Customer Reviews

Celestron 44330 Digital And Optical Microscope

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just received my new Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope last night. I wasn't sure about the product so I immediately began testing its capabilities. The specimen light is plenty bright when on high, and the manual eyepiece and camera lens fit snug into the receptacle. I was concerned about this so it was a relief. I loaded the software though the camera works without it (plug and play). You can't record video without the software, but you can still take snapshots. Also, using the camera without the software limits you to a 6"X6" screen which is still really nice. With the software running you get a variety of options: change resolution, color/contrast, video, video editing, burst of 5 photos, etc. Also, you can make the specimen image be as large as your screen--no borders!! Video will only record at a lower resolution, but I haven't found this to be a problem at all. Also, at higher resolution there is a slight delay on snapshots. This still has not been an issue because on lower resolution the pic is taken instantly and still looks incredible. You'd have to see it to believe it. The base of the microscope doesn't have a slide manipulator so I just gently move the image with my fingers. Too easy! Zoom is excellent! I have already recorded the destruction of a spirostomum's cell membrane. I watched an amoeba's pseudopodia extend around a euglenoid and consume it--close up!. The Euglena's flagella was visible enough that my 4 year old daughter could point it out! The cilia on parameciums is visible on the 10x lens while on 20x you can see how far out they reach from the membrane. Spirogyra looked great! I recorded some tiny cells conjugating at the bottom of the spirogyra membrane. Great! I am extremely pleased with this product. It is more versatile than the ones my professors have. I read some reviews about similiar products and how the focus won't get the whole image clear. This is absurd. Microscopic organisms are 3-D even on a slide with a cover slip which means they have depth. Of course you won't get the whole image in focus! You're only gonna get those areas focused that are on that plane of focus. In other words, if you know how to use a microscope to begin with you'll really appreciate this device. By the way, the focus knob allows for fine adjustments. It has just the right amount of pressure. I highly recommend this product due to its amazing capabilities, versatility, and portability. If your are thinking about getting one, get this one. Its great when every one can see the image blown-up. Perfect real-time viewing. No drag-time whatsoever! You'll absolutely love this thing.

While the optics are as to be expected from a $100 'scope, the images on the computer screen are big and colorful and really fun to "create". And that's exactly what an introductory microscope like this should be used for: getting newcomers excited about science and/or a world they are not normally exposed to. A real attraction here is that young kids who might have trouble squinting into an eyepiece can instantly have fun finding items to look at. I know my science-nerd 4 year old and I are going to have a ton of fun with this.

The only drawback is lack of a good front-lighting system, but that can be remedied with a powerful penlight.

I bought this for my son for Xmas, as he just graduated from an environmental tech course. This is something he can take out in the field with him and easily attach to his laptop. The scope has a rugged design, and I was very impressed with its digital capabilities. The optics are quite good for an inexpensive scope, and you really can't beat viewing the specimens on a big screen. And with the software, you can also take movies as well as pictures.
Awesome scope for the price, wish I had a toy like this when I was a kid.

The main appeal of this model was the inclusion of a USB camera attachment that that allows you to view your subject on a computer screen instead of just through the conventional eyepiece. Unfortunately, this USB attachment in our scope package * was dead out of the box so we were unable to see how it worked. The optics seemed decent, but nothing compared to the Celestron 44104 500x Power Advanced Biological Microscope that we ended up buying instead.

In addition to the defective component, we had to wait a full 7 days to receive this order from Beach Camera which seemed like a unreasonable length of time to wait to receive something from Amazon. When we tried to call this retailer the day this defective product arrived, we were greeted with a recorded message stating that they were closed for some obscure Jewish holiday I have never heard of until the 10th. That was 4 days ago and we are still waiting for them return our call and emails with an RMA to return this defective product. On top of that, unlike direct Amazon purchases, looks like we are going to have to pay for the return shipping charges even though the item was defective out of the box. So, after all the hassle, we ended up LOSING MONEY by purchasing a defective product from this retailer! Definitely an unpleasant retail experience all the way around! This was the first AND WILL DEFINITELY BE THE LAST TIME we will ever buy anything from Beach Camera!

I am kicking myself that I didn't just go with the 44104 from the beginning. That scope is fantastic and because we bought it direct from Amazon, it arrived within 24 hours after we placed the order! Talk about a night and day retail experience!

Hopefully this review will save someone else from all the hassle and COST involved in buying something like this from this dubious retailer.

* The product box did not look factory sealed when we went to open it, so there is a very good chance that we were sold a customer return / repack on top of everything else! :o(