Road Test: Dino-Lite AM2011

A HANDHELD digital microscope that plugs into a USB port and displays on the screen.

microscope

WHAT is it?

A hand-held digital microscope.

How does it work?
Unlike a traditional microscope - which involves lots of fiddling around with slides and mirrors, and taking turns to squint through a single eyepiece - the Dino-Lite plugs into your computer via a USB cable and displays the field of view on the monitor. You simply point the lens at the specimen, and focus with the knob on the side of the barrel; built-in LED lights around the lens provide the illumination.

If it's hand-held, is the image shaky?
At low magnification it's OK, but the closer you hold the lens to the specimen, the higher the magnification. It goes up to 200x, and you'll need a stand for that. We used the excellent MS33W flex-arm model ($70).

Is it fun?
It's fascinating to look at the details in everyday objects like banknotes and flowers. If you get some dead insects you'll keep the kids amused for hours. The software enables you to capture stills and video of the field of view, too.

Any caveats?
This is the basic Dino-Lite model, so don't expect it to reveal cellular structures in your navel fluff. Also, it doesn't work with all computer operating systems; check the website.

Price: $159.50, scinet.com.au