Kate in VA Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 I want to purchase a microscope for my dd7 in the next month or so (I'm hopping for tax money soon... we still haven't got dh's W2!) Anyhow, I don't mind spending alittle bit more money on getting a good quality product.... something to last at least through middle school age...... I want something to use often and not sit on a shelf and never be touched..... I want one that is easy to use and that it is not easily broken by a child (not that she is rough with things)..... any ideas? Also would you all recommend a digital eyepiece? I you have one do you use it often? I thought it would be neat to blog about what we checked out and the photo.... also my dd could email the pictures to her family and even add then to our nature book......Are they easy to use? I saw this one from Home science tools..... its review sound great..... wanted to see what you all thought? Thank you all, kate Quote
Herding Cats in NC Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 I got the Brock Magiscope (package III from Rainbow Resource). It is very heavy duty, easy to use, and portable. My dc are 10, 8, and 4-1/2, and it is perfect for them. I do expect to have to buy a more powerful microscope for high school when we get there. By the way, I found a fantastic book at Barnes & Noble the other day. It's called The Ultimate Guide to Your Microscope by Shari Levine & Leslie Johnstone. I don't know about you, but it's been a long time since I've made slides & used a microscope. This book details how to make types of slides (wet mounts, smear slide, well slide, acetate peel & more), and then has a bunch of experiments to try. I just got it and haven't tried any yet, but they look really good, and they are step-by-step detailed. Just thought I'd mention it in case you or anyone else is looking for a good "how to" book. Quote
Friederike in Persia Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 We've got a great microscope (it's German, so that won't be any good for you), but I'm struggling with making slides (and that with a biology degree!:eek:). That book sounds great, but in addition to it I would probably also get some ready made ones. Quote
Jeanne in MN Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 Many people here have the Brock and are very happy with them. I fell in love with it the first time I used it in an environmental ed. class where we were observing insects. Once we used it I knew I had to have one. :D It's sturdy, easy for kids to use, works beautifully, doesn't require electricity so we can take it anywhere, and the price is reasonable for a microscope. We bought package III from Rainbow too. Quote
Audrey Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 I really love our Digital Blue. The link is to a Canadian supplier, but I know it is sold all over N. America. I love that it connects to the computer so you can get images on screen that you can capture for later study. This view also is great for people like me (with terrible glasses) who have a hard time viewing a traditional microscope. Of course, it also views like a standard scope. Another great thing about it is that it is detachable from its base, so that you can view odd shaped things. It functions much like a digital camera then. Quote
Kate in VA Posted March 3, 2008 Author Posted March 3, 2008 Thank you all!... The book is a great idea. However if anyone else is trying to find it, the author is Shar Levine.... not Shari ...:) It took me a little bit to find..... Is the Brock Magiscope really that good..... it looks like a toy. I don't understand how the slides are suppose to stay on? I'm not understanding the logic too much but I guess I'm off to read more about it:D Thank you all! kate Quote
Jeanne in MN Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 Is the Brock Magiscope really that good..... it looks like a toy. I don't understand how the slides are suppose to stay on? The Brock is made out of strong, solid metals-nothing toyish about it. It does work differently than most microscopes, though, and that may seem odd. Instead of having dials to turn to adjust the viewing scope (or whatever it's called) you manually lift or lower the viewing scope on the Brock-which makes it easier for kids to use. i guess there are no clips to hold the slide in place, but I've never felt the need for them either. I just set my slides, dish or object on the plate and it's good enough. No electricity obviously means no light bulb so how does it illuminate things? It has a unique illuminating rod-almost like a clear solid, bent rod (again, poor use of terminology) that gathers light in and directs it to under the plate where there is a hole the light comes through. It works quite well! If we are indoors, we just direct the scope toward a window and pick up more light! I believe it even comes with a life time warranty-so it's no cheap toy. Wish I could explain things better, but I hope you understand what I'm saying. Good luck! Quote
Basketmaker Amy Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 I bought one from Sonlight and have been very pleased with it. My ds is using it for Apologia's Biology. It's very well made and a good buy for the money. I think it was $197. Quote
Heather in VA Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 I just bought the one from Sonlight as well. I checked with many users and they were all very pleased with it and had successfully used it in high school lab sciences. Quote
Mrs Mungo Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 The Home Science Tools catalog has some fabulous products and they have some very informative notes about choosing microscopes. http://www.hometrainingtools.com/catalog/cat_microscopes-accessories.html We bought a microscope from them to use through high school biology and have been thrilled both with it and with the slides we have gotten from them. They have competitive prices and very high quality for all the science materials we have wanted. Eliana Eliana, Would you mind sharing which microscope you purchased? We currently have a blisterscope and it has served its purpose but we are definitely in need of something a bit more advanced at this point. Quote
Harriet Vane Posted March 4, 2008 Posted March 4, 2008 It was originally recommended in a seminar given by Chris Davis. I asked about it on these boards, and Ria chimed in to say that she highly recommends it as well. We have been really happy with it--it's very sturdy and very high quality. Quote
Mrs Mungo Posted March 4, 2008 Posted March 4, 2008 We chose the Laboratory Binocular microscope: http://www.hometrainingtools.com/catalog/microscopes-accessories/laboratory-microscopes/p_mi-sp162.html (My review is the anonymous one at the bottom of the page.) It was a substantial investment, but we have six kids and wanted to be sure whatever we got would be enough for whatever each of them needed. There are other fine choices which wouldn't cost quite as much. Their comparison chart does a fine job comparing the main categories of choices: http://www.hometrainingtools.com/articles/microscope-comparison-chart.html HTH! Eliana Thank you for the input! Quote
Julie in GA Posted March 4, 2008 Posted March 4, 2008 as well as several varieties of more powerful ones. They have a demo video that tells you about each product. You may want to check them out. Home Science Tools Kids Microscope Quote
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