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? 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

re-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