Orion MicroXplore 52167 User manual

Orion®MicroXplore™
LCD Microscope
5 MegaPixel
#52167
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975
IN 469 Rev. A 08/12

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Included Items
• 5 Prepared Slides
• 10 blank slides
• 10 cover glass (cover slip)
• Diffuse Collector Lens
• Scissors
• Dropper
• Tweezers
• Shrimp Eggs
• Salt
• Yeast
• Gum
• Hatchery
• 2x cutlery/dissection needles
• Microtome – CAUTION: this is a
sharp instrument
• AC to DC Adapter
• USB Cable
• Dust Cover
• Carrying Case
• 1 Gb SD Card
Welcome to a new world of adventure. Your new Orion
MicroXplore LCD microscope (MXLCD) is capable of captur-
ing detailed, high resolution, full-color images and movies of
microscopic worlds awaiting your discovery.
Examine specimen objects at high powers of 40X up to 400X (up to 1600x with
digital zoom).
View subjects on screen using the 3.5” Color LCD High Definition TFT display.
Capture images and movies using the built in 5 MegaPixel CMOS camera.
Store images and movies to the SD card slot.
Transfer images and movies using the included USB cable or via SD card slot
(SD Card included).
Also features a mechanical XY stage, 6 position filter wheel, top and bottom illu-
minators, carry case and accessories.
Please read this instruction manual before attempting to use the microscope.
Figure 1. The Orion MicroXplore LCD Microscope.
1. SD Card Receptacle
2. Mini USB Cable
Receptacle
3. LCD Module
4. Top Illuminator
5. Objective Lens
6. XY Mechanical Stage
7. Focus Knob
8. Filter Wheel
9. Bottom Illuminator
10. Illuminator Switch
11. Brightness dial
Figure 2. Included items
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4
7
8
10
11
2
5
6
9

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XY Mechanical Stage
The Orion MXLCD features a mechanical stage that is used to accurately posi-
tion specimens on screen (Figure 4).
• Place one of the included prepared slides onto XY stage by using the clamp
lever to hold slide firmly in place (Figure 4).
• Use X and Y movement knobs to position object into view on screen
Illumination
The Orion MXLCD features both an upper and a lower Illuminator for micros-
copy. The latter is normally used for viewing prepared slides (transmitted light).
The illuminators are selectable via the rotary illumination switch (Figure 5).
Both illuminators can be ON at the same time.
Brightness can be adjusted via rotary brightness dial (Figure 5).
The upper illuminator is designed for use with the lower power objective (4X).
The higher power objectives will block light from the upper illuminator. Therefore
generally solid objects at 4X will use the Top illuminator.
Transparent objects such as slides will use the bottom illuminator (transmitted
light) at all powers of magnification.
The clear collector lens can be replaced by the diffuse collector lens to provide a
more even diffuse light.
Set Up
• Plug AC to DC adapter into mains and microscope
• Press and hold “ON” button until green power light turns on
• Check LCD screen on (Figure 3)
• Turn illumination rotary switch clockwise to position III (Figure 5)
• Check that both upper and lower lights turn on
The microscope is now ready for operation. Check power connections if LCD
screen or lights do not turn on.
Figure 3. LCD Screen.
Figure 4. X-Y Mechanical stage. Figure 5. Illumination.
Navigation
buttons
Snap
Menu Power
Escape
XY
movement
knobs
Illuminator
switch
Illuminator
brightness dial
Clamp
lever

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Filter Wheel
The Orion MXLCD features a
manual six position color filter wheel
(Figure 6).
Choose from five colored filters (Red,
Yellow, Dark-Green, Light-Green,
Blue) or clear.
The filters can aid to increase con-
trast and detail of various specimens.
Objective Lenses
The Orion MXLCD features three
manually selectable objective lenses
of 4X, 10X and 40X (Figure 7).
Different magnifications can be
accomplished by selecting between
one of the three objective lenses.
Select desired objective lens by rotat-
ing objective head until lens directly
above specimen and lens clicks
into place.
The camera is comparable to a 10x eyepiece therefore the following magnifica-
tions can be achieved:
Camera Objective Lens Digital Zoom (4X) Magnification
10X 4X NO 40X
10X 4X YES 160X
10X 10X NO 100X
10X 10X YES 400X
10X 40X NO 400X
10X 40X YES 1600X
Initially select the lowest power eyepiece (4X labeled with a red ring).
This lowest magnification setting will produce the widest field of view and display
the brightest image.
Viewing with the lowest magnification will aid in the positioning of the specimen
prior to viewing at higher magnifications and also help to ensure that the objec-
tive lenses are not positioned too near the slide to prevent accidental breaking of
slide if the objectives come into con-
tact with slide when focusing.
Care must be taken when both han-
dling glass slides and the position
of the objective lenses relative to
the slide when focusing or changing
objective lenses.
Focusing
Use the focus knob on the side of the
MXLCD to bring the image to focus
(Figure 8).
Care must be taken to avoid an objective lens from coming into contact with the
slide when focusing.
If object unable to reach focus try raising the specimen using a blank slide
placed underneath the specimen or by selecting a different objective lens.
Camera
The Orion MXLCD features a 5 MegaPixel camera that can be used to capture
high resolution images and movies to the SD-Card.
The bottom right of screen will display the current Digital Magnification and also
the current Camera Exposure value.
Press UP and DOWN to adjust Camera Exposure value.
The default value is 0.0.
Press LEFT and RIGHT to adjust Digital Magnification value.
The default value is 1.0.
Experiment with the top and bottom illuminators, brightness dial, color filter
wheel and the camera exposure in order to fully control the illumination of speci-
men.
Viewing Images and Movies
Press ESC button to proceed to Picture View screen in order to view files stored
on the SD-Card.
Use navigation buttons to select image files to view (Figure 3).
Press OK button to view in Full Screen.
Select MENU button to bring up drop down menu.
Select “File Protect” to Lock or Unlock files for editing
Figure 6. Filter wheel.
Figure 8. Focus Knob.
Figure 7. Objective lenses.
Manual
filter
wheel

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Select “Del File” to delete current file selected or all files.
Select “Video Player” in order to view movies in the Video Player screen.
Capturing Images and Movies
Note: When taking images and movies DO NOT connect the USB cable to the
microscope.
The USB cable should only be used to transfer images and movies to computer
after capture. Otherwise the Cable should be removed.
Please power down Microscope before placing USB cable in or out of
Microscope.
Capturing Images
Press MENU button to display drop down menu and use navigation buttons and
OK button to modify settings (Figure 3).
Select “Mode” to choose between Single, Continuous or Set
• Single – Press SNAP button to take a single image
• Continuous – Press SNAP button to start continuously taking images.
Press ESC to stop continuously taking images
• Set – Sets the time between each frame when continuously taking images
Select “Size” to choose image sizes.
The selected resolution will be displayed on screen
Select “Effect” to choose between the following effects:
• Normal
• BlackWhite
Select “Date Label” to choose if a date label should be added to images.
Pressing “Set” will allow modification of date and time.
Select “Language” to choose between English or Chinese languages.
Capturing Video
Select “Video” from drop down menu in order to capture video.
Videos are set at lower resolution at 25 Frames per second.
When in Video capture mode, press SNAP button to start movie capture.
Time elapsed since start of capture will be shown on screen.
Press SNAP button again to stop movie capture.
A video camera icon will be displayed on screen when recording in video mode.
From this mode press MENU button to display drop down menu and choose
“Camera” to return to the camera mode.
Memory
An SD-Card icon will be displayed on screen if an SD-Card is recognized in the
SD-Slot.
When present, images and movies will be played back and recorded from the
SD-Card.
Always power down your Microscope before inserting or removing an SD-Card
Transferring Images and Movies
Images and movies can be transferred and shared via the included USB cable
or via SD-Card.
Place USB cable into spare USB port on computer and into mini USB port,
located on side of LCD screen near SD-Card slot.
Device will be recognized as external memory.
Images and movies can then be easily transferred and shared to other devices.
Trouble Shooting
If you do not get an image (or a good image) to view on your LCD screen, here
are a few things to double check:
1. Make sure the AC Adapter is plugged in to an AC power source and
attached to the microscope securely and correctly.
2. Make sure you have the illuminator turned on with maximum brightness
adjustment (this is the normal position).
3. Make sure the objective lens you have chosen is set correctly and it has
clicked in the right position.
4. Make sure that the filter wheel is set correctly at a click position so that the
illuminated light comes up properly – the normal position for most usage is
with the clear hole.
5. Make sure the specimen slide is correctly fitted into the clamp on the
mechanical stage and properly centered.
6. If the stage is wobbly or is erratic in movement, make sure all screws on the
top and side of the stage are tight.

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Create Your Own Slides
Use the dropper to place a drop of pond water onto a blank slide and use micro-
scope to view any organisms existing in the water.
Adding a Cover slip on top of liquid will allow for much thinner viewing surface.
Thinly sliced specimens (such as plant stems) can be accomplished by first
heating wax to melting point and adding specimen to wax solution and allow wax
to harden. Then using the included microtome place specimen through hole and
turn dial in order to cut thin slices to be placed onto glass slide.
Be careful of the razor-sharp edges of cutting blade of Microtome.
Use the Gum solution to make a permanent slide.
The Gum will stick the Cover slips to the slide.
Dyes can be used on specimens to bring out more detail much like the included
prepared slides. This subject matter goes beyond this manual and further study
would be required.
Salt Water Prawns (Brine Shrimp)
Hatching
First, pour one pint of rain or fresh water into a container and let stand for
approx 30 hours. Pour half of the Sea Salt into the container and stir until all salt
has dissolved. This will create the saline solution that will be used to grow the
brine shrimps.
Pour an additional pint of rain or fresh water into a second container and let
stand for approx 30 hours. This will create spare water for adding to the hatchery
when the salt water evaporates.
Next place some of the salt solution into the hatchery using the dropper.
Then carefully place some of the eggs into hatchery water.
Place in lit area away from direct sunlight at preferred temperature of 25
degrees C.
The shrimps will begin to hatch in 2-3 days. If any water evaporates during this
time please replace with water from the second container.
Feeding
Feed your shrimps every other day using small pinch of dry powdered yeast
(included). Overfeeding will darken water and stagnate. If stagnation occurs
remove shrimps and place into fresh salt water solution.
Viewing
Use dropper to place shrimps from hatchery onto blank slide or place hatchery
directly under microscope with lid removed. Take images and movies of the
prawns to create a record of the lifecycle of the brine shrimp.
Note: Shrimp eggs and shrimps are not suitable for consumption!
Specifications
SNR: 36db
Dynamic Range: 65db
Spectral Range: Visible light
USB Port: USB 2.0
Operating System: XP, Vista, Windows7, Mac OS X

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One-Year Limited Warranty
This Orion MicroXplore LCD Microscope is warranted against defects in materials or workman-
ship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the
original retail purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes & Binoculars will
repair or replace, at Orion’s option, any warranted product that proves to be defective, provided
it is returned postage paid to: Orion Warranty Repair, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076.
If the product is not registered, proof of purchase (such as a copy of the original invoice) is
required.
This warranty does not apply if, in Orion’s judgment, the product has been abused, mishandled,
or modified, nor does it apply to normal wear and tear. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. For further warranty
service information, contact: Customer Service Department, Orion Telescopes & Binoculars, 89
Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076; [phone].
OrionTelescopes.com
89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076
Customer Support Help Line [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
© 2012 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars