Celestron – LCD Digital Microscope II – Biological Microscope with a Built-in 5MP Digital Camera – Adjustable Mechanical Stage –Carrying Case and 1GB Micro SD Card

This microscope (44341) works to screen for fecal parasites and protozoa in my reptile. The value for the money is the best and the LCD screen is way better than trying to strain/focus your eyes in a lens. Can't beat being able to take photos and video instantly. I didn't want to have to worry about installing some old software and hookup via USB to see and switch between PC and scope/knobs.It gets the job done, and fine focus isn't really needed for the 400x (but wouldn't hurt). I bet it is needed for a 600x like in the Pentaview. You can see almost anything with 400x.I believe the QC isn't the best as my first scope I got had loose tension on the stage knob so it would droop (as others have noted), and the camera lens had an artifact. I wasn't having it, so I got an exchange - the difference is night and day. I now have one with proper tension and perfect camera image. Let it be known that Celestron made this with proper tension - however, who knows how many have the droop issue...Summary:Pros+LCD screen looks great+Plenty of options (exposure, zoom, etc)+Photos are high resolution, videos are 30fps and look good+See protozoa, flagellates, parasites, worms, eggs etc.+Sleek designCons- Quality control issues? Stage may droop, camera lens may be bad - seek an exchange.- Photo and video recording will turn off and crash the system if batteries are running low - no way to tell if power is low as light strength stays the same. A sensor would have been nice if possible.- The top LED light is not useful enough to see the top of objects/insects. Very faint on the highest exposure; you must use your own flashlight/spotlight to get the desired effect. Note: Higher magnifications close in on the stage too much for it to matter. Use lowest (40x) only.-+ Not really a con but I wish they made this model with fine focus so you aren't paying upwards of $300 just to have it.

It is a lower-end biological microscope, but it is perfectly adequate for education use and even some less critical real biological work. It is certainly much better than most cheap educational microscopes or the abysmal toy ones.The hardware is definitely a little dated in the sense the LCD display resolution is low and the illumination is a bit dim for the highest magnifications, it uses a mini-B USB connector, etc. The saved files are fine, but focus perfection would be easier with a bit more resolution on the display device. I like that the screen stylus has a mounting spot on the top of the body. The top-side illuminator is basically useless, but it is rarely useful anyway. The stage backlash is a bit annoying, but you get used to it. The focus vernier on my unit was tight, no sign of the slippage some comments mention, maybe even too tight really, I suspect it can be adjusted but I haven't tried yet. I don't love the colour balance options especially when combined with the colour filter wheel. The aperture options are OK, the condenser isn't otherwise adjustable. I suspect it doesn't support modern larger capacity SD cards but that isn't a bit deal. I haven't tried using the battery supply or USB data options.The carrying case and dust cover are actually quite good for the price I didn't expect them at all.I have a much fancier real biological microscope which is obviously much better technically, but for a lot of stuff this scope is great. All in all I am glad I purchased it, I can take it in the field with me and not worry too much if I wreck it.

Both of these were faulty! One of them had a bad display, it was a bit loose at the joint along the column and it was non-responsive to touch and also beeped continuously. It ruined my ability to teach and demonstrate at a conference. The second one had a problem with the stage slide control. When I moved the slide right to left in X axis, it would jump/drift in the y axis.This seller does not checked the scope before shipping and there is no QC before sending them to the customer. I think they are just passing along a box and making their profit this way.I will look to buy these scopes from another supplier or B&H camera who might check them before shipping.

Excels in the "Field". (Battery Operated Optional).It does a great job, has digital storage, but there is an issue when viewing on a computer monitor. It's grainy.Pros are it's simple to use. The con is 5 achromatic - 4x, 10x, 20x, 40x, 60x lenses are not as powerful as I need, so I ordered a 100X lensIn the hopes it will work. But, performance is defined by application. It is sturdy and portable.It is useful to see if there are microbes in my compost tea. this is a big deal, since you can't see microbes with the naked eye.It's a great starter microscope, but I wish Celestron would make a "Big Brother" with higher magnification and monitor resolution. I would buy it.

Everything works as described, and i love the sample plates included with it, but I wanted something with more magnification, so I opted for something else.

Me agradó la resolución del equipo, las características del mismo, es mi primera vez con un microscopio. Me parece de mucha utilidad y que por el costo que tiene el beneficio es inmenso. Llegó con la plataforma donde se coloca el objeto muy abajo y tuve que conseguir ayuda para hacerlo funcionar porque pensé que estaba malo. Estaba programado para llegar en abril 13 y llegó en Abril 8 por lo que me siento realmente bien atendido. La utilidad que requiero para este equipo es ANÁLISIS DE SEMEN PORCINO y cumple perfectamente con su cometido y tiene más potencial. Excelente y muchas gracias, feliz con ésta, mi primera compra por Amazon.

The size overall was smaller than expected. Has to tighten some screws for the micro adjustments has a great picture

I purchased and used around 10 times and it stopped working