Live Science Verdict
Constructed with an LCD digital video display , multiple lenses and XY phase dental plate sailing , the Celestron PentaView feels professional , enable specimen to be regard by a large audience and is an excellent pedagogy instrument .
LCD monitor enables multiple simultaneous spectator
Images can be visualize to a laptop computer and smartboard
The Celestron PentaView is a good-looking digital microscope with a professional feel.
Takes pic and video
high-pitched magnification
mechanically skillful XY stage
The PentaView by Celestron has a mechanical XY stage with secure clips, top and lower lights which are dimmable and can be used simultaneously, rough and fine focusing, and a wide range of objective lenses.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Portable
Projection of springy images is not possible
XY mechanical leg fitting is erratic
Pupils enjoyed examining the prepared slides that came with the Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Images are a little grainy
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The Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope has been a joy to review , and we loved being able to use it as a whole class . Pupils have learned so much , thanks to its multiple showing and effigy projection capacity , and have found it a mythic tool for collaborative workplace .
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Head:180 - degree rotating LCD module with touch - screen door monitorEyepieces : Digital photographic camera supply 10X magnificationObjective lenses:4X , 10X , 20X , 40X and 60XStage : mechanically skillful stage with XY navigationLight seed : Adjustable 6V LED and toplightCondenser : N.A. 0.65Focusing : Dual ( coarse and fine)Extras : AC adapter , USB cable , AV / TV cable length , 8 GB SD calling card , touch pen , 10 disposed slides , dust cover , hard carry case , adjustable diaphragm with built - in RGB filtersAdd - ons : Celestron have a range of disposed slides and insect specimen
Celestron has designed the PentaView LCD with a riches of professional hint , such as mellow exaggeration , XY stage sailing , adjustable dual lighting and a very fashionable and durable carry case . It has also been bang-up to be able to snap and picture tissues and live specimen , both in the research lab and during fieldwork .
Overall , the Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope has been cracking sport to experiment with , and a fantastic addition to our microscopy suite . We extremely commend it for use in schools and at home .
Digital microscope image of onion cells at 100X magnification.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
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Celestron PentaView LCD Digital Microscope
Design
The PentaView LCD digital microscope by Celestron has been designed with many professional feature that allow for high magnification image , still and moving , to be viewed , captured and projected to multiple observers at the same time . This alleviate a high level of collaborative chemical group employment in the science lab , in the classroom or in the arena , and enhance the pedagogy and learning experience hugely .
Although the PentaView does not have an ocular lens , the LCD blind provides 10X exaggeration . The rotating nosepiece has place for four of the five documentary lenses that come with this microscope . The fifth , 60X objective lens can be exchange with any of the others easily , by way of a simple screw fitting . Thus , 600X magnification is achieved . The digital 4X rapid growth subprogram increases the blowup further , to 2,400X.
Other professional features admit an XY mechanically skillful phase with a sturdy side clip ; this allows the coast to be accommodate securely in position , then navigated in horizontal and vertical planer , enable you to search the specimen systematically without call for to affect it .
Digital microscope image of onion cells at 40X magnification.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
The PentaView also has two sources of illuminance : one at the bottom to shine luminance up through the sloping trough and another at the top , an adjustable glare that illuminates the stage and sloping trough from above . Both lights are dimmable , and the two can be used at the same clock time . to boot , the rotating diaphragm magnetic disk also domiciliate three filter , red , green and blue , to enhance images if required .
design with group wake and photography firmly in mind , the LCD digital screen , with Mount Rushmore State card and USB spark advance , transform this microscope into an educator ’s dreaming tool . We bang being able to certify how to gear up a cadre slide , then utilise the digital LCD screen to talk through what could be seen during the navigation and focusing set - up process .
We were then able-bodied to photograph a exemplar example and project it onto a Chromebook , using the USB cable’s length , then use the Chromebook ’s casting engineering to air it to our Smartboard . Similarly , video footage of microorganisms in pond water was captured , cast and look at by groups of aroused pupils as well .
Group viewing of live microorganisms using the Celestron PentaView increased pupil engagement and collaboration skills.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Finally , the portability of the PentaView is also worth remark . The microscope is reasonably lightweight , so can be behave by adults and older baby . It can also be powered by electric battery , so you may apply it outdoors or in locations without a power origin . The project function stay possible in the field when combined with a laptop . Furthermore , the PentaView comes with a delightful carry case . It is inflexible , yet light and attractive . There is a pick of grip or body shoulder strap , so it is well-situated to transport .
Performance
The Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope is on the leaflet of performing bright . It is equal to of high magnification : 2,400X is much higher than most fairly priced unaccented microscope . However , this performance is not matched by a respective high resolution . Similarly , although the PentaView is capable of photograph still and moving images , it does not appropriate the streaming of moving images in actual - metre .
When view increased magnification , we have a bun in the oven the bailiwick of view to reduce , subcellular structures to enlarge and resolution to increase also . The first two patterns were noticed when moving up through the range of nonsubjective lens system of the Celestron PentaView and with the digital rapid growth . As expected , resolution improved with mellow magnification lense . At 40X exaggeration , we watch over a bulk of onion plant cells separated by a dark boundary . The cytoplasm was seen as yellow , due to staining with atomic number 53 , and the nuclei appear as dark brown circles . By the fourth dimension the magnification had increased to 400X , although the mental image appear to be somewhat grainy , the cell edge could be specify as multi - layered , and fine focusing allowed the cellulose cellphone wall to display a textured , hempen appearance .
We could also differentiate the taboo edge of the nucleus , the nuclear membrane , as well as body within the cytoplasm that could have been mitochondria or other sub - cellular vesicle . However , when trade to the digital soar , even though the viewable image enlarged as the champaign of view reduced , there was no further improvement in resolution .
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
We did handle to meliorate the limpidity of some of the high - powered images by experimenting with the colored filters . Unfortunately , the varying lightness function was not as utilitarian when compare to a unaccented microscope because the LCD screen made automatic adjustments for optimal viewing brightness . We can see how this might be utilitarian for beginners , but as professionals , we wanted to be able to overturn this and make brightness decisiveness for ourselves .
Pleasingly , the LCD presentation on the Celestron PentaView offer highly engaging demo capableness , in real time . The whole class of 18 pupils were capable to see the 109 millimetre monitor and read how to voyage through the Z airplane layers , discount slide and coverslip scratches and fluff to identify the cheek cells of pastime , and how to use XY sailing to place grouping of nerve cell , increase magnification to focalize on whole cellphone and their seeable cell organelle . Real - time viewing was paramount when abide by pool lifetime as sustenance creatures were continually moving and feeding .
The PentaView ’s limitations became plain , however , when larger audience were present . The small screen was no longer adequate for good visibleness , andcasting was only possible for still images or videos , rather than real - time cyclosis .
Operating the LCD screen to view or manipulate images was made easier with the touch pen.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Functionality
The Celestron PentaView digital microscope come into its own when used to heighten the scholarship experience , using its group viewing capability as a demonstration tool . pupil ’ ability to conceptualize the subject material advanced to a greater extent and more apace upon witness what could be achieved with the PentaView digital microscope .
What ’s more , their microscopy skills develop more chop-chop as well . Being able to join the admonisher directly to a laptop computer and Smartboard magnify this functionality even further . It is just a disgrace that the screen can not stream alive imagery to the Smartboard . This would enable great interview to watch demonstrations in a lecturing theater or auditorium , for case .
Nonetheless , we were all of the same creative thinker : that the PentaView ’s teaching functionality is brilliant . However , the grainy imagery left pro feeling that it would n’t be the microscope of choice for industrial microscopy . Many light and compound microscopes in a standardized damage range produced images with more clarity and higher resolution . Interestingly , within the classroom , pupils were not aware of this limitation and were perfectly well-chosen bask what the PentaView had to offer up .
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Because of its portability , the Celestron PentaView was used both on locating and in the classroom . It was great to see student collaborating so well . The ability to look out the amoeba and other pond lifespan as a grouping , rather than having to take turns , enhanced pupil engagement and enthusiasm all round . The microscope was lightweight and the carry case had a very comfortable articulatio humeri strap and strict top handle .
When debate some of the more professional invention features , though , the Celestron PentaView fall short in a couple of important domain . The top light is include in many microscopes to make the examination of solid objects possible . Unfortunately , on the PentaView , this light is not very powerful and the working distance is small . These factors restrict the size and eccentric of whole object that can be viewed , and we would n’t advocate it for this purpose .
Furthermore , there was a quality control subject with the XY navigation knobs . When attempting to maneuver the stage rearward and forwards in the Y sheet , the knob pair in its casing , without motivate the coast . We tighten the knob a few times to temporarily fix the job . Unfortunately , the thread became so slack that this mechanism became unusable . finally , we discovered that we could go for a small force-out manually , while turning the knob , to achieve the hope movement . Annoyingly though , this affected our ability to focus whilst navigate , as we only have one pair of hands !
Exchanging the lenses to achieve 600X magnification was quick and simple to do.
A final betterment suggestion , to increase functionality , is to be able to override the light adjustment setting . If we deviate the light-emitting diode output , it needs to impact the final image on the LCD monitor .
Should you buy it?
✅ You would like to demonstrate to a large interview : The LCD covert can easily be take in direct by up to around 20 people . By projecting photos and videos , you could increase this tenfold . ✅ You would wish to photograph your specimens : The digital camera and SD card allow you to capture both still and moving look-alike .
Overall , the Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope has been a great increase to our microscopy cortege . fantastical for group work and demonstrations , we would extremely advocate it to aid education . It has been majuscule fun to experiment with for instructor and pupil alike .
The Celestron PentaView is a adequate , low-cost , digital microscope that advanced our teaching and learning experience enormously . If you want a microscope capable of demonstrating to a large interview , eminent magnification and the ability to snap and video your specimens without breaking the bank , this could be the ideal microscope for you .
Using the Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope to send previously photographed cheek cell specimens, at 200X magnification, to a laptop and Smartboard, directly from the microscope’s SD card.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
If the product is not for you
❌ You would wish to examine solid specimens : You would call for a digital magnifying visualizer for this . ❌ You need to also view your specimens ocularly : You would need a trinocular microscope with a television camera tube porthole .
For a trinocular microscope with a camera occasion , Swift does the SW380 T chemical compound trinocular with up to 2,500X magnification . We think it was a pleasure to use during ourSwift SW280 T followup .
If you would wish to magnify and project solid objects , Celestron does theMicroDirect 1080P handheld digital microscope . This captures photographs and video instantly onto an Mount Rushmore State card and does n’t need a computer to project to a screen .
Transporting the portable Celestron PentaView, in its sturdy carry case, in the field.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
How we tested the Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope
During a scientific discipline lesson , pupil prepared and observed boldness and onion plant cells . By using the Celestron PentaView , we were capable to project previously captured images onto the smartboard , so that pupils live what they should be look for ; we then used the model examples to voyage the cells and nibble out organelles to the whole category simultaneously . This technique was used frequently during the microscopy topic , and pupils ' competence and understanding progressed more quickly than that of previous groups .
Later , pupils were able to honor and video aliveness organisms when contain out pond studies . Because of its portability , the Celestron PentaView was carried outside , in its beautiful carry cause , and sampling were pipetted onto playground slide straight . Back in the schoolroom , pupils also had play canvass the disposed sloping trough that came with this microscope .
Using the Celestron PentaView to send previously photographed onion cell specimens to a laptop, directly from the microscope’s SD card.
Celestron PentaView magnifying cheek cells at 200X magnification, with LCD screen rotated 90-degrees.
Using the Celestron PentaView to project photographed cell specimens to a Smartboard, for whole class viewing, directly from the microscope’s SD card.
