Microscope - what type for a 10 yr old?

[iceman]

Hi guys

I'm looking to get a microscope for my son for xmas. I had one when I was about his age, and absolutely loved it.

I haven't really looked for any yet, but saw some in Toys R Us, ranging from $29 to $129.

What do I need to look for in a microscope?
What brands should I look for/stay away from?
What features should I look for?
Best place to buy?
Price ranges?

I'm not after the best that money can buy, but I also don't want a "dept store cheapie" :)

Something middle of the range I guess, reasonable quality and affordable.

Cheers

[Satchmo]

Hi Mike

I have fond memories too of my first microscope.

A quick search showed up this one from York Optical . It has built in illumination and good magnification range and looks solid enough.

http://microscope.net.au/Home/tabid/283/CategoryID/1579/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/6850/Default.aspx?SortField=Free3+DESC%2 cUnitCost

If you just want to look at bugs and biology then a dissecting microscope is a good choice, as you get nice bright images. I have a 20X stereoscopic model that Bintel sells for $199. I use it for looking at optical surfaces.

[Octane]

Mike,

Give the Bintel lady a call. :)

Regards,
Humayun

[GTB_an_Owl]

yes Mike

give Lily a call - she is the microscope expert

geoff

[astro744]

Bintel have a nice range but nothing biological I believe unless they can get someting in. Also try http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/microscope-endoscope-camera-attach-olympus-student.htm

The student one may be a good one for a beginner. (Thinking about getting one myself).

Look at buying a microscope the same as buying a telescope. You wouldn't buy a department store telescope would you because you know it's not going to be of much use.

[Robert9]

Hi Mike,
Think of a microscope in the same way you would a telescope. Poor images, crappy focusing mechanisms only discourage. Olympus make a good range of student microscopes. I'm sure there are other good brands too. Well worth spending the extra dollars and if the kids do lose interest, it will still have a re-sale value.
Robert

[iceman]

Thanks guys. Some good starting points for me.

Bintel don't have any listed on their website!?

The one on Telescopes-Astronomy (student one for $120) looks pretty good - looks similar to the one I had when I was a kid.

Something like this (http://www.yorkoptical.com.au/ProductMenus/Microscopes/tabid/65/CategoryID/319/List/1/Level/a/ProductID/2697/Default.aspx?SortField=Free3,UnitCo st) looks very cool but I could never justify the cost.

[acropolite]

Mike, I've been looking myself and a friend advised looking for second hand items. Good quality microscopes often go quite cheaply secondhand. Can't recommend where from although they do get listed on ebay frequently.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Mike

I rember my first introduction to a microscope when I was about 9 or 10 (nearly 70 years ago). My Grandfather had his out and was examining some slides. I can remember looking at blood, the proboscus of a bee, Human hair etc. I thought "Gee I wish I had one of those" It was a standard microscope with three object lenses on a turret, The shortest focal length lens needed to be immersed in oil so we did not use that. He used a hurricane lamp to provide illumination as he said it gave a much softer light than the desk lamp.

From my own experience I would recomend one of these type which can be obtained for about $120. Do not get the cheap department store plastic type they are pretty poor performers when compared to one with reasonable optics.

York Optical used to have a good range of microscopes starting at around $120

Barry

[Ian Robinson]

Unless you really want a microscope yourself (and a Xmas present for your 10 yo is just the excuse to buy one) , I'd not spend a lot on a microscope for such a young child.

I'd go a toy one from Tasco or the likes to start off.... that way uou wont be much out of pocket. $400 for a microscope for a 10 yo is too expensive IMO .... I take it the kid will get more than one present.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Ian

Such a young child? Oh dear don't let him hear you say that. When I was ten I was on top of the world! I could read , write and do my sums! Biggles was my hero. I thought I knew everything. I would not have wanted a toy microscope. However at that time you could not buy much. It was 1945. The war had just finished and the shops were bare. I remember what I got for Xmas, a donkey engine. Learnt that you don't spill metho on your hands when you light the burner. Not to forget to put water in the boiler etc.

Baz;):thumbsup:

[stephenb]

Mike,

You need a good, basic, compund microscope with the ability to attach a ccd camera.

After reseaching microscopes for hobby use for some time, I can recommend: http://www.aunet.com.au/ - The "Children's microscope" would be suitable and AUnet can supply prepared slides also. They are very helpful and supply schools with instruments also.

Like telescopes, most microscopes are out of China, and rebadged accordingly. And like telescopes, you pay for what you get - most of the time.

IMO, forget Bintel and York. They should stick to what they know - telescopes.

If/when the time comes and you want to get serious - for the home hobbyist - "Wedmore" brand distributed by Brunel (http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/compoundtour.html) or UKGE (http://www.ukge.co.uk/UK/product.asp?numRecordPosition=5&P_ID=2129&strPageHistory=&strKeywords=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=401) of the UK is the way to go: . Especially the the SP range. The only issue is the freight to Australia - about 90 pounds. They will not negotiate their shipping costs. The Wedmore SP-03 is my favorite.

Some good resources are:

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html

http://www.microscopy.org.au/

[iceman]

http://www.aunet.com.au/student_microscope.htm
$545!!! Ouch!

The childrens one is more reasonable :) Can't attach a CCD by the looks of it though?
http://aunet.com.au/childrens_microscope.htm

The digital one looks cool too, but too expensive.
http://aunet.com.au/digital_microscope.htm

Thanks for the info stephen - much appreciated!

[avandonk]

I really miss my $20k Ziess 10x to 100x zoom binocular microscope.

CSIRO said I could come and use it any time.

Get a decent 20x binocular microscope.

Higher magnification with a transmission microscope can come later.

Bert

[seanliddelow]

Is there a childrens stereo microscope?
They are quite awesome as you can view objects in 3D like viewing through binoculars.
They may be expensive, however.

[sheeny]

Happy hunting, Mike.

I had a great time with my microscope too at that age!:D:thumbsup: (...and my chemistry set, and electronics starter kit from Dick Smith:D - all great ideas at that age:thumbsup:).

I was nearly going to suggest a USB microscope like mine (~$150) but then I realised he probably doesn't have his own laptop/computer:rolleyes:... now there's another great gift idea, next time you're upgrading your lappy!:P

Al.

[iceman]

Thanks for all your advice. I just bought this one:


Will keep him going for years, I hope :)

[Phil]

I just got this one http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-Stereo-Microscope-USB-Digital-Camera-Eyepiece-FREE_W0QQitemZ120488789100QQcmdZVie wItemQQptZAU_Business_Industr ial_Medical_Scientific_Equipment2?h ash=item1c0db1046c
Must say it is very nice and everything looks 3D when looking into it. Love it.
Phil

[seanliddelow]

Awesome scope:thumbsup:

[PCH]

Phil,

was the price of that one $349 or $399, - there seems to be two prices offered?

Cheers,

EDIT: just had a reply from Aunet. The price was $399 for that lot, it's been reduced to $349. Problem solvered !