USB Digital Microscope £29.99 Lidl onsale from 5th Dec

[dpearce4]

Description

Image can only be viewed on a PC or Laptop via USB cable
1.3MP (interpolated)
640 x 480 resolution
Magnification: 20x, 80x or 350x
Includes box with cover glasses, ready prepared and blank slides, preparation needles, tweezers, USB cable and editing software
System requirements: Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7
Size (cm): 15 x 15 x 27.5
5 year manufacturer’s warranty
Contents & accessories not included

Discription copied from their website.

 

[victor meldrew]

Description

Image can only be viewed on a PC or Laptop via USB cable
1.3MP (interpolated)
640 x 480 resolution
Magnification: 20x, 80x or 350x
Includes box with cover glasses, ready prepared and blank slides, preparation needles, tweezers, USB cable and editing software
System requirements: Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7
Size (cm): 15 x 15 x 27.5
5 year manufacturer’s warranty
Contents & accessories not included

Discription copied from their website.

I have one . Suitable for diagnostic work connected with beekeeping !!( acarine , nosema )
VM

 

[dpearce4]

thats what i thought thats why i have posted here for people to buy if they need one.

 

[hallshoney]

I have one . Suitable for diagnostic work connected with beekeeping !!( acarine , nosema )
VM

got mine 2 years ago it also came withloads of sample files my kids love it

 

[oliver90owner]

VM,

Are you sure?

I have the 50 quid offering which is rather different to this one. This one doesn't look as though it will quite do the job like the other model.

RAB

 

[Nic Rhodes]

you get what you pay for here, not sure how you would do acaraine with one though. Nosema / pollen is possible but there are far better scopes available for 30 pounds. It is fun to get digital images but don't expect miracles with these, my examples of these types (use them at schools) are particularly poor for stage stability which is essential at 400x. It is cheap and chearful, you have some fun but soon need to replace.

 

[itma]

I have one . Suitable for diagnostic work connected with beekeeping !!( acarine , nosema )
VM

... got mine 2 years ago it also came withloads of sample files my kids love it

Since this year's Lidl publicity makes no mention of Macintosh drivers, is this year's model the same?
But the actual question is "does anyone know if this will work with a Mac?"


/ I have a Mac, and think I've noted people in the past saying that there were Mac drivers available ...

 

[itma]

... there are far better scopes available for 30 pounds. ...

Non-commercial guidance would be welcome ...

 

[Nic Rhodes]

what do want to know?, I have no commercial links / interest but have literally hundreds of scopes here to play with privately (and professional use on top, in fact just put an SEM into a local school ). Happy to help in what ever way. . I have 'arranged' dozens of scopes for local beekeepers in the last few years post our courses.

 

[itma]

what do want to know?, I have no commercial links / interest but have literally hundreds of scopes here to play with privately (and professional use on top, in fact just put an SEM into a local school ). Happy to help in what ever way. . I have 'arranged' dozens of scopes for local beekeepers in the last few years post our courses.

Well, I was deeply impressed with the SEM that I 'played' with back in 1973 when they were still rather novel, but lacking one of those, these days I could spare £30 for something that was nevertheless useful. However I am completely out of touch with that market, and don't want something that merely decorates a corner of the desk!
So, suggestions for something better than Lidl's are welcomed.

 

[victor meldrew]

Mine is a Bresser usb digital microscope 20x-350x
Can't remember the price .
Sturdy bit of kit .
A cork and a couple of pins allows acarine examination ?
VM

 

[oliver90owner]

Mine is a Bresser usb digital microscope 20x-350x

Mine has a tad more magnification than that.

Is optical or digital and looks like a microscope.

 

[Poggle]

I get all my kit from Brunels Microscopes. Infact, I might even be selling my three microscopes and all the reagents and slides and cover slips etc. I am running out of space and something that don't get used a lot has to go

 

[Hivemaker.]

I also use a Brunel,cost was near to £600,and the other one i use for II was £650

 

[drstitson]

The Bresser that Lidl sold last year is perfectly fine for beekeeping duties.

DOI: Microscopy is the bread and butter of my job and have used all kinds of expensive kit in the last 20 years.

 

[Gardenbees]

Brunel is the company I've always got both hand-lenses and microscopes from. There isn't much they don't know about makin' stuff look bigger

Whilst Forum members might not want to splash out on a pricey digital 'scope, I think it's worth checking out their section on beekeeping and microscopy, even if you end up getting a Lidl Special:
http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/beekeeping.html
(that's if you can put up with their glowing support of the BBKA)

 

[Hebeegeebee]

1.3M interpolated is not particularly high resolution nowadays.

 

[Ruary]

I have one . Suitable for diagnostic work connected with beekeeping !!( acarine , nosema )
VM

Looking at the instrument, I doubt if there is enough working distance to allow for the dissection for acarine under the microscope!
With regard to nosema if the infesation is light, the field of viw is very samll and you could easily miss the spores.
Ruary

 

[victor meldrew]

Looking at the instrument, I doubt if there is enough working distance to allow for the dissection for acarine under the microscope!
With regard to nosema if the infesation is light, the field of viw is very samll and you could easily miss the spores.
Ruary

Lots of room using Dave Cushmans' methods

http://www.*****************/bee/acarine_diagnosis.html
VM

 

[wightbees]

So as i dont have a glue about these usb scopes what does make a good usb scope?
Can some one give a spec break down and meaning please.