Name: 3R-VT101 "Vitiny" Digital Microscope
Category: digital imaging device
Price: JPY29800
Release date in Japan: Late August, 2008

The 3R-VT101 (aka "Vitiny") is a pocket-sized digital microscope from Fukuoka-based 3R Systems, offering zoom magnification from 7x to 108x. With its flat body and embedded screen, it looks a bit like a compact digital scanner, which in effect it is. The 70-gram Vitiny lights up its tiny subjects with a white LED lamp, reads the image with a 300,000-pixel CMOS sensor, and displays the output on a 1.8-inch TFT screen. Built-in effects, such as negatives, greyscale, embossed edges, and side-by-side image comparisons, help reveal fine details as needed. There's 2MB of built-in flash memory for saving up to 60 images, which can be downloaded to a PC via USB. The unit runs on power from three AAA batteries or via USB (PC or wall adapter).

Who would use this pocket digital microscope? Its modest magnification isn't for microbiologists, but might aid in student research projects, quality control inspections, counterfeit detection, beauty clinic skin analysis, and other investigative work. Order from one of 3R's several online shops (such as http://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/3r-shop/index.html ) from late August.

More info: http://cf.3rrr.co.jp/products/vitiny/vitiny.cfm (Japanese)

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