Microscopes for everyday use

In a few short years, Dino-Lite handheld digital microscopes have gone from being an obscure introduction to the world of light microscopy to become a major innovating force in both industrial and hobbyist microscopy applications. Used daily by Fortune 500 companies for quality control inspection applications, they are equally useful for coin collectors and hobbyists while providing 'WOW!' factor to children throughout the US.

However, since all Dino-Lite microscopes look similar it can be a little confusing when trying to select the appropriate model for your application. This guide is designed to help you choose as they have numerous different variations for different applications.

THE BASICS

Model Series: There are five basic series of models:

1. Dino-Lite Basic = AM2011
2. Dino-Lite Plus = AM300 Series
3. Dino-Lite Pro = AM/AD400 Series
4. Dino-Lite Premier = AM/AD3000,4000 -  in due course, will replace all 300 and 400 models.
5. Dino-Lite X = AM/AD4000M, 7000M Series (metal housing)

SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY: All Dino-Lite Series are both PC (DinoCapture) and Mac (DinoXscope) compatible. A full range of free Dino-Lite software updates, drivers and third-party downloads are available here. Windows users can also enjoy the latest version of DinoVision, an image editing tool featuring image split, overlay and comparison.

Buy a Dino-Lite Microscope: While this page is intended as a buyer's guide for our Dino-Lite microscopes, when you are ready to buy a Dino-Lite, click - Buy Dino-Lite.

MODEL NUMBERING

DINO-LITLE MODEL NUMBER SERIES

BASIC VARIATIONS

Another way to differentiate these standard series of Dino-Lites is to consider them as: 

• Entry level » AM2011
• Hobbyist » AM3011 Range
• Professional » AM400/4000 Range (and AD equivalents); AM/AD 7000 Range
• TV Output » AM4012/AD4012 Range

All AD series models have removable nose cones or nozzles. The benefit is the option of more working distance, should you need it. In addition, the ADxxL series allows for use with the right-angled viewer, MSFCMA1. Dino-Lite plans to upgrade these 400 series models to the new 4000 series in early 2012.

ENTRY-LEVEL: AM2011 - The AM2011 is the entry-level model, with a 0.3 megapixel camera, 640x480 resolution and USB 2.0 output. It contains four LED lights that are ‘always-on’. It is a popular choice where budget is a primary consideration.

HOBBYIST: AM3011 - The AM3011 is the best-selling hobbyists' model in the Dino-Lite range. It is the same as the 0.3 megapixel, AM2011 model except that it includes eight adjustable LED lights for brighter illumination. This model is also available with the Microtouch trigger mechanism (Model AM3011T).

PROFESSIONAL: AM400/4000 Series The AM411T is considered the Pro Series because it is suitable to more professional applications, such as chip inspection, plant dissection, forensics, more advanced coin and stamp collecting, handwriting examination, and biological and laboratory research.

The 400/4000 series include 1.3 megapixel resolution, USB 2.0 output, 8 LED lights and the Microtouch Trigger mechanism. Measuring software is included in any model ending in the number 3. e.g. AM413T.

AM/AD 7000 Series: Newly introduced in 2011, these 7000 series include 5.0 megapixel resolution and are for specialty applications such as extreme environments (metal housing), polarizing or enhanced working distance.

TV/AVI Output AM4012N: Include a range of standard and specialty models for TV/AVI output.

PRO SERIES MAGNIFICATION CHART

Specialty Series

There is an ever-increasing range of Dino-Lite microscopes as they evolve marginal variations in order to satisfy specific applications. Most of them are based on the Professional series with broad categorizations, as summarized in the DINO-LITE APPLICATION CHART and below:

POLARIZATION (Z):

By far the most popular specialty Dino-Lites have polarizing features as they are useful for both industrial and hobbyist applications; they are particularly useful for coin collectors. Polarization models include:

ENHANCED WORKING DISTANCE (L):

There are a number of different models with enhanced working distance over and above the standard 5.7”.

TV/AVI (N):

ULTRA VIOLET / NEAR INFRA RED (F/VW):

METAL HOUSING (M):

CLINICAL MODELS (AMH/AMB):

Dino-Lite offers digital microscopes for otologists, dentists and ophthalmologists as follows:

FIXED MAGNIFICATION

There are three fixed magnification models:

OTHER

*All Dino-Lite models come with the DinoCapture (PC) and DinoXscope (Mac) software*

Purchase a Dino-Lite Microscope: While this page is provided to you as a guide for our Dino-Lite microscopes, when you are ready to purchase a Dino-Lite, click - Buy Dino-Lite.