Review: USB Microscope

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MrWestie

116 posts

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#54053 15-Dec-2009 21:47

Model CVMV-K49 Digital Microscope
As seen on TradeMe.
I got mine from
http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/usb-digital-microscope-with-300x-magnification-handheld/

No chinglish on the box or a manual to laught at.
I was looking forward to that too.

Feels plasticky, well what did you expect for $60

There is a button on the end for taking snaps but it will most likely make your shots blurry.

The question is does it do the Job?
Yes.

The main reason I got this was to see the dust mites in the carpet :)
Haven't seen any yet, do I need more magnification?

I wonder if I can out a more powerful lens on it.

But do you really need a reason to buy this gadget?
Hell no.

The pictures say it all :)
The normal camera's macro mode is laughable compared to this thing.

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Manufacturer Specifications
Product Description: Digital USB Microscope - for viewing and recording via computer
Imaging Sensor: 300K pixel color sensor
Resolution: True VGA (640 x 480 pixels)
Magnification: 10X to 300X
Focus Range: Manual Focus from 10mm to 90mm
Still Image:
- Format: JPEG
- Resolution: 640x480 (capable of 1280x1024, 640x480, 320x240, 160x120 - depending on the capture software being used)
Video:
- Format: AVI
- Resolution: 640x480 (capable of 640x480, 320x240, 160x120 - depending on the capture software being used)
- FPS: 30 frames per second
Light Source: 6 white LED's
White Balance: Auto
EV compensation: Auto
PC Interface: USB 2.0
Shutter: 1 sec to 1/1000 sec
Lens: 4G
Snapshot Button: On top, for thumb click
Power Source: USB port of computer
USB Cable Length: 55 Inches
Dimensions: 100mm x 35mm (height x diameter)
Compatible Systems: Windows 2000, XP, Vista (32 bit version only)
Manufacturers Ref: AGNCJ77QSQWD

hellonearthisman

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#282988 16-Dec-2009 01:52

What kind of images does it get from say a $1 coin or dead bugs.

Carpet looks great for $60 :)

Would like to see your ideas on increasing the magnification.

I might get one of them cameras

MrWestie

116 posts

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#282998 16-Dec-2009 07:10

hellonearthisma, I give you bug money :)

The microprint from a $20 note.
Beak of the kiwi on a $1 coin
A dead bug I recovered from a spider web. A baby praying mantis I think

c71931f
Shipping has been 4 days from payment to delivery.
DHL's local agent is courier post.

You could go with the cheaper airmail if you don't mind waiting.
My last order was 3x Helmet Cams and this microscope, $42 shipping.
Would have had it in my hand in 4 days if it didn't but it landed on a sat.
And they wouldn't let me pick it up.
Do a group buy to save on shipping :)

hellonearthisman

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#283033 16-Dec-2009 09:34

Thanks MrWestie,

The note looks like it's got some kind of powder on it be P or pocket dust? :)

The coin looks awesome, with scratches and features from it's minting.

The bug was ok, looked cool but it seemed flat, like it needs an extra light source on one side to cast hi-lights and shadows.

MrWestie

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#283053 16-Dec-2009 10:23

If it was p I think I would be scanning a $100 :)

Yeah, the bug didn't come out quite right.

I wonder what software I would need to be able to control the led's.
Doc says it has 4 levels of brightness.
I will try the ones listed in the product description.

Would be interesting to see the difference with the 1.3mega pixel ones listed on tm.

hellonearthisman

1819 posts

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#283069 16-Dec-2009 11:13

I suspect those 1.3mp images (1280 x 1040) are just 640x480 inter-layered.

How is the video from the Microscope? Does the camera show up as a windows device, like a webcam?
Can it work with http://www.virtualdub.org/