Digital microscopes. Anyone want one?

[JeffH]

I see that Jaycar has two new microscopes. These have adjustable stands unlike the Kaiser Baas -that is a very good feature. Otherwise, very similar looking to the other ones on the market. 5MP→2592x1944 pixels is starting to sound like a serious resolution!
5MP USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Professional Stand
2MP USB Digital Microscope with 200x Zoom

I have a trade account with Jayca'rs wholesale division and can purchase these at a reasonable discount. If anyone is interest in obtaining one please message me. Your price would be around 25% to 30% discounted (another 10% discount of I can get an order for five or more).

Jeff

[Cooper S]

I was actually just looking at one of those ask fulvio

[Nevol]

PM sent. :angel:

[Fulvio]

T-Mart had these or similar starting around thirty bucks, as I recall. I went with KB because quality may be an issue at the cheap end.

The 5MP one looks interesting though. I'd be interested in seeing some piccies from it other than what's on their website. Wonder if Jaycar would let me haul the Macbook in there and test it? :angel:

KB specs:
Image sensor - 2 megapixels CMOS (interpolated to 5 megapixels)
Capture resolution - images up to 2560 x 2048, Video (AVI) up to 1600 x 1200
Magnification ratio - 20x to 200x with focus range from 10mm to infinite
- See more at: http://www.kaiserbaas.com/cameras/digital-microscope#sthash.nNuMkRgK.dpuf

[JeffH]

Doesn't hurt to ask. If you do and get some pics then post them here.

[Fulvio]

Doesn't hurt to ask. If you do and get some pics then post them here.

Yeah. Just found that they have a shop in Hallam, across the road from where mine was. AND they're happy to let me test it. Guess I'll head down there, check the PO box and pick up that note AJ sent, then give it a test drive, eh?

Also be interesting to see if it works with the KB software.

[markn]

Image sensor - 2 megapixels CMOS (interpolated to 5 megapixels)
Capture resolution - images up to 2560 x 2048, Video (AVI) up to 1600 x 1200

2 MP interpolated to 5MP?  Just buy a 2MP unit and "interpolate" (ie resize the image to make it bigger) it yourself in your graphics software.  Or am I missing something here?

[trout]

I have absolutely NO idea on the speccs of my "Cudoscope" but what I do know is it takes BIG pictures of little things rather nicely :angel:
Not too shabby for an elcheapo from China

[Fulvio]

Right.. I got down there today, as promised. Sadly thanks to roadworks on the freeway, I was running late for a couple of doctors appointments, so it didn't go especially well. Here's the only semi-usable pic I salvaged when I eventually got home a short while ago:



Compare it to the similar KB pic I posted last month in the 50¢ Bubble thread.

I have to say I was not overly impressed with this scope, at least not for the price.

The software, MicroCapture PRO, is a lot slower and more cumbersome than the old MicroCapture. And no, it won't work with the old software. In spite of claiming 5MP, The only options were for 1.3, 2 and 3MP. That shot is 3MP.

The reason its so bad is it turns out there is a SIGNIFICANT delay between clicking the button and the pic actually being snapped. Perhaps as much as 30sec. By which time you've moved. Maybe not a problem with the stand, but useless handheld, which this was.

Focussing is a LOT fiddlier. And the depth of field is shallower. I found it near impossible to get a decent view on screen, and it was laggier than the KB. Plus there is no easy way to snap the pic while in fullscreen mode that I could find.

Overall, the best thing about it is the stand. Looked very solid, and would fit any scope. But other than that, I wouldn't bother. Certainly not at $129. Maybe at $80, which brings it down towards KB territory, it might be ok, just for the stand. But I also suspect a $20 chinese no-name might do the job just as well.

Pity, I had high hopes, and would have bought it in spite of already having the KB.

[JeffH]

What interested me in these was the stands included. I don't think 5MP is any large advance on 2 for what I do. 1600x1280 pixels is a decent size photo.

I downloaded MicroCapture PRO and had a look -it definitely showed a 5MP option for me. The delay sounds a worry. Was that with button on 'scope or software select snap (or both)?

Had a look around and found several places in Hong Kong selling stands. Think I might grab one for my KB. Protable Mini Stage Stand For USB Digtal Microscope sic
For someone in the market for a digital microscope, this looks to be pretty much the "industry standard" type and has an adjustable stand. Price looks reasonable.USB 2.0 Digital Microscope S07-500X Video Magnifier Camera w/ Adjustable Holder
And, check this one out! If I bought one -I have no intention- it would not be to use but just to display for the decorative value. 8 LED USB Digital Microscope

2 MP interpolated to 5MP? Just buy a 2MP unit and "interpolate" (ie resize the image to make it bigger) it yourself in your graphics software. Or am I missing something here?

I don't think so. They do this;
•Because they can
•5MP looks better than 2MP for advertising
•They think "ethics" is a county in England.

Some of the newer 5MP units are now claiming "interpolated to 12MP". Why not 20MP? (think of a number and insert it here). Means nothing really.

Try this exercise;
•Find a 2MP picture (1600x1280 pixel) with lots of fine detail and make a copy
•Resize it to 5MP (2,592 x 1944 pixels)
•Resize it back to 2MP
•Compare the original and the copy; especially the fine detail. See the "jaggies"?

[Nevol]

Jeff, pm sent re the HK stands.  

In the lower part of the listing:
Station USB Digital Portable Pen Manual Focus Microscope Stand TE13

[Fulvio]

Was that with button on 'scope

Due to their lack of programming skills (or lack of caring, which is worse), the button doesn't work on the Mac versions. So you need three hands.

[JeffH]

Nancy has pointed out that the stands I linked to will not mount Kaiser Baas type microscope.
Maybe this might be better. Microscope Stand ST-1 (Buy it now) Microscope Stand ST-1 (auction)
I did find a lovely articulated arm stand -an engineering marvel- but, at US$49.95, I think way too expensive.

[Fulvio]

Hmm... those are really for adapting standard cameras to optical 'scopes. Bit of an overkill, even if they work.

What about adapting the KB stands? All it really needs is clamping and a longer articulated bit I reckon. Maybe just bolt it to a heavy steel block?

[trout]

This setup costs $0 and seems to work ok :good: