When you’re in the market for a microscope for your student to use in the home there are several features to consider. Some microscope features should be considered essential while others are more marketing fluff. But, consider this, the quality and usability of a student microscope doesn’t always mean a high price tag. You can purchase a very good student microscope at a discount price.
The most important thing to consider when selecting a student microscope is to insure that the microscope that you purchase is capable of meeting the academic needs of your student. Here are some things to look for in a good student microscope.
The first thing that you look for in a student microscope is the magnification level. The lowest top magnification you should have on a student microscope is 400X although a higher magnification such as 1000X or 1200X would be preferable.
A good student microscope should also have fine and coarse focus settings. This allows the microscope to be used for all the different kinds of viewing that your student.
The specimen area of a good student microscope, sometimes called the ‘stage’, should be adjustable and contoured.
A built in light source is quite helpful since the higher the magnification, the darker the image will be. Having a built-in light source makes the microscope easier to use.
Some student microscope kits come with prepared slides or other slide preparation materials. While this is a ‘nice to have’ it isn’t a necessity if you plan to purchase additional slides for your student to study. In general, you can obtain better microscope slides by purchasing separately.
You can, with a little patience and research, find a great student microscope at a great discount price.