New Toy - Cheap Fun. USB Microscope

ms70

For a Christmas present I got a $25 eBay gift card from someone, then found I couldn't use it on coins..... So after shopping around I got a USB 1x - 500x microscope for only $15.00. I'm pretty amazed at what a crappy cheap Chinese microscope can do, so I can only imagine what an expensive one is capable of.

Anyway, here's a few pics I took just for fun.

1844 Half Dime, probably a PO1. Taken through the plastic of a Capital Holder.

1925 Lincoln I'd say is VF20 in a 2x2.

This is black spot on an ungraded, very frosty 1984-S Proof Washington, right on George's neck.
Also in a 2x2.

ricko

Great pictures... that spot sure is uuuuugly.... What kind of microscope is it?? Cheers, RickO

seanq

Can you post a link to the one you bought? I could use a replacement for my old QX3.

Sean Reynolds

ms70

That's the weird thing- there is no brand name on the box. Just "Digital Microscope" and some minor details on one side and what appears to be the same thing in Chinese on the other.

Here's a link to the eBay listing:

ebay.com/itm/142218515757?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

That spot is so tiny you almost can't see it with the naked eye. It's much smaller than the head of a pin!

DIMEMAN

WOW 15 bucks......my Dino Lite was WAY more than that! Nice buy!

joeykoins

Wow! Thank you for the heads up, my man! I just ordered one. Let's see, from $300 all the way down to $15.55. Sure, the quality probably not the same but who cares for that discount? Thanks again. -joey

TopographicOceans

I just bought one also. This will be the most fun I've ever had for $16

Stork

Hard to go wrong for $16 buckaroos. It'll be fun to try it out.

ms70

Just an FYI: It comes with one of those small CD's that for some reason downloaded but didn't auto install. I just had to locate where it downloaded to and click on the .exe file to wake it up. That was the only hiccup. It's one of those things that's so overly simple that you play with it then read the instructions later.

It sort of reminds me of that new razor blade commercial where the guy is buying a razor like it's a used car and the salesman says, "What did you expect for a few bucks, lobster?" LOL....

ms70

Here's a few pics just to show what it is capable of.

Hair on my hand.

Ball point pen w/blue ink.

ricko

Dayum.... that is impressive.... price and pictures...... ok... worth a gamble... who knows, by my 17th anniversary here, I may post a picture..... Cheers, RickO

seanq

Thank you, I just grabbed one as well. Nine sold in the last 48 hours, probably all to people who read this thread

Sean Reynolds

1630Boston

I'll make it 10 sold.

joeykoins

After all these sales because of ms70's thread, we all should give him(ms70) a finders fee. He deserves it. Maybe, $5 coin of some sort. Let's take a vote! Count me in.-joey, a appreciative forum member

1630Boston

I would donate something
After I get it and try it out.
About one week from now, but count me in.

ms70

Thanks guys, that's a very kind thought but not necessary.

Like 1630Boston said, wait until you try it out. See my post above about the CD that comes with it. It just had that one little bump in the road where it didn't self install and just needed a nudge. If anyone has that same issue let me know and I'll tell you what to do.

ricko

Ordered one... may need that help @ms70 ... Cheers, RickO

1630Boston

@ricko If you promise to un box it when it arrives I will help you.
Would love to facilitate your first posted pic.

ricko

@1630Boston.... I will let you know..... it should closely coincide with my 18th anniversary on the forum.... Cheers, RickO

hutze1nm

Any idea if this jives with a Mac or does it only work with a PC?

fastfreddie

Thanks! Make it 12! Can't wait to magnify some stuff.

ms70

@hutze1nm said:
Any idea if this jives with a Mac or does it only work with a PC?

The manual only indicates Windows. If you put that search in eBay maybe you'll find a compatible one. I'm running it on 8.1 but it mentions earlier versions all the way to Windows 2000.

joeykoins

@ms70 said:
Here's a few pics just to show what it is capable of.

Hair on my hand.

Ball point pen w/blue ink.

We all get the " point" on your "hair raising" pictures. LOL

EldoEsq

I was looking for something to photograph coins and cards...how are the images with no magnifiction?

Rob85635

I recently got a Celestron 44302. It was fairly well rated on Amazon but it has not performed well. It works well for a minute or two and then the image freezes and I have to close the application and relaunch it only to see it happen again. I just got it so I will fiddle with it and see if it is perhaps a driver issue or the unit is defective so i cannot recommend that one.

ms70

@EldoEsq said:
I was looking for something to photograph coins and cards...how are the images with no magnifiction?

I think all the images are magnified from 50x to 500x. I haven't had time to play with it more this week so there's still some technique I have to develop.

1960NYGiants

@Rob85635 said:
I recently got a Celestron 44302. It was fairly well rated on Amazon but it has not performed well. It works well for a minute or two and then the image freezes and I have to close the application and relaunch it only to see it happen again. I just got it so I will fiddle with it and see if it is perhaps a driver issue or the unit is defective so i cannot recommend that one.

I bought a Celestron some years ago - piece of junk. Bought one just like the OP and love it. Here's a couple of shots I tokk.

1960NYGiants

The 1st 1859 was wrong photo. And tokk s/b took. (I need to figure out how to edit posts)

1630Boston

Ordered Monday, arrived today [Thursday].
Will try it out and let you know.

1630Boston

@ms70
What .exe file would I be looking for ?
Thanks

ms70

The file name is Hotviewer.exe

On my computer (Windows 8.1) it downloaded to this location:

Program Files (x86)
|
Hotviewer
|
Hotviewer.exe

I had to click on that Hotviewer.exe file the first time and then the full install process took place. After that when I run the program I get the little Windows permissions pop-up asking if I will allow it to run. I just click Yes and the program comes right up.

1630Boston

@ms70
Searched the entire C drive, nothing, I will have to tinker with it later, thanks

1630Boston

@ms70
Found it on drive E [cd] and installed, it works, will post images later.
Thanks again

ms70

I put the CD in and out several times before I realized what was going on. The CD did not auto run. I had to do that manually as well and then after I did that it dawned on me that it downloaded but didn't install. Maybe your CD didn't run. Let me know if I can help.

I could e-mail you the files if need be. I assume then you could place them in the proper place and run the .exe. Might be easier than dealing with the CD.

ms70

Whoops, posted before I saw your above post. Awesome!! Looking forward to the pics!

Outhaul

How much was shipping?

ms70

@Outhaul said:
How much was shipping?

Looks like it varies by zip code. I think there's a calculator when you click on the shipping.

1630Boston

For $15 and 3 day delivery it works great.
May have to play with lighting and 'vibration' reduction when pressing 'snap' button, but overall a great investment dollar wise even if you only use it 'live' on the computer screen to zoom in on coins.

1630Boston

Actually quite powerful for the price, you can adjust color, sharpness etc.

gtstang

Do you have to install with the cd considering a lot of laptops sold now do not have that option?

1630Boston

I don't know, everything in the manual is in a foreign language.

seanq

Supposedly the scope is plug and play, and on most Windows systems it will recognize it as a camera. I have an older laptop running Win 10 and it took a little messing around with drivers before I could get it running. Once installed, it worked beautifully, the image quality is better than the old QX3 it replaced and the focal distance and magnification are completely in the hands of the user. The second picture below was actually taken through a PCGS slab, something the QX3 could never accomplish.

Sean Reynolds

1630Boston

I'll give it

ms70

Awesome! Glad you're having fun! As far as vibration you can snap the pic without touching the microscope by clicking on the camera icon with your mouse which on mine is the second from the left. Then on the top right click on the folder icon and it will bring you to where it put the image.

Also don't forget to remove the protective cap over the lens. I see a cloudy area and I'm thinking maybe you left it on when you took the pics?

ms70

@gtstang said:
Do you have to install with the cd considering a lot of laptops sold now do not have that option?

I can e-mail you the files if you like.

MrSmith

@1630Boston said:
May have to play with ..... 'vibration' reduction when pressing 'snap' button

For that price, I'd take it apart and wire on a remote button.

1630Boston

@ms70
Thanks for more info and for a professional engineer I feel pretty stupid right about now..........................I left the lens cap on.

ms70

I need a newp to image. Until then....

1630Boston

Thanks again @ms70

1630Boston

Last pic til I find something more worthy.
Decades ago I worked with electron scanning microscopes but I just love this thing.

1630Boston

@Outhaul
My total WITH shipping was $15.55.