CelestronLCD Digital Microscope II – 3.5" Screen – 5MP Camera – 40x–1600x Magnification – Rotating Head – SD Card Included – TV Output – Ideal for Slides, Labs, Classrooms, Biology, Education

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.

Great product love the magnification and great quality

This microscope has a very serious design flaw if you view things illuminated from above. The included light that shines on the object from above is nowhere near bright enough to generate an image on the screen. You will only see a dark screen until you use a hand held flashlight or other additional light source and shine it on the object you are trying to view. How stupid is it to include a light source that isn't bright enough to illuminate any object viewed? If you've ever used a quality microscope you will immediately know this is a cheaply made instrument. The focuser has play in it such that you have to overfocus just a bit, because when you take your hand off the focus wheel it goes slightly out of focus each time. You can get the hang of it after awhile.....but it's just another sign of a cheaply made instrument. You'd be far better off buying a quality used optical microscope off an auction site than using this one. Celestron used to be a quality telescope manufacturer, but has now become just another company making low quality optical instruments while using the name of a former quality manufacturer. I sent my microscope right back for refund...........it's sad Celestron would put out such a low quality instrument, and I won't buy any other product from them in the future.

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.

The first one that was sent to me didn't work right. The display needed to be turned on and off several times to get a usable picture. Amazon replaced it without a problem. The bottom light works good with sharp picture, much better then my old tasco that is ancient. The top light is useless, you have to use an extra bright light shining down (sun) on the specimen to see anything. The slide with the onion skin shows the cells better then ever. In a drop of pond water I can see more life then ever before. I can't seem to get the scale to work yet but it's probably me. I gave it 4 stars because of the top light but the rest is a 5.

This is a great microscope that’s easy to use and has high end features on an affordable scope. I did a tutorial on how to use a microscope and used this scope as the subject because it is best for beginners but has the qualities necessary to make it useful diagnostically over the long haul.