kijip
02-22-2009, 05:01 PM
I got a few pms and emails about the microscope my dad got for T for Christmas. It was the Planet Earth one that went down to $14 at one point on Amazon's toy sales that comes with a webcam and software for viewing the slide images on your computer screen.
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Toys-Earth-Digital-Microscope/dp/B0017T3IG6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1235335631&sr=8-1
I thought I would post an update as to how it worked out.
It's not the best as a microscope alone, but it is serviceable for a little kid to have fun with. I think an older child might prefer something that is higher resolution. It is mostly made of plastic, so very lightweight and a little flimsy. The light works just fine so far. The premade slides are all viewable and it was easy enough for T to make some of his own slides to look at. What really shines for it though is the webcam, a feature I thought would never be used. First off, the software and the webcam both worked just fine on our Macs (even though the specs just list PCs). Second, T LOVES exploring the images from the slides with the computer. It is pretty much the main way he uses it. I would say he asks to set it up/hook it up 1-2 times a week and plays with it either with one of us or alone. It is fun for him to pick up something outside on a walk and save it to make a slide later. I think it would be a good tool for homeschoolers.
I would not pay more than about $30 for the quality of microscope it is but the webcam function made it more than worth the $14 my dad paid. I'd pay up to $30-40 for it I think.
I can't see him losing interest in it anytime soon as there are always more things to make slides from, LOL.
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Toys-Earth-Digital-Microscope/dp/B0017T3IG6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1235335631&sr=8-1
I thought I would post an update as to how it worked out.
It's not the best as a microscope alone, but it is serviceable for a little kid to have fun with. I think an older child might prefer something that is higher resolution. It is mostly made of plastic, so very lightweight and a little flimsy. The light works just fine so far. The premade slides are all viewable and it was easy enough for T to make some of his own slides to look at. What really shines for it though is the webcam, a feature I thought would never be used. First off, the software and the webcam both worked just fine on our Macs (even though the specs just list PCs). Second, T LOVES exploring the images from the slides with the computer. It is pretty much the main way he uses it. I would say he asks to set it up/hook it up 1-2 times a week and plays with it either with one of us or alone. It is fun for him to pick up something outside on a walk and save it to make a slide later. I think it would be a good tool for homeschoolers.
I would not pay more than about $30 for the quality of microscope it is but the webcam function made it more than worth the $14 my dad paid. I'd pay up to $30-40 for it I think.
I can't see him losing interest in it anytime soon as there are always more things to make slides from, LOL.