Link the Microscopic World to Your PC
A USB computer microscope is also known as a computer-connected microscope or just a computer microscope. With the use of CMOS sensors, the microscope can be plugged into a USB port on a television or computer. With this microscope, the user can view and examine the specimen via the computer’s monitor or at the tv’s screen instead of looking through the eyepiece. Essentially, it is a webcam with a macro lens.
Many of these USB microscopes tend to rely on ambient lighting, but some have built-in illumination. The lens of the USB computer microscope can touch an object to see it magnified and it can also be used to view objects in a short distance. This gives the ability for the objects to be in different states – like moving or wet.
For instance, you might prefer looking and observing lifeless objects like a coin but you also have the option to magnify human body parts and even moving insects. This is surely a fun and educational tool for children. As well as even the most experienced scientist.
Most of these microscopes offer 20X-300X magnification and are commonly priced under $200.
How to Use a USB Computer Microscope
If you are going to use the microscope with a computer or your laptop, the first thing that needs to be done is to load the device’s software.
Plug the device in an open USB port either on the television or the computer.
Hold the microscope in place and put the slide with the specimen into position. Be careful to not touch the lens on the specimen. By doing so, the image should be visible on the tv screen or monitor. Liquids are required to be viewed through distance viewing.
The focusing capabilities may be on the microscope itself, via the computer program, or both. It depends on the microscope. In case it is on the microscope, just turn the focus wheel until you are satisfied with the focus.
In programming, focusing may include options to adjust the contrast or brightness of any image. Some microscopes also offer an auto-focus feature that can be disabled in case the slide is not good enough to see clearly.
It’s important to keep in mind that if you use the microscope with the television to view and examine the specimen, there is a big possibility that you can only adjust the image if the microscope itself has a focus wheel.
If you want to take an image of the object being viewed, there is usually a “capture” icon presented on the screen. If the USB microscope is designed to be able to take video images, there should also be a “record” icon.
Once the video is recorded or the image is captured, there is a “save” icon to allow you to save the image. However, if the viewer uses the microscope with their television, there is a high chance that they will be unable to save the captured images or recorded videos unless you can save them to your sd card.
Using/Owning a USB Computer Microscope
Advantages
- Most of the time, these computer microscopes are handheld. This allows the viewer to observe and examine specimens that can’t fit on a traditional microscope’s lens.
- The images are easy to save as picture files, printed, and even be sent to others. Some of these even allow the viewer to save the captured images as a video clip.
- The saved images can be manipulated by other programs. It can also be easily examined. These give the viewer the ability to manipulate and examine the details of the specimen that may have been ignored and get manipulated for artistic and entertainment purposes.
Disadvantages
- Compared to other microscopes, this microscope offers low-level magnification.
- Having enough and sufficient illumination for specimens is quite a concern.
Remember to check the image resolution and format when saving. These affect the image’s clarity and size after they have been saved. You should also consider the lighting. The amount of illumination can change. The lighting of the microscope could either be powered by batteries or a USB connection.
Don’t forget to check the compatibility of the microscope’s software with the machine where it will be installed. Though these microscopes are not as powerful as others, a USB computer microscope can be fun to use and can serve as a useful tool for artists, hobbyists, and anyone who wants to have a peek of their world a little closer.
USB Computer Microscope Reviews
The best microscopes to consider are:
Digital Blue Microscopes
Go ahead and take a look at all the USB Computer Microscopes that are available on the market such as the QX3 and the QX5 microscope models manufactured by Digital Blue. The new QX7 Microscope from Digital Blue is also out now on the market too, so you really should check out that if you want high performance.
The Q7 Microscope Digital Blue is a small and portable microscope that is easy to use and very suitable for kids.
It features a 25x magnification lens, 4x zoom, 3 LED light settings and an adjustable head. The lens can magnify objects up to 2000x in size.
It has a built-in LED light which can be used when the light in the room is not enough. The magnification lens and the LED light both have focus knobs that allow you to adjust them to your liking.
The battery life of this microscope lasts up to three hours, which should be enough for most people to finish what they want to do with it, but if not there is also an AC adapter included in the box.
Dino-Lite Digital Microscope
At first glance, you would more likely think of it as a gadget than as a useful professional instrument. But these portable instruments are used for medical applications and industrial inspections. Aside from these, this microscope is also used by hobbyists and students at schools.
The Dino-Lite Digital Microscope is a handheld microscope that fits in the palm of your hand. It is used for all sorts of applications such as diagnosing skin cancer, detecting foodborne illness, and confirming that equipment is assembled correctly.
A major advantage of this digital microscope is that it can be used without having to wear gloves and it can capture photographs and videos so you can share what you’ve found with other people.
The pocket microscope is a hand-held device that provides the same magnification as the Dino-lite digital microscope. The pocket microscope can be used as a standalone product or with an app that provides an augmented reality experience.
The pocket microscope and the Dino-lite digital microscope both provide magnification; however, we should keep in mind that the pocket microscope is smaller and requires less setup and preparation time than the Dino-lite digital microscopes.
The Dino-Lite Digital Microscope comes with a built-in camera that can capture images at 1280 x 1024 resolution and can be plugged into a computer or laptop for viewing purposes. They are designed specifically for use in schools, science labs, and other institutions where microscopes are not as available as they would be in private homes.
The Dino-lite digital microscope is designed for those who don’t have access to microscopes as often as they would like. It has been made with students, teachers, and scientists in mind.
It is worth it to check out the amazing Dino-Lite Edge Polarizing Handheld Digital Microscope too!
Celestron Infiniview LCD Digital Microscope
This offers a different kind of field microscope with its screen to view that’s ready to go. This shows the true meaning of fun and fieldwork in one!
This microscope is a relatively new product in the market. It’s not just for children but it is also an excellent tool for professionals.
The Celestron Infiniview LCD Digital Microscope combines high-quality optics with a high-resolution LCD screen to produce an incredibly sharp, clear image. The product was designed with a powerful zoom of up to 200x and a 5MP digital camera that captures clear images of both small and large objects.
The Celestron Infiniview LCD Digital Microscope allows for a much more detailed and accurate viewing than a traditional microscope. The detail and accuracy that the Celestron Infiniview LCD Digital Microscope provides are due to the fact that it uses a digital camera as opposed to film.
A Celestron Infiniview camera is an HD, high-resolution device that allows one to capture high-quality images and videos of objects under a microscope. The Celestron Infiniview Digital Microscope is best used for viewing the tiniest of objects. It can be used for viewing items like minerals, fungus, and some types of bacteria. It can even be used to view living cells that are still growing.
Aven 26700-300 ZipScope USB Digital Microscope
This is a lightweight and handy microscope that will allow you to view images and videos on a high resolution on the computer monitor.
Nowadays, it’s easy to find scientific equipment at a relatively affordable price, but not always it’s easy to decide which one you should buy. That’s why we’ll walk you through all the important points of the Aven 26700-300 ZipScope USB Digital Microscope.
The Aven 26700-300 ZipScope USB Digital Microverse is a digital microscope that is USB-powered and connects to any device with a USB port. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers. It is affordable, costing around $199.00. It has 3x magnification lens and a powerful 10x magnification lens to help zoom in on an object.
The Aven 26700-300 ZipScope USB Digital Microverse slides over the screen of your laptop and connects via the included cable, so there’s no need for an external power source. It’s easy-to-use and comes with many features that make it stand out from the crowd. The Aven 26700-300 USB Digital Microscope is the perfect tool for anyone who needs to get a detailed view of an object.
The best thing about this digital microscope is that it’s very portable. With USB connectivity, you can take it anywhere and use it without any hassle. It also has a built-in camera which makes taking pictures of the object on your computer screen easier than ever before. All you need to do is click on the camera button on the toolbar, point at what you want to take a picture of, and click one more time to capture it.
Veho VMS-004 Deluxe USB Powered Microscope
This is another handy microscope that has been popular since then. Comparing magnification features of handheld devices to the traditional compound microscope is futile. And yet, lots of hobbies and teaching environments say that this one is perfect and is offered for a just price with its good quality.
The Veho VMS-004 Deluxe USB Powered Microscope is a digital microscope designed to fit on your computer. It has an adjustable magnification power, high definition camera, and hands-free operation for your convenience.
The Veho VMS-004 Deluxe USB Powered Microscope is an excellent device for anyone who wants to take pictures of tiny objects at closer range. It features a high-definition camera that captures clear images of small subjects to allow you to see them in more detail than ever before. The microscope has an adjustable magnification power, high definition camera, and hands-free operation for your convenience.
Celestron 5MP Handheld Digital Microscope Pro
This is such a handy device that’s ideal for students and hobbyists. It can provide the best viewing experience of 3D specimens for you to view easier than ever before.
Celestron 5MP Handheld Digital Microscope Pro is a digital microscope that captures images of items at 100x magnification. It has a rechargeable battery, an integrated camera with an LED light, and built-in software for image capture. The Celestron 5MP Handheld Digital Microscope Pro is one of the best-selling microscopes on the market today. It is generally used to view items that are too small to see with the naked eye, such as bacteria or objects living in water samples.
The Celestron 5MP Handheld Digital Microscope Pro is a camera attachment that attaches itself to the iPhone and provides high-quality images with lots of resolution. This microscope is aimed at those who want to use their smartphone as a microscope. With its high resolution and ease of use, this is a great way for amateur and professional scientists alike to take high-quality images with their phones.
Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope
This is a digital microscope that has a webcam chipset and sensor. Those features allow this microscope to support almost any OS and standard webcam software.
