Quote Originally Posted by fxt913 View Post
You are all quite crafty individuals from whom I have benefited a lot over the years on so many topics. Here is my tiny contribution: best microscope is the one you make yourself.... a smartphone camera with a lens. You would be amazed at the quality you can get!! How about a 12 MP sensor with a high quality lens microscope, with a 1080P or even 4K 5-6 inch screen, plus a very powerfull software for less money than any of the cheapo and useless usb microscopes from China? Let me elaborate..... as Keith said, 5 MP sensor is about the best usb microscope camera you can get, and pcm's suggestion is indeed good. The lens and sensors on most microscopes below $1000 are crapy though. But, even low end smartphones nowdays sport 12 MP cameras. An android app such as Magnifier is all you need, and it is free. Then you need a semi decent lens to attach. There are many options.... usb camera lens, striped loope lens, dvd player lenses, any of those cheapo magnifying lenses you have..... that you trash as soon as the battery runs out.

The one I use: an old usb camera lens. I striped the camera and retrieved the lens. Then with a hairpin and scotchtape you attach the lens on the back of the phone. Imdo not need t do this all the time....but when I do, it is super simple and easy once you put it together. Soon you all will have many lenses to use and your own setup. As fancy or as simple as you want to make it. I use two flashlights for lighting ideally with diffusers. Give it a try, and enjoy!

I've actually tried a few variations of that. I bought a 200x magnifier that was made to be attached to a cell phone. Unfortunately, it didn't have good enough focus to get any sort of clear imagery with or without the cell phone at any level of magnification. Lesson learned, you get what you pay for.

I had a tiny bit of luck using the 60x scope that just broke. However, the washer/dryer didn't just kill the battery they also killed the focus mechanism and now the lens just kinda flops up and down in the scope's body. Maybe I can cannibalize that to make one of those safety pin cell phone rigs...assuming I didn't just pitch it. I honestly can't recall what I did with the scope.

I find I'm not exactly a fan of the Carson scope. It gets the job done, but holding a razor and operating the magnification and focus adjustments is a bit of a challenge. Not so much an issue with lighting as it is a juggling act, but I'll give credit where do, when I finally DO get it in focus I can get a much closer view than the 60X loupe it replaced, with more or less just as well focused a view.