How useful is the 80x mag. for kids? AmScope has one that is only 20 and 40x with LED lighting - is cooler light worth the loss of the 80x?
218724
It's worth it and soon wonderful to open the eyes up for kids. I use it all the time with my 6 year old grandson to look at everything from dust to dead insects to???? It's just a fun toy that helps kids "see" a new world!! Do it.
2165059
I would think it is the perfect choice for a child as it is auto-focus. You just hold it up to your eyes and look through. Amazing!
1464878
It does better than comparable lumen models I have owned. The lighting location matters, I.e. if you turn on a lamp on the opposite wall you'll see very little change... but if you turn the overhead lights on near the screen it is considerably washed out. With my mini blinds closed in the middle of the day the picture is still very good. Short throw does matter I believe. Not sure if I'm saying this correctly but I believe the closer the source the less effect light pollution has on it. If your looking for a projector to use with over head halogen lighting you'll need a significantly higher lumen version. It does better than comparable lumen models I have owned. The lighting location matters, I.e. if you turn on a lamp on the opposite wall you'll see very little change... but if you turn the overhead lights on near the screen it is considerably washed out. With my mini blinds closed in the middle of the day the picture is still very good. Short throw does matter I believe. Not sure if I'm saying this correctly but I believe the closer the source the less effect light pollution has on it. If your looking for a projector to use with over head halogen lighting you'll need a significantly higher... » Read More It does better than comparable lumen models I have owned. The lighting location matters, I.e. if you turn on a lamp on the opposite wall you'll see very little change... but if you turn the overhead lights on near the screen it is considerably washed out. With my mini blinds closed in the middle of the day the picture is still very good. Short throw does matter I believe. Not sure if I'm saying this correctly but I believe the closer the source the less effect light pollution has on it. If your looking for a projector to use with over head halogen lighting you'll need a significantly higher lumen version. « Show Less
1735325
x20 is half the magnification of x40, btw it's a nice little magnifier considering the price, but more like x10.
911878
I can't specify "field of view," but what I can tell you - that I think is important for you to know - is that when I replace a 10x eyepiece in my low-power binocular microscope (1x objective), the image is greatly magnified from what it would appear through the eyepiece . . . perhaps about 5x as much (50x total?). I really would have liked it to stay the same, but I can understand why it doesn't. If you have a 40 or 50x eyepiece (or so) that you replace with the camera, my guess is you will see about the same picture as you see through the eyepiece. The clarity is good. Of course, it could be better, but probably not for the same price. Now that I understand the limitations, etc., I am quite pleased with it. I built my own lens and stand for it, using the barrel of a cheap flashlight and a double convex lens that just happened to fit the tube perfectly (24mm). I added a diaphragm to increase depth of field, and a baffle between the lens and camera to minimize "splash" within the tube. These are all held in position within the tube by O-rings (from Harbor Freight). The added diaphragm requires an additional light source, which I got from eBay for $3.50 (music stand LED lights on flex arms). Works pretty good!
1115150
I wouldn't recommend it for kids. It's very finicky on any setting other than auto. The white balance takes a lot of tinkering when shooting indoors or in less that perfect light.
43019
In my opinion you need a better range of optics. There is very little light gathering ability difference between x40 and x42. I would recommend the 8x40 and 10x50's. I know, the 10x50 are heavier but they also are better in low light. You never know when you are going to see something that is a once-in a lifetime occurence. I think it is worth the weight.
1781805
btw...my tasco world class3-9x40mm loses clarity with sundown or lower light. I forgot to note this point in earlier comment. it's a damn good build and buy for the money (51.99) but, more demanding purposes will require a much better scope. p.s. this would not be my combat scope on an ar15 either.
1706393
I cannot, but I can give you my perspective on the StarMax 90 mm by Orion. It is small, portable, and clear, but I wear glasses, and it is hard to see through with the 10x eyepiece. I think all of the small scopes will be. I wish I had spent the extra $100 and bought the 6" Dobsonian mounted reflector, but I wanted to use this during the day for spotting animals from a distance. I gave this as a present to my wife who hasn't worked with the telescope yet, and she may have different opinions. I did get her the camera mount, polar lens, and an extra eye piece that doubles the magnification. I think that you'll find that both are probably one in the same IMO. I do like the table top mount that the Orion has. I think once the weather warms we will be able to give a more thorough opinion. I think I will end up getting the reflector with the Dobsonian mount the color CCD eyepiece from Orion, and a few extras. If you have room I'd suggest the 6" reflector, or this http://www.telescope.com/Orion-XT45-Dobsonian-Telescope-amp-Beginner-Barlow-Kit/p/102027.uts . I feel that we may outgrow the Starmax 90, but I think the 4.5 or 6 with Dobsonian would well used for the lifetime of star gazing.
864776
No, those run around $150+. This is still pretty good if your looking for something for the kids though, it's cheaper, lights up and has sound effects and is pretty durable. It has a fixed blade. If your a collector though this might not interest you.
1520477
Dump the crappy CFL's and use proper photo-floods. I use 500w photo floods and make sure the umbrellas are not super close. This is a really good-value-for-money setup. It won't last a million years but if you are doing casual shooting, occasionally, it is just fine.
134299
Kids can see out of them but they are pretty heavy and solid. For little kids I'd go for the little Bushnell 10 x 25. Its small, has a canvas bag, real light and you can see pretty good with it.
771791
I use my 24-70 at about 50 mm. There are many times that I don't use it as a shoot-through. I will put it just in front and above my model to create an interesting catch light in the eyes. Overall, I have found it to be a great light source to have around.
1184008
That was the same question I asked myself. So I bought both. The answer is yes the 3-9 X 40 scope provides a better image at low level light conditions. That is the scope I use on my gun.
181830
The D800e isn't the greatest for low light situations. I'm currently trying to shoot sports with it and the late football games are nearly impossible after dark with field lighting.
1144605
My son is 11 yrs old and it is great for the purpose of seeing various objects under low and high power magnification. I would highly recommend buying some prepared slides as the quality is very good and much better than anything you could mount and stain yourself (see my other reviews)
1708965
I did not have any problem using the 40 X objective lens. I suggest you call AmScope. They are helpful. Jim