Remember last year’s USB Pen Microscope? A new model has now been released, featuring a resolution of up to 1600×1200, compared to the original 640×480.

Plug it in and it brings an image up on your computer screen of whatever the slick looking microscope is pointing at – you won’t even have to strain your neck peering into a dusty eyepiece, it’s all there on your monitor in full colour and with up to 200x magnification.

As if this wasn’t enough, the manufacturers have also included a program that gives you up to 2GB of online space, so that you can share your scary close-up photos and access them on any computer. It’s a window into a whole new world.

Features

• A desktop Microscope that plugs into your computer.
• The design makes it very easy to use and adjust.
• Resolution of up to 1600 x 1200.
• Up to 200x magnification.
• Records movies in AVI and still images in JPG or BMP.
• Requires Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista and at least 32MB free system memory plus 11.5MB Hard Drive Space.
• Contains CD-Rom with Driver software and full instruction manual.
• The included software allows you to store and share up to 2GB of files online, for free.
• Requires a USB port.
• Size: 14 x 12 x 7cm.

The USB Microscope is available from the IWOOT website for £49.95 (about $80 USD).

This digital USB endoscope allows you to take a closer look inside your computer and other objects – or for the Discovery Channel fanatics, to explore your own body.

It has 40X microscope with LEDs, making sure that you will see what you want to see. The LEDs lightness are adjustable to fit your purpose.

Specifications

• Magnification: 40 times
• Photograph: Taken by the software
• Videography: High Compression
• Light Sources: LED illumination (USB interface)
• Focusing: Manual focusing
• Max size: 15mm (diameter) x 700mm
• Interface: USB 2.0

The USB Digital Endoscope is yours for $139.99 over at the USB Fever website.

This USB supported microscope uses an LCD screen instead of a standard eyepiece to display objects as small as a strand of hair with its 40X lens.

The compound microscope uses a built-in 2 MP digital camera to capture still images or videos and displays objects on its 3 1/2 inches thin-film transistor LCD at 320 x 240 resolution. The three objective lenses (4X, 10X, or 40X) provide magnification from 40X-400X (up to 1600X when used with its 4X digital zoom feature); objects can either be illuminated from the top (for solid objects) or from the bottom (for prepared slides) using two separate 6-watt LED light sources that can each be controlled by turning an exposu re value knob. A filter wheel provides six different colors to help block out wavelengths to make objects clearer.

The camera’s built-in 128 MB memory can store up to 120 still shots or up to 40 minutes of video at 1600 x 1200 resolution; an SD card slot allows for memory expansion. It has easy-to-use controls for taking and reviewing pictures and videos; it also has a USB port (USB cable included) that allows you to download your pictures and videos to your computer. Includes five slides (insect and plant parts) and a carrying case. Plugs into AC with included adapter.

The Video Screen Microscope measures 13(H) x 6(W) x 4 1/2(D) inches and the product is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $299.95.

This USB microscope enables you to view microscope or telescope color images on your Windows compatible PC in a 1280 x 1008 pixel resolution.

It fits in the eyepiece holder of any standard microscope or refractor and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes (other telescopes require adapter which is available separately.) You can view image in real-time and capture static images in high-quality resolution (1.3 mega pixel) and color.

Features:

• High-quality 1/2 inch, 1.3 mega pixel CMOS color sensor
• Maximum image resolution: 1280 x 1008 pixels
• Field of view: 18mm
• Sensitivity: 2.7v/lux.sec@green, 2.1v/lux.sec@red, 2.0v/lux.sec@blue
• File format: BMP, TIFF, JPG, PICT, PTL
• Exposure: Automatic
• Shutter Control: Automatic
• Interface: USB
• System requirements: Windows 2000/XP

The 1.3 Megapixel USB Microscope from Konus is yours for 279.95.

This microscope replaces the traditional eyepieces with a 3.5-inch large LCD screen for easy and comfortable viewing for yourself and to share with others.

The product also features a built-in 2 megapixel digital camera, allowing the user to easily take snapshots or short videos. The images can later be transfered to a computer via a USB connection.

Features:

• Compound (Biological) Microscope
• USB Cable for Transferring Images to a PC
• 40 to 400 Power – up to 1600 Power with Digital Zoom
• AC Adaptor to Power the Microscope
• 3.5″ (88mm) LCD Screen with 4x Digital Zoom
• Carrying Case Included
• Built-in Digital Camera – 2 Mega Pixels
• Weight – 51oz (1446g)
• Top and Bottom LED Illumination
• Two Year Limited Warranty
• Mechanical Stage – 3.5″ x 3.5″ (88mm x 88mm)
• 128MB Internal Storage Memory
• SD Card Slot
• Five Prepared Slides
• Objective Lens – 4x, 10x, and 40x
• Six Position Color Filter Wheel

According to Celestron, the LCD Digital Microscope will retail for $299 when it’s about to be released in February.

(I4U via Gizmodo)

Do you like taking a closer look at things, but have no need for the extra features that comes with the USB Microscope, Webcam & Hub combo?

This one actually works without a computer, but plugging it into the USB port will give you the possibility to see everything on-screen, add text, draw and create special effects.

There are three zoom settings: 100X, 200X and 300. The Snap Science PC Microscope Center ($70) requires 2 x AA batteries and Windows XP.

The product is currently out of stock, but will be back in 11/12/07.

We’ve covered two USB microscopes lately, the 1.3 megapixel and the webcam / USB hub combo, and now it’s time for yet another one.

The USB Pen Microscope ($109) doesn’t come with any special features, more than being able to take a photo or video shot of the things you view, but it’s by far the most stylish one of the three.

Specification:

• Video Capture Resolution: 640×480
• Still Image Capture Resolution: 640×480
• Lens: Dual Axis27X&100X Microscope Lens
• Focus Range: Manual Focus From 10mm to Infinity
• Flicker Frequency: 50Hz/60Hz
• Frame Rate: Max 30f/s under 600 Lux Brightness
• Magnification Ratio: 10X to 200X
• Video Format: AVI format
• White Balance: Auto
• Exposure: Auto
• Light Source: 4 Cold Light LED
• PC Interface: USB 2.0
• OSD Language: English
• Power Supply: 5V DC from USB port
• Operation System: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
• Dimension: 110×33mm
• Weight: 90g

Do you want to zoom in on stuff, but have no need for all the extra goodies that comes with the USB Microscope, Webcam & Hub combo? Maybe this 1.3 Megapixel USB Digital Microscope ($350) over at ThinkGeek is where you should put your money instead.

This microscope provides you an easy way to zoom in on a wide variety of objects to satisfy your curiosity of the world around you.

Features

• Handheld digital microscope with stand
• Resolution: 1280 x 1024 (1.3M)
• Magnification: 10 ~ 50X, 200X Continuous
• Built-in LEDs for illumination (8 LEDs)
• LED on/off controlled by software
• Interface: USB 2.0
• Frame rate: up to 30fps
• Dimension: 10cm (h) x 3.2cm (dia)
• Weight: 0.2 lb (90g)
• Includes: Microscope, Microscope stand, DinoCapture Software (Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP, Vista, Mac OS9, OSX)

Here’s another one of those gadget mashup that you often these days.

The USB Digital Microscope + Web Cam + USB2.0 Hub ($199) will let you explore the world of micro and then call your friends up to tell them all about it over a webcam session. There’s also a 2 port USB hub to let you hook up a couple of more carefully chosen candidates from your gadget arsenal.

USB Digital Microscope + Web Cam + USB2.0 Hub allows user to view and capture high quality images and videos, and display them on your PC by just connecting via USB port. Teachers can use it for biological exercise in science lesson, such as plant and insect observation. It is also a PC web cam and a 2 ports USB Hub for you to communicate with friends and connect other USB devices respectively. Get this multi-functional microscope for viewing, learning and sharing.

Features:

• Multi-function: Digital Microscope + PC Cam + USB 2.0 HUB
• Resolution: 640*480 VGA
• Built-in 3 optical lens with different magnification power
• Magnification power: 30x, 200x~400x, 400x~600x
• Built-in oblique and backside LED lamp
• Built-in microphone
• Sensor: High quality CMOS
• Interface: USB 2.0
• Objective Lens:

- Normal Lens: 30x

- Low Power Objective Lens: 200x~400x

- High Power Objective Lens: 400x~600x

• Can be used as a PC web camera
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• Backside LED light On/Off switch
• Oblique LED light On/Off switch
• Size: 12.5×9.7×15cm
• Weight: 348g

(Via Ubergizmo & The Red Ferret Journal)