AmScope 40X-1000X LED Student Microscope + 5MP USB Camera (M150C-E5)

I ordered 17 of these microscopes for my 8th grade science class. The overall build is solid and comparable to most scopes I have had students use in the past. I really like the LED light and the ability to adjust the LED as well as the diaphragm. This gives you two options for adjusting the light. The objectives seem to be of good quality and the stage has a nice distinct end stop that makes it clear when you are at the end (no soft feeling). For the price the 5 MP camera is fantastic and takes great pictures. I agree with another reviewer that when in live mode at the 5 MP the view is a bit choppy so moving specimens under the best resolution doesn't work well but It far exceeds the quality of any microscope that I used in this price range! I like the battery mode that makes them mobile but you need an allen key to open the battery case. The only two small draw backs are the cord and the eyepiece. The cords are very thin and I worry about them long term being able to hold up to the wear and tear of 8th graders. The eyepiece is removable which is great but it would be nice to have a locking screw to hold it or the camera in place (kids like to play and touch everything). Never the less they are great beginner microscopes so you can't compare them to a microscope that is 4-5 times the cost and and the price is about 1/2 of what they were a few years ago!

We've used this microscope almost every single day for the past 7 months straight! We use it to test the Monarch butterflies we raise and make sure they are not infected with disease (OE - Ophryocystis elektroscirrha) before we release them into the wild. We have only used the digital camera a handful of times, since the microscope is easily strong enough to see the OE spores without the aide of the computer. That being said, I am including 2 pics taken with the USB camera attachment one showing a "clean" monarch, and one with clear OE spores. TIP to SAVE $$$: Since we raised over 500+ butterflies this season, slides for each one would be incredibly expensive, so we opted to use a piece of clear-view scotch tape to collect the scales/spore sample by rubbing it gently onto the imago's abdomen, and then affixing it to paper index cards ( Mead Plain Index Cards, 4 X 6 Inches (63006) ). < That particular "card" is ridiculously thin and cheap so it will only work for a one-sided use. Anyway, using this technique, we don't use the built-in light under the "slide" (or in our case index card), we just illuminate it from above with a handheld flashlight. Quaint, but it gets the job done quickly and inexpensively. I'm including pics of our set-up with the index cards & flashlight ( Rockbirds Protable LED Flashlight, A100 Mini High Lumens Zoomable Super Bright 3 Mode Tactical Flashlight, Best Tools for Hiking, Hunting, Fishing and Camping (2 Pack) ). Overall, I would certainly recommend this compound microscope and it's a great price, too! Hopefully pics will be helpful in explaining further. If so, please click "yes" to it being helpful!

Build quality is good for the price. Optics are good, at least for the two lower-power lenses (didn't try the other). However, my specimens are mounted in diamond-polished epoxy mounts about 1/2 inch thick. Because the stage (surface that holds the slide in most usages) cannot be moved (it is fixed to the microscope body and base) I am unable to move the lens far enough from the specimen to focus.

Supercool. One complaint. Fell out of a hand stand onto the microscope breaking the digital optic. Thus far, my only option, I can only find a 2 MP digital optic to replace it. Unless I purchase a whole new microscope for just the 5 MP optic. I shall write to AMSCOPE. Hopefully, they can work something for me. It would be super cool if they had an even more advanced optic. I note there exists a date on the optic, 2014. Maybe it shall end in an upgrade. The software is super easy to use. --Mice Ons Sun, Joshua, Tripping, [Mouser), Garland, Apoc, her Switchness, T., Kaiser Sose (You should have fed me more so my clones can stand when I do in the same room.), Longfingers, Perfect, ONOTU, antisystem1789, aka. George Washington, Buck, Josephine, Alice, The White Witch, Kidnapped (as in Professional Scientist), Daisy, & Starchild 143:)

I think the product has potential but the light bulb did not work and the camera does not work. I downloaded the MD100 latest download and the application says, “No Camera”. I tried unplugging and replugging in the camera and looking for a drive and using other usb ports that are working and my computer never identified it with the software. For the light I tried opening and closing the shutter. And it is very dark. I believe the company is likely great but I am really disappointed and will likely return because I need something to work.

Good affordable package for entry level microscopy. Works well for checking red blood cell health. Maximum 1000 magnification is sufficient for this type of usage. Good packaged deal considering 5mp camera included and can connect to computer or monitor for ease of viewing

Nice scope works well Nice starter scope without it feeling toy like BEWARE of the way they cut corners to save a buck though #1 No dust caps for the lenses-THIS IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT #2 In the sales picture they show it has a adjustable slide holder NOT so all you get are clips #3 In sales photo stage stop is shown with a knob on top NOT so has a allen bolt and you get NO allen wrench Once you get past these disappointments the scope and camera work well

10 year old and 8 years old found it easy to easy. Feels high quality yet light weight. Easy to function and worth the price.