Digital Blue QX5 Digial Microscope

This is a good microscope, but focus could be better, especially on the higher powers. Also needs a better light source on higher powers as well.

Does not work. Must send back.

I purchased this for my child for Christmas. It actually works better than I thought it would. The only problem I had was that I was sent one that had been used even though the seller listed as NEW. Since I had purchased as a Christmas gift early, it was too late to return once they opened it, and we found out it was scratched up and used. Pretty neat toy, but I don't recommend for young or immature.

My husband wanted a digital USB microscope for Christmas and after reading several reviews on different websites, this seemed like the best choice. It arrived within three days, and I feel this microscope is well worth the money. Being able to view the items on a large computer screen allows amazingly detailed observation. My husband has shown our kids paramecium from our fishbowl (ew!), and compared the hairs from each of our heads, among many other weird and interesting items. It has sparked scientific discussion in our house, and entertained my husband to no end! The resolution is great for the random kinds of things we have wanted to look at. The one thing Hubby mentioned is that it would be even better to have an additional light coming up from below the plate, just a suggestion for any future models.

The software for this looks like it was written for Windows 98 , badly out of date and the drivers for Win7 are glitchy.Also the image quality is only OK.Overall I wish I had just bout a traditional scope.

We bought this for our 8-year-old son, but my 10-year-old son and husband have had as much fun. The lighting on certain objects is dark, but most objects are easily viewed at all levels. My youngest loves to play with the design options and my older son is enjoying taking snapshots of the objects. It's been a lot of fun to run around the house looking at everyday items. We also bought some prepared slides for the boys to use, but they've had more fun with their own choices.

The optics of this microscope were very poor. Hard to focus. Built-in lighting was inadequate and poorly designed. The software required for using the microscope works only on PCs, although I eventually learned that one can purchase Mac OS software from a third party (although this software is not supported by Digital Blue, the maker of the microscope). When I installed the software on a PC, it caused the screen resolution to change to a lower resolution setting, which I then had to change back to its normal setting before being able to use the computer later. It also caused the computer to crash twice. Overall, I was extremely disappointed in the unit was contacted the vendor for instructions for its return. After a frustrating series of emails back and forth, I finally received the RMA label for returning the unit. Packing and shipping cost me over $30, i.e., almost a third of the cost of the microscope itself. I'm still waiting for my refund. In contrast, the only time I've ever had to return an item directly to Amazon, I received the return label within only a couple of days and was able to send it back simply by dropping it off at our local post office -- no charge! I'll think twice before buying something other than directly from Amazon, although I've had good results from a number of affiliated vendors.

Best use with the 10x and 60x. Please let your kids"play" with it. For 80 dollar... a bargain. Look on leaves and find interesting insects that move around.. Film them.. Just wonderful!!!