Dino-lite handheld scopes?

[josmann]

So I watch eBay a lot and one thing I've always noticed is that these Dino-lite USB microscopes go for crazy amounts of money! Meanwhile, similar looking Alibaba-esque scopes can be had for well under 50 USD. Are Dino-lites just incredible optical devices or is something weird going on with the market for these?

[Scarodactyl]

They are better than the really cheap similar-looking ones at least, but I find some of their marketing a bit questionable too. Many happy users in the gem trade though.

[MichaelG.]

The U.K. dealer Pepler Optics has a good selection of this style of USB microscope, and usefully has an easily browsed calalogue to help with comparison.
https://www.pepleroptics.com/digital-mi ... t_dir=desc

It’s probably worth spending a few minutes looking there.

MichaelG.

[Scarodactyl]

Good form factor but if that isn't essential an industrial zoom lens like an optem or navitar zoom 6000 can often be had cheap and paired with a c mount camera and they have reasonably good optics.

[josmann]

Good form factor but if that isn't essential an industrial zoom lens like an optem or navitar zoom 6000 can often be had cheap and paired with a c mount camera and they have reasonably good optics.

That’s a good call - I’ve been meaning to set up something like this to capture full, high-res images of slides before I put them under the scope.

What you mention about gem folks honestly makes a lot of sense - if these have a foothold as an “industry standard”, the price might inflate significantly. Hopefully I can nab one for a deal some day and see how it compares to the cheapos!