Magnifi - World's First iPhone Universal Photoadapter Case by Xianne and Isaac Penny » Comments

Leave a comment (for backers only)

1. Creator Jon Atherton on October 23, 2012
  
  just got around to reviewing my list of projects that I backed - I never received this - can you check please?
2. Creator Bruce Donnelly on July 23, 2012
  
  Hi, I received my Magnifi last week and since have tried it out on my binoculars, telescope and my old Olympus HSC microscope using my iPhone 4S. It works perfectly on all of my optical devices and some just needed an extra adaptor ring to create the perfect fit. Using the Camera+ app allows you the easily shift the focus centre to any point and makes composing a photo very easy.
  I love the "live view" you get when using it on a telescope. The ability to share the view with others makes this a great educational tool whist stargazing with a group of people.
  Congratulations on bringing your idea to life and producing a very slick, easy to use device.
  
  Regards
  Bruce
  
  P.S. we have a laser CNC here at work so I plan to make some other adaptor rings to suit some of my other optical devices.
3. Creator Joerk Krueger on July 12, 2012
  
  Received mine today here in Germany. I am using a 3GS and cannot slide the phone in of course, but as the curved design of the 3GS makes it centered automatically when put on the Magnify it is way better than holding it with your hand in front of the telescope lens. Now I will just figure out how to create an easy fix of the 3GS to the Magnify. Once the new IPhone is out, I will probably get a 4 or 4 S to fit my magnify. But for now: I am happy with the quality, and all the love put in this device, as everyone can see from al the details that just match! Thanks again for this great product!
4. Creator Helge Dorfmueller on July 10, 2012
  
  Dear Newlyweds ;-)
  
  well done! We have installed the Magnifi on our microscope and we really love it! Would be great to purchase some extra cases (only), as our lab contains 20 people and we surely will loose this single case very soon....
  
  Keep up the hard work and the nice design for future iPhone 5,6,7...:-)
  
  We will further spread the word in Scotland and UK! ;)
  
  Cheers,
  happy backer ;)
5. Creator Ben Austin on July 6, 2012
  
  I received mine earlier in the week and had a chance to install it on my microscope a couple of days ago. I guess I have particularly small eyepieces because I had to use all of the adapter rings and even now it's a bit loose. Not sure if anyone else is having similar problems or if my eyepieces are just that small.
  
  So the Magnifi attachment is loose and I have to hold it a certain way to take good pictures or videos. However, I knew the sizing requirements before I backed the project and the adapter rings do help a lot. As you might imagine, staring through itty bitty eyepieces was a chore in itself, so the Magnifi makes the whole process much more enjoyable. Overall very happy with the product.
6. Creator Laine Mikael on July 4, 2012
  
  I just got mine in the mail today (in Finland). Can't try it out at the moment, but quality seems very nice indeed :-)
7. Creator james sjoblom on July 3, 2012
  
  One of my early experiences with KickStarter was a simular project called Sky Light. After spending much time trying to use it in spite of multiple issues using the project, I saw this one. Right off, I knew it was a better design. When I received the Magnifi, I was able to quickly adapt it to my AmScope 40x-2000x microsocpe. After my experience with a previous KS project, it was an awesome feeling to simply slide my phone into the holder and have it snap in exactly over the lense. The attention to detail, and quality made this project worth waiting for. With the addapter rings, I anticipate any of my other optics to be able to fit as well. It is projects like this one that take the sting of being an "early adopter" of projects that didn't work out as well.
  Thank you for taking the time to do this right.
8. Creator Thomas White on July 3, 2012
  
  I just got my two in the mail, now I have to get some binoculars or a monocular. I have no microscopes, but would like to try them on the telescopes you find at tourist areas.
9. Creator Olivia Hatton on July 2, 2012
  
  I've been using my Magnifi in lab to keep track of a couple of experiments, and it has been great to bring data to lab that I otherwise wouldn't have gotten
  
  The eyepieces on the microscope in lab are quite small, so I was a bit concerned that It wouldn't fit. However, with all three bands in place, it fits quite snugly onto the eyepiece and is really easy to use! The case itself slides nicely and easily onto my iPhone 4. I've been able to set the Magnifi + iPhone onto the eyepiece, then slide my phone in and out when I need it without needing to make any major adjustments to the focus.
  
  This has made documenting my labwork so much easier, because it is really difficult to get the iPhone to focus just by holding it up to the eyepiece with your hands! It's also helped me teach some students how to count cells, as we can both look at the same image at the same time.
  
  I'm a happy backer!
10. Creator Thomas on July 1, 2012
  
  Hi guys, As like all backers, my fingers are crossed. I received another Kickstarter project I backed recently, it was so bad that I had to use it as scrap metal and parts to experiment for my own ideas. Out of respect for that project creator, I have messaged him my utter disappointment in his product and hence would never be dealing with or promoting him. So for those of us who are NOT rushed, please take C A R E - in every good sense!
11. Creator Ming Chonlanotr on June 23, 2012
  
  I don't get anything until now (6/23/2012). I'm in Thailand.
12. Creator Rob Jones on June 9, 2012
  
  Got my magnifi in the mail the other day and wow am I ever disappointed, not with the product but with the price I paid for it. The product works as described, does what it should, but is really worth only about half what I paid for it. Even if I had got icon the early bird special, at $55 this product is way overpriced. $25 is about the most I'd pay for it, retail, knowing now what I do. This is a cheap plastic iPhone case like many others (except it covers only 2/3 of the phone, btw) with a fancy adapter that doesn't even clamp shut tight around your lens. It's a very loose closure, even with the extra expansion bands in place, and if you accidentally nudge it your phone will drop to the ground pretty quick. Like I said, it works, but only just. I wouldn't let my phone hang by it; hold on for dear life.
13. Creator Hanske on June 9, 2012
  
  don't put stickers on the boxes please!!! just stamp on a simple logo - keep it green! there is enough waste already that is difficult to recycle :-) u started out right it seems, don't ruin it now with a sticker.
  ps. could u send the packages marked as "a gift" (some other kickstart project do it) - maybe international backers can avoid extra taxes this way ;-) thx
14. Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on June 8, 2012
  
  Hi Mike and John,
  
  We are excited to hear that you have received your units, and that you've had a chance to try them out.
  
  The "Just Can't Wait" units were, as mentioned in the video, from our final pre-production run. Thus we had a chance to improve the surface finish on the plastic parts prior to the full production run, using support from Kickstarter.
  
  Mike, thank you for your feedback on package labeling! We had committed to this for the distributor pack retail units, but we have since decided to add it in for the rest of the June orders as well.
  
  Thank you guys also for your feedback on the alignment learning curve. We find that with knowledge of best practices and after a bit of experience, the alignment process typically takes less than 10 seconds. We've tried to instill these best practices into a QuickStart Guide, which will ship with the June units. We'll pass along a digital copy to our Kickstarter supporters, once the final revision becomes available.
  
  Thank you all again for your support!
  
  Kind Regards,
  Isaac and Xianne
15. Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on June 8, 2012
  
  Hi Chris. Thank you for your question. We apologize for any confusion. The units that have shipped thus far are the "Just Can't Wait" units sent one month early on May 31st at a slightly higher price. The rest of the units ship on June 30th, as described in the Kickstarter video and backer updates 5 & 6.
  
  You should be receiving the shipping address survey in the coming week for these orders. If you don't receive it by that time, please let us know. We use the survey database to create the shipping labels, so the survey is the best way to insure that your address is received correctly without introduction of any copying errors.
  
  We are excited to have shipped the first units and are currently working on production of the June units. Feel free to send us a kickstarter message, if you have any additional questions about your order.
  
  Kind Regards,
  Isaac and Xianne
16. Creator Chris Campbell on June 8, 2012
  
  I never got my email asking for my info!!! When did these ship?!?!? I would like mine As soon as possible!! Thank you
17. Creator John Morrison on June 6, 2012
  
  Completely agree with Mike Lucey's comments. Today I tested the Magnifi on my microscope and was slightly dissapointed with the attachment to the scope. It did work but it took some manipulation to get the image centered and stabilized for photos. The attachment engineering could be improved. Overall, a great idea and needed technology.
18. Creator Mike Lucey on June 5, 2012
  
  Just got the delivery from the postman. Unpacked and all looks fine. Will start playing with the Magnifi shortly.
  
  My first reactions were,
  
  a. Glad to see no fancy and wasteful plastic (hard to open) packaging. The container box is simple white card. Would suggest that you guys actually stick the 'Arcturus Labs' sticker on this box! I did this as I have quite a few white boxes laying around.
  
  b. The plastic iPhone case looks that it was made with two moulds and fixed together. The join line is quite prominent. This lets the 'look; down a little. Also It looks like the clasp actually holds the back glass on the iPhone 4! It works fine but it would be a good idea to have a single page instruction sheet advising this as I imagine some folks may try forcing the clasp to further catch the bottom of the iPhone.
  
  c. The Magnifi unit is easy to operate and the rubber band spring (embossed with logo) looks good and strong. Again build quality is a little 'seamy'.
  
  d. The rubber eye piece bands (4) again embossed look like they should last well.
  
  Overall the construction is solid and functional if a little cheaply manufactured looking but its functionality that matters and this objective has been well met.
19. Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on May 5, 2012
  
  Hi Richard, and thank you for your effort and attention to detail to compile such a list!! We can't currently confirm the accuracy of such a list, or provide an completely exhaustive alternative. Also, several of the categories below include a wide range of eyepieces, some of which will work with well with the current adaptor, and others that will not.
  -
  -
  Rather than try to publish and maintain an exhaustive list of scopes from the get-go, we opted for a set of specifications, which the video and kickstarter page insist one should use to measure their application before pre-ordering. This insures that anyone can know whether or not Magnifi will work for them.
  -
  -
  Magnifi's current adapter was designed to work with eyepieces that are 25mm-38mm in diameter. It also needs to slip over the eyepiece at least 25mm without obstruction, so that your phone's camera can get close enough for the optics to align. If your application has removable eyepieces but your eyepieces don't fit these specs, there is a good chance that you can get a conforming set of eyepieces from an optical supply house or the company that services your equipment.
  -
  -
  As Richard mentions, there is a trend among new monocular outdoor optics toward oversized diameter casings to block out as much stray light from the eye as possible. Binocular applications are immune to this, as one's nose must still fit in between the eyepieces. We have a large diameter eyepiece adaptor due out later this year (exact date TBD) that should support most if not all of these applications. It is backwards compatible with your current Magnifi case via the universal bayonet mount. We are excited about the new adapter, and we hope that our backers who didn't measure their application before ordering can hang in there with us until we can develop a spectrum of adapters that fit a wider breadth of applications!
  -
  With Kickstarter Love,
  Isaac and Xianne
20. Creator Richard Johnson on May 5, 2012
  
  ... and one other I forgot:
  
  Telescope and Spotting Scope Eyepieces ..... ..... ..... ..... Fits Magnifi
  
  KOWA SPOTTING SCOPE EYEPIECES, INCL ZOOM ..... NO
21. Creator Richard Johnson on May 5, 2012
  
  Hi Everyone!
  
  When I checked my spotting scope eyepiece, it was way too fat to fit the Magnifi - I was sad, because it is such a GREAT idea!!
  
  To simplify checking to see if your eyepiece will fit the Magnifi, here are some eyepieces and spotting scopes which I have researched.
  
  Sincerely, Richard
  
  Telescope and Spotting Scope Eyepieces ..... ..... Fits Magnifi
  ANY EYEPIECES WITH 2 IN BARREL ..... ..... ..... ..... NO
  ALMOST ALL TELEVUE EYEPIECES ..... ..... ..... ..... NO
  Astro-tech Long Eye Relief ALL FL ..... ..... ..... ..... NO
  ASTRO-TECH TITAN ALL FL ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... NO
  Baader Planetarium Hyperion Eyepieces ..... ..... NO
  CELESTRON NEXTEL (Supplied with Scope) ..... ..... NO
  CELESTRON OMNI SERIES < 20 mm FL ..... ..... ..... NO
  CELESTRON OMNI SERIES > 20 mm FL ..... ..... ..... NO
  CELESTRON ZOOM, X-CEL, LUMINOS ..... ..... ..... NO
  EDMUND ASTROSCAN PLOSSL < 20 mm FL ..... ..... NO
  EDMUND ASTROSCAN PLOSSL > 20 mm FL ..... ..... Probably
  LEICA TELEVID ZOOM EYEPIECE ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... NO
  LUMICON 25mm Kellner Crosshair Eyepiece ..... ..... Probably
  MEADE SPOTTING SCOPE WITH ZOOM ..... ..... ..... NO
  MEADE SUPER PLOSSL NON-ZOOM < 10 mm FL ..... ..... NO
  MEADE SUPER PLOSSL NON-ZOOM > 10 mm FL ..... Probably
  MEADE ULTRA WIDE ANGLE ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... NO
  MEADE ZOOM ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... NO
  NIKON EDG EYEPIECES ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... NO
  NIKON SPOTTING SCOPE EYEPIECES ..... ..... ..... ..... NO
  PARKS 7 to 21MM SILVER ZOOM EYEPIECE ..... ..... Probably
  PARKS SILVER, GOLD PLOSSL EYEPIECE < 15 MM ..... NO
  PARKS SILVER, GOLD PLOSSL EYEPIECE > 25 MM ..... NO
  PARKS SILVER, GOLD SERIES PLOSSL 20 - 25 MM ..... Probably
  PENTAX Spotting Scopes: XW and XL Eyepieces ..... NO
  PENTAX Spotting Scopes ZOOM EYEPIECE ..... ..... NO
  QUESTAR TELESCOPE EYEPIECES ..... ..... ..... ..... NO
  Swarovski Zoom Eyepiece for Spotting Scopes ..... NO
  VIXEN 10MM, 15MM NPL PLOSSL ..... ..... ..... ..... Probably
  Vixen Other Plossl, Zoom, Lanthanum LVW ..... ..... NO
  ZEISS SPOTTING SCOPE ZOOM EYEPIECES ..... ..... NO
  Zhumell Z Series Planetary Telescope Eyepieces ..... NO
  
  *****************
22. Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on May 1, 2012
  
  Hi Microfacturing, Thanks for your comment! Photoadapter "brackets" are nearly as old as the iPhone itself. In contrast to such "brackets", Magnifi is the world's first photoadapter "case", meaning it is designed for quick everyday use, while being slim enough to fit in your pocket.
  
  Brackets like Magnilux have several knobs and sliders. These require near endless fiddling to align. By contrast, Magnifi aligns the camera and eyepiece optical axes automatically, while a simple latch holds everything in place.
  
  Other brackets, like Scopemonkey, contain sharp metallic components that can scratch your phone's screen, and they cost a small fortune (currently $175).
  
  On top of all that, Magnifi is the first eyepiece photoadapter of any kind to offer interchangeable cases. This makes switching between devices a snap. Interchangeable cases also allows Magnifi to grow with you when you inevitably change phones.
23. Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on April 30, 2012
  
  Hi Kjell,
  
  Thanks for your question! We spoke via the message utility on Kickstarter, but I thought I'd post a response for the benefit of others.
  
  Yes, Magnifi is designed to work with eyepieces that are 25-38mm in diameter. It also requires being able to slide over over the eyepiece 25mm without obstruction, so that the camera can get close enough to the eyepiece for the optics to align. Given these specifications, it appears that Magnifi will work for you!
24. Creator Daniel Bauen + Microfacturing on April 27, 2012
  
  "Worlds First" is a bold statement considering that there are already iPhone Photoadapters on the market like the ScopeMonkey - http://www.scopemonkey.com, or the Magnilux - http://www.magnilux.com/
25. Creator Kjell Nolke on April 27, 2012
  
  Hi. I am an optometrist and am wondering if you have considered my profession in that we use a slitlamp for viewing the front and back of the eye as well as fitting contact lenses. I already use my iPhone hand held ...... At the slitlamp and there are a few slitlamp iPhone adapters which retail at about $450!!! The eyepiece diameter of my slitlamp increases towards the eye starting at 31mm then 35mm and 37mm where it meets the rubber eye gard. Can you tell me if magnifi will work with this size? Thanks Kjell from Ireland.
26. Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on April 24, 2012
  
  Hi Adam, Sorry that the shipping address thing is confusing :(. With Kickstarter projects in general, not all rewards entail physical products to be shipped. Also not all projects are successful at raising their required funding. As a result, Kickstarter only asks for financial info at the time of pledging. If the project is successful, a survey gets sent out after the project ends. In the survey, we request your shipping info. That way you only need to disclose it if (1) the reward requires knowing your address and (2) the project is successful.
  
  We realize that this information flow is different than most online checkout processes, for which we apologize. It is a framework imposed by Kickstarter, and is currently beyond our ability to control.
27. Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on April 24, 2012
  
  Hi Joshua, Thanks for your question! Magnifi will unfortunately only work with optical instruments that have an eyepiece, as camera lenses have a different sent of focal lengths designed around camera bodies rather than around the human eye.
28. Creator Adam Ringhof on April 23, 2012
  
  I purcahsed a $60 pledge and it took me through Amazon. However, there was no mention of my address anywhere. How will they know where to send these?
29. Creator Joshua Colon on April 23, 2012
  
  Will it be able to mount on camera lenses as well
30. Creator Peter Bonarrigo on April 21, 2012
  
  You guys are awesome....a by product of what love can make! I wish you both all the best and thank you for this.
31. Creator HRD on April 20, 2012
  
  Wonderful idea! Future attachment thought: a hot shoe foot to fit on cameras. Many new Nikons have Wifi and an IP address. The iPhone is about to become the preferred separate monitor for many Nikon users. The Magnifi is a perfect fit here too. If you don't make one, I will cobble one together to use myself. Xie xie nimen!
32. Creator John Hall on April 19, 2012
  
  I think this is a fantastic idea. If only I had something like this when I taught microscopic anatomy and cytology. But of course back then, our microscopes had a lot of shiny brass and digital photography wasn't even a gleam in anyones eye!
  
  John
33. Creator Marco Frissen on April 19, 2012
  
  It's the ideal companion for my grab&go telescope - I always carry my iPhone, but not a camera. Now I have all.
34. Creator Laura Sebastianelli on April 19, 2012
  
  Great news! It is not only a great product, but great that as just a regular person I can support your project!
35. Creator David Choy on April 19, 2012
  
  Stoked that you've been funded! Hopefully with 15 days to go there'll be loose change for some tinkering to improve your product.
36. Creator Vince kemp on April 18, 2012
  
  Congratulations on getting funded. Glad to be a small part of it.
37. Creator Dan on April 18, 2012
  
  Great idea, always wanted a device such as this one for my telescope or when I was in school for microscope drawings in Biology labs. No more wasting time drawing especially if your talentless.
38. Creator Gert Wagner on April 14, 2012
  
  Convincing simplicity, phantastic possibilities, attractive price: this should be a winner.
39. Creator Brandon on April 12, 2012
  
  This is an amazing idea! I wish you the best!

Kickstarter

Magnifi - World's First iPhone Universal Photoadapter Case

Creator Jon Atherton on October 23, 2012

Creator Bruce Donnelly on July 23, 2012

Creator Joerk Krueger on July 12, 2012

Creator Helge Dorfmueller on July 10, 2012

Creator Ben Austin on July 6, 2012

Creator Laine Mikael on July 4, 2012

Creator james sjoblom on July 3, 2012

Creator Thomas White on July 3, 2012

Creator Olivia Hatton on July 2, 2012

Creator Thomas on July 1, 2012

Creator Ming Chonlanotr on June 23, 2012

Creator Rob Jones on June 9, 2012

Creator Hanske on June 9, 2012

Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on June 8, 2012

Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on June 8, 2012

Creator Chris Campbell on June 8, 2012

Creator John Morrison on June 6, 2012

Creator Mike Lucey on June 5, 2012

Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on May 5, 2012

Creator Richard Johnson on May 5, 2012

Creator Richard Johnson on May 5, 2012

Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on May 1, 2012

Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on April 30, 2012

Creator Daniel Bauen + Microfacturing on April 27, 2012

Creator Kjell Nolke on April 27, 2012

Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on April 24, 2012

Creator Xianne and Isaac Penny on April 24, 2012

Creator Adam Ringhof on April 23, 2012

Creator Joshua Colon on April 23, 2012

Creator Peter Bonarrigo on April 21, 2012

Creator HRD on April 20, 2012

Creator John Hall on April 19, 2012

Creator Marco Frissen on April 19, 2012

Creator Laura Sebastianelli on April 19, 2012

Creator David Choy on April 19, 2012

Creator Vince kemp on April 18, 2012

Creator Dan on April 18, 2012

Creator Gert Wagner on April 14, 2012

Creator Brandon on April 12, 2012

621 Backers

$44,759 pledged of $10,000 goal

0 seconds to go

Project by

Xianne and Isaac Penny

Pledge $10 or more

Pledge $55 or more

Pledge $60 or more

Pledge $75 or more

Pledge $120 or more

Pledge $600 or more

Discover

Create

About

Stay in touch

621
Backers

$44,759
pledged of $10,000 goal

0
seconds to go