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It seems that there is a good interest in USB Microscopes on Steemit, judging by my post from yesterday - USB Microscope - a Fun Toy for Kids and a Useful Tool for Adults. As a result I figured out it is time to spend some Steem Dollars on actual purchases and get myself a new USB Microscope, the one I did write about is already a few years old and is a bit outdated, even though it is still good starting point. I'm actually using the USB Microscope from time to time to check some PCBs for issues or to look at some small SMD elements or chip markings, so I can use an updated specs device. Of course purchasing a new USB Microscope will also mean there will be a review of the device here on Steemit when I get it, so stay tuned for that one as well.
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Purchasing a new USB Microscope will also be the first time I'm actually spending some Steem Dollars for buying something physical, SBD that I have earned during me being a part of the Steemit community for almost 3 months now. Up until now I have used some of my earnings for Powering Up and getting more Steem Power and for purchasing the ticket for SteemFest and that was pretty much all of it. So time to spend some SBD for something else this time...
After some research on what is available I have settled for a new USB Microscope and that one is MAOZUA 5MP 20x-300x Magnifier USB Microscope available for about 65 Euro or 65 USD (depending on where you are based). The same device as hardware does seem to be available under few different brands, not sure which one is the original manufacturer, but hardware wise it is most likely the same as what is offered under the brand Crenova, GamutTek, Satisfacargo, Gtree, Koolertron, OneBird, EchoAcc and probably many others.
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The mainstream USB Microscopes are with 2MP (MegaPixel) sensor and provide lower resolution, but they are available at much more affordable price compared to the less common 5MP models. There are some other improvements also available with the more expensive 5MP models such as a better and more precise stand holding the microscope, the ability to calibrate the device and use it to measure actual distance with zoomed in objects, this is supported by a bit more advanced software. In short - better quality and additional functionality and usability improvements.
There is something more important as well regarding how these devices are being operated, instead of having the button to take a photo or start/stop video recording on the USB microscope itself it is moved to the USB cable and there is also a manual potentiometer that allows you to adjust the level of the light from the built in LEDs. In the earlier and lower priced models you only have the option to enable or disable the light, but not to control their intensity and this can be helpful in getting better results as well.
I'm sure that there will be some drawbacks as well, but more on that when I get the new 5MP USB Microscope and I'm able to try it out and compare to the existing one I already have and have been using for a couple of years. If you are looking for a USB Microscope for kids, then you might be just fine with the cheaper 2MP models, so no need to go for the improved 5MP versions, they are more usable for adults that may actually use them to do some work with them.
If you have a question or want to add something, then please leave a comment below.
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