















Plugable 800x Inverted Digital/Optical USB Microscope
$89.95 USD
SKU: USB2-MICRO-800XAmazon Rating : (46 Reviews)
Features
- Hobby Focused—Useful and fun for students, collectors, testers, and anyone interested in exploring the microscopic world
- Transmissive and Reflective—Inverted microscope with allows larger objects such as petri dish cultures or metallurgical samples to be viewed. Built-in dimmable LED illumination above and below the stage for both reflected and transmitted lighting modes.
- High Definition—2.0 Megapixels, up to 800x magnification (Note: Final magnification corresponds to monitor size)
- Broad Compatibility—Uses a webcam chipset and sensor to support nearly any operating system using standard webcam software. Users with an Oculus Rift may require additional setup
- 2 Year Warranty—We love our Plugable products, and hope you will too. All of our products are backed with a 2-year limited parts and labor warranty as well as Seattle-based email support
Explore the World at the Microscopic Level With Plugable’s Inverted Digital USB Microscope!

Great for kids, hobbyists, and professionals, the Plugable 800x Inverted USB 2.0 Digital Microscope (USB2-MICRO-800X) allows you to work quickly and effectively at the microscopic level. Common uses include classroom exploration, observing plant and animal cells, fiber analysis, surface inspection, and much more.This adaptable tool can be used for either surface inspection or slides with both transmissive and reflective lighting. The rugged plastic body makes it ideal for children, classrooms, or industrial applications.
Features

Built-In Lighting
The Microscope includes built-in LEDs both above and below the stage that can be dialed through a range of brightness levels to properly illuminate your subject.
Transmit light through translucent samples using the top LED with single lens condenser, or reflect light off opaque subjects with the bottom LEDs. With this versatility, no discoveries are left in the dark.

Multiple Viewing Options
Unlike a standard compound microscope that can only view thin slides, this inverted microscope design can also accommodate larger subjects like metallurgical samples and petri dish cultures.
Placing microscopic objects in just the right spot can be difficult, but the position adjustment knobs make it easy to set the stage for seeing small things in a big way.

No Host Device Neccessary
Simply extend the built-in 800x optical eyepiece to view samples without the need for software.
Installing 3 AA batteries (not included) allows you to unplug the detachable USB cable and leave your computer behind.
Compatibility

Fine Focus
The focus adjustment knobs on either side of the microscope provide precise control over the position of the focal point, allowing a clear view of the individual layers of a sample.

250x Magnification
Adjust to 800x magnification to see the microscopic world! See cells and particles not visible to the human eye.

In the Box
- 1x Microscope body
- 1x USB Cable
- 1x Petri Dish
- 1x Dropper
- 1x Tweezers
- 3x Specimen Slides
- 4x Blank Slides
- 1x Accessory Box
- 1x Quick Start Guide
Specifications
Interface | 4ft USB 2.0 Cable |
Magnification | 800x Fixed |
Lighting | Transmissive (above stage) and reflective (below stage) LEDs |
Resolution | 1600x1200 Snapshots, 640x480 Video |
Sensor | 2/3in (11mm) CMOS |
Controller | EtronTech eSP570A |
In The Box
Item and Quantity | Item Notes |
---|---|
1x USB 2.0 Inverted Digital/Optical Microscope | |
1x Micro USB Cable | |
1x Petri Dish | |
1x Accessory Box | |
1x Tweezers | |
1x Dropper | |
4x Blank Slides | |
8x Cover Slips | |
3x Prepared Slides | |
1x Quick Start Guide |
Video Capture Modes
Video Capture Source | Data interface | Video Formats | Audio Formats | Video Capture Resolutions | Other Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Camera Sensor | UVC | MJPEG | No Audio | 640x480 @ 30Hz |
Image Capture Modes
Data Interface | Capture Resolutions | Image Format | Features | Chipset |
---|---|---|---|---|
UVC | 1600x1200 | JPEG | eSP770 EtronTech |
Power
Port | Placement | Power Host / Device | Connection Type | Notes | Voltage | Amperage | Wattage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USB-A to Host | Cable End | Host | Bus Powered (No Power Adapter) | 0.0W |
Connection To Host
Port | Placement | Version and Link Rate | Features |
---|---|---|---|
1x USB-B (2.0) | Cable End | USB 2.0 (480Mbps) |
Included Cables
Port Type (Side 1) | Cable Specification | Port Type (Side 2) | Cable Length | External Power for Cable |
---|---|---|---|---|
1x Male USB Micro-B | USB 2.0 (480Mbps) | 1x Male USB-A | 1.3m/4.25ft | No |
Get Started
- Install software from our Plugable drivers page.
- Attach the included USB cable to the back of the microscope
- Attach the other end of the USB cable to any USB port
- Open "Plugable Digital Viewer" from your apps menu
- In settings, ensure the microscope is the selected device
Questions? We're here to help! Please reach out to us at support@plugable.com
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You can always contact support if you need help too!
"Camera being used" error or no image in preview window
Some specific device classes, such as USB cameras, are handled differently by operating system privacy/security settings. If you aren't seeing an image output from the microscope, or you see a message that your "Camera is being used by another application", you may need to change these privacy/security settings.
Instructions for Windows
- Press the or click on the Windows key to open the Start Menu, and type "Settings" into the search bar.
- Then, click the gear-shaped icon to open up the Settings menu.
- In the settings, click Privacy.
- Click Camera, on the left hand side menu.
- Now, we can see that the ability for the system to Allow access to the camera on this device is off. We also see that the ability for the system to Allow apps access to your camera is off as well. Please note, one or both of these options may be off for you.
- Click Change, to turn on the ability for the system for the system to Allow apps access to your camera. Then, click to Allow apps to access your camera, click the little button to toggle it from off to on.
- Now, we should see that the Camera access for this device is on, and the ability for Windows to Allow apps to access your camera is on as well.
- We can double check this by scrolling down on this page to make sure the Digital Viewer software is listed.
- Restart the computer after confirming the privacy settings are on. Once the computer reboots, please open the Digital Viewer program only. We want to make sure to leave other programs closed so we have a clean environment to test the microscope.
Click on the gear-shaped icon in the in the top left corner of the Digital Viewer window to enter the Settings. Then, click on the drop-down menu for Device, and pick the USB Microscope. Then click Apply to make the change.
- Now, you should see the USB Microscope is set as the default device. Feel free to change the resolution or other settings, and start examining things!
Click Here, to see an official article from Microsoft if you'd like to get further details about privacy and security settings.
Instructions for macOS
- Click on the Apple Menu icon in the top left of your screen, and then click on System Preferences.
- Click on Security & Privacy to open more options.
- Click on Privacy, and then on Camera. You should see a listing for the Digital Viewer, and may see other other camera programs and capable apps listed as well.
- Check the box next to the Digital Viewer listing. Depending on your settings, you may need to click the lock at the bottom of the screen and put your password in to authenticate changes. Restart the computer once the Digital Viewer is checked.
- Restart the computer after confirming the privacy settings are on. Once the computer reboots, please open the Digital Viewer program only. We want to make sure to leave other programs closed so we have a clean environment to test the microscope.
Click on the gear shaped icon in the top left corner of the Digital Viewer window to enter the Settings. Then, click on the drop-down menu for Device, and pick the USB Microscope. Then click Apply to make the change.
- Now, you should see the USB Microscope is set as the default device. Feel free to change the resolution or other settings, and start examining things!
Click Here, to see an official article from Apple if you'd like to get further details about privacy settings for your Mac.
We hope this was helpful! Feel free to reach out to us directly at support@plugable.com if you have any questions or concerns, and we'll be here to help you.
Thank you