Ever find yourself needing to record what you see through a microscope onto your computer? Well, if you have, your need has been met with a short stack of USB microscopes available now, around the intarwebs. A few different companies make a few different types of USB microscopes–but hang on–why would anyone need a USB-based microscope/cam? Well, for starters, they’re just cool! If you’re truly a gadget addict, how could you say “no” to something like this?
Snarkiness aside, you also could be a scientist who is looking for a way to easily edit or share your observations. You could use your USB microscope as a webcam and update your website with new pictures of what ever tiny thing you happened to be looking at. You might also be a science teacher interested in finding new ways to educate your students with the use of technology. Regardless of why you might need a USB microscope, there are plenty out there to choose from.
The good news with USB microscopes is that there is quite a price-range to choose from. ThinkGeek.com has two different models representing the low-end and middle-ground of USB microscope pricing. For just $100 ThinkGeek will sell you a USB microscope that can magnify object two-hundred times. There’s no word of mega-pixels for the camera-part of that USB microscope, but they also have a 1.3MP USB microscope that they’ll let you have for a cool $350. This second ‘scope will also give you two-hundred magnitudes of zoomage, but 1.3 mega-pixels (they say) will net you “fantastic images!”
Now, if you’re looking for a USB microscope of the gadget-class you’d see on one of the eight-thousand procedural crime drama cop shows you see on TV, then check out the ProScope HR. According to its website, it was was seen on CBS’s CSI. it can also get you two-hundred times magnification (“200″ seems to be the magic number with these things) and will run you the same price as the 1.3MP ‘scope from ThinkGeek–$350. The catch is, with the ProScope, you get a handheld form-factor and it comes with loads of attachments and alternate lenses.
So, assuming you don’t mind spending at least $100 to take big pictures of tiny things, there is a USB microscope for you.
