With so many microscope choices on offer, choosing a microscope which suits your students’ learning needs, whilst balancing this with budget constraints can present a challenge.
Where do you start? We have put together a buying guide to microscopes to help you get the very best value for money. Here are the questions you need to ask before buying a microscope.
Have you checked the microscopes you already have in school?
Remember to check the microscopes you already have in stock. Do they meet your students’ needs? Are they still functional? Our technical support team can advise if accessories, spare parts or repairs are available. This first step could ensure you stretch your Science resources budget even further, either for new microscopes, or use it for other items needed for the lab and prep room.
Then, think about what is required from a new addition to the microscope stock.
What is it being used to view?
Firstly, ask what your students are using the microscope to view, as this will narrow down the type of microscope you need.
| 2D images and slide mounted specimens
Choose a compound microscope, which will enable viewing of specimens which are thin enough to allow light to pass through them. Typically, this is used for examining slide mounted specimens or pond water specimens such as algae and protozoa. Compound microscopes provide · High power magnification (40x to 1,000x) · Narrow field of view · A short working distance |
3D images such as fossils and dissections
For examining 3D images which are too thick to allow light to pass through, a stereo microscope is needed. A stereo microscope can be used to view fossils, rocks, coins, insects and more. In contrast to a compound microscope, a stereo microscope provides · Low power magnification (10x to 40x) · Wide field of view · A long working distance |
Who will be using it?
Next, ask yourself who is using it, to ensure the right balance of value for money and functionality
| Pre-16 students | All Philip Harris microscopes are designed to meet the needs of secondary school students.
For absolute beginners we recommend the economy monoscope. |
| Post-16 students | The Philip Harris microscope range is designed to meet the needs of post-16 students too |
| College and University students | An advanced microscope such as:
Compound – LED light for more demanding use, such as the Optika B-151 Monocular Ecovision LED Stereo – a digital compound stereo microscope, which has digital imaging capabilities to enable students to document their findings. |
| Teacher/Demonstrator | A trinocular microscope, any Philip Harris microscope with an integrated digital camera, or a standard microscope with an eyepiece camera. |
| Other educational, industrial, or hobbyist | Ask our technical support team |
What type of illumination is needed?
Think about what kind of magnification is to be used and the kind of items the microscope will be used to view, which will determine the light source and bulb type
| Low magnification (up to 100x) | Mirror or built-in light source |
| Higher magnification (100x and over) | Mirror and lamp, or built-in light source |
| Everyday viewing | Tungsten bulb offers the least expensive, brighter than fluorescent option |
| Viewing live specimens | LED bulb offers a cool, even light with a long life (5,000-10,000 hours) |
How will the microscope be used?
Sitting or standing, using the microscope for extended periods of time, linking to a computer, or a third person viewing. How the microscope is used influences the kind of head needed
| For short periods of time, for standard viewing | Monocular head |
| For extended periods of time, to reduce eye strain | Binocular head |
| Whilst user is seated | Inclined head |
| Whilst user is standing | Vertical head |
| Linking to a computer, display or television | Digital microscope |
| With a third person (eg teacher) or camera viewing | Trinocular microscope |
Microscope shopping list
Once all the questions above are considered, use a handy checklist to narrow down the microscope needed. An example is below
| Your answer | |
| Compound or stereo microscope | |
| Age range using the microscope | |
| Illumination needed
1. Low or high magnification 2. Tungsten or LED bulb |
|
| Head type
1. Number of heads – monocular, binocular or trinocular 2. Inclined or vertical head 3. Linking to a computer or display – yes / no |
