Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Digital Blue QX3+(tm) Microscope and the Digital Blue(tm) QX5 Microscope?
The QX5 has all the great features of the QX3+ with the following upgrades:

• Improved image quality with video capture at VGA (640 x 480) resolution
• Better performance with video frame rate (up to 15fps)
• Super Bright LED Lighting (clearer images, longer lasting)
• Latest version of QX5 includes sample measurement tools

What file formats can I import into my QX5 Microscope?
You can import the following formats:

• BMP
• JPEG

What file formats can I export?
You can export the following formats:

• BMP
• AVI

How much light do I need to use the microscope?
You control the lights in Live View with the Lighting Controls on the screen. Click the top bulb to use top lighting. Click the bottom bulb to shine light up through the sample platform. Moving the slider up makes your sample look brighter. Moving it down makes your sample less bright. Experiment to find what works best with each specimen.

Where can I find more items to examine?
In addition to your yard, your refrigerator, and around your neighborhood, you can also find interesting specimens at the following places:

• Bait shops
• Crafts stores
• Science museum gift shops
• Plant nurseries
• Public aquarium gift shops
• Rock and gem stores
• Ocean beaches
• Hobby shops (they often have prepared slides)

Does the microscope work on an Apple Macintosh* computer?
The microscope is not supported on Macintosh platforms. Thus, Digital Blue does not offer software or drivers for Macintosh.

Do you have Linux drivers for the microscope?
The microscope is not supported on Linux* platforms. Thus, Digital Blue does not offer software or drivers for Linux.

What is the image resolution of the microscope?
The Microscope has a resolution of 640x 480. The software scales images to 512x384 to fit within the application video frame.

I need more information about the microscope's magnification: Does the microscope perform digital or optical magnification? How many magnification levels are there? How close to an object can the microscope focus?
The microscope uses optical magnification. You can set the microscope to one of three magnification levels, which roughly correspond to 10X, 60X, and 200X. These levels are approximate and have been measured using a 15 in. (38 cm.) monitor. Actual magnification will vary according to the size of your monitor. Each magnification lens has optimal focus lengths of 23-29mm.

Can I use a USB HUB with the microscope?
If you have a HUB that has its own external power supply, it will work with the microscope. Hubs that receive power only from the USB port on the computer do not supply enough power.