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USB microscope


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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline dean_k - Posted November 5 2014 - 9:36 AM

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I've been thinking about purchasing a usb microscope to get a better look at ant and their colonies. Even with a hand magnifier, it's hard to look at them and I get dizzy after a while.

 

So, will a usb microscope work? I am looking at something like this.

 

48708_20_1.jpg

 

And use it to view colonies.

 

Will that work?



#2 Offline Crystals - Posted November 5 2014 - 1:45 PM

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I use a USB microscope.  Not sure the brand or the ratings on that one.  Most actual microscopes don't do well with my glasses.  Besides, this way I can take and upload pictures.  :D

 

There is an older topic that goes over this a bit.

http://forum.formicu.../?hl=microscope

 

I got one for under $50 from dx.com.  It works almost as well as my Dinolite 2111 that was almost $100.


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List of Handy Links   (pinned in the General section)

My Colonies


#3 Offline dean_k - Posted November 5 2014 - 2:09 PM

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I am actually thinking about this one.

 

51rSI+cVlDL._SL1000_.jpg

 

http://www.amazon.ca...d=I539ZFXD64ASH

 

I can detach it and point right at the colony I want to look at. I am not looking to use it to ID ants or anything but rather I want a better option of being able to look at ants and take better pictures.



#4 Offline dean_k - Posted November 13 2014 - 4:30 PM

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Not bad.

 

For 20 bucks, not bad at all. I couldn't take video because it seems the software is lacking. (Video capture was blanked out) But !  I am finally able to see the ants in full detail live.

 

IMG_2667_zpsa58b7b95.jpg

 

IMG_2670_zps4a0275d9.jpg

 

Perhaps I should get a better quality one.



#5 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 13 2014 - 5:33 PM

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Are you able to take pictures with it?



#6 Offline dean_k - Posted November 13 2014 - 5:42 PM

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Yes, but it's low res.

 

Either way, I am very happy to be able to see (finally) the ants in action with such details. I spent a whole hour watching them. My magnifier is nothing compared to this.



#7 Offline DesertAntz - Posted November 14 2014 - 2:17 PM

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Is the streaming footage low res, too? 


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#8 Offline dean_k - Posted November 14 2014 - 2:40 PM

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The res is only 640 x 480 or something, so yes, it's low res. But I am able to see everything magnified and the steaming is clear.

 

The capture video was blanked out when using in Win 7, but I was able to make a video in Win 8. The trouble is that the video came out uncompressed AVI. A mere 8 minute video has a size of 3gb.



#9 Offline dean_k - Posted November 14 2014 - 9:11 PM

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Finally made a video, 15 min worth. Not bad for a 20 bucks microscope !

 


Edited by dean_k, November 14 2014 - 9:11 PM.





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