INFO: Model:
MP100A
- Up to 100x magnification on a light weight,
portable heavy duty pocket microscope.
REVIEW DATE: 09
/01/03
RETAIL PRICE: $89.99 + UPS shipping USD
SPONSOR:
Microscope Pen
AUTHOR:
David Kroll
EDITOR:
Jon "Wampa" B.
Intro:
Technically, this item is a gadget to me, since it has
absolutely nothing to do with PC's. I will be using this Microscope Pen to
assist me in some examinations in the future, and I can very easily see where
this product can, and should be used. Continue on as I look at this 100x magnification portable
microscope.
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Features at a glance: |
Perspective uses: |
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-Lightweight - 2.0 oz
-Pocket Size - 5.5" x 0.75"
-Portable
-Heavy Duty
-100x Magnification
-Field of View - 1.5mm
-Fully Coated All Glass
Optics |
Professional:
-Sample Assessment
-Print Resolution (dpi)
-Microcircuit Inspection
Forensic:
-Skin Cell Viewing
-Hair Screening
-Fabric Analysis
Security:
-ID Verification
-Gemstone Appraisal
-Document Inspection
Science:
-Plant Study
-Insect Observation
-Mineral Recognition |
The package:
My review sample came adequately packed in a padded envelope,
and delivered via UPS. The plastic packaging the microscope pen comes in itself
is pretty darn tough, so I doubt even if UPS played the oops, I dropped a box on
the envelope game, everything would be fine.
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| (1) UPS Package |
The packaging:
Looking nice in a retail package, the microscope pen will
take some gusto to get out of the package. I had to get out my heavy duty
kitchen shears to cut around the outside of the packaging. I guess that really
matters to no one, other than the person who wants to try out their microscope
pen in a hurry. The above information that I put in some tables is available on
the packaging, as well as directions for use, and warnings. You will want to
read those. If you are still stuck, the website has instructions in the
FAQ for use, even with representational pictures. You may view that
here.
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| (2) The front |
(3) The back |
A closer look at the pen:
Below in picture 4, you can see where the "Pen" comes from.
It is shaped like a pen, albeit a larger marker type. It does have a clip
to keep it in your say shirt pocket, or perhaps a
side pants pocket. Ok, I wouldn't put it in my side pants pocket, maybe a cargo
pants side leg pocket. Even though the unit seems pretty tough, I wouldn't sit
on it, (being in a back pocket) or give stress to it if you didn't need to.
Common sense is all that is.
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| (4) The pen! |
In picture 5, you can see the top of the pen. Yes,
you look down that end of it. It has a rubber guard over the optics. What you
look into is actually lined in plastic. While perhaps not the most friendly to
eyeglass wearers, it works fine, and I haven't received a single scratch on my
lenses using the unit well over 50 times. Anyway, back to the cap... The rubber
lens cap does work fine, mostly. The rubber protector fits snugly into the top
of the pen, but I think that it comes out a bit too easily. I believe
this is because of the strain of the rubber that connects in a ring below the
clip. Honestly, I hadn't walked around with the microscope pen in my pocket, but
I'd imagine that depending on your configuration of it in your pocket, you maybe
walking around with the top flapping around.
The bottom, however, has a much better solution. It has a
snugly fit plastic cover over the bottom optic. I wouldn't mind seeing a
plastic cover over the top lens also. It isn't very hard to put two covers in
your pocket instead of one.
 |
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| (5) The top |
(6) The bottom |
Adjustable optic:
In the two pictures below, you can see just how far the
bottom optical lens can move. This of course helps greatly your ability to focus
on your object. Please note that the two bottom pictures were taken under
artificial light, and all others under daylight. I mention that because there is
a slight color shift in the two below pictures.
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| (7) Focus out |
(8) Focus in |
My thoughts:
Well, the Microscope Pen works as advertised. Learning
curve? Yes, there sure is a learning curve. A stationary microscope is hard
enough to get a focus on something if you don't know how to operate one. I did
find it tricky to operate, once you get the hang of how to balance the tip of
the pen, and focus with a good external light source, you have it made. In dimly
lit rooms, or perhaps even in outdoor situations, it does get hard to see, which
should be fairly obvious already to anyone that has used a microscope before.
Personally, I've used this pen both indoors and out, to
examine crumbs, leaves, water from an inland lake, various insects, Lastly what
I will be primarily using this for, other than exploration of the microscopic
world anytime, and of course, wherever I want, is the bottom of Heatsinks. I
only wish I could show you an example picture, but it would be impossible to
take with a camera. The only analogy I can come up with to seem witty is, pretty
much like an inside joke, you had to be there...
My suggestions:
While these are purely my thoughts thrown up into the air on
how to improve this unit in the future, please keep in mind that my following
suggestions have no bearing on the outcome of this review.
Light? A white LED with a small watch battery source could be
routed to light up the acrylic around the bottom of the lens. This would take
care of low light situations. Don't have steady hands, or want to view multiple
things in succession? A stand would be great. All it has to do is clip onto the
side of the pen, and maybe have a foldable tripod configuration. That way, if
you wanted to view slides like you would with a normal microscope, it could
easily be moved around without trying to balance the pen on a slide. PC
integration. It would be great to see a future product be able to hook up to a
PC via USB. Of course Intel made something like that years ago, and that slowly
faded away to nothing it seems. Ok, maybe forget that one...If anything, I'd
really like to see a portable stand.
Summary:
One thing is for certain. This is NOT a toy. This is a great
tool, for even perhaps a niche market. Not everyone will grab one at $90 a
piece. Well, if you want several, lower pricing is available, but, that wasn't
my point. My point is, this is a serious tool, and I have treated it as such. It
works great once you know how to use it properly. And lastly, why wasn't there
something like this invented before when there were class outings to go look at
nature type things when I was in grade school?
Pros:
Cons:
Price. Although if you are one that needs something like this, it won't bother
you.
Top rubber lens cover comes off a bit too easily for my taste.
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| "Portable microscopy? It's coming right
up!" |
Closing:
I'd like to thank
Microscope Pen for the review sample.
As far as I know, this is the only truly portable microscope on the market. If
you need a portable microscope, where a magnifying lens just won't do, you need
one of these then. As of now, if you want to buy one, please do so over at
Microscope Pen. With me using this for a
few weeks in a self proclaimed amateur environment, I love it! Professionals will undoubtedly
do also. So, thanks for coming by! Until next time...
Home ^^^
