Digital microscopes under $300

The lowering costs of LEDs and USB connections have allowed some quite inexpensive digital microscopes to come on the market. In addition to entertaining the kids (and adults too) and providing a closer look at collectables like coins or stamps, these microscopes can also be used for inspection, documentation, dermatology, and biology.

1. The Dino-Lite Digital USB microscope. $249.00 USD

I've used this microscope for education purposes, and it works great. Easy for kids to use,  and just as much fun for adults. Just hook it up to a computer and have fun. It takes great images and up to 200X magnifaction. More information here.  

2. LCD Celestron Digital Microscope. $299.00 USD

Looks like a normal microscope, but wait there's an LCD screen instead of the normal eye piece. No need to hook up a computer to look at digital images of slides, but you can transfer your images to a computer via USB. The microscope has up to 400 X optical magnification, but bump that up to 4000 X when you add in the optical zoom. More information here. 

3. Mighty scope Digital Microscope  $199.00 USD

This handheld USB microscope is almost identical to the Dino-Lite microscope. It has up to 200 X magnification. More information here. 

4. USB Digital Microscope Camera System. $99.00 USD

At 130 X, a little less magnification than other models, but also costs less than $100. More information here.

5. Turn your web cam into a digital microscope. 

It you like to tinker, try this out. Check out instructions here.