ABSTRACT: Right now, there are video USB microscopes being sold in the market. But do you really need these devices? Find out the features, the functions, and the definite applications of these devices so you’ll know whether you need them or not.

When video USB microscopes are talked about, it means that these devices can be conveniently connected to a computer system using a regular USB port. Moreover, these devices are especially manufactured to record the movements of the specimen being viewed through a video recording software.

Determine if you need a video USB microscope by answering these questions:

1. Is there a need to record a video of your specimen?
The main function of a video USB microscope is to record everything that its camera lenses capture.  If you want to observe the propagation of bacteria over time, then this is the camera you are going to need. A video USB microscope could be setup with a bacteria sample on the stage, connect it to a computer, make the computer capture the images caught under the camera, and leave it there for hours, or even days at that, until enough video material is obtained. If this is what you really wanted to do with a microscope, then a video USB microscope is exactly what you need.

2. Do you need to conveniently connect the microscope to your computer?
While there are a lot of microscopes that can be made to be connected to a computer, special adapters need to be used to make this feat possible. With a video USB microscope, all you really need to do is to run the software that comes with the device, plug the microscope in, and everything should be all set. No need to buy any other device, gadgets, or adapters whatsoever.

3. Do you need a small compact microscope that you can carry anywhere you go?
Most video USB microscope are small and portable. These microscopes are made with quality plastic, which also makes it very light weight. Traditional microscopes, on the other hand, are made with durable metal and multiple optics. These are the things that makes it very inconvenient to move around. A video USB microscope, on the other hand, is something you can use wherever you can use your laptop in.

4. Do you need a microscope that’s very simple to use?
Traditional compound microscopes need to be calibrated and adjusted before it works flawlessly. You should use the low power objectives first, adjust the microscope’s focus, its contrast, the lighting system, and all other knobs that the system comes with so that you get the best view of the specimen. Needless to say, you need some sort of a training before you can use traditional microscopes. A video USB microscope, on the other hand, is very different. Most of its functions are software controlled. This means that for as long as you know how to use a computer, you can use the microscope. No special steps of complex manuals need to read at that.

5. Do you want a microscope that works directly with LCD monitors and screens?
A video USB microscope is usually equipped with an adapter that easily plugs into your laptop’s monitor or any other compatible LCD screens. This makes viewing the specimens very convenient. There’s no need to look into the eyepiece like you do when you use traditional microscopes. The output is only through a monitor. Without a working monitor, it is impossible to view the specimen on enlarged proportions.

6. Do you need a microscope that can be zoomed seamlessly?
If zooming can be a problem with regular low priced microscopes, it is not with a video USB microscope. Because these devices are software controlled, it is very possible and very easy too, to zoom a specimen to as much as 200x. Most video USB microscope are also equipped with a three dimensional rotation system so that you can view the specimen better and more conveniently.

7. Do you want a microscope with precision measurement system?
There are several models of video USB microscope that are equipped with pointers, graduated measurement systems, and protractors. These are essential tools in industrial microscopy where precision measurement tasked is always performed.

These are the six features of a video USB microscope. If you have answered yes to most of these questions, then you should be better off using video USB microscope more than any other type of microscopes that are available in the market today.