Intel "Play" Microscope?

[Anonymous]

Any opinions?

I want to get one to email or post pics from a microscope (reef related pics, of course). I realize the magnification won't be amazing, nor will the resolution of the images. But whaddya want for less than $100, right?

A guy I know has a for ~60 bucks. They're brand new. I guess Intel sold off the line to a company called Digital Blue.

Anyone have one?

 

[Reefman150]

I've got one and it just takes up space on the shelf. They have some bugs in them where many people experience display resolution problems that Intel told me they have no fix for. Intel discontinued the line and with it any efforts to repair any flaws. There is no way to change your screen resolution while the software is running. Maybe the reason they dropped the line? I haven't heard of any company buying the rights. You may want to ask for a trial on your pc before buying. I'll sell mine for 30.+ shipping if anyone wants it. My pc is set up for my 21" monitor at 75 HZ. I could not get an answer if this was in any way part of my problem. FYI, they are also very difficult to focus and you have to be creative with lighting to get a bright image. I did a Web search on these when I got mine and found a few pages where owners offer tips. I too was all excited to get mine until I began using it. This is my 2 cents on it. Maybe someone else has had better luck.[/u]

 

[liquid]

Here's a couple good links for you:

http://www.geocities.com/qx3fun/
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/inte ... atomy.html
http://microscopy.fsu.edu/optics/intelplay/
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artjan00/jhqx3.html

FWIW, I picked up one about 8 months ago from Ebay for about $30 IIRC...

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

What do you think, Shane?

 

[liquid]

Oh, it seemed to take OK pictures. The real downside to the unit is the focusing mechanism. If you put the camera portion on a real microscope focusing mechanism the pictures will come out much nicer. For $30 it was an OK purchase I guess. I wish I had some pics to show you but I can't find them ATM.

Shane

 

[Totlxtc]

I also paid $30 for mine in Jan 02 when Intel was doing a clearence sale. It takes ok pictures considering it was suppose to be a toy. I use mine every now and again so the $30 was worth it. I would never pay $60 for one! Here are some pics i have.

Brine shrip hatching

Bristle worm larvae

Nassarius snail egg packet

Spider head

 

[Reaper]

Cool! Whats the creature in the top pic?

 

[liquid]

Looks like an amphipod.

Shane

 

[Totlxtc]

Yep, amphipod.

 

[Reefguide]

Doesnt look too bad for a toy ! I wonder if santa will bring me one for x-mas... I've been a bit nauty though :wink: