Product Review
Leica
FS C Forensic Comparison Macroscope
by Scott Doyle
Conclusions
Well, not only is it a remarkable
macroscope the FS C comes with a pretty red cover! Seriously though,
the Leica FS C is one awesome forensic tool. The construction is first
class and the automation and motorization incorporated into the design are
cutting edge.
The good...
Lighting could not be better with the
inclusion of the two Leica Cold Light Sources. Positioning of the lights
is a very easy task. The light produced is very bright but easily diffused
with the included attachments. No vibration could be felt from the light sources
sitting behind the FS C.
Mounting and manipulation of specimens
was a piece of cake. The FS C comes with about every type of
attachment imaginable for holding bullets, cartridge cases, shotshells and even
toolmark evidence.
Image and stage control has been
centralized into the control center and the engineers have thought of about
everything possible. The stage control is especially well designed.
The precise movement of the stages is one of the biggest improvements from my
old comparison macroscope. The controls will take some getting use to but
after one full week of use I'm already getting the hang of it.
Optic quality is one of the strong
points of the FS C. All of the objectives and eyepieces are clear and
extremely well made. You won't find better objectives anywhere!
The no so good...
My only big concern was the fuzziness of
the centerline but this issue has been resolved.
See here!
Suggestions...
Integration of the FS C with a computer is
accomplished via a serial port! Come on Leica get with the times.
Serial ports are disappearing from computers at a fast pace. This should
have been a USB2 or Firewire connection!
The FS C also did not come with any
operator's manual. I did find a brochure online that helps. It can
be viewed by clicking here.
The stage movement controls are very precise but don't allow
for enough coarse movement. When a specimen has to be moved big distances
the wheels have to be spun excessively. If the engineers could have placed
smaller wheels just above the present ones that moved the specimens 4x the
default it could really speed things up. For that matter a single button
on the control module could accomplish the same thing.
Bottom Line...
Having used the FS C now for going
on two weeks I can highly recommend this wonderful comparison macroscope!
You will not be disappointed with any aspect of the craftsmanship and features!
One last thing. My FS C did not come
with the factory digital imaging system but I've been told that it has been
ordered.
Once it arrives I'll add a review for it and the computer automation/digital
image capture that it
brings to the FS C.
Scott Doyle - 11/17/03
Next-Alternatives
Cost:
Around $50-55 thousand for the base
system with light sources.
Digital Imaging system: an additional $10,000 or so.
Contact Information (USA)
Leica Microsystems
2345 Waukegan Road
Bannockburn, IL 60015
USA
phone: +1 800 248 0123
website:
www.leica-microsystems.com
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