PC microscope - any good ?

decto · 7 Dec 2008 at 22:20

Hi,

I've been asked to look for a microscope as a present.

The person it's for would use it to examine droppings etc for parasites.... nice.

I figure the the resolution I've seen commonly - VGA with 10 - 200 magnification would be plenty.

I though of the PC one for three reasons.
Firstly the user has eyes that are getting on a little so may find a standard optical microscope hard to use.
Secondly, more than one person can look at the image at the same time.
Finally, many allow you to take snapshots / video for future reference ... i.e if you want your guests to leave then get out the poo slides !

Has anyone used one.... any thoughts or recommendations?

Thanks

AD

Darg · 8 Dec 2008 at 10:59

??

Sorry couldn't resist. Really don't know anything about them. If it's for professional work then I'd probably look a bit further then the usual toy type ones you can get fairly cheap for the PC.

Paul2506 · 8 Dec 2008 at 11:05

lol

, i have no idea either,I googled it and u can get hold of a usb version,Other than,that that's all i know m8

AtaRo · 8 Dec 2008 at 16:50

its on sale now with the popular ele'x high street store.If you ever get one let us know, if its any good especially for use in cramp areas where light is limited.

decto · 8 Dec 2008 at 17:47

Hi,

Thanks for the info so far. It's for a hobby rather than for professional use but I was looking at something a little more upmarket than the £59 blue ones.

After a little more research 300X magnification is recommended for viewing many parasites though these are ofter in water. Some of them look quite scary....

It may well be that I need an optical unit. The cheaper camera options just won't be sensitive enough with that factor of light loss..... doh!

AD

decto · 8 Dec 2008 at 17:50

Darg said:
??

Sorry couldn't resist. Really don't know anything about them. If it's for professional work then I'd probably look a bit further then the usual toy type ones you can get fairly cheap for the PC.

Nice image .... all we need now is bond !

Darg · 8 Dec 2008 at 18:22

Get a decent optical one, a decent webcam and some masking tape. Then you're good to go

decto · 8 Dec 2008 at 18:24

For anyone interested, I've found a retailer who supplies a VGA replacement eyepiece for a standard optical at £40 and a midrange optical is £80.... so a result!

They also stock adapters to fix a digi cam in the correct place.

Thanks

AD

Darg · 8 Dec 2008 at 18:50

Excellent. Maybe post the results when you get it