Your home microscope - like/dislike

[Bud]

Thanks for the heads up on this guys. I'm going to try it. My microscope is so difficult to focus and set up and 60X will likely do the job most of the time. Thanks again.

[Mark Reich]

I blew the first one I glued, too far out, so it is now pretty much useless.  Fortunately, I have found it so useful, that I already had two more on order and they arrived soon enough. 

Hello Mr. Rick, Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm happy to hear you've had success with the 60x. 

You are Welcome, of course, Mr. Bud.

Everything takes a bit of getting used to. I'm sure your friend would be able to learn to use the 60x if he gave it a couple minutes of practice.

I figured out the best way for me to use it, and it became habitual quickly. I never have to fiddle with anything to be able to instantly see exactly what I'm looking for.

This procedure is precise and foolproof for me;

First, pull the lens barrel out approximately 1/8". This will get you ballpark focused. Place the front shroud directly on the blade, then adjust the lens barrel into perfect focus. It's better to have the barrel a little further "in". That way you can keep the shroud in contact with the blade, and roll the edge away from the lens a little to have perfect focus. After you've played with it a while, so you know the focal length is set optimally, a small drop of super glue will hold the lens barrel in place.  

Now, hold the knife in your left hand, edge up, forehead high, so you tip your head back a little (this ensures your head doesn't shadow the edge). Using any decent overhead lighting, tilt the blade until the light is reflected exactly off the bevel (the bevel will look too bright and shiny).

Hold the 60x in your right hand by the battery compartment. The lens should be at 12:00, so the battery compartment is at 6:00. While looking at the shiny bevel, bring the 60x up and place the clear shroud directly onto the blade. Now your hands are locked in contact with each other (indirectly), and everything is totally stable.  

With your head still tilted back a little, and the light is still reflecting off the bevel, simply bring your hands straight back to your eye. Your right hand will come into contact with the bottom of your orbital, so that ties everything together solidly. There will be no quivering, and the edge will automatically be perfectly visible always. 

Mr. Rick, it's easy to salvage the one you glued too far out. 

Look how I (rather carelessly) ground the clear plastic shroud on the one on the right. I thought it might let more light in, but if you learn to use the 60x correctly, it's unnecessary to modify anything. This should allow you re-focus yours though.

[Ken S]

With such a distinguished chorus chanting the praises of this 60x microscope, I decided it was time to step up and make the $6.99 US invesyment, so I ordered one.

Ken

[EOU]

We did as well Ken. We found the Amazon "three easy installment plan" very beneficial.

[Rick Kr]

I blew the first one I glued, too far out, so it is now pretty much useless.  Fortunately, I have found it so useful, that I already had two more on order and they arrived soon enough. 

Hello Mr. Rick, Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm happy to hear you've had success with the 60x. 
...snip...
Mr. Rick, it's easy to salvage the one you glued too far out. 

Look how I (rather carelessly) ground the clear plastic shroud on the one on the right. I thought it might let more light in, but if you learn to use the 60x correctly, it's unnecessary to modify anything. This should allow you re-focus yours though.

Thanks, Mark.  I thought of doing that and was going to do it, just one of those swamps that needs draining. 

Rick