Light sources for microscopes (Full Version)

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TMeeks -> Light sources for microscopes (7/11/2008 9:50:09 AM)

I just recieved a new catelog from one of the major microscope importers. More and more of their microscopes are being converted to LED lighting. The primary benefits of LED lighting are that they are low heat light sources, extremely bright and portable. They run off of batteries so there is no cord. This means they can be taken anywhere easily.

At first, the LED lighted scopes were only at the low end of the quality spectrum; but, that will rapidly change over the years. As of this new catelog, the upper end of the Student scopes now have models with LED lighting.

So, when looking at microscopes, you might want to consider one with LED lighting if all the other features are equal. I've gotten my best photographs from LED lighted scopes.

My favorite compound microscope for school aged children is the DUAL VIEW microscope that Cynthia recently purchased. It is the ONLY microscope where you can be assured that the student is seeing what you expect them to see... because you can see it with them. It is WELL worth the additional cost for the extra eyepiece tube.

But, right now that is still lighted with a cord and flourescent lamp. In choosing LED vs. Dual View, I would DEFINITELY go with the Dual View. But, in all other cases, I'd urge you to consider a model having LED as its light source.



shadowspring -> RE: Light sources for microscopes (7/11/2008 10:39:53 AM)

I buy pretty much all my science supplies from Home Training Tools.

The hand-held microscope that comes with our Rainbow Science lab package is by far the most popular of any microscope I have ever bought.

Our $200 traditional microscope I recently donated to a Christian school, since it was so under-utilized in our home.



TMeeks -> RE: Light sources for microscopes (7/11/2008 1:21:07 PM)

Compound microscopes, as a general rule, ARE going to be under utilized by most families. But, they seem to be required for most home school courses. Utilization, in the long term, is a function of interest. If there is no interest in exploring those things for which a compount microscope is built, it will sit. And, because things need to be very, very tiny and somewhat treansparent, it limits the things that can be used with it.

On the other hand, my FAVORITE microscope is a new low-cost, low-power stereo microscope called the iExplorer. Like a hand held microscope it can be used for viewing a wide variety of things.

I-Explore Scope


quote:

ORIGINAL: shadowspring

I buy pretty much all my science supplies from Home Training Tools.

The hand-held microscope that comes with our Rainbow Science lab package is by far the most popular of any microscope I have ever bought.

Our $200 traditional microscope I recently donated to a Christian school, since it was so under-utilized in our home.



shadowspring -> RE: Light sources for microscopes (7/13/2008 2:41:36 PM)

That looks pretty cool!



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