Renthead Mommy Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I've had to start planning Christmas, so things have plenty of time to be ordered and get here. Currently we are studying ants, and the thought passed that it would be nice to be able to see them (as well as other bugs and bug parts) better than with just a magnify glass. Plus in a few months we'll be studying the human body, then plants, and it would be fun to get some slides of things. So can I get a recommendations for microscopes for early elementary age? My son is in 1st. I'd like something that would work for the next few years, and then we can upgrade. Plus it's a good suggestion for the FIL to get maybe. So recommendations please? As well as where it can be ordered? Or if places like Target or TRU have them? (FIL doesn't like to internet shop if he can help it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jensway Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Don't know if this is what you are looking for, but we got this one 2 yrs. ago for our son when he was 8. We did the looking at different kinds of bugs also. Now he's in 5th and we are still using it to look at different kinds of cells. It is very sturdy. We got ours at Hobby Lobby. Here's a link so you can check it out. http://www.physlink.com/estore/cart/MyFirstLabMicroscope.cfm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 Don't know if this is what you are looking for, but we got this one 2 yrs. ago for our son when he was 8. We did the looking at different kinds of bugs also. Now he's in 5th and we are still using it to look at different kinds of cells. It is very sturdy. We got ours at Hobby Lobby. Here's a link so you can check it out.http://www.physlink.com/estore/cart/MyFirstLabMicroscope.cfm I can get to the Phys.link page, but not a specfic microscope. Which one did you get? What was the price range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jensway Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 My First Lab Microscope. It was like $90. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 We're buying a Brock Magiscope. I've heard raves about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I got a scope about 2 years ago when dc were in 1st grade. Everyone has different needs, but the Wolfe 20x Elementary Microscope has worked for us. http://www.carolina.com/product/equipment+and+supplies/microscopes+%26+optics/compound+microscopes/wolfe%26reg-+20x+elementary+microscope.do?sortby=ourPicks -- I wanted a scope, that if it broke, would not be a $$$$$$ tragedy. -- I wanted a scope with an inclined, not vertical, eyepiece tube, just for comfort's sake. -- I wanted ds to be able to look at stuff like leaves, whole insects, without making a slide. Also coins, etc. -- I wanted items to be seen as they are, not in a mirror image. -- I did not want too high a magnification, because then it is hard to see a whole object and the focus may need to be changed as you scan object. The scope we chose has been great for us. It is just so easy to use! But the magnification is not high, and you will need to buy a little light (like a $10 Staples one) to illuminate. The microscope guy at Carolina Science calls it a "monocular stereo microscope." Go figure -- anyway, you can talk to their scope guy - he's very helpful. For slides at a young age, we use the microslide viewer and microslide sets available from Carolina or RR. These are photos of slides -- unbreakable and easy to use - for when we need to see a bone cell or muscle tissue or anything else requiring high magnification. (Remember with a regular scope, you would be either preparing or buying this type of slide.) Here is a helpful article: http://www.sciencetoolbox.com/articles/article_06-09-04.html We also got small, cheap plastic petri dishes (they come with lids) for putting insects and other stuff in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Wahoo! Thank you for posting this. I have been racking my brain with what to get my oldest and this is IT! Microscope with slides! YAY! :) BTW - we are going with the My First Lab Microscope listed above. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I don't think the "My First Lab Duo" is exactly the same one. It doesn't have a cord and the base doesn't look as large. ??? I could be wrong, but they look mildly different to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jensway Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 (edited) My First Lab Microscope has the light from below. The electrical plug allows you to plug it in and use it right then or you can charge it up. We charge ours and then can take the microscope anywhere you want without the cord. We have used slides and petri dishes on this microscope. Another great feature is that comes with this one is that it has a software CD that we have downloaded to my son's computer. He puts the microscope by the computer, makes a slide, then changes the eye piece and opens the software and voila the slide view is on his computer. Anyway like someone else has said different microscopes for different people, choose the one that would work best for your family. Edited October 12, 2008 by jensway changed sentence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 There's a group buy for My First Lab Microscope at HomeschoolBuyers Coop for $83. https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/bolden-microscopes/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melmc Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I saw the one on the buyer's coop, but it's not such a bargain when you add in the co-op fee and the shipping. That adds $16.85. If you go to the first link posted in this thread, if you needed other science things, you could easily hit the $100 level and get free shipping. Though if you just want a microscope it's probably a wash. If found this one that sounds like the one I want. It's got the battery/portable option that was mention by a poster above. It's a little more but I think it's worth it for the flexibility of use! http://www.physlink.com/estore/cart/MFLUltimateMicroscope.cfm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Yeah, I saw the co-op one too...but if you buy from physlink.com, you get free UPS shipping on orders over $100! We ordered the microscope and some prepared slides and voila - free shipping. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saille Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Has anyone tried this one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsunshine Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Has anyone tried this one? Bumping this thread, b/c I'm interested to see if anyone has tried the above-referenced stereo microscope? Also, does anyone have any updated recommendations following holiday purchases? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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