Reply #38: Hi, [View All]

[MineralMan]

I had a similar thing to that, made by Intel, but it wasn't at all satisfactory. The images were fuzzy, and it was difficult to use. Looking directly into the eyepieces is a much better way to explore the microscopic world.

I noticed that the stereo microscope I mentioned is no longer available there. There are some very good bargains on ebay from a microscope seller who has a store there. You'll find them if you search for stereo microscope. A google search should also turn up some retailers.

The reason that stereo microscopes are so good for kids is that they see a three-dimensional image of what they're looking at. In addition, they're very easy to focus, and the youngster doesn't have to prepare slides or any complicated tasks like that. You can also look at living things without killing them.

I used to sell mineral specimens, and had a stereo microscope set up in my showroom. The kids spent more time with that than with anything else in the shop. They looked at their fingers. They brought bugs in and looked at them. They looked at everything. The scope was just sitting on a table with a chair in front of it, and anyone who wanted to could fool with it. I had kids coming in all the time, just to use it.

If this youngster is interested in nature, I can absolutely guarantee that such a thing will get a lot of use, and for years.

You can get a perfectly adequate beginner's stereo microscope for $50 from that seller I mentioned, and a very nice one for about $70. They work well. Their optics are fine. They're not laboratory instruments, but are more than acceptable for youngsters to learn on. Similar deals are available from other online retailers, who you can find on Google.

Here's a good link, to the ebay seller's non-ebay commercial site. I've linked the page with the good bargains. On ebay, the seller has very good feedback.

http://www.amscope.com/Stereo-Binocular-3.html