This article explains how to use a Plugable USB2-MICRO-250X microscope.

Steps:

1. Plug the USB2-MICRO-250X into a USB port of your system  *)
2. Launch a webcam software, such as Plugable Digital Viewer
3. Select the microscope as the (default) device in the setup panel
4. Verify the Camera access permission to the software
5. Rotate the grey light control wheel if the LED doesn't turn on
6. Set Magnification and Focus

*) You can use a USB-C or USB 3.0 (Type-A) port. However, please note that some USB-C ports, especially on smartphones or tablets, may only support charging. This microscope must be connected to a USB port that allows data transfer.

1) Plug the microscope

A Plugable USB2-MICRO-250X is a webcam that uses the UVC common device driver. The system automatically recognizes this microscope as a USB Video device when it’s plugged in. You don’t need to download any device drivers if the operating system is up to date.

2) Launch Webcam software

To use the microscope, you'd need viewing software, such as Plugable Digital Viewer, or any camera application you'd prefer. 

• Plugable Digital Viewer supports Windows.  Please refer to How to use Digital Viewer for the installation steps, and How to launch Digital Viewer articles. 
• For macOS systems, you can use the built-in camera and video applications such as Photo Booth and QuickTime Player. Please set this microscope ("Digital Microscope") as the source device within the app. 
• For ChromeOS systems, please use the built-in Camera application. Please select this microscope ("Digital Microscope") as the source device within the app. 
• For other platforms, you need to use a third-party camera application.

3) Select the microscope as the default device

Most laptops currently on the market come with a built-in webcam. If an external webcam, such as this USB2-MICRO-250X microscope,  is added to the system you'd need to select which webcam you use.   

For example, if you use Plugable Digital Viewer as the camera application, you must need to set the microscope as the default device.  Please refer to How to use Digital Viewer for the setup steps. 

For other third-party viewing applications, please refer to the application's help about how to set the input source device. 

4) Verify the Camera Access Permission

The camera application requires access permission. Please ensure that it has been granted the necessary permissions.

Windows: 

1. Open Settings from the Windows menu.
2. Click on “Privacy & Security”.
3. Select “Camera”.
4.  Make sure that the camera application, such as Digital Viewer, is in the “Let desktop apps access your camera” list.

Please refer to the following Microsoft Support page for details:  Manage app permissions for your camera in Windows

macOS: 

1. Open "System Preferences" from the Apple menu.
2. Click on "Security & Privacy".
3. Select the "Privacy" tab.
4. In the sidebar on the left, click on “Camera”.
5. You'll see a list of applications that have requested access to the camera. Check the box next to the camera application you want to grant access to. 

Please note that if you are using a built-in application, such as Photo Booth, you don't need to set the access permission. 

5) Turn on the LEDs
 

After the system recognizes the microscope and the camera application is ready for use with the USB2-MICRO-250X microscope, the LED on the microscope should turn on. 

But by default, the LED control is in the off position when the product is shipped from the factory. To view under most indoor lighting conditions, you'll need to turn on the LEDs by rotating the grey light control wheel on the body.

6) Set Magnification and Focus

Please refer to this article about the magnification and focus functionality of this microscope for your reference: 

Magnification and Focus Functionality of the USB2-MICRO-250X Microscope

If you have any questions about this article, please reach out to us at support@plugable.com. We will be happy to help.