The Celestron Digital Microscope Kit has fully coated all-glass optics, with a continuously variable 10x to 20x zoom eyepieces and three objectives (4x, 15x, and 30x). The eyepiece and objectives combine to give you three magnification ranges: 40x to 80x, 150x to 300x, and 300x to 600x.

When the supplied digital camera is used to display high power images on your computer screen, the magnification will vary from 240x to 1880x, depending on the size of your computer monitor and the objective lens being used.

This Microscope’s Specifications . . .

• Optical head: The optical head and stage are fixed in a vertical observing configuration.

• Stage: The stage measures 74mm (2.9”) by 70mm (2.75”) with dual spring-loaded specimen slide holder clips.

• Illuminator: There are two illuminators powered by user-supplied AA batteries (two per illuminator). They can be used separately or in combination, depending on the subject being viewed. The top illuminator is a pen light containing two AA batteries. It fits into a hole in the arm of the microscope to provide illumination of the stage at a 45° angle from the rear. The bottom illuminator has a removable diffuser to adjust the light level and contrast. The two AA batteries for the bottom illuminator fit into a compartment in the base of the microscope.

• Supplied eyepieces: One eyepiece is provided, a 10x to 20x zoom.

• Supplied objectives: Three achromatic objectives are provided – a 4x, 15x, and 30x.

• Available magnifications: The supplied eyepieces and objectives provide magnification ranges of 40x to 80x, 150x, 125x, to 300x, and 300x to 600x.

• Nosepiece: Triple rotary objective turret with positive clickstops.

• Focusing: Dual coarse focusing knobs are standard.

• Digital camera: A color VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels) digital camera provides high power images to your computer for viewing on your computer screen in real time or saving for later viewing. It is powered by your computer through the USB cable supplied to connect the camera to your PC. The zoom eyepiece is removed from the microscope and the digital camera nosepiece is slipped into the eyepiece holder in its place. The magnification is changed by rotating the nosepiece turret to put different objective lenses in the light path. The magnification will depend on the size of your computer monitor and the objective being used. The 4x objective will provide 240x using a 14” monitor, and 290x using a 17” monitor. The 15x objective will provide 850x using a 14” monitor, and 1030x using a 17” monitor. The 30x objective will provide 1550x using a 14” monitor, and 1880x using a 17” monitor.

• Computer requirements: The digital camera works with the following Microsoft Windows Operating Systems – 98/98SE/2000/ME/XP/Vista. You will also need to have a CD or DVD drive to install the software and an open USB port to plug in the camera.

• Other accessories: In addition to the digital camera, this Celestron microscope comes with a USB cable; 3 prepared slides: the head of a mosquito, a cross section of bamboo, and the scaly hairs of a silverberry; a hole (clear) slide for use with your own subjects; samples of a honeybee wing and rock pieces for initial experiments; and tweezers to manipulate your specimens on the slide.