Digital Blue QX5 Digial Microscope

Believe it or not, this so-called 'toy microscope' can actually be used in a real research too. This gadget has been cited and used in the following publications:
- "Profiting from nature: macroporous copper with superior mechanical
properties"
- "An inexpensive microslab gel DNA electrophoresis system with real-time
fluorescence detection"
- "GASEOUS MICROEMBOLI SIZING IN EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCUITS USING ULTRASOUND BACKSCATTER"
- "Personal Cytometers: Slow Flow or No Flow?"
- "On-line low-volume transesterification-based assay for immobilized lipases"

When qualified using a features-vs-price ratio, this gadget would get a high ranking. Moreover, this 'cheap' toy is a perfect starting point to induce creativities among new science and engineering students, particularly in regions with limited resources.

I bought this as an educational toy for my daughter. The design is cheap and very low quality. It also lacks its own power supply and relies on power from USB. The software is primitive and keeps putting my display in the lowest possible resolution.
UPDATE:

The PCs where I had trouble were all AMD based. I recently was given an Intel PC running xp. The scope installed without problem and runs fine. The difficulties may have had to do with AMD incompatibilities. Interesting that the win98 box was also Intel.

While this does not excuse the problem it indicates if you got an Intel PC you are probably fine. If AMD you may have issues.

Installation was a nightmare as I have described below.

Installation: I first tried installing it on a new XP machine. No luck as the microscope never came online. Then I tired it on a Win2K which did not fair any better. Next I tried their "trouble shooting" guide. It basically tells you to keep re-installing and rebooting until it works. No luck there either. I noticed that it seems designed for older machines. I therefore tried an old Win98 machine. This went better and I was actually able to control the scope's lights from the computer. But still no picture. I then rebooted the machine once more followed by disconnecting and reconnecting the scope. This did the trick. I was actually able to see pictures. Any movie making however crashes the software. I realize that others have been able to install it on Win2K and XP but that may be due to configuration differences. A good product will install regardless of configuration issues.

Operation: The pictures are good to mediocre but for the price they are fine. It is also nice that it has two lights. Lets you look at things like coins that are not transparent. The microscope is removable so it is possible to point it at things and play with it.

On the whole, the software and problems with XP and Win2K make it unacceptable to me. If I did not just happen to have a Win98 machine around I would have returned it. As is, I have it hooked up to the Win98 box and is good enough for a toy. My advise is to keep your expectations low and buy it from a local place. Then if it gives you trouble just return it.

Nice resolution picture. Good magnification and brightness. Can take picture or video clip.

I bought this for my son's 7th birthday. He enjoys it very much. We found all sorts of interesting things to look at around the house and discuss.

Overall, it is a VERY good toy.

My main problems with it are:
1. Lightling is from a single direction, so its not uniform.
2. The resolution of the camera is OK, but not great.

I found it a handy device for certain magnification of items(I use it for coins). As all devices it has limitations, the plate area for placing items for magnification is too small by about a 1/4" for my use. The lighting control is not really manageable as appears. The biggest problem is the table will not stay locked in place very well causing constant readjustment. Even with these issues it has been very useful to me for the price paid. It would be nice to upgrade the next version with a couple of improvements.