Connecting to Collections Care

Dear colleagues,
We just got approved a tiny budget for an USB microscope, and we would like to hear your input. The microscope will be used mainly for pest identification; one we can use to identify, photograph, and ideally, also to measure bugs. We have two buildings, and soon there will be three, so a portable unit is preferable. Currently, we are looking at the hand-held Dino-Lite Pro AM30113T, but there are so many choices! I was wondering if there are better options you would suggest for our purposes.

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Silvia Manrique
Collections Manager/Conservator
Wolfsonian-FIU
Miami Beach FL
(801) 635-7570
smanriqu@thewolf.fiu.edu
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Dear Silvia,
I have personally used a Dino-Lite USB microscope for both insect identification as well as for general examination when doing fieldwork in Egypt and I thought it was a great instrument. I will have to do a little research in my reports to find out what model it was. I have also contacted the lab at the Arizona State Museum; they use a USB microscope for their IPM program that I remember worked quite well. 
Also, here is a link to some smartphone-compatible microscope options https://dlswedu.com/smart-phone-microscope-top-10-best-review/ if you are interested. The Sky Rocket AppScope Quick Attach Microscope Model: 1337 was featured in an Ivory care webinar (2018) given by Stephanie Hornbeck from the Field Museum. Just some thoughts...

I'll work on getting those Dino-Lite specs for you!

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Nicole Peters
Conservator
Peters Art Conservation Services, LLC
Skagway AK
(304) 559-1613
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