Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Thanks.
Larry
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Just out of curiosity along this topic, could you gain the same experience using a scanner and scanning in at a higher resolution. You could then use any picture viewing software to zoom in.
Pat
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Pat,
What got me thinking about using something other than a hand-held magnifying glass was my clumsy efforts to identify the perfs on the H-rate Uncle Sam's Hat issues (U.S. Scott #3264-69). I was trying to hold the glass with one hand and gauge with one hand and stamp with the third hand. I need almost 20X magnification to assure myself I'm lined up on the perf guage just right. I thought, "Wouldn't it be nice to hold the stamp under a mounted camera with both hands free and view my work blown up on a screen?". Surely I'm not the first hobbyist with that thought, thus my post in search of others who have tred the ground before me. A scanner, while useful for some tasks, would not help in this instance.
Larry
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04:12:01pm
I use a hands free goggle type magnifier. Here is a similar one on Amos:
https://www.amosadvantage.com/scottonline/product.asp?category=MAG&part%5Fno=MG35H&find%5Fcategory=WEB%5FALL&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=mg35h
It is very comfortable, works great and even accomodates my glasses.
Bob
(Message edited by parkinlot on January 20, 2011)
(Message edited by parkinlot on January 20, 2011)
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Thanks to thebiggnome and Bob but I'm hoping to find greater degree of magnification.
Larry
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How come they do not list the one you clip on the end of your nose, or on your ear so you can see who is attempting to mug you close up, or the one you stick up, oh, let's skip that one!
Richaard
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I actually use an ancient loupe on a stand that my grandfather gave me with the rest of his collection but I couldn't remember what it was called. Here's a modern one that's not too dissimilar:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TWO1AY/ref=asc_df_B000TWO1AY1396230?tag=thefind0216658-20&creative=395261&creativeASIN=B000TWO1AY&linkCode=asn
Occasionally I use a magnifying glass in conjunction for greater power.
Chris
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11:36:00pm
After several years of increasingly broad hints, my now adult childen bought me a Digital Blue Electronic Microscope some years ago,for a birthday or X-mas which are fairly close together anyway.
It has three magnifications, 10x, 60x, and 200x and projects the image onto the computer monitor. It is quite similar to the one shown here, but was marketed through some connection with the Smithsonian Store and advertized in Linns Stamp News. It is quite similar in size and shape to this one.;
Smithsonian Microscope;
http://www.shopping.com/Mattel-Digital-Blue-QX3-Microscope/info
The clarity of the image depends on the monitor you have and possibly some settings on the computer that are not something I fool not with. However it came ready to use and works quite well. It is especially useful when looking for plate varieties on stamps. The image can be saved or sent to others.
If I were home this week I would access it and post some images of the parts of Machin stamps that help you to determine their exact source. There is a graticule in the system so it is easy to get a very accurate measuement of the value size and setting, one of the most useful of the Deegam indicators.
Apparently there is an even newer version with greater magnification;
http://www.smithsonianstore.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=154972&search=microscope&src=S5370H&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=smithsonian_microscope&utm_content=none&utm_campaign=none
Charlie Jensen
Lecanto, Florida
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I purchased a USB Lindner Digital Microscope 20-200x magnification in France which probably means I paid too much for it. It works quite well but I have not used it to measure perforations.
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Hi all,
http://www.dealextreme.com/
Check out this site and the digital microscopes and magnifiers listed there. The best thing is that international shipping is free and the items are way too cheap. At another stamps forum people have been buying lots of stuff from them and have recieved material in two to three months. But first please check the customs duties of your country before ordering the material. I have placed an order for this item
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/52279
At $3.80 without any shipping I am willing to take the chance - the good thing is that they offer Paypal payment option and Paypal item tracking from their website. As soon as I recieve my first order without any hitch I will be ordering a lot of philatelically useful items listed there.
This is not a commercial posting - it is just to help others who are looking for cheaper philatelic accessories.
Saleem
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Hi
I ordered a digital microscope made by Celestron from this place in Toronto, Ont. (http://www.khanscope.com/)
I checked prices in Canada and online in the US and they seemed to have the best prices. I'll let you know what its like after it arrives.
Brian
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I was thinking also that a tabletop magnifying lamp might be what you want. Lee Valley had this one which I have, but is sold out. It is very good, bright light, clear sharp lens.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,44047,57079&p=57079
There should be similar ones available elsewhere.
Brian
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I saw a similar magnifying lamp, that Bhsxvet told about, at the flea market, just last weekend, but did not pay any attention to the price or the magnification power of it.
I personally use one that has 30 power magnification, requires one AA battery and I picked it up at Radio Shack a few years ago. I remove the battery after every use because since it doesn't get used very often, like most tools that are battery operated, the battery has a tendency to corrode after a year or so.
Mike
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Thanks to all.
I ended up ordering a Dino-Lite model that, according to advertising, has a measuring feature. Thought perhaps it would be useful in quickly determining flat from rotary and maybe even perfs. I spent more than I should but my wife just paid big bucks for us to go see Les Miserables so I figured I could splurge on a tool.
Not sure that the check-book register will recognize these finer points of financial planning.
Larry
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The 'digital microscope' arrived yesterday. Its fairly simple but gives good magnification from about 20X to 150X.
Here is Canada #197 . 
Canada 90a 
There is a measurement tool in the software. It seemed to work well at low and high magnification when I checked it by magnifying a ruler. The measurement tool doesn't work at in-between magnifications as far as I can tell so far.
Overall I'm happy with it.
Brian
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Brian,
Which model did you get? I am curious: Is this type of instrument somehow superior to a flatbed scanner (for stamps)?
Bob
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It is a Celestron model 44302. It doesn't replace a scanner. Its maximum field of view is about 2.5cm (1 inch), the minimum about 1/10 of that. It takes a high-resolution picture of that field of view and on my monitor displays it in a picture 38cm (>16 inches) wide. For most things the flatbed scanner is the way to go but for fine detail this works well.
Another way of putting it is that the scanner copies actual size whereas the digital microscope looks thru a magnifying lens between the object and the camera, like the zoom lens on a camera.
I hope that helps explain the difference
Brian
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It's probably used in real time, right? So checking stamps for flyspeck varieties, for example, is much faster than any scanner. I assume that a major advantage over a scanner is that you can easily examine 3D objects. If that's true, sounds like a fun instrument.
Bob
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I'm not sure if I misunderstood your comment, Brian but a scanner is capable of greatly enlarging the stamp image also by adjusting the DPI (Dots Per Inch) upward.
Bruce
First image is a stamp scanned at 600 DPI reduced by 50% so I could post it here. Also at 600 DPI, I can manually increase the size of the image on my screen by using the control + command quite a lot more.
Second image is the same image cropped to show detail
(Message edited by stampme on March 03, 2011)
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For most things the scanner at 600dpi is fine, but I can only enlarge that so far before it is too pixelated to interpret.
Example: from a page scanned at 600dpi (original file 21.3MB)I selected a "P" from "POSTA" and enlarged it. 
Then with the microscope focused on the same "P" on the same stamp (I get a file size 336KB) I then reduced the file size in my graphics program to show here 
Most of us will never need this level of nit-picking but if George Washington has a hair out of place I can find it. Its mostly just a fun toy!
Brian
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Let me try again with the second image to get it approximately the same dimensions as the last one. 
Brian
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That shows the difference at that ridiculous level of magnification. On one you see the individual ink spots, on the other fuzzy pixels.
At lower magnifications it is good for looking for microprinting etc because you set it up and just slide the stamps under it to see it on your screen in "megaprint" size. Makes some thing easy, otherwise a neat toy.
Brian
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The "P" in your example, it look like it is on woven paper...is it?
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I think what we are seeing is the pattern of ink spots making up the background color (which looks solid to the 'naked' eye)
Brian
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12:00:47pm
The only problem I have with my microscope is placing the stamp exctly where I want it on the viewing table, but that is due to some diabetic neuropathy problems that have crept into my life. Often I set three or four stamps in a black strip from some old trimmed Vario pages so that I can manipulate them easier.
With my Machin collection the distance from the value to the frame, left and bottom yields a measurement that is often the easiest way to differentiate between printings.
Since most of that series are gravure, the direction of printing is another helpful parameter.
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I used 600 DPI as an example but scanner can go to 1400 DPI producing a very large image. I'm happy either way that we have these tools at our disposal for close-up and personal inspections of our stamps!
Bruce
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Hey!
I just got the magnifyer that Saleem pointed out. I bought it from Deal Extreme back on January 26th!!! It's actually not bad for $3.80 plus free shipping. It just sucked that it took this long to get it. I actually forgot that I ordered it. I'd love to order a second one but at that long of a waiting period, I think I'll hold off.
Pat
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09:44:39pm
" ...I actually forgot that I ordered it. ..."
I hate to admit it but that has happened to me a few times over the years.
.
But the kicker is that the surprise and excitement of opening an envelope or parcel with no idea what it in it makes it worthwhile.
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Dear Saleem & Pat,
Thanks guys-I just put in my order as well. Check back with you in 3 months or so!!
Dan C.
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looked good to me; i ordered one as well
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Just purchased a Celestron 44302 digital microscope. Having problems getting it to work on my computer. After reading other posts and the information that came with the scope, I expected it to be plug and play. My computer is running Windows Vista with the latest updates. It recognized the scope instantly. I followed all directions for installing software. However, when trying to use the scope, all I get from the software is "connecting to digital microscope" and then nothing ever happens. I uninstalled, reinstalled both the software and the driver - no difference. Reinstalled software again from the Celestron website - nothing. Monkeyed around in computer control panel to try to change the associations file with the microscope or the autoplay feature but it doesn't show up as a device that is affected by autoplay. Contacted Celestron - they provided no support, but did promptly ship me another microscope. Same results. More research done and have now tried two different, independent webcam softwares - the one called ManyCam actually gives me a popup that says the "Celestron Digital Microscope is in use by another application, please close that application". Nothing else is open or running on my computer. I have unabled and re-enabled the scope in the control panel. I have restarted the computer as well. Still get the same response from the webcam software. Wondering if anyone would have any advice or experience as I am past my comfort level on messing around with computer functions......Thanks, Sally
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01:05:22pm
I know you say you have uninstalled and installed the software, but sometimes the order matters too. So check what you did against this list, and then maybe try it again:
1) Unplug the microscope (I assume USB)
2) Uninstall the software - make sure you get a report of a clean uninstall -- no "unable to ..." messages.
3) reboot the computer
4) reinstall the software (BEFORE plugging in the microscope)
5) plug in the microscope
Hopefully, it will be recognized and the drivers installed.
The problem also may be with VISTA and the software. There is a reason that Vista was the shortest lived of the Windows operating systems. Personally, I won't touch a computer with it. Would rather role back to Windows XP.
Roy
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Thanks Roy. I had uninstalled the software and then rebooted. Just tried re-installing it. Connected the microscope and got the same response. Interestingly enough, the software knows when the microscope isn't connected. It just won't connect after I plug it in to the USB port (which I know works because we use that port for cameras and ipods).
I am aware of Vista's problems and why we have it is a long story. I do have access to an XP machine, but not until Thanksgiving. So, will keep messing with it, but thanks for the quick response.
Sally
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Sally,
That is the same model I have. I am running Windows XP and it's fine. If I start the software without the microscope plugged in I get a message saying to plug in the microscope and then the software closes. The microscope has to be plugged in first. Roy covered all I can think of to do except try another usb port, which likely won't make a difference from what you say you see, but it is easy to try.
I hope you can get it to work
Brian
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Thanks Brian. I have tried different USB ports, plugging it in before starting the software, starting the software and then plugging it in, etc... The software recognizes when it is not plugged in, but will never connect once I do plug it in. I am afraid that it is just a Vista issue. It just seems like there should be something in Vista that could be turned off. The only other suggestions I have found involve hacking into the registry and I am unwilling to do that for a microscope.
Appreciate the suggestions from Roy and Brian - this is what makes StampoRama such a wonderful site.
Sally
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Just an update: tried the microscope on computers running Windows XP and Windows 7. The scope worked perfectly on both of them. No installation problems at all. So it is something in Vista. The microscope has a new home with someone from my local club with a compatible computer. 
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Does anyone have experience using a magnifier or microscope hooked to a computer? I need two hands free to manage the perf guide and stamp. What do you like and what should I avoid?
Thanks.
Larry
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re: Digital Microscope?
Just out of curiosity along this topic, could you gain the same experience using a scanner and scanning in at a higher resolution. You could then use any picture viewing software to zoom in.
Pat
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re: Digital Microscope?
Pat,
What got me thinking about using something other than a hand-held magnifying glass was my clumsy efforts to identify the perfs on the H-rate Uncle Sam's Hat issues (U.S. Scott #3264-69). I was trying to hold the glass with one hand and gauge with one hand and stamp with the third hand. I need almost 20X magnification to assure myself I'm lined up on the perf guage just right. I thought, "Wouldn't it be nice to hold the stamp under a mounted camera with both hands free and view my work blown up on a screen?". Surely I'm not the first hobbyist with that thought, thus my post in search of others who have tred the ground before me. A scanner, while useful for some tasks, would not help in this instance.
Larry
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re: Digital Microscope?
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Immediate Past President - West Essex Philatelic Society www.wepsonline.org
20 Jan 2011
04:12:01pm
re: Digital Microscope?
I use a hands free goggle type magnifier. Here is a similar one on Amos:
https://www.amosadvantage.com/scottonline/product.asp?category=MAG&part%5Fno=MG35H&find%5Fcategory=WEB%5FALL&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=mg35h
It is very comfortable, works great and even accomodates my glasses.
Bob
(Message edited by parkinlot on January 20, 2011)
(Message edited by parkinlot on January 20, 2011)
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re: Digital Microscope?
Thanks to thebiggnome and Bob but I'm hoping to find greater degree of magnification.
Larry
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this post
re: Digital Microscope?
How come they do not list the one you clip on the end of your nose, or on your ear so you can see who is attempting to mug you close up, or the one you stick up, oh, let's skip that one!
Richaard
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re: Digital Microscope?
I actually use an ancient loupe on a stand that my grandfather gave me with the rest of his collection but I couldn't remember what it was called. Here's a modern one that's not too dissimilar:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TWO1AY/ref=asc_df_B000TWO1AY1396230?tag=thefind0216658-20&creative=395261&creativeASIN=B000TWO1AY&linkCode=asn
Occasionally I use a magnifying glass in conjunction for greater power.
Chris
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
20 Jan 2011
11:36:00pm
re: Digital Microscope?
After several years of increasingly broad hints, my now adult childen bought me a Digital Blue Electronic Microscope some years ago,for a birthday or X-mas which are fairly close together anyway.
It has three magnifications, 10x, 60x, and 200x and projects the image onto the computer monitor. It is quite similar to the one shown here, but was marketed through some connection with the Smithsonian Store and advertized in Linns Stamp News. It is quite similar in size and shape to this one.;
Smithsonian Microscope;
http://www.shopping.com/Mattel-Digital-Blue-QX3-Microscope/info
The clarity of the image depends on the monitor you have and possibly some settings on the computer that are not something I fool not with. However it came ready to use and works quite well. It is especially useful when looking for plate varieties on stamps. The image can be saved or sent to others.
If I were home this week I would access it and post some images of the parts of Machin stamps that help you to determine their exact source. There is a graticule in the system so it is easy to get a very accurate measuement of the value size and setting, one of the most useful of the Deegam indicators.
Apparently there is an even newer version with greater magnification;
http://www.smithsonianstore.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=154972&search=microscope&src=S5370H&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=smithsonian_microscope&utm_content=none&utm_campaign=none
Charlie Jensen
Lecanto, Florida
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re: Digital Microscope?
I purchased a USB Lindner Digital Microscope 20-200x magnification in France which probably means I paid too much for it. It works quite well but I have not used it to measure perforations.
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re: Digital Microscope?
Hi all,
http://www.dealextreme.com/
Check out this site and the digital microscopes and magnifiers listed there. The best thing is that international shipping is free and the items are way too cheap. At another stamps forum people have been buying lots of stuff from them and have recieved material in two to three months. But first please check the customs duties of your country before ordering the material. I have placed an order for this item
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/52279
At $3.80 without any shipping I am willing to take the chance - the good thing is that they offer Paypal payment option and Paypal item tracking from their website. As soon as I recieve my first order without any hitch I will be ordering a lot of philatelically useful items listed there.
This is not a commercial posting - it is just to help others who are looking for cheaper philatelic accessories.
Saleem
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re: Digital Microscope?
Hi
I ordered a digital microscope made by Celestron from this place in Toronto, Ont. (http://www.khanscope.com/)
I checked prices in Canada and online in the US and they seemed to have the best prices. I'll let you know what its like after it arrives.
Brian
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re: Digital Microscope?
I was thinking also that a tabletop magnifying lamp might be what you want. Lee Valley had this one which I have, but is sold out. It is very good, bright light, clear sharp lens.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,44047,57079&p=57079
There should be similar ones available elsewhere.
Brian
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this post
re: Digital Microscope?
I saw a similar magnifying lamp, that Bhsxvet told about, at the flea market, just last weekend, but did not pay any attention to the price or the magnification power of it.
I personally use one that has 30 power magnification, requires one AA battery and I picked it up at Radio Shack a few years ago. I remove the battery after every use because since it doesn't get used very often, like most tools that are battery operated, the battery has a tendency to corrode after a year or so.
Mike
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re: Digital Microscope?
Thanks to all.
I ended up ordering a Dino-Lite model that, according to advertising, has a measuring feature. Thought perhaps it would be useful in quickly determining flat from rotary and maybe even perfs. I spent more than I should but my wife just paid big bucks for us to go see Les Miserables so I figured I could splurge on a tool.
Not sure that the check-book register will recognize these finer points of financial planning.
Larry
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this post
re: Digital Microscope?
The 'digital microscope' arrived yesterday. Its fairly simple but gives good magnification from about 20X to 150X.
Here is Canada #197 .
Canada 90a
There is a measurement tool in the software. It seemed to work well at low and high magnification when I checked it by magnifying a ruler. The measurement tool doesn't work at in-between magnifications as far as I can tell so far.
Overall I'm happy with it.
Brian
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re: Digital Microscope?
Brian,
Which model did you get? I am curious: Is this type of instrument somehow superior to a flatbed scanner (for stamps)?
Bob
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re: Digital Microscope?
It is a Celestron model 44302. It doesn't replace a scanner. Its maximum field of view is about 2.5cm (1 inch), the minimum about 1/10 of that. It takes a high-resolution picture of that field of view and on my monitor displays it in a picture 38cm (>16 inches) wide. For most things the flatbed scanner is the way to go but for fine detail this works well.
Another way of putting it is that the scanner copies actual size whereas the digital microscope looks thru a magnifying lens between the object and the camera, like the zoom lens on a camera.
I hope that helps explain the difference
Brian
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this post
re: Digital Microscope?
It's probably used in real time, right? So checking stamps for flyspeck varieties, for example, is much faster than any scanner. I assume that a major advantage over a scanner is that you can easily examine 3D objects. If that's true, sounds like a fun instrument.
Bob
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11:41:24pm
re: Digital Microscope?
I'm not sure if I misunderstood your comment, Brian but a scanner is capable of greatly enlarging the stamp image also by adjusting the DPI (Dots Per Inch) upward.
Bruce
First image is a stamp scanned at 600 DPI reduced by 50% so I could post it here. Also at 600 DPI, I can manually increase the size of the image on my screen by using the control + command quite a lot more.
Second image is the same image cropped to show detail
(Message edited by stampme on March 03, 2011)
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re: Digital Microscope?
For most things the scanner at 600dpi is fine, but I can only enlarge that so far before it is too pixelated to interpret.
Example: from a page scanned at 600dpi (original file 21.3MB)I selected a "P" from "POSTA" and enlarged it.
Then with the microscope focused on the same "P" on the same stamp (I get a file size 336KB) I then reduced the file size in my graphics program to show here
Most of us will never need this level of nit-picking but if George Washington has a hair out of place I can find it. Its mostly just a fun toy!
Brian
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re: Digital Microscope?
Let me try again with the second image to get it approximately the same dimensions as the last one.
Brian
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re: Digital Microscope?
That shows the difference at that ridiculous level of magnification. On one you see the individual ink spots, on the other fuzzy pixels.
At lower magnifications it is good for looking for microprinting etc because you set it up and just slide the stamps under it to see it on your screen in "megaprint" size. Makes some thing easy, otherwise a neat toy.
Brian
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10:02:47am
re: Digital Microscope?
The "P" in your example, it look like it is on woven paper...is it?
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re: Digital Microscope?
I think what we are seeing is the pattern of ink spots making up the background color (which looks solid to the 'naked' eye)
Brian
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
04 Mar 2011
12:00:47pm
re: Digital Microscope?
The only problem I have with my microscope is placing the stamp exctly where I want it on the viewing table, but that is due to some diabetic neuropathy problems that have crept into my life. Often I set three or four stamps in a black strip from some old trimmed Vario pages so that I can manipulate them easier.
With my Machin collection the distance from the value to the frame, left and bottom yields a measurement that is often the easiest way to differentiate between printings.
Since most of that series are gravure, the direction of printing is another helpful parameter.
Login to Like
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02:51:08pm
re: Digital Microscope?
I used 600 DPI as an example but scanner can go to 1400 DPI producing a very large image. I'm happy either way that we have these tools at our disposal for close-up and personal inspections of our stamps!
Bruce
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re: Digital Microscope?
Hey!
I just got the magnifyer that Saleem pointed out. I bought it from Deal Extreme back on January 26th!!! It's actually not bad for $3.80 plus free shipping. It just sucked that it took this long to get it. I actually forgot that I ordered it. I'd love to order a second one but at that long of a waiting period, I think I'll hold off.
Pat
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
09 Mar 2011
09:44:39pm
re: Digital Microscope?
" ...I actually forgot that I ordered it. ..."
I hate to admit it but that has happened to me a few times over the years.
.
But the kicker is that the surprise and excitement of opening an envelope or parcel with no idea what it in it makes it worthwhile.
Login to Like
this post
re: Digital Microscope?
Dear Saleem & Pat,
Thanks guys-I just put in my order as well. Check back with you in 3 months or so!!
Dan C.
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re: Digital Microscope?
looked good to me; i ordered one as well
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re: Digital Microscope?
Just purchased a Celestron 44302 digital microscope. Having problems getting it to work on my computer. After reading other posts and the information that came with the scope, I expected it to be plug and play. My computer is running Windows Vista with the latest updates. It recognized the scope instantly. I followed all directions for installing software. However, when trying to use the scope, all I get from the software is "connecting to digital microscope" and then nothing ever happens. I uninstalled, reinstalled both the software and the driver - no difference. Reinstalled software again from the Celestron website - nothing. Monkeyed around in computer control panel to try to change the associations file with the microscope or the autoplay feature but it doesn't show up as a device that is affected by autoplay. Contacted Celestron - they provided no support, but did promptly ship me another microscope. Same results. More research done and have now tried two different, independent webcam softwares - the one called ManyCam actually gives me a popup that says the "Celestron Digital Microscope is in use by another application, please close that application". Nothing else is open or running on my computer. I have unabled and re-enabled the scope in the control panel. I have restarted the computer as well. Still get the same response from the webcam software. Wondering if anyone would have any advice or experience as I am past my comfort level on messing around with computer functions......Thanks, Sally
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BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50 - Easy browsing 500 categories
01 Nov 2012
01:05:22pm
re: Digital Microscope?
I know you say you have uninstalled and installed the software, but sometimes the order matters too. So check what you did against this list, and then maybe try it again:
1) Unplug the microscope (I assume USB)
2) Uninstall the software - make sure you get a report of a clean uninstall -- no "unable to ..." messages.
3) reboot the computer
4) reinstall the software (BEFORE plugging in the microscope)
5) plug in the microscope
Hopefully, it will be recognized and the drivers installed.
The problem also may be with VISTA and the software. There is a reason that Vista was the shortest lived of the Windows operating systems. Personally, I won't touch a computer with it. Would rather role back to Windows XP.
Roy
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re: Digital Microscope?
Thanks Roy. I had uninstalled the software and then rebooted. Just tried re-installing it. Connected the microscope and got the same response. Interestingly enough, the software knows when the microscope isn't connected. It just won't connect after I plug it in to the USB port (which I know works because we use that port for cameras and ipods).
I am aware of Vista's problems and why we have it is a long story. I do have access to an XP machine, but not until Thanksgiving. So, will keep messing with it, but thanks for the quick response.
Sally
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re: Digital Microscope?
Sally,
That is the same model I have. I am running Windows XP and it's fine. If I start the software without the microscope plugged in I get a message saying to plug in the microscope and then the software closes. The microscope has to be plugged in first. Roy covered all I can think of to do except try another usb port, which likely won't make a difference from what you say you see, but it is easy to try.
I hope you can get it to work
Brian
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re: Digital Microscope?
Thanks Brian. I have tried different USB ports, plugging it in before starting the software, starting the software and then plugging it in, etc... The software recognizes when it is not plugged in, but will never connect once I do plug it in. I am afraid that it is just a Vista issue. It just seems like there should be something in Vista that could be turned off. The only other suggestions I have found involve hacking into the registry and I am unwilling to do that for a microscope.
Appreciate the suggestions from Roy and Brian - this is what makes StampoRama such a wonderful site.
Sally
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re: Digital Microscope?
Just an update: tried the microscope on computers running Windows XP and Windows 7. The scope worked perfectly on both of them. No installation problems at all. So it is something in Vista. The microscope has a new home with someone from my local club with a compatible computer.
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