Dino-Lite Reviews and Buyer's Guide

In a few short years, Dinoscope and its Dino-Lite digital microscopes have gone from being an obscure introduction to the world of light microscopy to become a major innovating force in both industrial and hobbyist microscopy applications. Used daily by Fortune 500 companies for quality control inspection applications, they are equally useful for coin collectors and hobbyists while providing 'WOW!' factor to children throughout the US.

Dino Lite digital scopes are Dinoscope’s premier line of handheld digital microscopes, featuring an integrated light source for illumination and a USB connection for viewing whatever you’re observing on a larger screen, ranging from a simple smartphone to a flatscreen computer monitor or more. All you need is Dinoscope’s DinoCapture software, an easy-to-use application for Windows-based computers that makes it easy to both use and configure your Dino-Lite digital microscope, including basic features like image view and capture, calibration measurements, and advanced ones like edge detection and geotagging.

However, since all Dino-Lite microscopes look similar it can be a little confusing when trying to select the appropriate model for your application. This guide is designed to help you choose as they have numerous different variations for different applications.THE BASICS

DECODING THE MODEL NUMBER...

Group
AM standard models
AD special application or custom design

Line
2xxx entry level model (USB models)
3xxx basic model (USB models)
4xxx industrial line (USB and TV models)
5xxx high resolution analog (TV models)
7xxx high resolution digital (USB models)

Model
xx11 USB, basic, no measurement
xx12 TV/Analog (RCA), basic, no measurement
xx13 USB, standard, measurement
xx15 USB, industrial, measurement
x515 USB, industrial, measurement and AMR (automatic mag. reading)
x815 USB, industrial, measurement and EDOF (enhanced depth of field) / EDR (enhanced dynamic range)
x915 USB, industrial, measurement, AMR, EDOF, EDR
xx16 TV/Analog (VGA), no measurement
xx18 TV/Analog (HD), no measurement
xx22 Microscope eyepiece camera (TV)
xx23 Microscope eyepiece camera (USB) w/ calibration and measurement

Features
T   microtouch, captures image on usb models, turns LEDS on/off on analog (TV) models
M   metal, aluminum-body, reinforced cord attachment, ruggedized model
Z   polarizer, reduces glare on reflective objects
L   working distance (long), magnification up to 92X, focus from farther away than normal
S   shortened nozzle (85X and 145X magnification focus at touching distance)
W   macro view, low magnification with zoom lens (2 focusable magnifications at any working distance)
T4  430X - 470X magnification
T5  500X fixed magnification
T8  700X - 900X magnification
TB  Strobe light
N   NTSC (TV models)
P   PAL (TV models)
L-M40  working distance/wide viewing angle, magnification up to 37X

LED Spectrum
FV2  8 x 375nm LEDs
FU   8 x 375nm LEDs
FV2W 4 x 375nm LEDs / 4 x white LEDs
FV   8 x 390nm LEDs
FVW  4 x 390nm LEDs / 4 x white LEDs
I2V  4 x 395nm LEDs / 4 x 940nm
FI   8 x 850nm LEDs

LED Wavelength
CFVW  7 x LEDs 400nm excitation (430nm emission filter) / 1 x white LED
GFBW  7 x LEDs 480nm (510nm emission filter) / 1 x white LED blue light for green fluorescence
GRFBY 4 x LEDs 480nm / 4 x LEDs 575nm (510nm/610nm emission filter) blue and yellow light for green and red fluorescence
YFGW  7 x LEDs 525nm (570nm emission filter) / 1 x white LED green light for yellow fluorescence
RFYW  7 x LEDs 575nm (610nm emission filter) / 1 x white LED yellow light for red fluorescence
DFRW  7 x LEDs 620nm (650nm emission filter) / 1 x white LED

Eyepiece Cameras
X  30mm and 3.5mm adapters
C  C-mount
U  Universal (fit over the eyepiece rather than inside)