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MIT Museum has been using the MiScope microscopes in a docent-led  
demonstration and drop-in activity since November. We have one  
MiScope on a cart connected to a laptop and a second screen pointed  
the other direction, so additional people can watch the demo. Image  
quality is fine, not great, but the form factor I think has been very  
successful. It is very easy to use to view just about anything up  
close. Hair and clothing are favorites, as well as the materials that  
we provide. The body is polycarbonate and I have some concerns about  
it scratching, particularly on a rock or glass sample, but it hasn't  
been damaged yet. I definitely would not put it out without a docent:  
there is no way to secure the MiScope to its USB cable. The standard  
viewing software is not attractive, and overly complicated for a  
simple microscopes demo, Zarbeco may be willing to write a new  
application, or if you have a programmer on staff, I believe it sends  
a standard webcam image to the computer.

Jon


On Jan 25, 2007, at 2:50 PM, Elizabeth Humbert wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> ********************************************************************** 
> *******
>
> Hey everyone -
>
> I'm a new member of the list, and am probably bringing up a topic  
> that has been beaten to death.....but:
> I am looking to purchase a few MiScope digital microscopes for a  
> hands-on fossil lab we have here at the Museum of the Earth.
> http://www.zarbeco.com/miscope_1a.htm
>
> They look very efficient and easy to use; and my worry about them  
> "walking off" is lessened by the presence of a docent whenever the  
> scopes are in use.  Does anyone have opinions, warnings, or ideas  
> about their use?  I'd love to hear from someone who has used them  
> in a museum setting.
>
> Feel free to respond to me directly, off list.
> Thanks!
>
> Elizabeth Humbert
> Discovery Labs Manager
> Museum of the Earth at the Paleontological Research Institution
> [log in to unmask]
>
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