Q: USB Microscope Not Showing in Software

Troubleshooting: <ul> <li>If your laptop has a built-in webcam, the software may default to the webcam upon install. Click on Settings (the gear icon) and switch the device to "USB Microscope" to resolve the issue.</li> <li>If the microscope is still not showing, it may be due to a USB camera lock-out issue (due to Windows privacy settings). Follow <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/394677/fix-my-webcam-doesnt-work-on-windows-10/">this article</a> for instructions on how to resolve this issue.</li> <li>We do not support connection to smartphones, iPads/tablets, or Chromebooks. If you wish to find a USB-to-device connector and use third party software to connect your USB microscope to one of these devices, you may, but we don't directly support this usage.</li> </ul> If you are looking for other phone support for our digiscoping products (optical products that connect to smartphones), please visit our <a href="https://carson.com/multicam/">MultiCam</a> webpage. You can also check out the video tutorial below for more troubleshooting information: <ul> <li>For Windows operating systems: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg9PrzQa6CQ">CarsonCam App Tutorial - Microsoft App for Windows OS</a></li> </ul>

Question 1

Connecting Your USB Microscope to Software

Accepted Answer

If you are looking to download our software/driver, which is the software that allows you to connect your Carson digital microscope (i.e., Zorb, eFlex, or zPix models) to your computer, please follow the instructions in this article.

Download & Install

If you haven't already downloaded the software for your microscope, please do so here.
If you have previous Carson microscope software or any version of xploview installed, please uninstall that software first, reboot your computer, and then install the latest software using the link above.
Choose the appropriate download for your operating system. Our USB microscopes are compatible with Windows and macOS computer operating systems with USB ports.

Troubleshooting:
If your laptop has a built-in webcam, the software may default to the webcam upon install. To switch to your USB microscope, open Settings (by clicking on the gear icon) and change the device to "USB Microscope."
If the microscope is still not appearing, it may be due to a USB camera lock-out issue (this can occur on Windows computers due to their privacy policies). Please follow this article to learn how to resolve the issue.
At this time, our USB microscopes do not support connection to smartphones, iPads/tablets, or Chromebooks. If you would like to connect your USB microscope to one of these devices, you may purchase a USB

Question 2

USB Microscope Not Showing in Software

Accepted Answer

Troubleshooting:

If your laptop has a built-in webcam, the software may default to the webcam upon install. Click on Settings (the gear icon) and switch the device to "USB Microscope" to resolve the issue.
If the microscope is still not showing, it may be due to a USB camera lock-out issue (due to Windows privacy settings). Follow this article for instructions on how to resolve this issue.
We do not support connection to smartphones, iPads/tablets, or Chromebooks. If you wish to find a USB-to-device connector and use third party software to connect your USB microscope to one of these devices, you may, but we don't directly support this usage.

If you are looking for other phone support for our digiscoping products (optical products that connect to smartphones), please visit our MultiCam webpage.

You can also check out the video tutorial below for more troubleshooting information:

For Windows operating systems: CarsonCam App Tutorial - Microsoft App for Windows OS

Question 3

How to Use and Focus a Pocket Microscope

Accepted Answer

Pocket microscopes are small, portable, battery-powered optical devices used for on-the-go magnification. They do not require software or a computer connection. This article covers how to use our handheld pocket microscope models; MM-200, MM-24, MM-280O, MM-280B, MM-280G, MM-300, MM-380, MM-450, MP-250, MP-300 & MP-400.

When using a pocket microscope, it's very important to place the object you're viewing flat against the microscope base and to focus the microscope properly.

Start Flat
Lowest Zoom First
Focus Slowly

Let's go over each one:

1. Start Flat - It's easiest to learn how to focus properly when you are resting the microscope and the object on a flat surface, like a table or desk. An object should NOT be placed inside the clear base OR far away from the bottom of the base. Objects must be flush with the bottom of the microscope in order to see them clearly.

2. Lowest Zoom First - Out of the box, your top zoom knob should be on the lowest zoom, but triple check that the knob is on the lowest setting any time you use the microscope. Microscopes are much easier to focus at the lowest power. Turn the light on and look through the top of the microscope.

****3. Focus Slowly ****- Turn the bottom knob to focus the microscope, turning very slowly until the image becomes clearer. Fine tune as needed.

Other Things to Note:

After some practice focusing on flat objects, you can try your hand at 3D objects. Start by focusing the microscope on

Question 4

Everything About Microscope Eyepieces

Accepted Answer

If you're wondering about the function of a microscope's eyepiece, you've come to the right place! The eyepiece is a part of the optical system that magnifies the object you are trying to view. The eyepiece and objective are the two main parts of a microscope's optical system. In this article, we review everything you need to know about microscope eyepieces.

You can read the full article here.

In this article, we cover the following questions:

What is the eyepiece of a microscope?
Does light enter the eyepiece first in the microscope?
What does the eyepiece do on a microscope?
What does the ocular lens do on a microscope?
What does "WF" mean on an eyepiece?
What is the magnification of the eyepiece?
How can you find the eyepiece field number (FN)?
What is the field of view on a microscope?
What does the number of mm (for example, 30 mm) mean on an eyepiece?
What is the eye relief of an eyepiece?
How do you clean microscope eyepiece lenses?
How do you adjust microscope eyepieces?

Question 5

Why is the Microscope's Image Upside Down?

Accepted Answer

Most optics, such as microscopes or telescopes, may display an image that is upside down and backwards. In optics, this is the standard and is completely normal - the microscope is not broken. This is due to the nature of the optic itself. **All **pocket microscopes are like this, as well as most reflector telescopes.

Pocket microscopes are usually not used for tasks that require the additional expensive optics needed to correctly orient the image. The image could be corrected with prisms or other systems, but it dramatically increases the cost. If you are looking at cells or micro-organisms, it doesn't usually matter if the image is upside down and backwards.

Due to reflector telescopes' optical design, the image these telescopes display may also be at an angle. Reflector telescopes are intended for astronomical use only, so for that purpose it doesn't matter if the moon is upside-down, backwards, and rotated.

Carson offers many models of pocket microscope and telescope that include a smartphone adapter. With these adapters, you can use your phone to mirror/flip the image through other apps, including our CarsonCam app.

Question 6

What is Immersion Oil and Why is it Used?

Accepted Answer

Oil immersion microscopy is a technique used in modern microscopy to increase the resolution and clarity of microscopic images. It involves using a special type of oil to fill the gap between the microscope's objective lens and the microscope slide. This process improves the light-gathering ability of the microscope, allowing for sharper images and more accurate measurements.

You can read the full article here.

In this article, we review:

How oil immersion microscopy works
How to use the oil immersion technique
Advantages and disadvantages of oil immersion microscopy

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