You can plug this microscope into the USB port of your laptop and view it through a downloadable app or existing photo function

A pluggable USB 2.0 digital microscope is a simple device that can magnify objects onto a digital screen using a USB port. The magnification is good, easy to install, and may be best for elementary school students. We were sent to the microscope for testing, this is its performance.

You can install a pluggable USB 2.0 digital microscope through any USB port. The microscope can be used with its own application, which can be downloaded to Mac and PC computers. The microscope can also be used with existing Photo Booth tools on Mac and Apple laptops, Windows cameras on PCs, and existing Photo Booth tools on Linux machines.

Inside the box, you will get a microscope with a USB cable, a flexible arm that can be screwed into the microscope and also into the stand. There is also a quick start guide, which includes the URL of the application. The camera has a built-in light that will automatically turn on when the camera is used.

Succulents enlarged under the pluggable USB 2.0 digital microscope GearBrain

The working principle of the pluggable USB 2.0 digital microscope

We tested the microscope on a MacBook Air using the pre-installed Photo Booth tool. It is easy for Photo Booth to recognize the camera. We were able to select the camera, and the field of view of the microscope lens was immediately displayed on the Photo Booth screen of the MacBook Air.

You can focus by turning the ring of the camera and microscope itself-it's very simple. The magnification is not that strong-but for a student who is just beginning to study science, you can certainly see something more closely. We put budding plants, leaves and some wood bark under the camera.

Pluggable USB 2.0 digital microscope with flexible arm observation stand, compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux (2MP, 250x magnification)

The biggest problem is to prevent the bracket from tipping over. If we do not bend the camera onto the stand, we can keep the stand upright. But in order to get the best possible field of view and keep the camera as close to the object as possible, we had trouble not dropping the camera.

There is a small suction cup at the bottom of the camera, which is indeed connected to the base, and the plastic sheet is printed with a grid. The grid helps to measure the sample. But even if it is firmly connected to the base by suction, the camera will fall down every few seconds.

The plug-in USB 2.0 digital microscope works by connecting to the USB port of the digital device iStock

The pluggable USB 2.0 digital microscope is priced at $39.95. For one of these devices, this is a very reasonable price, as the price ranges from US$26 to US$200 and above. However, these higher-priced models have stronger magnification, in some cases up to 1000 times.

Pluggable USB 2.0 digital microscope with flexible arm observation stand, compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux (2MP, 250x magnification)

We think that the pluggable USB 2.0 digital microscope is an interesting addition for hobbyists and even elementary school classrooms, because teachers can use it to zoom in on something and then project their screen onto a projector on the wall.

You can get beautiful and clear images magnified 250 times in normal view. The ability to instantly integrate the microscope with Photo Booth or Windows Camera (instead of downloading an application) makes it easier to use. We also think that the price is very stable, especially for beginner microscopes.

However, the inability to keep the microscope upright and stable is a disadvantage. If you don't tilt the camera excessively, the stand will prevent the device from falling. But this does limit the flexibility that the microscope should have.

We think this is a good device for beginners, as long as they don't expect the microscope to be of professional quality.