Designed specifically for younger students with input by professional educators, the Motic DigiScope DS 300 Digital Microscope will take you and your class on a journey of microscopic discovery the likes of which they have never experienced before. Because the DigiScope is intended for elementary aged scientists, it is simple to set up and easy to use. The included software is developed specifically to engage the minds of young learners. And given that it includes a digital camera to connect to your computer, chances are you'll need that young mind around to help you!

Developed using the same advanced digital microscopy technology found in high-end digital microscopes, these elementary digital microscopes are LED field microscopes, each with a built-in CMOS digital camera. The DigiScope's camera plugs directly into your PC or Mac via the included USB cable. Works with desktops, laptops and even projection devices. To prevent loss, the cable is permanently attached to the camera. The camera can be removed allowing you to take the microscope anywhere. Image size can be configured to best suit the computer screen you are viewing specimens on. Choices include: 160x120, 176x144, 320x240, 355x288 and 640x480.

The DigiScope comes with two stages - a slide stage with molded-in stage clips for viewing regular microscope slides, and a reversible whole objects stage/"swimming pool" stage. The whole objects stage side is great for studying bugs, leaves, small rocks or other non-slide specimens. The swimming pool side features a small indent that is ideal for the study of pond water. Few things are more entertaining than delving into the mysteries of pond scum, and this exploration will prepare those young minds for the fearsome critters they'll encounter in later life.

The included Motic Play software on CD-ROM is actually very powerful, extremely robust, image capture and manipulation software. With it, students can capture still images or video of specimens. Specimens can be measured in microns, mm or inches. Pixel based measuring results in extreme accuracy. Images are automatically saved to a folder for later use. The software control panel is very intuitive, so even the youngest children have no problem figuring out how to do the most amazing things with this great educational device.

Images can be printed out, measured, flipped, painted on, labeled or "rubber stamped" with dozens of fun shapes. Your students will spend hours learning while having fun "playing" at and discovering the joys of microscopy. Invert function makes light areas dark and dark areas light. Relief mode produces a very cool "3D" effect. Comes with pre-loaded images to get you started. A time-lapse function allows for the creation of "mini-movies" that show specimen growth or movement over a specific period of time. In years to come, you'll view these movies and compare them with those in your mind, of your children growing from discovering minds into working scientist; and as to which is more miraculous, we'll let you decide!

Additional Information

Specifications:

• Requires 3 AA Alkaline batteries, not included
• Size: 128 x 112 x 176 mm
• Eye Point: 6.5mm
• Field of View: 4.5mm
• Magnification: 20X - 100X, freely selectable
• Illumination: LED [for upper and lower light]
• Power supply: 3 x AA [1.5V] batteries [not included]
• Working distance: 22mm - 42mm
• Focusing range: 30mm
• Magnification on 14" screen: 70X - 350X
• Image device: 1/3" Interline CMOS
• Still image resolution: [H] 640 x [V] 480
• Total resolution: 330K pixels
• Frame rate: 10-30 frames / second
• Audio output: Transmission across Motic Play direct into memory of the PC
• Video output: Transmission across Motic Play direct into memory of the PC
• White balance: Auto white balance
• B.L.C: Auto
• Minimum illumination: 10 Lux
• Data transfer: 7.5MB / second
• Color image: Take-up time below one second
• Color depth: 24 bit [16.7 million colors]
• Power voltage: Self powered from computer US
• Operating system: Windows* 98/2000/ME/XP(not Vista compliant); Mac OS 9.x
• Data format: bmp, jpg; for still image storing avi and mov for recording
• Immediate printout: On printer
• Position and size of image on monitor: Freely definable
• Menu on monitor: Cartoon buttons for opening, storing, printing, print preview, regulator for brightness, color, gamma correction: icons for recording, image interpolation, switching between large and small image quality, manual white balance.
• Image data: Automatic reference number, date and time.
• Interactive adjustment: Color, brightness and contrast.
• Import of stored data: Possible
• Print preview: Yes
• Environment conditions: Operating temperature -10°C to +50°C
• Storage temperature -20°C to +60°C
• Relative humidity 95% Maximum (non-condensing)