OMAX MD827S30L Built-in 3MP Camera 2000X Digital Biological Compound

I have used many different scopes over the years at work and teach lab courses that require students to use compound microscopes, but I wanted one for home use and specifically to easily capture digital images for website and class use. This microscope works great for the purpose I bought it for, and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the scope and images for the low price I paid. It is easy to set up and use, especially if you're familiar with compound microscopes and e.g. already know what a condenser is and what it does. (The instructions tell you how to adjust it, but not why this is important.) It plugs right into the computer via USB to capture images on screen. I found that once you have installed the software and set up the scope, you have to always plug it into the same USB port to make it work or the computer won't recognize it (I use Windows 7). The ScopeImage software manual reads a bit like "Chinese English" in terms of grammar - certainly not written by a native speaker - but it's not too difficult to understand and figure out how to use. The maximum image resolution the camera can save is 2048 x 1526 pixels (jpg or bmp). I have successfully used photo stitching software to assemble several images into large, high resolution pictures of around 5,000 pixels across. I've also used focus stacking software on image Z stacks with great results. It even captures video (avi) if you are observing things that move. You can use a ruler or stage micrometer to calibrate the software to measure objects. Overall, it does a great deal of things and I have been very pleased with it. For print quality images, I prefer to use the higher resolution cameras on the more expensive scopes at the university, but for online image archiving and class use, this scope does a great job.

Very well made microscope and at a great price. Almost everything on the scope seems sturdy and assembled well. The mechanical stage is smooth and precise without any excessive play. The lenses are all free of defects and artifacts. The ocular inserts seemed just a little too snug requiring a bit of finesse and jiggling to get them to insert into the head assembly. The LED bulb appears to be as bright and white as the older halogen style without the incredible heat. All the control surfaces seem sturdy and accurate with the exception of the condenser set screw, head assembly set screw, and coarse focus lock mechanism. The two set screws feel like they require a steady and gentle hand to prevent damage and/or promote longevity. The coarse focus lock lever seems less well designed or included as an afterthought as it is clumsy in operation and doesn't engage in a manner which inspires confidence. None of these are deal breakers, just identified weaknesses. The image is not quite as great as what I'm accustomed to from much more pricey microscopes, but at 1/3 of their price this is an easy tradeoff to make. This unit was purchased to instruct biology, histology, and microscopy for homeschool. It will work wonderfully for that purpose using the included USB camera and software. I typically instruct 5 kids at once and this feature alone will reduce the amount of time during demonstration as they can all view the live image at the same time from a 32" monitor to include all adjustments made and methods used to accomplish the tasks being demonstrated. Overall, I am very pleased with the value of this purchase and quality of the microscope. Note: The software does not scale it's measurements according to the objective lens you have active, so you must set up and calibrate a scale for each objective. It is a straightforward process using a calibration slide on the X and Y axis under each objective lens and saving a calibration "ruler" file labeled by magnification for easy identification later. It is a little tedious as it requires you to load the proper ruler file for measurements on each different still image capture, but an easy enough dialog to navigate.

I have used many microscopes that cost 5 to 10 times more than this smaller version and I would recommend this to anyone who needs to do biological or metallurgical work at magnfications from about 40X to 2000X. I used a calibrated grid to calibrate all of the lenses with the computer that I am using, which is a Windows 7 Professional driven Compaq. It is very easy to set up and use but you need to go on-line to get the most recent manual. There is a paper in the box that lets you know exactly where to find this. It is important because the manual this is in the CD is not for this microsope. If you are going to use this as a metallurgical microscope (not using tranmitted light but using reflected light) there is no through lense lighting. You will need to have an outside light. I purchased the AMScope LED-8WD from Amazon to go with this microscope. I had read a review that says you can not run the software on a Windows 8 machine. That is true if it is Windows 8RT but not a true Windows 8 machine. I installed the software on two of my Windows 8 computers and it works very well. You may have an issue with the drivers because windows installation may say that it is incompatible. Ignore this and make sure that you install the drivers for the camera before you plug in the USB cable. When installing the software leave the USB unplugged until you get a message saying that you need to plug in the camera. I would be happy to share more about this if you get into trouble. As an additional note: I also purchased the AmScope 20x-40x-80x Digital Stereo Microscope with top and bottom illumination. Which is another great microscope with digital camera lense. You have to remove the lense from the body and it is held in there with a very small phillips screw. There is nothing in the instructions that tell you this. This could also be too much microscope for your needs as oftern you want to record digital images at even lower magnification. You can see my review on this by looking up this AmScope. In the past, I ordered the AGPtek USB 800X digital microscope with 2 MP camera and believe it or not you can get some great pictures with it. I took some of some composite material that I was trying to analyze and I needed about 10X magnification. I will also review this separately. Make sure you buy a stand with this one such as the universal stand with x-y base.

I purchased this microscope with financial assistance from a local watershed group, for the main purpose of quickly identifying harmful algae blooms in a lake, and sharing results as quickly as possible. Everyone involved, including some renowned scientists are amazed at the quality of images I can capture and easily share by email or online albums, and the excellent price astonished everyone. The video capture capability is especially fun and helpful, because it also captures audio, which enables a narrative. I was able to quickly assemble and start using this equipment without ever downloading the manual. It's very intuitive. Everything is well protected in the packaging, including screw-top plastic canisters for the lenses. And the customer service is fantastic; I haven't needed help yet, but THEY contacted ME after delivery to make sure I was satisfied, and to provide contact information. I am having a blast with this microscope, beyond it's purpose of identifying harmful algae blooms! There is a whole fascinating world of creatures frolicking in a drop of lake water! This is a value almost too good to be true. (And I'm not easily pleased; I returned a different brand of microscope, after just an hour of use.)

The following are my opinions based on my purchase and use of this microscope and 35 years of experience teaching science. A. Easy to put together, and works well. B. Looks like a professional model with heavy metal construction. C. Stage has smooth action (x, y, and z dimensions) and spring loading clips for holding slides. D. Two pairs (10x and 20x) of ocular lens E. Calibrated transition of objective lens: 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x. (I did have to tighten a couple of lens on my scope before they worked appropriately). Notes! Magnification Tip: Total magnification (in two dimensions or area) can be calculated by multiply objective by ocular lens, (e.g. total magnification would be (100x)(20x) or 2000x. The magnification in one dimension (length or width) would be the square root of the total magnification or about 45x for 2000x. Students /hobbyists typically use more magnification than is appropriate so only use the oil immersion lens when absolutely necessary. ViewingTips and Adjusting Microscope A. Typically raise brightness as magnification increases (but using too much light, is a very common error). B. Incorrect adjustment such as lighting, focus (including vertical stage distance), iris control, and magnification can be very detrimental for appropriate viewing. 1. Students often (except animal histology and microbiology application) use a higher magnification than is appropriate. Avoid using the oil immersion lens unless it is absolutely necessary. If it is used, make sure oil is applied and never use the course focus or vertical stage adjustments. Because there are no safety brakes (typical with most compound microscopes) using this magnification incorrectly might easily damage the objective lens and slides are very possible. 2. Usually, the objective lens are installed so once the focus is obtained, moving to the next higher lens should only require the fine adjustment (typically about one complete turn in one direction or about two turns back in the opposite direction). 3. If your microscope does not comply with the previous tip, make sure your lens is screwed in tightly, If this does not work, the "O" ring (gasket) might be missing,damaged, or the wrong size. (I have made temporary gaskets from several different cardboard thicknesses to check the size needed. They will work fine unless you get them soaked with oil or water etc.). C. Instruments (especially microscopes) are often blamed when the fault is due to inappropriate use. Manuals are sometimes poorly written when produced in some countries, but most compound microscopes work the same way and other manuals might be more applicable for you. As always, the more you use it, the greater your skills will become. (Some negative reviews are inappropriately given because the user has poor skills or familiarity with the product). Seriously, this microscope is an excellent value that you will not regret purchasing (assuming you learn how to use it). Some negative comments appear to be from individuals who don't know how to use/adjust the microscope (software may be more problematic depending on what computer system you have...windows 8.0 worked great but I had problems with an older laptop. I was a college science instructor (including department head responsible for purchasing microscopes) for over 30 years and have never seen microscopes this nice for less than $1000 and these did not have the computer hook-up. If you need a microscope, this is a wonderful deal.

The whole thing is a good buy. However, the software did not cone with my purchase. I tried to find it online, I was unable to do so. I watch youtube reviews. They said the software is outdated and will never work on laptops. If you have a new software that work sent it to me, and I will post better review. Especially if you have windows 11.

This is my first serious microscope and I like the controls. One x10 eyepiece has internal debris but Steve Q from the vendor sent a replacement. No assembly instruction manual or SW came with the microscope. The software I downloaded from the OMAX web site did not recognize the camera, although it shows up in the Win10/11 system device list. Overall happy with the microscope but want the software so I can share images with a friend with eye problems.

He absolutely loves it. Very well made, feels solid and no parts are loose or cheap plastic. The camera is an excellent addition. The video quality is very good, although there is a slight difference in the focus between the eye pieces and the camera, but only like a .5cm turn of the adjustment wheel between the two. Light is very powerful. Uses a standard PC power cable which is really nice. Wish it came with a non-oil objective, but it uses standard threads so you can buy one after the fact. Overall I would definitely buy this again!

Love it! Beautiful piece of equipment. Delivery time was faster than expected.

it is good. The 'lens size' is very small. My vet is always disappointment that she cannot get a good view of the cells. It is also very difficult to get that 'fine tune' focus. I can never get the eye pieces so that I can see through comfortably. But it doesn't matter because I can view on the computer. It is a good starter microscope

Works very well. I've see blood cells, bacteria, etc.

It worked ok for about 2 weeks then the light started turning off and on. Now it is sporadic, I can be looking at a slide and then it turns off and is hard to get light back on. Have to switch the light switch on and off and hope for the best. Also the optical lenses need to be adjusted when you switch from 2x to 10x and then to 40x etc. These should be set so there is no adjusting once switched to another optical. The fine adjustment seems to stick or something then once you turn the knob what seems like many turns it shoots past focus range. I am trying to contact the seller to get rectified but I can't figure out who to contact. Camera is ok. I really liked it when I first got it because it was superior to my old one but now I am not happy.

Arrived intact, excellent working order, arrived as advertised. Used daily for cytologies and blood smears with no issues. Very good value for price. Very good microscope for this price range. Obviously there are better ones out there but at this price it is great. Had pricier ones before and this one is just as good.