microEYE DISCOVERY

mircroEYE DISCOVERY is designed for use in public spaces such as museums, discover centres, science centres, zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens etc.  It is also used in educational programs and nature/interpretive centres.  See our "Where in the World" page to see who is currently using a microEYE DISCOVERY.

The purchase of a microEYE DISCOVERY microscope includes the microscope body, shroud, curved arm with LED illuminator, 12v power supply (with suitable plug for your country), a 2 metre HDMI cable, spare LED lamp and instructions.  We also offer an optional universal plinth.  A plinth is not required if the microscope will be attached directly to a display table.  We also offer a specimen turntable, a turntable extender kit and a polarising attachment as optional extras.  Please note, however - an HDTV is not included.

No ... motorising the controls does not necessarily make an instrument easier to use!  We have purposely kept the ZOOM and FOCUS controls as smooth, manual sliders - to mimic the operation of a traditional microscope.  We want users (young and old) to be able to control the zoom (magnification changing) and focus to suit the object being examined and learn how the two sliders affect the resulting image.

The microEYE DISCOVERY microscope plugs into a HDTV or projector via an HDMI cable.  DISCOVERY's camera operates at 1080p resolution at 25/30hz (frames per second (fps)).  It is important to ensure that the HDTV selected will accept a 25/30hz (fps) signal at 1080p.

An HDMI cable is supplied.  This connects to your HDTV or projector (we do not recommend using computer monitors) via one of its HDMI input connectors.  A plug pak (power supply) is also supplied for connection to your mains power (with plug fitting suitable for your country).

We have found that each customer's needs are different.  DISCOVERY may be going into an existing exhibit or a new building.  Layout and space constraints can affect the size and placement of the TV so we leave it up to you to decide what best suits your needs.  The only thing we stress - get an HDTV (consumer type is fine) not a computer monitor.  Most computer monitors operate at HD (1080p) @ 60hz (fps).  The camera in DISCOVERY is rated at 25/30hz (fps) at full HD.

The choice of screen size is an interesting one.  Biggest is not always best!  Choosing the screen size will depend on the space you have available or whether the screen is for the benefit of an individual user or an assembled group.  A useful rule of thumb is the following calculation to work out the best distance for a viewer to be away from the screen for the best viewing experience:

Divide the diagonal measurement of the screen by .84 (i.e. a 32inch TV divided by .84 = 38.09 inches - this is the minimum distance you should be from a 32inch TV for the best viewing).

We usually recommend placement of the TV above and behind the microscope (so the user can relate zoom and focus movements with what is happening on the screen) and as this will mean the user will be relatively close to the TV, a screen size from about 22 inches to 32 inches would be acceptable.  Screens larger than this will work well for viewers at a greater distance, but the user will probably be too close to the screen for optimum viewing.

Yes!  Although at this stage our microscopes are live video only, we can recommend a simple and cost effective third party product to capture an image or video.  Check out the range of Elgato products: 

https://www.elgato.com/en/gaming/game-capture-hd60 

Capture an image or video to your Windows laptop or Macbook while simultaneously connected to your HDTV.

There is sometimes confusion with the words "fields of view" and "magnification" and how they vary with TV size.  The microEYE DISCOVERY microscope uses a macrozoom lens with special internal focusing.  Because the lens has the ability to focus on flat objects and objects up to a height of around 100mm (4 inches) without having to move the object or microscope body, the fields of view and magnifications will vary depending upon that height.  Our specifications detail the various on-screen fields of view and magnifications obtainable with different object heights.

Yes.  We have designed the microEYE DISCOVERY microscope so that the two cables (HDMI and power) can be hidden from inquisitive hands by creating a hole in your display top (we can supply hole placement/dimensions).  You can also choose to have the cable run behind the instrument in a protective sheath (not supplied).

The illuminator (built into the arm of the microscope) is a high intensity, white LED spotlamp, rated for 20,000 hours.  This equates to approximately 7 years usage, assuming the microscope is on 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year!  So, in theory, you won't need another lamp for quite a while.  However, just in case your LED lamp doesn't live up to the rating above, we supply you with a spare!

The optional universal plinth also uses LED technology, in the form of a long life, high intensity white 48 LED array.

Yes.  We offer a two year warranty for optical and mechanical components and a one year warranty for electrical components (HD camera, wiring harness and plug pak (power supply).

No.  We have designed microEYE DISCOVERY to operate all day, every day.  This is one of the major advantages - a robust, interactive microscope with little or no maintenance.  The only part that may need replacement is the coverglass (protecting the internal lens).  It is easy to replace.  The camera and lens units are designed to operate without maintenance for long periods, however if there is a problem, we are here to help with replacement parts, advice or we will arrange a "return to base" for repair or replacement.

It is designed, manufactured and hand assembled to order in New Zealand.

You can purchase microEYE DISCOVERY and DISCOVERYlite exclusively from us here at Micro Imaging.  Buy direct from the manufacturer!  We fully support all our sales, worldwide.