CountryRose Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I want to buy my DD a microscope for Christmas. Since she will start high school next fall, I want to get something that will last for the rest of her science classes. I've look at Sonlight's Ultra Microscope and Rainbow Resources Able Microscope. Has anyone had experience with either of these? Or do you recommend something different? Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in MA Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I've had the SL microscope for 10 years now, and it's holding up very well. I agree that you get a lot of features for the price, and right now it's on sale for $199. Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryRose Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 Thank, Brenda! I was all set to order the one from SL when I noticed that the newer microscopes are using LED bulbs instead of fluorescent bulbs. I am trying to find out what difference that makes, if any. Does anyone know the difference and why one bulb is better than the other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHomeScientist Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Thank, Brenda! I was all set to order the one from SL when I noticed that the newer microscopes are using LED bulbs instead of fluorescent bulbs. I am trying to find out what difference that makes, if any. Does anyone know the difference and why one bulb is better than the other? LED's don't burn out and (depending on the model) LED's may be noticeably brighter than fluorescent, which can be important at high magnification. Both run cool, which is often important if you're observing live specimens. Fluorescent bulbs generally last for years, even with heavy use, but if yours does burn out it may be difficult to find a replacement years after a model has been discontinued. Most vendors offer spare bulbs, either as a standard feature or an extra-cost option. If you go with a fluorescent model, I'd suggest buying a spare bulb and storing it somewhere safe where you'll remember where you put it. Most fluorescent models are older models that were designed years ago. Newer models generally use LED instead. One big advantage of LED for some users is that some LED models are battery operated and therefore very portable. There are a few fluorescent models that use batteries, but not many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHomeScientist Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Incidentally, before you buy an SL model you might want to look at the models available from the co-op mentioned here recently. I was familiar with several of the models they're offering, and their prices were excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryRose Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 Thanks, Robert! I know nothing about microscopes. Could you list those models and co-op you are referring to? I missed that previous post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryRose Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 I just found a website called AmScope.com. They are having a sale with free shipping on microscopes. Anyone have any experience with that company? Good, bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 We also have had a Sonlight microscope for many years. My spare bulb is still stored next to our glass slides, but hasn't been needed yet. I like that the SL one includes all the little helpful features (light, moveable stage, eyepiece that can move from person to person, etc.). The only feature I've thought would be nicer is a binocular eyepiece, with two, but we've done fine without it. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHomeScientist Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Thanks, Robert! I know nothing about microscopes. Could you list those models and co-op you are referring to? I missed that previous post. Found the thread. It's HSBC https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_hsbc_epp_order&Itemid=1641&c=1 Ah, sorry. Never mind. The group buy has expired. I'm not sure how often they run it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryRose Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 Thanks, Robert. I appreciate you looking that up for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryRose Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 Thanks, Julie! The SL one does look like a good one. I just keep seeing so much about the LED bulbs that I wanted to check them out too. I would love a binocular microscope but they are really expensive. Sigh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryRose Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 So has anyone purchased a microscope from AmScope.com? They almost look too good to be true. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 So has anyone purchased a microscope from AmScope.com? They almost look too good to be true. I just bought one. It's still in the mail, so I can't review it yet. :) But before I ordered, I googled reviews of AmScope, and they were pretty much universally positive, so I'm hopeful. At least from the pictures (and from descriptions in the reviews) they look sturdily built, very similar (well practically identical) to the pictures of the ones at Home School Tools I've seen recommended here - for more power and less $. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryRose Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share Posted December 7, 2011 Thanks, Matroyshka! Could you please let me know what you think of your microscope when you receive it? I'm getting cross-eyed from aimlessly wondering through all the microscope sites. :willy_nilly: Anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Thanks, Julie! The SL one does look like a good one. I just keep seeing so much about the LED bulbs that I wanted to check them out too. I would love a binocular microscope but they are really expensive. Sigh! FYI, before I ordered, I called AmScope and asked which one they'd recommend for high school student use. They recommended one of the B100 series, which are binocular, go up to 1000-2000x, and all priced under $200 (at over 50% off - they all retail for almost $400). Shipping is also free right now. I bought one similar, but monocular with a digital camera - one of my dds does not have good binocular vision, making a binocular scope a bit of a waste. Also, I have three kids so this way they can all look at once. AmScope told me the camera comes off so I can use the scope optically as well. I hope the camera/software is good! If you have any questions, I'd call - they are very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyhomeschool Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Oh please post after you get it. I'm also wondering about amscope. We are doing BFSU II and I'm so confuses. Did you buy the amscope microscope from amazon,ebay or their site? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryRose Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share Posted December 8, 2011 :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryRose Posted December 9, 2011 Author Share Posted December 9, 2011 I'm looking at 2 Walter microscopes sold by Rainbow Resources. Has anyone had any experience with items #010035 (model 3000FF100) or #044839 (model 3000F100RC)? I think I'm getting close! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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