Carson Smartphone Digiscoping Adapter Clip for MicroBrite Plus 60x-120x LED Lighted Pocket Microscope with CarsonCam Phone App Converts into Powerful Handheld Digital Microscope (MM-310)

This little pocket microscope works great! For the most part, I have used it as intended, flat on a table or desk with the subject beneath it, but I have also tried using it handheld. I've had some success, but of course it's very difficult to keep steady and focused in your hand at high levels of magnification. Using as I am supposed to though, it's very easy to set the focus and the image is very clear. My kids love using it and so do I!

This thing is phenomenal, it does take a while to adjust to the level of closeness but, the clarity is impeccable and it feels like it will last me for a long while.

It is really hard to hold this steady without some sort of stand, and impossible to focus it without a stand to steady it. I use an old soldering vice which is a bit overkill for a stand, but with that I can focus and get a very clear image. Reasonable width of view for the magnification and size. The light is very handy and I use it regularly for evaluating the burr when sharpening knives. Definitely a good tool for that. I bought the phone interface accessory, which would be great but is literally impossible to hold steady for focusing with the accessory attached. Definitely works better than a loupe. You can zoom the magnification, but I don't see much difference except it is even harder to hold steady. But it has a lot of magnification at the lowest power and a clear image.

Works well with a steady hand. Great for children. Although it has a bit of a learning curve, it can be gotten over and after it is, it opens a whole new world to the user.How to take a picture (or video) with this product (potentially other products) and a camera phone (and other cameras):1. Place specimen on a stable surface.1.5. If the edge of the specimen is being looked at, then place a consistent object (like a sheet of paper) under it.2. The microscope must be positioned so that both hands can be free to hold the camera phone. To do this, place it over the object (and paper) and bring it into focus (at either 60x or 120x). Adjust the focus so that it is in a desirable focus when hands are not touching it.3. Open camera app on phone and bring the EV and ISO settings down as much as possible. (your mileage might very with this, but I set my own to 200 ISO and -2 EV--those are the lowest settings on my phone). Zoom out the camera all the way.4. Stabilize your elbows on a stable surface that will not allow you to move while taking the picture.5. Bring the camera lens over the microscope lens. A spec of white light should be noticed looking through the phone screen looking through the microscope lens. Move the phone such that this light is in the center of the screen. Some visual content of the specimen should come into resolution after bringing it a bit closer. However, don't bring the lens of the camera too close to the lens of the scope. There's a sweet spot. You have to find it.6. Take your picture. If your specimen is occupied by some living, moving animalcules, take your video.Steps 3-6 can be used in a more powerful light microscope (up and above 2500x). I used this method in biology and chemistry courses in college and the other students (and teachers) would always be surprised with the clean and high-quality pictures/video I would capture using this crude method.Here are some pictures I've taken using this method.The first two are of the specimen with just my phone camera ("new" rusted razor I need to return!).The third is my showing the placement of the scope over the specimen. Notice that the yellow sheet of paper is only under the edge of the razor because that's the portion I'm interested in. This also helped with stabalization, because the edge would not be flush with the table I was working on.Pictures 4, 5, 6, and 7 show me finding and zooming in on the speck of light I mention in step 5.The 8th and 9th pictures are the finished product (and make the rust on the edge extremely visible).The last image is one I took without lowering the ISO and EV levels in my camera appBtw, my phone is an HTC one M7, the first edition that came out (and I bought) 2+ years ago (march 2013). I think the camera has a capacity of 4 megapixels. So you probably have a much better camera than me. That said, your mileage may vary, but I'm confident that you can do this with just about any camera.Have fun with the Carson Scope!

Phone clip sold separately should have been included in the advertisement

When I first saw the microscope out of the box I was a little skeptical to be honest. But I also got the sample slides and was quickly amazed by how nice and clear the images are. I've added a couple for anyone to review. I also got the phone clip and it works good. I've even been able to gather things from outside and look at them under a microscope and didn't have any issue with it being blurry. I would suggest that if you are using it, maybe watch some YouTube videos or remember some of the biology class lessons. I like to place anything I'm looking at on a white plate. That way the light on the microscope can clearly highlight what I'm trying to see and have not had any issues with it yet. Using the phone clip makes it a lot easier to share with my little one so that you don't have to worry about the microscope moving around as much

Alright. I bought this for my 6 year old and she loves it. I found myself looking at a lot of things with my own curiosity too. My only critique is that it's very sensitive to minor adjustments which can be very frustrating for my 6 year old. She is learning the fine motor skills to work it and it's getting easier for her to focus on what she's looking at, but just a note to fellow parents, if you have a curious little one maybe look into a microscope that isn't as powerful to learn with. This brand is very good though. Clear glass, solid construction, it has zoom and focus adjustments, doesn't feel cheap, bright LED, definitely fun for kids just be ready for a bit of a learning curve for younger kids. If you have multiple kids, buy one for each to limit fighting over it. I'll be placing another order soon haha

Bought one for my son, and I’m kind of obsessed with it. Sooooo fun. Then bought one for my nephew but the depth of field is smaller than the one we have, so it’s very tricky to keep anything in focus.