Carson MicroBrite Portable Digital Pocket Microscope for Kids or Adults, Accurate 60x-120x Zoom, Handheld Microscope with Phone Clip & Smartphone App (MM-350)

I had read mixed reviews on pocket microscopes but this one seemed to have mostly good ones and I am so glad I got 2 of them for my kids stockings! The images are so clear. I took pics with my phone without having the clip thing. Here are images of a blade of grass, moss, a dead leaf and a piece of fabric. Highly recommend!

Item was much smaller than anticipated, but solid. Functional right out of the box. Just needed a battery to get going. 8yr old's mind was blown by some of the things he was able to see.

An amazing, cheap little pocket microscope that works wonderfully. I suspect some of the negative reviews may be from folks unfamiliar with microscopes. Images are reversed in most microscopes -- confusing to eye and hand -- but just a matter of getting used to. Used in traditional fashion, with material placed under a glass slide on a table, this scope is unbelievable for the price. For folks wishing to use the microscope OTHER than on a flat surface, you can indeed focus hand-held, but you may need to be a little more realistic than some of the negative reviewers. At these high magnification levels, very small movement towards or away from your object greatly affect the focus, -- so, you'll want to start (or stick!) with the lowest magnification on this microscope for handheld use, and use a steady hand, or brace your hands against a steady surface if you can. But even with nothing to brace on, I had no issue in the field examining detail on objects I couldn't see with the naked eye -- just shakier than if braced! I have several jewelers loupes, and I like them and use them often, but the magnification levels don't match the scope for seeing detail on very small objects. It's definitely nice to have both if you routinely inspect very tiny items. Finally, the LED light is quite bright, and the focus and zoom knobs surprisingly solid. Amazing for it's diminutive size! And, seriously, detractors: it's a pretty awesome pocket tool, all for not much more than a cup of Starbucks and a muffin!

My son loves this! Easy to use and very portable. Easy to carry on your pocket. Really works well.

This mini microscope is a really cool item and is useful for a lot of different applications where seeing the make up of of an item or substance is important. the LED provide adequate lighting and the unit is compact enough that is can be put into a bag or backpack with not real increase in weight. The view is clear as long as the lenses are kept clean at both ends but may be an issue for those of us who wear glasses, as I do, but I make it work. The controls are, however a little loose and sloppy and I can see that over time and significant use they would simply become worse. The focus knob isn't nearly as sturdy as it should be and letting go of it with your fingers can set it off from where you had initially set it up, so a more precise focus is needed with closer tolerances to that the knob isn't loose or "sloppy" is needed. Also the magnification is somewhat similar to the focus knob, it does it's job, but will get looser over time and needs closer tolerances in it's manufacturing to make it reliable and stays where it is told without the act of letting go of it causing it to move slightly. Other than that it is a great tool and I do recommend it for field use just making you aware that it is what it is and that it will never be a replacement for a true microscope. But if you are looking to have a field microscope in your pocket this is a great way to get it, I do recommend a carrying case for it so that dirt and dust do not get inside of it making the adjusting knobs wear out prematurely, and to prevent being packed with other objects from causing additional sloppiness in the focus and magnification adjusters! I do wish I had bought the microscope with the slide viewing slot in it as this would have expanded it's capabilities for me but might not be necessary for everyone.

This thing is awesome ! Small enough to pack up and throw in a purse or bag . We love taking it on a hike with us ! Great product for price

I really hoped this would be a handy little tool, but unfortunately it fell well short of what was advertised. What went wrong: The first red flag was the LED light—not just dim, but not working at all. With no usable illumination, the whole purpose of the product was compromised. The build quality felt flimsy. The housing creaked and shifted when I tried to adjust or handle it, which made the experience feel unstable and cheap. It was difficult to use. The focusing mechanism didn’t move with any smoothness, and aligning the subject was awkward. When I did manage to get something in view, the image was blurry and lacked clarity. The magnification didn’t deliver the crisp detail I was expecting based on the listing. The product didn’t match the description. I was sold on the idea of a portable microscope with solid optics and illumination. What arrived felt like a compromise in every area. What could have been better: A working LED (or at least a warning if the sample unit has light issues). Fixed or solid internal components so the focusing and zoom feel reliable. Sharper optics so that the image clarity actually matches the advertised 60-120x magnification. Better instructions or support to help users get from “unboxed” to “clear view.” Final thoughts: This one was a let-down. If you’re looking for a dependable pocket microscope with working lighting and decent clarity, this product didn’t deliver. I really hope the manufacturer addresses these issues so future buyers don’t feel the same frustration.

This works surprisingly well. My daughter is using it to view everything—yarn, coins, leaves, printed pages, petals, fabric—she loves it. And it’s easy to use. Can’t wait to get outside with it once it’s above 0.