haven't seen them. Anyone have any thoughts on USB microscopes? I am thinking they would be easier on the eyes than the magnifying glass I have been using, and I'd see better detail. Not looking to spend a ton, but get something usable.
Thoughts?
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Use the search box upper left of page,lots of info. Give us an idea of your budget. John1  |
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Valued Member
 United States
196 Posts |
50 - 100 dollars.
I have kids :-)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4809 Posts |
Not a fan of them. I have one; used for a couple hours and prefer my AmScope for about $140. Too much light causing glare and field of view limiting. Some here have been successful but had to clip the brightness to make it practical. Good luck on the hunt! |
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
I have two usb scopes anr don't like either one. I mostly use a point-n-shoot camera and if I absolutely..positively have to I will use a scope. John1 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1285 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
I've got a Celestron 44302 Deluxe USB Microscope on order. It only cost $35. I should have it by early next week. I'll let you know how it works. Obviously, ones in this price range are sort of toys, but I've heard decent things about this model. We'll soon see I guess.
Edited by batboy
12/24/2015 11:13 am
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Valued Member
United States
127 Posts |
I have one of the cheap $25 microscopes we found on Amazon. For what I use it for, I love it. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
Calling them "microscopes" is a bit of a stretch in my opinion. They really are web cams that can be manually focused. The lower priced ones don't have zoom lens like you might think. Magnification depends on how close you can get the lens to the object. I would recommend a bit of research on the subject if you're really thinking of buying one. They have limitations, but can be useful devices.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
I have the original Celestron USB microscope, I used to sell them, and got an early one after doing some prototype, pre-production testing and analysis work. I really dont like my scopes focusing knob, it's way to stiff, I believe that was fixed in the later models, while I don't use it all that much, for any high quality shooting, as I get older and my eye sight isn't as ggod as it once was, it sure is easier to see the small stuff on a big 30" monitor.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9162 Posts |
I have a USB microscope and don't like it, now that I have my Canon Rebel camera set up I use it as a microscope, on a 23" screen a cent is over 6" in size and clear then when you see some thing you can magnify that by 200 and then again by another 200.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
My new Celestron 44302 Deluxe USB Microscope was delivered today. I was not expecting too much for the price (under $40), but have been mostly pleased so far. The software was easy to install and use. I uploaded a pic to show you what to expect. My biggest gripe is the lighting. It has 6 LEDs that stay on all the time with no way to adjust the brightness. Others that use this same model put electrical tape over some of the LEDs. Others made and put diffuser filters onto the lights. The little stand that comes with the device is a bit limited. To get the whole coin in the shot, you need to set the scope onto a book to raise it up.  If I had it to do over, I should have bought the next better model, the Celestron model 44308 for less than $70. It has a better stand, 5 MP camera resolution compared to 2 MP of the one I got, and (most importantly) the light is adjustable. You can even turn it off. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4809 Posts |
Maybe. From what you describe, you covered the same ground regarding using books as stands, etc. I had a less expensive USB scope and took that back to a friend of mine who sells them. He gave me the top of the line unit he had. Higher magnification, but realistically I was looking for LESS magnification (this unit gave me a broader range; lower but mostly higher mag). I tried it once and packed it away.
For the dime, it works OK. For larger (size) denominations, it's impractical for me. The picture you took actually looks good and for the price paid, might be perfect in that respect. Keep that in mind if you decide to upgrade. Best of luck to you.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I have one and it just sits. Tried it once and just to much trouble to set up.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
The Celestron I have is no trouble to set up. Plug it into a USB port, open the software, and it's ready to go. Just need to focus it and click the capture button for a photo.
I used some pieces of black duct tape and covered every other LED light. That seems to really help lower the light intensity. Sometimes with real shiny coins, I turn off the overhead room light too. The real advantage to a USB microscope is extreme close up work.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4809 Posts |
Keep at it batboy. It seems to be working for you. Maybe I'll get around to give it another try. For now though, happy with the iPhone shots and the iPhone through the AmScope eye piece. |
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Replies: 18 / Views: 5,174 |
Posted 12/22/2015 5:14 pm
