| | |  | Dora the Explorer | Home » » Planet Toys Planet Earth Digital Microscope Kit | | | | | | | Description: | | Planet Earth Toys are designed to evoke children's natural curiosity to explore and learn about our extraordinary world. Includes everything you need to magnify nature. Observe and learn about planet earths microscopic world, use the webcam to create a snapshot of your slide, and connect the webcam to the microscope and view objects on your computer. The all-in-one digital microscope, digital camera, microscope and web cam! | | | Features: | |
• Includes microscope and digital camera
• One eyepiece adaptor, four prepared slides, and eight blank slides
• One pair tweezers and four plastic bags
• One explorer book
• One software CD Rom and one special planet earth CD
| | | Product Details: | | | Package Length:
| 11.9 inches | | Package Width:
| 11.4 inches | | Package Height:
| 4.3 inches | | Package Weight:
| 2.15 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 35 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 35 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
63 of 66 found the following review helpful:
 Entry-level tool/toy - plastic, batteries not included, good valueOct 15, 2008
By A. Dent
"Aragorn"
It's actually good, FOR THE PRICE. All the criticism or not so enthusiastic comments that follow should be viewed while keeping in mind that you don't pay a lot for this kit. If you would like to test your kid(s) scientific leanings or you just want to encourage or stimulate their curiosity, this is one inexpensive way to do it.
As happens to be the case with some of these entry-level offerings, the goal is to give you what appears to be 'a lot' for not so much money. This specific kit has, besides the microscope and its 'must have' accessories (slides) also a pair of tweezers, a CD-ROM with some moderately-useful software and, of course, the camera.
The microscope itself can magnify things up to about 1000 times. This sounds good but the kids do need to put some work into slide preparation if they are to see anything that looks remotely interesting. A good microscope should be able to do 2000 times magnifications [please see the 'comments' section for a discussion on what is reasonable to expect from a good microscope - note added on Dec. 7] but, remember, this is an entry-level unit and it's inexpensive so it's good for what you are paying.
The camera can be attached to the microscope and lets you shoot some low-res pictures of what the microscope sees. It connects to the computer through a USB port. I was not impressed by it and I see it as a gimmick because it could have been easily integrated into the microscope's body. The fact that it could be used as a web camera is more of a distraction from the microscope than a true enhancement. I wish the resolution was a bit higher. The way it is, it can be a little frustrating and makes you wish you had something better.
The book and the CD-ROM are okay, not great but okay. My expectation was to see the kids actually looking at things themselves rather than reading about what you could see if you really had some expensive tools and you really knew what you were doing. The software on the CD-ROM should help my kid with a science project, should he choose to do one on a topic that requires magnification.
In 'real-life', my kids played with it for one hour or two after we opened the box than they came back to it a couple more times and we worked together on preparing some interesting slides. It's not as easy as it appears on TV. They agree that they would consider the microscope next time they need to do a science project.
Given that I paid less than I would for the typical PS3 or Xbox game, I do not regret this purchase.
P.S. - You will need 3 AA batteries.
P.P.S. - I am now ordering a second kit for one of their friends' birthday.
27 of 28 found the following review helpful:
 Don't Hesitate - this is a Great little product!Oct 23, 2008
By javajunki
"javajunki"
This is a great little product that kids and adults will enjoy! Both my husband and self had microscopes as kids - the little kit with a mirror - but both wished this had been around back then. FAR superior and a great price.
First of all, this is a sturdy little unit built with kids in mind. The chrome base is solid and keeps everything steady. The microscope itself is a plastic but solid and perfect for young hands [also easy to keep clean as budding scientists are likely to get icky stuff involved]. The slides are either clear [to make your own preparations] or have titles - plus they are not sharp [although caution is still advised]. There is a built in light [no mirrors!] that provides decent illumination. Power is sufficient to get a good look. As you might expect, this is not a professional scope so don't expect an image like that of an electron microscope - but on the other hand, it certainly provides a decent view of the world around us.
The book provides some great - easy to read age appropriate suggestions on more activities for kids that are old enough to go it alone. The box and entire kit are attractive and if you haven't bought the video set it is a wonderful way to get kids excited about what they see on the series [wonderful series].
Where this REALLY excels is the handheld camera. Just plug it in and go. I've not used this enough to put a full review because the software requires online access and the computer we had in that room doesn't connect to the internet [we keep that one in another area].
All in all - an EXCELLENT product, great for homeschoolers or those that want to share the excitement of life with kids.
16 of 16 found the following review helpful:
fun AND educational!Oct 30, 2008
By bookworm74
"bookworm74"
I really can't say enough about this toy. I originally bought it for my nephew (7 years old) and he immediately loved it. I say "originally" because his older brother (9 years old) AND younger sister (6 years) both enjoy it equally as much. The most amazing thing about it is the age range. This item is easy enough to use for a 5 year old, but feature rich enough to hold the attention of a child far older. I have seen it in specialty stores for 79.99, so amazon is definitely a bargain. With Christmas coming up, I plan on buying several of these as gifts!
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Microscope works, Webcam doesn't.Dec 12, 2008
By Andrea L. Polk
"Did I buy a dud?" I keep asking myself that question.
I actually bought two of the Planet Toys Planet Earth Digital Microscope Kits and I'm wondering if I should break into the second one to see if I just have a bad webcam or if the webcam is just the weak link in this set.
First the pro's:
1. The microscope is easy to use.
2. The microscope has adequate lighting after you put in the required 3 AA batteries. You'll need a very small phillips screwdriver for this part.
3. The microscope tilts for easier viewing angles.
4. Slides are included; some prepared and some not.
5. The instruction booklet has some basic setup info and suggestions for activities. Easy to read.
6. Nice magnification for a plastic microscope that's really a toy.
Now the con's:
1. The webcam is awful! *See my uploaded picture of the webcam and the uploaded image.
I tried several different items at distances ranging from 2' to 2cm and NOTHING seemed to make the difference. Vista recognized the camera and gave me an image, while XP installed the camera, but gave me no images. The camera doesn't have any adjustments on it; it's simply a plug and play usb type with a very, very low resolution.
2.Without the webcam function, you really can't enjoy the software that comes with the microscope.
3. If you pay more than $15 for it (luckily I didn't...) you are not going to get your money's worth. I think the microscope and slides are probably worth the 15, but the webcam and tweezers are not.
4. The plastic body of the microscope isn't heavy-duty and when changing magnifications it feels as though that part might break if not treated gingerly.
My conclusion... if you want a simple to use, kid-friendly microscope for under $15 - buy it. But if you want to use the webcam to take photos of what you see under the microscope, don't bother getting this kit.
12 of 14 found the following review helpful:
 Mac CompatibilityDec 24, 2008
By FlashInPan
One of these days these Chinese manufacturers are going to realize people out there own Macs too. The software this thing comes with is pretty crummy and was obviously made before Vista even came out (Not that Vista has any merit). So if you are jazzed about the camera/computer aspect, brace yourself.
The product is good enough without the camera component though, considering what it is. I'd see it as a bonus.
HOWEVER
If you have a Mac, and want to use this, it's easy enough although you won't find out how anywhere on the manufacturer's site or any place else on the web for that matter. Except I tried out a little app that will let you view AND record from the microscope using a Mac. And its free.
The camera component of "Planet Toys Planet Earth Digital Microscope Kit" can be used with the Mac if you download a free webcam program called Macam from:
http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/
One tip: when using it, go to the settings and turn down the brightness.
See all 35 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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