Review on ViTiny Digital Microscope Measurement Function by Bob Candfield

Ordered this webcam based on a recommendation from others on here. Some observations: 1) The software that Oasis Scientific provides for this camera on their website only allows you to capture images up to 640 x 480 pixels. That's 0.3MP, not the claimed 2MP resolution. I also tried the alternatives they referred to (Yawcam among others), similar solutions followed. Out of curiosity I tried Photobooth and Mixscope on a Mac, the results are the same as on Windows, ie neither of these programs could set resolutions higher than 640x480. I was contacted by Michael from Oasis based on my previous two star rating. Scientific (OS). He told me that to get full 2 megapixels, the UM-CAM software needs to be installed from the mini-disk that came with it. In addition, the UM-CAM software also offers other functions such as distance measurement, etc. That's good to know, but I'm wondering why the UM-CAM software (or at least enabling 2MP drivers) isn't on the OS website is available. Many laptop users have slot-loading CD drives that cannot use mini-CDs. Why is the webcam installed without a driver when a driver is needed to achieve full functionality? A commenter found Vitiny software on an OEM website, so I'm wondering why the OS doesn't refer to that software, but rather to alternatives that don't hit the advertised 2MP. 2) The stand works great as a webcam: it's very nice, made from clear polycarbonate, with sturdy, wide legs and a nice set of rubberized grips to hold the camera securely. However, these beautiful legs make it difficult to take close-up photos under the microscope. Although there are many ways to mount a Vitini using a standard microscope holder, the rectangular Vitini body is not as easy to install as a more standard round microscope. 3) LEDs are highly glaring as their light is not very diffuse and/or They are installed too close to the lens. Thankfully, the LED brightness control works great. As soon as you turn the brightness of the LEDs down a lot and add a lot of ambient light, the images become much sharper. Since the LED light is blue, the ambient light gives the photographed a more natural color. In chip ID photography, I've found that illuminating the chip with an angled light source from the side adds enough contrast to make the chip markings stand out. Unfortunately, I had already requested a Revain refund when Michael contacted me about the requirement to use UM. -CAM software. However, the operating system could have supported its product better. Ideally they will make the latest version of the UM-CAM software available for download on their website. They must also state in their Revain listing that the installation software comes on a mini-CD and that the camera can only achieve its advertised performance with UM-CAM, even if it behaves like a plug-in webcam. from the box. In the end I settled on a Supereyes 500X 5MP USB microscope and tripod. This camera is automatically recognized by Windows in its native resolution and can be accessed via Windows Explorer. The Super Eye Stand is a simple but handy microscope stand that allows you to capture images at a wide range of magnifications. In addition, the Supereyes LED array has at least one amber LED to slightly improve the blue shift that the built-in LEDs embed in each image. As with the ViTiny, it's best to create excellent ambient lighting conditions rather than relying on built-in LED arrays. As far as I know, the vitiny 02 and its stand are intended for a different use, which is to use a webcam with the occasional close-up shot (albeit a good one!). However, I loved that Michael contacted me about issues with my product. Accordingly, I have upgraded my rating from one star to three stars.