Carson Optical zOrb
Manufacturer: Carson Optical
Recommended Age: 
Retail Price: $75.00
Buy it here: amazon.com
On the web: www.carsonoptical.com

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WTS Rating:


(5 out of 5 stars)

SUMMARY

The zOrb from Carson Optical is a digital microscope with an integrated camera that displays a magnified image on your computer screen.  The 35x magnification (on a 14" monitor) is intended to allow kids to see details of ordinary objects that they never knew existed.  The built-in internal illuminator aims to ensure a clear and bright image.  Kids can capture images, videos and their own creations using the built-in 640 x 480 resolution digital camera.  The zOrb is available in three colors:  Surf Blue, Safari Green and Lava Orange.

 

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY RATINGS

EASE OF USE
Let's start with this - the zOrb is absolutely, positively, easy to use.  In fact, it is almost too easy.  In fact, all of our parents were actually able to set it up and use it in minutes - so you can be certain that all of the children with a little bit of computer know-how (which is about 100 times more than their parents) was off and running with this amazing little gadget in no time.  Ease of use - working with the zOrb is almost second nature.  Install the software, start the program, aim the digital microscope, focus manually (or it focuses for you) and incredible images are projected right to your computer screen.  Snapping photos and recording videos is a breeze.  5 stars seems almost like it isn't enough!
DURABILITY
There were no durability issues that came up during testing, but everyone involved recognized this as a fairly sophisticated computer peripheral - and with that said - everyone handled with care.  If you and yours handle the zOrb appropriately there should be no trouble.  If a little one drops it a few too many times, well, you should know better!
VISUAL APPEAL
What do you get when you cross an egg with a computer mouse?  The zOrb of course!  It's obviously designed for function, but the design itself doesn't lack in style.  The variety of colors are fun - but truthfully in the opinion of our kids and parents - unnecessary.  It works wonders - and it looks good too!
FUNCTIONALITY
Wow!  This little peripheral packs plenty of function into one tiny package.  Not only does the zOrb project incredible images onto your computer screen, it can also take pictures and video!  No one in our groups could think of anything more they could want from this little wonder.
COST EFFICIENCY
The retail price on this marvel is $75.  Most of the Moms and Dads in our group priced it around $50 - so to them it seems a bit expensive.  However, not one parent shied away from the price after using this amazing digital microscope.  It packs wonder and amazement into everyday objects, and can be used for so much fun and so many projects it is easy to see that you'll get your use out of it.

ORIGINALITY
We, nor any of the parents and kids on our review team, have ever seen anything quite like the zOrb.  It is awesome, does what it says it will, and wowed everyone.  The zOrb is a true original!
OVERALL RATING
If you couldn't tell where we were headed with this one by now, you may need the zOrb to help you take a closer look!  It is incredible!  It is awesome!  It is fun!  It is wild!  And it packs hours of fun exploration into its tiny little package.  Our team loved the zOrb, we loved the zOrb.  If you have a little bit of room in your electronics budget, you can't do better than an investment in this awesome device!