XCSOURCE USB 1000X Digital Microscope Endoscope For WIN PC Video Camera TE389

Very good value once you get some software to work. See my comments about Oasis and Amcap in reply to the 64 bit windows 10 question. The stand is a waste of time but you can see things well enough just putting an object on a table and standing the scope on it. I cannot get the zoom to work, but I expect it is digital anyway which you get in the amcap and oasis (google) free downloads anyway. I have sent off for some prepared slides for my grandson, but everyday objects like rice, sugar, salt, coins and your skin and leaves are good to start with and any insects you can catch.

This is a USB microscope and I would say quite a lot of fun, many similar products may be available. Using your own PC means you can capture great images for safekeeping or to show friends. It also means that the device does not need it's own screen, which brings the cost of the product down and I suppose saves the environment too since less materials are used in manufacture and one day you'll probably need to scrap/recycle it. The items shown in the photo arrive, you install the software on your PC using the little CD, then you work out how to use it....Tips: After using this for 40 or so photos, I had developed a strategy for using the device. It seems that I can basically achieve 2 different in focus shots, one far away, and one close. Don't bother using the stand, stick the microscope on the object like a massager try to be gentle but firm to keep it still. Now carefully rotate the silver roller with the thumb on your other hand. This moves the black cone up and down. For both shots, the high cone position and the low cone position, you need to be very precise to get it nicely in focus, but this is do-able. Once in focus stop moving the silver roller with that hand and click the mouse to capture the image. If your object is soft, you can have the object touching the transparent plastic cap at the end of the microscope and you'll become familiar with focussing on this plastic cap if you use my method. It is possible to take the cap off, but don't....The zoom button works perfectly but doesn't change or improve the resolution, if you know what I mean. The light is really good, very white and can be faded to whatever level you prefer...I suppose the stand is good to have, but after using the device in the traditional way, I can see why people then put the stand to one side and hold the microscope instead which leads to easier focussing. The software seemed to install 2 programs, The Measurement program didn't work for me but the Viewer program the one I needed does work perfectly. You can set the folder where images are saved and set the screen size which is worth doing.....The images are amazing and one of the big advantages of the USB microscope is that I have saved every image that I have seen! Old leaves, hair, 20p pieces, dead ants, fabrics, toothbrushes and so on. I know what my black jeans look like under the microscope, do you?...There isn't really a good instruction manual and using it well and safely might be a bit of a challenge. Now that I have a method for using the USB microscope I am very happy. I will take care to store it safely when not in use, and never to scratch the transparent plastic cap at the end of the microscope....This review now includes some of my best photos with the microscope. Black jeans, match head, ant, toothbrush and 20p piece. I have a steady hand, and sharp eyes so I wouldn't expect more in focus photos to be achievable.

Only a mini cd provided for the programme download and instructions , which many people like me cannot open with a vertical slot cd player on my pc. I had to use an old laptop to be able to use this microscope which is not very convenient. This is very cheap-skate as a normal size cd would not have added hardly anything to the product cost. Tip- use the on/off switch on the usb cable as this doubles as a brightness level changer - the built in light is far to bright at very close distances and washes out the colour and I needed to lower the level. Image acceptable thereafter.

Farway from 1000x

Works well, useful gadget, but it is only a camera on a stand. Having said that it suits my needs to check solder joints. The stand while plastic is quite strong, but noted the gear mechanism to raise and lower is very stiff, of course if it was loose it could be an issue with the camera falling down.

"Hate it" is strong....but then I can't get it to work - it simply takes over the webcam, so I basically see the webcam image (i.e. usually my face!), and nothing from the microscope. I tried it on my PC and my laptop - both Windows 10: PC has a standalone Logitech webcam, Lenovo laptop has inbuilt webcam. I asked for help, but haven't had any. I have thrown the microscope away, but kept the stand, which my friend is using with her superior Dino-Lite microscope: this is 5x more expensive (but works fine), but the stand costs the same again. Except she's now using this one from my useless XCSource microscope.

I purchased this as a gift for my dad and he loves it. His main purpose for it is to assist him when soldering or repairing circuit boards, although he has been using it also to snap some pretty amazing photos.Adjustable lighting thanks to a roller/dial on the cable and the clarity of the pictures is outstanding. Very simple to use, just plug and play!

After an initial issue with a loose connection on the lights was resolved by speaking with the seller (a new one was dispatched quickly and without fuss). This is an interesting piece of kit that is easy to set up, and when coupled with a computer screen can give very good images. I bought it as I was interested in the micro detail on the new pound coins, and this microscope was cheap enough that I could indulge that interest.The stand took a bit of careful handling, as if you are too heavy handed when focussing the scope the stand will bend a bit. This can make the image go out of focus when you let go of the adjustment button and the stand reassumes its shape.I found it well worth the money, and good for indulging the scientific curiosity at your own pace.