ISO recommendations for microscope for high school use

[mlktwins]

My boys will be starting a local Honors Biology class this fall.  I need to buy a microscope that will be used for 4 to 5 lab sessions this school year, but I plan to keep it through high school in case it is needed again.  I will have twins sharing one microscope and that is fine.

Class requirements are for a compound microscope with at least 400X magnification and lighting.  "Cool" lighting is a good feature.  It does not require a mechanical stage, but would be a great extra.

I have looked through threads I've saved over the years and did a recent search.  I have seen these recommended:

AmScope https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-B120B-Magnification-Illumination-Double-Layer/dp/B009JPXTNW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JJE1SG8US1RB&keywords=amscope+b120b&qid=1565538703&s=gateway&sprefix=AmScope+B%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1 (someone who took the same class last year has this one)

AmScope https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-M500B-MS-Magnification-Illumination-Brightfield/dp/B004UOIIQK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=23IJRIDQ9HSWQ&keywords=amscope+m500b-ms&qid=1565538785&s=gateway&sprefix=amscope+MS%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-3

Someone here has used and likes this one https://www.amazon.com/OMAX-40X-2000X-Biological-Microscope-Mechanical/dp/B00AEJ9FJ4/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=OMAX-40X-2000X&qid=1565538993&s=gateway&sr=8-3 , but they have this one without the camera https://www.amazon.com/Awarded-2018-Best-Compound-Microscope/dp/B0094JTZOU/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=OMAX-40X-2000X&qid=1565539073&s=gateway&sr=8-3

I am also seeing the Brock Magiscope mentioned a lot, but I am not sure that is what is needed for high school science????

Also, where is the best place to purchase a microscope?

My boys enjoy science, but will not be pursing as a career.  Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Lanny]

There are some threads here on WTM about this topic, but they are probably not recent threads.  Maybe 1 or 2 years ago?  My wife has a Celestron telescope so if they have a model you like that would probably be great.  I believe Meade bought Celestron many years ago and that brand would also be fine.  Probably other brands as well.  Always read the "Reviews" on Amazon and eBay about the model(s) you are contemplating purchasing.

I explored this topic years ago for my DD, but we ended up not needing to buy a Microscope for her. We did buy a little hand held device which got her through Middle School and High School including Biology, Chemistry and Physics. 

We live in South America. I think we bought the Celestron telescope (and some accessories for it) from Focus Camera which is one of the big camera dealers in the magazines and now on the Internet.  B&H I believe is also very popular but we've never purchased from them.

[stlily]

You might also consider looking at the one Apologia recommends on their site.  It seems to be a good quality microscope.

[kbutton]

We got ours from this vendor: http://www.homeschoolscopes.com/

My husband has a science degree, so he knew what to ask. I am pretty clueless, but my husband walked away super excited (he really likes microscopes). This vendor has used and new, IIRC, and he sold my DH a better microscope than we could get for the same price elsewhere. It's a model that has an option to add a mechanical stage at a later point.

I believe he also does repairs. 

You might call him, tell him what you're looking at, and then he can walk you through what he has that is as good as, better, etc. for the same price or maybe for a better price. We bought ours in person at a homeschool convention.

[monalisa]

After a lot of research, we bought this one from Microscope Central a few years ago 

1x Accu-Scope 3088 Rechargeable LED Monocular Student Microscope Series - 3088MS-LED - Monocular, Mechanical Stage & Iris 

Great customer service and fair price.  Just bought a stereo microscope by same manufacturer from them last Christmas.  I highly recommend both the brand and the Microscope Central.  They were very helpful in deciding what to buy and shipped quickly.  I think it's a family owned business. 

Nature's Workshop also sells microscopes and I remember looking at theirs as well as Home Science Tools.

[daijobu]

I like having a mechanical stage, LED light , cordless/rechargeable, and swiveling eye piece.  

[kbutton]

13 minutes ago, myblessings4 said:

Do you know which model he purchased from them?

Swift M3200