Review of the HEINE Delta 30 UV Dermatoscope
Earlier this year on the website I reviewed the latest entry level dermatoscope from HEINE – the DELTA X (Link Here). This year also sees an upgrade at the other end of the range with the release of the HEINE DELTA 30 UV.
This is the third incarnation in DELTA 30 line up, joining the DELTA 30 and DELTA 30 PRO (Link Here). This latest release sees a device almost identical to the other two (with a change in colour from black to white) but with one significant addition - ultraviolet (UV) light as well as the standard white and polarised bulbs found in the earlier versions.
As the new DELTA 30 UV device is built onto the existing DELTA 30 body, reassuringly it is the same in terms of quality of build and dimensions. For me, the DELTA 30 design with its handle is ergonomic and well balanced and comfortable in the hand. The DELTA 30 UV is accompanied by the high standard optics of its predecessors. The 30mm wide viewing area is impressive – one of the largest available. The quality of the lens ensures visual quality right up to the edge with no aberrations or distortions at the standard 10 times magnification. The eyepiece has a sturdy focus ring which allows for clear focussing for users whether normal, short or long sighted.
The lighting in each mode (white, polarised and UV) is provided by individual bulbs angulated towards the centre of the lens ensuring good illumination into the skin using any light mode. Two lights on the left-hand side of the handle indicate which mode is being employed – polarised, non-polarised or UV (see above).
The only absence here from the earlier 30 PRO is that the “colorshift” function has gone. This gave four temperature settings or colourisations to the images (see my earlier review) but after using both devices, personally it is not something I feel will be missed. UV function is driven by 12 LED bulbs providing UV at around 385nm according to the manufacturer.
Charging the device is straightforward. On the underside of the handle, three LEDs indicate battery strength and indicate when a recharge is needed. Having a power off function after a period of 10 minutes also helps to preserve battery life.
Below are two images of an eccrine poroma one under polarised, the other under UV. Can you see the cotton wool thread?
As with all modern dermatoscopes, the charging is facilitated via a USB-C port at the base of the unit so most phone chargers will be able to charge this device, although a USB cable and plug is included in the box. A desktop charger is also available as an optional extra.
The DELTA 30 UV has the usual accessories. It comes with case, charger and optional extras include a small lesion plate (for reaching between the toes), a desktop charger and a camera phone adaptor. I generally recommend if you are going to use a dermatoscope then you need the phone adaptor to capture all the images. I reviewed the HEINE adaptor earlier (Link Here).
This device will fit any smart phone through the attachment of a magnet to the back of the phone case to which the arm can be magnetically attached and aligned over the lens of the camera on the phone. Also, a distance working ring is available which attaches to the lens of the device that allows a set distance between the skin and the dermatoscope so a lesions is not pressed or blanched.
Overall, the device does not disappoint with its excellent optics, quality build and a full range of accessories. The addition of UV opens a whole new world of UV imaging which is just emerging in dermatology. As I will cover in another blog, the addition of UV in dermoscopy can be helpful in diagnosis of conditions like scabies but as history has shown, yet undiscovered applications will likely be uncovered in the coming months and years.
The HEINE 30 UV is available in most countries. In the UK, Entera Medical stock the full range of HEINE products. Outside the UK, stockists can be found on the HEINE Global Website.
UK Customers using Entera Medical can receive a discount on any orders using the code: DRBRSTW-UV-EN26 before the end of 2026.
Declaration: The manufacturer supplied the device for this review but had no editorial control when writing the review. The article was written independently of the supplier and distributor.
