Comparative features of different of entry-level microscopes Some considerations regardless of the type of microscope selected. For example, metal microscopes are more durable and provide greater stability than plastic; better quality optics provide better quality images (glass not plastic) Type of microscope Main features Advantages Disadvantages Guideline price Child-friendliness microscopes Often claim high linear Light and portable; Insufficient resolution to £25-50ish Poor: frustrations ‘Toy’ available from magnification e.g. 500x bright colours attract view images at the involved in using these department stores and or even 1000x. very young children. stated magnification toys can put children off educational toy stores Brightly coloured plastic (need careful sample rather than encouraging body with plastic lenses. prep, good optics and them into the wonderful specialised lighting to world of microscopy. get good results at such high magnification): produce poor quality fuzzy images. Not very stable: vibrations make poor quality image even more blurry. Poor quality plastic lenses are not corrected for lens errors. Introductory monocular Relatively low Generally metal and Coarse focusing only. £60ish (and RMS grant A good general microscopes e.g. Motic magnification. better quality than toy Monocular may not be may be available) introduction to MS2 Monocular. microscopes mentioned comfortable for microscopes for Upright image. above. prolonged viewing children and adult simple controls. Easy to relate image to (although binocular may beginners. Removable base specimen viewed. Single not be suitable for No sample preparation magnification (usually younger children in any necessary. 20x) enough to see case).
Comparative features of different of entry-level microscopes Some considerations regardless of the type of microscope selected. For example, metal microscopes are more durable and provide greater stability than plastic; better quality optics provide better quality images (glass not plastic) Type of microscope Main features Advantages Disadvantages Guideline price Child-friendliness ‘Toy’ microscopes available from department stores and educational toy stores Often claim high linear magnification e.g. 500x or even 1000x. Brightly coloured plastic body with plastic lenses. Light and portable; bright colours attract very young children. Insufficient resolution to view images at the stated magnification (need careful sample prep, good optics and specialised lighting to get good results at such high magnification): produce poor quality fuzzy images. Not very stable: vibrations make poor quality image even more blurry. Poor quality plastic lenses are not corrected for lens errors. £25-50ish Poor: frustrations involved in using these toys can put children off rather than encouraging them into the wonderful world of microscopy. Introductory monocular microscopes e.g. Motic MS2 Relatively low magnification. Monocular. Upright image. simple controls. Removable base No sample preparation necessary. Generally metal and better quality than toy microscopes mentioned above. Easy to relate image to specimen viewed. Single magnification (usually 20x) enough to see Coarse focusing only. Monocular may not be comfortable for prolonged viewing (although binocular may not be suitable for younger children in any case). £60ish (and RMS grant may be available) A good general introduction to microscopes for children and adult beginners.
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