Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

checking depth of scratches on car paint to make shure scratch didnt go through clear top coat for easy buffing..

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

There's a reason a lot of plant enthusiasts rave about this, for [$] you can beat the functionality. And oh those trichs are pretty up close!

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

I saw this in the shelves of radio shack when I was picking up a new tip for my soldering gun and thought it might be cool to use in conjunction with my soldering gun to work with some detailed work like computer boards. This microscope is way more powerful than I expected. Looking at just the back of my hand or skin of an onion, I could see the difference in coloration between cells, which is something I would never expect out of a [$] plastic microscope. It's easy to focus, and the only thing I could say to make it better would be better durability. I haven't broken it, but it is made out of exceptionally light plastic and looks like it could fall apart at the seems at any moment. But for [$], what can you expect? This is a great buy for the money. I don't really have much of a use for it, it's a little too powerful for what I wanted it to do, but very fun to play with!

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Amazing images for the price, even at 200x.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

All in all this isn't a terrible microscope, especially for the price. It gets the job done, especially since most people seem to be using for viewing trichromes, but it has it's downfalls.You'll notice I marked this product both easy to use and clumsy. That's because there is no learning curve on how to use it, but getting it to focus without losing your target is exceedingly difficult considering the intent of it is to look at very small objects. If you've ever used a microscope before you know that it doesn't take much more than a deep breath to lose sight of whatever it is you were looking at.The biggest issue I have with this product is that it is difficult to adjust/focus with one hand which is a pretty basic thing when using a hand-held microscope. The adjustment knobs feel a little too tight and don't roll smoothly which often means that you end up moving the microscope right along with the dial which leaves you in perfect focus of... nothing. It's typically an easy recovery as you just move it back, especially for those just using it for viewing trichromes, but annoying none-the-less.Mine didn't come with that gray rubber looking eye piece either, which left me with a lot of eyelash reflection. It's bad enough that it's so difficult to keep your target in the viewer while trying to focus, but having your eyelashes constantly in the way because the eye piece is too small to properly look into is very frustrating. Again this is easy to overcome, but annoying. I didn't include that in my rating however as it is supposed to come with what appears to be the proper sized eye piece.I'm going to look into getting a digital microscope that displays the image onto a separate screen because by the time I deal with getting my object into focus and having to re-center the target 100 times I end up with a major headache.If you're looking for a cheap hand-held microscope for either viewing trichromes, or some other hobby that only requires using this a handful of times a year, then it can't hurt to have this laying around. However, if you're doing anything else, especially involving holding the microscope in the air as opposed to on a stable surface like a tabletop (which defeats the purpose of hand-held in my opinion) then look at getting something else.Also, I noticed a lot of people rated it as having "poor construction". I strongly disagree with this. It's solid plastic and would take quite a beating (especially for a microscope) before you damaged it. Unless you plan on dropping it off of a 2 story building or throwing it against the wall, you shouldn't have any problems.Finally the battery casing does seem to come off really easily after it has been removed for the first time which only adds to the frustration of trying to focus it with one hand. However, if you're using it with both hands you probably won't even notice.Oh yeah, I found that it doesn't focus all that well, but I never really expected to get a great image from a [$] microscope. Don't expect super sharp/crisp image, but it should suffice for just about any hobby.Overall: Great as a toy for young kids who want a microscope but you aren't sure they will keep the hobby very long or perhaps looking at trichromes if you have the patience to readjust it one way or another every 10 seconds. Not so great for anything else.I'm going to rate this as Would Recommend to a Friend because it gets the job done, it's just not the best. If I could throw a modifier into my choices it would read "Yes, I would recommend this to a friend AS LONG AS s/he were only using this a few times or less a year."

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

love it

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

About on par with the quality that I would have expected from a Mattel "Barbie" microscope. The illumination is mediocre to poor, and the image quality is poor if you are looking for detail. It comes with cheap plastic lenses and an incredibly small view piece. If you want a "play" microscope that makes things bigger but they will lack real detail then it is fine. Overall I was disappointed and I'm sorry I bought it.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Had to dismantle and make a different bend in the rocker arm under the light switch. Light would only flash on as you moved the light switch. (Light would be off in the "on" or "off" position but flashed on as you moved the switch) If they fix that it is a good product.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Works great for veiwing trichomes. Was able to harvest when they were just where I wanted them.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Great for the money. Helps to to ID various pests on our backyard plants. Illumination could be improved. Would like to see one with a high intensity LED to replace the incandescent bulb as viewing becomes pretty dim at higher magnifications.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Old version included a nice protector (carring case). RS please include back the protector.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

i havent used it to much yet but im sure it will serve the purpose..

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

awesome

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

The battery covery has a tendency to slip off in use, but overall, it does a great job for the money. Works for what I wanted it for.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Wow, what a steal! all you do is pay money, take it home and then try not to breathe or have any circulation that throws off your distance to whatever it is you cant see under the scope! Now try and do all that AND focus! I guess im supposed to cut my plants down, put them on a desk, smash the lense against the trichs and then focus them in? IDK maybe im not that smart but this thing is garbage. my 10x jewelers loupe is 100 million times better for seeing stuff thru. A major selling point of any optic equipment

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

this is great for identifiying bugs and looking at stamps or coins or just to take into the backyard to adventure.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

i like it. works great to view trichomes. only problem is the bulb become loose and the light dims out pretty bad. otherwise a nice product.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

[$] you cant beat this thing for checkin your trichomes. I didn't want to spend a lot of money and for this price you are getting a scope that is as good or better than scopes more expensive.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

this product is very nice to check out your trichromes or your buds

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

it has our official approval. great to finalize your "project" and check plant samples.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

I have to say that I am amazed at how small this it. Depending on what you are using it for, it can be very versatile.

As with a few of the other reviews, mine was used to check trichromes. It does the job well and will help you determine when your stuff is done.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

With this tool, you can see trichomes perfectly. When trichomes turn from clear to milky or amber it is time to harvest. This is the best way to determine when your crop is perfectly ripe. If you need to know this information, you NEED this tool, and heck, for the price you can't go wrong. Highly recommended!

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

This microscope is GREAT.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Works well enought for [$] but If your serious about it, you may want to drop a little more cash and get a real microscope. Works well enought for lookign at trichromes and deciding when to harvest your bud. which if you can't tell by the other reviews .. apears to be what 90% of people use this device for.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Avioding couchlock

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

I thought this was a real microscope. Turns, out, its not! I thought it had a lense on the bottem, so I put water containing a larve in it. I couldn't see a thing. Besides that, My larvae died. Im disappointed.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

I used the microscope to see the dots of ink on a printed page, and I must say, this is far better than a loupe at doing so. You'd better get one quick, though; they said that these were being discontinued (I got the last one at the store I went to).

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

this thing is great, works better than products 10x the price

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Perfect for checking stylus wear, for those that still enjoy listening to vinyl.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Great at identifying very small insects so you know how and where to treat in a home or business.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

This is what you want, and hey, it's only [$]. A great way to tell when to harvest.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

This microscope works very well for the price trichomes look like baseballs......:)

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

A very nice piece of equipment. Allows you to view a printed circuit board for flaws, opens, burns etc. Can be used for about anything, splinters, jewelry repair etc...

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

this works great,Why did that guy find dirt? ew. i can see sticky tri-kro's up close. Real close. Looks like a rain forest. No dirt here.

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Comments about RadioShack Illuminated Microscope:

Very easy to use. Found dirt on my truck.