AmScope Microscope Review – “T690C-PL-10M” 40x – 2500x Infinity Plan Trinocular Compound Microscope & 5MP USB Camera

Update: It appears the MA1000 camera is out of date and production, so we’ve updated this article to focus on the MU1000 and the T690C-PL (planar version).

One of AmScope’s top of the line professional grade digital microscopes, the T690 series really doesn’t get the praise it should for having such a quality unit for it’s price point. This specific model, the T690C-PL-10M certainly puts optical devices 10x the price point through their paces. Here’s why it’s the Genius’ choice:

First off, infinity plan optics are some of the best grade optics you can find on the microscope market at this point in time, and this AmScope microscope has them. This essentially means that you will get a greater field of clear view within the field of view on your microscope–90% clarity versus the 75% that achromatic only lenses will give you. This is achieved by using a lens that has a focal point set to infinity, meaning the entire image is being projected from objective lens to prism to eyepiece, rather than focused onto a point and remagnifying it. This also makes it much easier to add filters and other custom devices into the path of light, as you don’t have to worry about any refraction reducing the quality or resolution of the image. I would put this type of a microscope optic on par with the lenses you see in the much more expensive brands listed above.

AmScope Microscope Review “T690C-PL-10M“

This AmScope T690C-PL-10M microscope model does sport Kohler illumination, meaning you get to customize the position and intensity of the light using both an iris and a dimmer control on the microscope itself. This is crucial for high end microscopy, like darkfield and phase contrast (which can be added to the unit at a later date to enable higher functions). Fine tuning the light for even illumination through the field of view is easy with this unit–just a twist of a dial.

Changing the condenser to darkfield or phase contrast (not included with this item, but available for separate purchase) is as easy as loosening two hand screws holding the 1.25 NA Abbe condenser out, then sliding it out, replacing, and tightening it back in. These screws can also be used to help recenter should anything come out of alignment after changing the condensers, allowing full customization for best results for AmScope microscope model T690C-PL-10M.

The trinocular port allows for direct insertion of the included MU1000 10MP camera coupled with this unit, which does work great for professional grade still images, however since it’s a USB camera, the frame rate is quite slow. Processing a whole 10MP’s worth of data and maintaining a live feed isn’t possible with this unit, which while it makes sense, is a bit unfortunate.

To get live feed, you would have to reduce this camera’s resolution down to about 5MP, and  would also have to change the auto exposure setting to manual (as this causes a bit of lag by using the camera’s resources for sensing light and adjusting instead of keeping it fixed). But, the great news is you can set the live resolution down to about 5MP but still press snap to capture images at full resolution!

So, for those of you wanting to publish your findings in an academic journal or textbook for professional printing, this camera is the way to go. Please also note that the Mac software seems to only have still and live functions right now–video recording is only PC capable.

This AmScope microscope package sells for an almost unbelievable price point for the high quality you get from it. It’s a steal for any professional microscope user in a lab/clinic or university setting, or the serious hobbyist. I’ve even seen micro photographers using this unit for the extreme clarity it offers, with either this USB camera or their own DSLR devices and an adapter. Just about anyone can benefit from it, even a novice. AmScope microscope model T690C-PL-10M isn’t difficult to use, and carries the exact same basic features (just more precise and fine tuned) that you’ll see in a more basic microscope.

You can check it out and order from AmScope directly at their Amazon store (T690C-PL-10M), which gives you a 30 day return period (if ordering direct, they only offer 14 days), and still covers a manufacturer’s 5 year warranty on the microscope, 1 year on the camera. For 220v countries, you can send them a message after purchasing and they’ll convert it for you.