Want to buy a microscope for yourself or your child? Wondering what to look for? Here's some basic information to get you started. We know: What to Look for in a MicroscopeWhat is a microscope?A microscope is a device that uses a lens to magnify a small specimen, such as a leaf or drop of water. Biological microscopes are the kind most commonly purchased for introductory science and home-use. What's are the basic kinds of microscopes?High power microscopes (also called compound) are used for looking at very small specimens. High power magnifications include 40X , 100X, 400X and 1000X. They are designed for looking at translucent or transparent objects, such as bacteria, cells and water drops. Low power microscopes (also called inspection, dissection or stereo) are used for larger specimens, such as insects or grains of sand. The magnification usually ranges from 10X to 80X. They are available with single, dual or zoom magnifications. What are the basic parts of a microscope?When you are shopping for a microscope, here are some of the basic parts that will effect quality and usefulness:
What's a digital microscope?A digital microscope has a built-in digital camera with USB or fire-wire output so you can send the microscope images to a computer to view or store or email. You can also get microscopes with video output. What kind of microscope should I buy as a gift?High power microscopes often make better gifts for children or amateurs because they provide a wider range of specimens to explore and investigate. | |||||
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