Digital Microscope

Reviews

This is a wonderful scope, my grandaughter 11 years old loaded the software for the computer and started using it within 5 mins.

I have 18 of the Carson 200 USB microscopes in a science lab. They are always a big hit when we use them. This is a great science tool. We use them with Windows XP computers. They have one weak spot. The wire is thin and if it is pulled too hard where it enters the microscope it can stop working. Carson will make it right, but to avoid the problem just use some tape to hold the wire down. In all fairness I see 600 students in a week. That's a lot of use.

Reviews

I read the reviews from the others before purchasing this, and they were all accurate. This microscope is exceptional for the price! It has good weight to it...won't topple over easily as so many previous "beginner" microscopes have. It's easy to use, and what I like best is the plug-in light source. My kids said nothing but 'WOW" for a good 30 minutes straight, as I kept feeding different objects under the lens. You'll be amazed at how much you can see.

I was skeptical about a instrument being so inexpensive (it was reduced somewhat from the current price ao 26 Dec 09) but took the risk. This is better than anything I ever used in high school biology or in college labs (that was over thirty years ago...) primarily for the way the instrument is set up and delivers capability. The optics are good quality, which is what we hope for when looking at the cell level, but the precision of movement between the different objectives is what makes it a fun tool to use. The base is sturdy with rubber feet that plant it on a smooth surface. The light sources are excellent between the led projector and mirror. Easy to switch between the two in case you want to go portable. The table is where all the cool tricks lie. There is an adjustable aperture for the light source and though it is a simple mod, it is a key item if you use a camera and the image washes out from too much light. The clamp and double axis rule allow you to move the object under inspection with ease. Once you have your subject under focus, switching between objectives is easy and the subject remains in focus. Depth of view is good and the precision adjustment or fine tuning is very smooth and accurate. Overall, this tool is solidly made and delivers very good images.

The Celestron web site says that beginning in Jan 2009 the illuminator was upgraded to an LED system which is cool to the touch. I have not seen it, but it does address the heat concerns as LED's run at room temperature. I suppose that older inventory has the overheating issue. Be sure to check prior to purchasing.

I bought it for my 9 years old daughter ho wanted a "real" microscope and not a kid's plastic toy microscope. The quality of the image is very close to professional microscope (in fact the Celestron 44104 is a school grade microscope) and the mechanics very robust and smooth. It contains all the essential parts of a professional microscope - 3 objectives, 2 eye pieces, a condenser, macro and micro focus wheels, an XY moving stage, a bright LED source and a nice set of prepared samples (slides). I largely got for my money.

I bought this for my 12yo daughter who loves it! My husband is a research scientist and was impressed with the quality of the scope as well. I read the reviews about the electric light source heating up but we have had no issues with it other than it does not have a dimmer switch which would be ideal. It has always felt cool to the touch even after being on for an hour or more. It tends to be very bright though and my daughter prefers to use the mirror instead now because of it which works fine. Would definitely recommend this microscope for students.