47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
Sometimes You Get LESS Than You Pay For,
March 17, 2010 This review is from: Vivitar VIV-MIC-1 150x/450x/900 Microscope Line (Electronics)
In a recent move, my ancient, former Doctor's Office Microscope was irreparably damaged. About the only thing I used it for was periodic inspection of phono cartridge stylii. Don't need much "horsepower" for that, so when I saw this unit at its very low price, I thought "how bad can it be? Surely it'll get the job done."
I couldn't have been more wrong. The ONLY things good about this little "gem" is the BOX it comes it, where it's referred to as a "DIECAST METAL MICROSCOPE SET" by Vivitar, "World Leader in Optics Since 1938." I guess maybe that depends on your definitiions of World Leader and optics.
Here's the nitty gritty in just three sentences:
1. The ONLY thing that's diecast on this guy is the BASE. The entire microscope itself is CHEAP, THIN BLACK PLASTIC.
2. It is SO POORLY CONSTRUCTED that its part fit too poorly to even allow proper focus. IT IS VIRTUALLY UNUSABLE!
3. I bought it locally at a big box store, returned it, and...
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
Made a mistake by not reading these reviews first!,
November 16, 2010 This review is from: Vivitar VIV-MIC-1 150x/450x/900 Microscope Line (Electronics)
I hastily made a purchase on one of those Daily Deals websites, thinking that I had picked up a bargain. I should have read the reviews here first. They were spot on.
I'd suggest that this product is good for the following uses:
1. A paperweight for the scientifically inclined geek.
2. As a gag gift with placard declaring this as "Property of a Scientifically-Inclined Geek".
3. As a make-believe toy for scientifically-inclined geeky kids.
Not recommended for any educational purposes.
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Was this review helpful to you? 20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
Dont Bother!!,
March 31, 2010 This review is from: Vivitar VIV-MIC-1 150x/450x/900 Microscope Line (Electronics)
Only wish I'd have looked at reviews on this item before purchasing it (it was highlighted on a local news show "bargain of the day"). It's truly a piece of junk. Dont let the Vivitar name fool you. It was broken upon arrival. The hardware that holds the mirror/light on was in pieces and appears impossible to fix. Dont waste your time or money on this worthless item.
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