Thread: Intel QX3 Microscope

So I've yet to start honing even though I have what I need to get started... (Short, quick prayer here: Please, please Lord, do not allow me to fall into HAD as I fell into RAD. Amen!)

I've got a Norton starter pack - 220/1000 combo waterstone, 4K/8K combo waterstone, lapping stone - a Spyderco UF (supposed to be about 15K equivalent), and of course, plenty of arm hair and virgin thumbpad to test...

I read about using that Radio Shack microscope, and thought I would have to get one as well. But then I thought, how could would it be to have a microscope to take pictures? So I searched around and I found the Intel QX3 microscope.

I've got this Puma 39 6/8" - http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=10287 - which I bought off of syslight. Now syslight told me up front that it wasn't shave ready, but I got it in and shaved with it, and it's not that bad...

So I took some pictures with the Intel QX3:






Those are images at 200x... Nice, eh? I guess I'd better start learning to hone!

A company called DigiBlue.com bought Intel product line and has discontinued the QX3. If you want one, expect to pay at least $40 or more, and know that it will not work with MS Vista. However, DigiBlue.com has replaced the QX3 with their QX5 and it supposedly has Vista drivers...

That's very interesting,,,thanks for posting that.

for a "toy" that's some nice imagery

Great, juuuuust great.

NOW we are starting in on MAD- Microscope aquisition disorder.

Just what I needed....

That's how I discovered micro chipping. I watch Lynn's DVD where he mentioned it. Bought a microscope and now everything is in 200X magnification. The only problem with it is I like things to be as perfect as I can make them. I'm so up s...ts creek without a paddle. I've shaved with all of them but now I know, damn ignorance was bliss.

Kind regards,

Just when I was starting to be satisfied with some of my edges.

Seeing as I'm running Vista the QX5 looks like my latest must have.

Just when I thought I had my honing and stropping down pretty good... I have to look at the visual evidence!!!

Nicely Done. I rarely get that good a picture with my USB scope.

one of my best shavers was a DD #1 that cut great. then i looked at it under the radio shack micro. holy cow your edge looked super smooth compared to mine. amazing an edge can be so jacked up and yet shave so well.

i have since remedied the edge.

vgod

I was wary of some of the usb scopes out there - I ended up picking up an old college lab microscope. It has drastically improved my honing - but the major issue with the lab type microscopes is that they lit from underneath. You need an additional light source to light it from the side which makes viewing a little tricky. It certainly looks like that Intel Scope is a very viable option.