How to Use a USB Microscope

A USB microscope is similar to a digital microscope. You can send images from both types of microscope to your computer for viewing, saving and printing. The big difference between the two is that most USB microscopes can be used both traditionally and as handheld devices. Using your USB microscope as a handheld instrument allows you to examine objects that would not fit under a traditional microscope's lens.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• USB microscope
• Computer or television

1. Load your USB microscope's software onto your computer's hard drive.

2. Plug your USB microscope's cable into any open USB port on your computer or the back of your television.

3. Hold your USB microscope in your hand and lightly touch the lens to whatever object you want to view.

4. Look at your computer monitor or television screen. The image you just captured with your USB microscope should be visible there.

5. Click the "Save" icon at the top of the screen to save the image if you want to be able to retrieve the image for later viewing. You may also be able to use special computer programs to manipulate saved images, which might enable you to focus on details you previously missed.

6. Watch moving, real-time images from live specimens by turning on the movie feature of your USB camera.

7. Freeze images from your real-time viewing sessions by clicking on the "Capture" icon at the top of your computer screen. You can then save these images by clicking "Save."

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to look at something wet through your USB microscope, adjust the lens for distance viewing. This way, you do not have to put the lens in the liquid. After all, you do not want your lens to wet.
• Engage the distance-viewing feature of your USB microscope by turning the lens clockwise.
• Most USB microscopes come with a stand. You can use this stand to steady your microscope for easier viewing sessions.
• You can touch the lens of your USB microscope to virtually any dry surface. This means you can view things like your fingertip, the fur on your pet or the wood grain on your living room wall--all things you could not put under a regular microscope lens.
• You can only capture and save images from your USB microscope if you're using your computer to view the images. Plugging your USB microscope into your television limits you to only viewing images.