Post by: jcarter on July 09, 2006, 07:32:16 AM
Need your advice again,,,,,,,,,,,
My grandkids are now old enough to want to look at bugs and things with a microscope, so I was looking at the kind that you can hook up to the computer and view on the big screens.
This one looks excellent,
The QX5
http://www.compuvisor.com/qx5diblmicom.html
Not very expensive, but lots of fun, I would think.
Have any of you got one of these, or could recommend one?
Thank you,
Jane
Post by: D76 on July 09, 2006, 11:10:10 AM
Post by: jcarter on July 09, 2006, 11:16:42 AM
Actually Ive got it planned for here, as they have a real 'scope at their house.
We have a telescope with a 6 inch mirror that we are taking up to Maine to their vacation house in the mountains, as there is no power there, and thus no light pollution.
So that should be a lot of fun. For the clock drive, we can run an invertor off our truck, and not have to power up the noisy generator.
Isnt it fun when the grandkids get old enough to really enjoy fun stuff!
Jane
Post by: D76 on July 09, 2006, 11:24:09 AM
Post by: jcarter on July 09, 2006, 11:50:41 AM
Actually they dont have a TV in either house, the house in the city(Boston) has many computers, and a DVD player, but no television.
The grandkids sometimes watch our old TV when they are here.
All our kids are quite musically talented, maybe thats why they dont really take time to watch TV.
I scanned thru all our channels yesterday just to see what was actually ON! Oh, my god, I just cant believe some of it! Brain dead,,,,,,,Cable, many many channels, but we watch perhaps only 5 or 6. Cant wait for the day that our cable companies let us purchase "a-la-carte".
The PBS stations, History Channel, Discovery, and this type of TV is what we mostly watch. Red Sox sometimes,
Jane
Post by: Frances144 on July 09, 2006, 02:01:26 PM
F
Post by: kelly on July 09, 2006, 08:51:07 PM
Others seem to be several hundred dollars.
Post by: jcarter on July 10, 2006, 06:39:04 AM
All in all, It will be enough at least for a couple of years when something probably better will be on the market.
Jane
Post by: gunug on July 10, 2006, 03:55:19 PM
Post by: jcarter on July 10, 2006, 08:09:02 PM
I would need a bit of instruction for the add ons that youve spoken about.
But I do think that I will order this thing. Get the kids started and me to learn about it. We love fun stuff!
Thanks!
Jane
Post by: Parker on July 10, 2006, 10:53:10 PM
but the QX5 SUCKS!
Don't waste your money
it's nothing like a real microscope
It focuses very poorly
I have the PC version of an older model, the QX3, and it hasn't changed much.
There's only one focus, unlike on regular microscopes where there's a 10x in the eyepiece
But hey, if you're only looking at small stuff to impress the kids, knock yourself out
For science class, it did not work that well.
Take care,
Parker
And yea gunug,
the stuff at the school is so much better than the QX3/4/5.
The gooseneck camera is also pretty cool,
we have one of those
unfortunately, as much as i've tried to fight it, we've switched over from macs to total PC's (Dell Optiplex's)
We also have a camera adapter at school for the regular accu-scopes.
They work pretty well
Anyways, happy shopping
Take Care y'all,
Parker
Post by: jcarter on July 11, 2006, 06:35:23 AM
Which would you recommend?
Thanks,
Jane
Post by: sandbox on July 11, 2006, 06:52:58 AM
there are so many great photos on the web, like:
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html...tro/insect.html
Post by: kelly on July 11, 2006, 08:45:30 AM
For what you want it's going to be ok.
The better ones are hundreds of dollars.
Teens like Parker are just not easily impressed.
Post by: jcarter on July 11, 2006, 10:37:29 AM
But they are getting ready at 5, 7, and the cousin is almost 6, to start to experiment by themselves with the educational toys.
I think that the oldest grandchild, Henry, has gotten to see the electron microscope where our daughter works. That thing is just amazing.
This is probably why Teens like Parker probably dont remember what it was like when they were 5 and 7. They get to see the great stuff and these little toys just can't compare.
It is wonderful to see the opportunities that the youngsters of this age have!
Thanks again for the advice, yes, this QX5 will be great for the grandkids, then I will pass it on to our local grammar school when they get tired of it.
Jane
Post by: Parker on July 11, 2006, 03:57:36 PM
well it's not that we're just not easily impressed (because i'm pretty impressed with the performance of my iBook G3 500...) for what i used it for it wasn't good
however i remember when dad would pick his finger for blood and we'd look at it under the scope
truthfully, maybe i was just a little hyped up last night
the scope should be fine for what you need it for
ps: make some money off of it
put it up on eBay when they get tired of it
which i should consider doing with my QX3 if i can't find mac software for it that i can get without paying a penny
and quoted from my father, "my toys get really expensive these days..."
lol
enjoy! if you had a PC (cough cough), i'd send you my QX3 at no charge
Post by: jcarter on July 11, 2006, 05:49:34 PM
But all science is fun, and should be for youngsters, no matter at what level they are.
Tis important to get them interested in science(and music) at the earliest age possible.
And why sell something like this on ebay when you are done, when you have people in your own town who need things like this, so just donate them to the schools.
Anyway, thanks for all the info on this 'scope, I will get it.
Thanks again,
Jane
Post by: Parker on July 11, 2006, 11:13:59 PM
well from a teenager, i'm always looking for ways to add up nickels and dimes,
and eBay has been a great way for me to start.
I personally donate a lot to my school
and that is my time
i'm there for at least 4 hours after the bell concluding the school day rings
and there on saturdays to promptly announce touchdowns and baskets
enjoy the scope
-parker
Post by: jcarter on July 12, 2006, 08:57:10 AM
(I take evening classes too, even us grandmothers are never too old to learn new stuff.)
One of our kids took the Sea Semester class, that was just wonderful! Highly recommended.
http://www.sea.edu/home/index_flash.asp
Its right in our hometown.
Jane
Post by: gunug on July 12, 2006, 02:05:39 PM
Post by: Parker on July 12, 2006, 02:11:17 PM
we got the microscope when i was in like 4th grade and my sister was in 1st
if i was a 6th grader, i think i'd want something a little more advanced.
Post by: jcarter on July 12, 2006, 02:28:52 PM
The big telescope will be fun also, up in Maine.
The oldest one is just beginning to love to go kayaking, and we have some wonderful places around here for that.
The little ones are not ready, but they sure love my husband's motorboat.
Anyway, they all love science and are always asking how things work.
Seems that the toys that my husband and I buy, are ones that we want too.
Like rockets and things that were our favourites when we were young.
My husband just gave the oldest one his first try at a gun, and he really took to it.
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=...C7TeDDWEJ482Cz1
Jane
Post by: gunug on July 12, 2006, 02:32:12 PM
Post by: jcarter on July 12, 2006, 02:40:53 PM
http://www.beeman.com/
Its so much fun, and it is quiet.
Using the lighter pellets, its muzzle velicity is over 1000 fps, so it will tend to rodents and vermin with one shot. We don't do that anymore though.
We use the regular targets or lightbulbs(old) that we can toss into the ocean.
Jane
Post by: Parker on July 12, 2006, 03:38:31 PM
and my dad gave me a try with his 9mm glock once
Put an apple on top of a target... shooting apples is fun
i remember at camp once, we would take a tennis racket, and apples, and swing at apples... fun fun fun
Post by: gunug on July 16, 2006, 09:25:01 AM
Post by: jcarter on July 16, 2006, 09:57:38 AM
Jane