Salutations MadScientist,
Your Celestron unit looks pretty much equivalent to mine, yes, but then it reminds me that i should warn the reader about a lamentable mistake i made previously, when buying this other one before:
http://oi51.tinypic.com/28u63vo.jpg
This is Celestron #44320, avoid it at all costs: that’s a toy designed for children while the plastic filling made it so brittle i never really managed to obtain pictures worthy of publication, because the sensor would no longer hold in place after a few manipulations… Chineese plastic i figured. The ocular finish showed solvent marks, i observed inadequacy in its spring-loaded supports because of their rough scratching edges, the stylo-shaped blue LED lamp died early while it was difficult to keep the other lamp lit as a result of it’s cheap mobile contacts, with a cap that wouldn’t stay put, etc. Ah, and focus adjustment had excess “hysteresis”/“Back-Lash” i didn’t find appropriate in this application.
In the end my only session searching for trichomes lasted 1½ hour only to see trichomes and 3 more hours to capture this:
Take note though that my Celestron 44320 Microscope kit actually came from Khan Scope Centre (Toronto, Ontario), it was paid 128.76 $ CAD (all fees included) and left me such an impression of cheap imitation i’ll bet that’s note for sale anymore. Which would be a blessing!..
My advice: have a good look at the box too and search for hints confirming the product is really meant to be used by adults. Maybe Celestron is still the manufacturer i though it was but in my case this is what happened. Looking at the B & W picture i even recall i had to remove colour for an excess of chromatic aberration!
M’well, always better gauge before you buy i guess.
Good day, have fun!! 