Carson MicroBrite 20x-40x Zoom LED Lighted Pocket Microscope (MM-24)

I bought both this product, Carson MicroBrite 20x-40x LED Lighted Pocket Microscope for Learning, Education and Exploring (MM-24, MM-24MU) and the higher magnification sibling, Carson MicroBrite Plus 60x-120x Power LED Lighted Pocket Microscope (MM-300). Both are inexpensive, and overall, I'm happy with them. I liked the lower powered one better because it comes with base that has a glass slide holder. The image quality is surprisingly good for the price. It is easy to use, however, I would have preferred if the control for magnification and focus were switched, i.e., have the focus with a twisting dial at the bottom and a lever to change the magnification, like in the higher magnification model (60-100x). I also prefer the other model's light, which stays on until you click the button, and the AA battery. However, although it may sound like I like the other model better than this, I actually like the 20-40x model better because of the removable base and it being more useful to look at a wide range of objects.I am a researcher and have access to research-grade microscopes. This inexpensive microscope does not replace a research microscope. However, it is a great entry microscope that may be useful, say, for a field trip in a college-level class, like my Invertebrate Zoology or Parasitology classes. I may order a bunch of this scopes for my classes to take to the beach or field.A few things could be better: as mentioned above, the focus could be better if it were on a twisting dial and the battery could stay on, and with a larger battery (e.g., AA). It would also be useful if it could capture the image (but adding a camera it would increase considerably the cost); alternatively, it would be more useful if it could be attached to a cell phone camera, since cell phones are ubiquitous and take great photos. And a small detail: the scope could have a ring or loop so that it could be wore on a chain or lanyard like a jeweler's loupe (the 60-100x model has it).As others have suggested, it would be a great gift to a child who may be interested in sciences. And being so inexpensive, it is a low risk investment. This scope is much easier to use and has better image quality that other simple microscopes that I have seen. I highly recommend it.

I was looking for something portable that I could use when out on nature hikes doing some foraging and needing to see some details on a plant. I wanted something which could do 15x - 20x and this works perfectly. There seem to be quite a few out there which claim 30x magnification which aren't, but this one is exactly as advertised. It actually magnifies 20x - 40x and has a very nice objective light and the lenses seems to have very little aberation. Looking forward to taking it out in the field with me this weekend. It did a great job with some plants in the backyard.

I know this little scope is marketed to children (and they do love it!), but it's a really neat tool for all ages, honestly. No, it's not a professional microscope, but it comes in handy especially when outside doing field work with bugs/plants/soil/etc. That's where the size and portability really shine. I've had colleagues who want to bring out a full-sized stereomicroscope into the field to magnify objects just a little bit more than a hand lens or magnifying glass. I tell them don't even bother with that, and hand them the pocket scope instead.It has a stand with a slot for microscope slides. If you have slides you want to look at, that's fine. I usually just stick the scope directly on top of whatever I'm trying to view, so the stand is not necessary. You have to hold the light button if you want it to stay on, which is the only annoying thing about it. I'm sure that's to prevent you from accidentally leaving it on and draining the battery. However, if I'm using one hand to position the specimen and one hand to zoom or focus, I do not have a third hand to hold the light button. Still, it's not such a terrible drawback. If you're using it outside, then there is usually plenty of ambient light that comes through. I've only used the light occasionally indoors and it has lasted for several years without needing a new battery. If you give it to a child who plays with it like a light saber then you might run into issues. Overall, it's great for the price.

Literally cannot believe this thing was so cheap. I bought one for my eight y/o for Christmas. Had to order another one for myself because I can’t stop playing with it 😆. Some reviews on Reddit mentioned the green model was the right magnification level to show cool images without overly fussy focusing for kids. But I just ordered the higher magnification one with the smartphone clip to experiment. Currently I’m just holding my phone camera up to the lens, so I’m excited to get the phone clip. I rarely leave reviews but had to report our extremely positive experience with this. And at the price point, it’s easy to replace if anything happens to it.

works fine

Pretty good for what it is. I have a smaller 60x-100x pocket microscope already (prefer its form factor, not much bigger than a Bic lighter). This pocket microscope is a little bit taller and thicker than a pack of cigarettes, just SLIGHTLY too bulky to comfortably fit in your pocket. That's annoying! The whole point of a pocket microscope is to bring it with you in your pocket, right? (Note that weight is NOT an issue, weighs about as much as an AA battery, quite light for its size.) The user interface isn't super user-friendly. You really need to use both hands to adjust focus or change magnification, which I find annoying because I usually have one hand on my sample and try to handle the scope with the other. But that's not easy.Other than its slightly-too-big size, I don't have any complaints about this device. Well there's a little bit of chromatic interference, it doesn't always show colors exactly correctly. Overall, for the price, totally suitable for children