Top Ten Tips on Buying Educational Microscopes

Schools and homes need educational microscopes foradjustments. As much as your budget will allow, avoid
their students. These viewing equipment allow them tothe microscopes with either a coarse focus
see into the world of living organisms and non-livingadjustment or an intermediate focus.
things on a whole different perspective, figuratively andPrefer Halogen Lighting
literally. And as with all types of investment for yourFor most students, the fluorescent microscope works
children's education, you must carefully consider thejust fine. However, for the more advanced students
purchase of an educational microscope since it, too,especially when considering a binocular microscope,
requires money.halogen lighting with a dimmer is the more preferred
Buy from the Right Sourcesoption.
If you want quality in an educational microscope and,Look for Good Lenses
hence, value for your money, you must never buyIn many ways, the lens is the heart of the microscope.
from a nature and science store, a department storeAt the very least, buy one with a glass achromatic
or a toy store. There are online sources for high-qualitylens that will work in an excellent manner with school
microscopes that will not end up not being used andand hobby applications. If you have money to spare,
worse, in the trash can.educational microscopes with semi-plan lens are the
Spend Rightnext step up.
You can expect to pay at least $200 for a goodGo for a Slip Clutch
quality beginner microscope. Anything under thisThe slip clutch allows the focus knob to turn in place
amount should be avoided unless you want to wastewithout causing damage to the microscope focus
your hard-earned money and waste your child's timesystem. For many schools, this is the most important
with a microscope that does nothing for his studies.requirement.
No Plastic, All MetalConsider a Mechanical Stage
All good quality educational microscopes have metalAlthough this is optional for educational microscopes
parts and absolutely no plastic parts. Look for metalfor students, it is indeed a good addition to your
parts especially in the frame, screw fasteners andsystem. Plus, it will help you practice for the more
focusing system. Otherwise, you are stuck with a toyadvanced medical and laboratory microscopes.
microscope that you could have saved the troubleConsider an Iris Diaphragm
buying with your money.The iris diaphragm makes for easier adjustment in
DIN Standardusing the microscope. You can contrast this with a disk
This is the German standard for the manufacture ofdiaphragm that might be a little bit more difficult to
microscope lenses, which makes it easy to replace themaneuver for students.
lens and lamp as well as other microscope parts. ItWith these tips in mind, you should be able to choose
must be emphasized that a DIN lens is not particularlyfrom amongst educational microscopes and get good
better than the non-DIN lens but it does make for greatvalue for your money.
interchangeability.CanScope - complete solution for all your microscopy
Separate Adjustmentsneeds.
It is very important to purchase educationalContact: 1-877-56SCOPE(72673) or info@CanScope.
microscopes with separate fine focus and coarse