My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope

by C&A Scientific

Product Features

• Features 40x, 100x & 400x magnifications
• Real Glass Optics
• 6 hole disk diaphragm
• Battery Operated
• Extensive, 50 pc accessory kit

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 6.1 x 12.2 inches ; 2.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000NOU54O
• Item model number: MFL-06
• Manufacturer recommended age: 9 - 18 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #673 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #19 in Toys & Games > Learning & Education > Science
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (198 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Duo-Scope is a dual functioning biological microscope that incorporates modified objectives with dual cool LED illumination! This allows the user to view both microscopic sized specimens on slides as well as macroscopic (solid) objects like bugs, stamps and coins!

Product Description

My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope?s uses are unlimited with dual lights. It has the flexibility to view both slides and solid items. View slides with the light shining up from below and view solid objects with the light shining down on the specimen. It is fun and educational for scientists of all ages. It includes over 50 pieces of accessories for hours of scientific research. It requires 3 AA batteries, which are not included. It contains glass and sharp instruments. Also it includes: vinyl dust cover, five plain slides, one concavity slide, four prepared slides, cover glass, plastic dropper, two bottles of stain, slide labels, lens paper, forceps, scalpel, plastic test tube, plastic Petri dish, straight teasing needle, and instruction manual and helpful hints. It features: 10X eyepiece; 4X, 10X, 40X objectives, 40X, 100X, 400X Magnification, real optical glass lenses, dual focusing knobs, two LED lights, and six hole disc diaphragms

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

616 of 630 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hard to beat its total value in a beginner microscope, January 15, 2008

By 

Daniel L Edelen (Mt. Orab, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope (Toy)

Let's cut to the chase: If you're looking for an inexpensive microscope for younger children, the Duo-Scope would be very difficult to beat for features, quality, and cost.

After reviewing several sources on inexpensive microscopes, I took a chance for Christmas on this less documented model. I'm glad I did.

PROS:

* Solid construction. Despite its light weight, it feels like a coherent whole and has no rattling pieces. The objective lenses click nicely into place and the mechanics have a silky feel when operated. This model considerably betters the microscope I had as a child growing up in the Sixties, so some items ARE better made today than yesteryear.

* Smooth focusing wheels that don't clunk through the mechanism's gearing.

* Permanent, bright light sources from two separate LED bulbs. Far better than mirrored scopes.

* A pointer in the optic field--a nice addition to a low cost scope.

* A plethora of accessories including four prepared slides, six blank slides (including concave/well), slide covers, stains, tweezers, scalpel, lens wipes, vinyl dust cover, and more--just about anything you would need to get started on a basic level (except for three AA batteries).

* A detailed manual of a higher quality than most will expect, especially considering the microscope's country of origin.


CONS:

* Made in China.

* The upper and lower lights cannot both be turned on at the same time for maximum illumination of semi-translucent objects.

* When using the highest power objective, the optic field is still too dim.

* Users can ram the highest power objective into the slide without realizing it, breaking slide covers and possibly damaging the objective (This is a problem on most inexpensive scopes. The stage does have some give, though, so while slide covers may break, it's doubtful slides will.)

* Though the ocular appears to be on a swivel base, it's not, making it less convenient for two people to share the microscope.

* The diaphragm, which controls the amount of light reaching the stage, doesn't appear to make much difference on most of its settings.

*No secondary fine-focus knobs. (However, this won't be missed because the scope's macro-focusing mechanism is smooth enough to compensate if given a light touch.)


All things considered, the cons are minor.

Some have said this microscope is mostly plastic, but that may not be the case. The main upright portion that features the focusing rail of the scope is definitely a powder-coated metal. Considering that this part is the one that truly matters for overall integrity of the microscope, I'd have to say that this makes the scope an even better deal for the money.

All the positives of this entry-level microscope make for a very good purchase that should last for several years. It's also a great deal for parents testing the waters to see if their children would enjoy owning a microscope. Better to invest in an inexpensive, but good quality, scope than to pay hundreds more and end up with something that gathers dust on the shelf.

The box recommends this scope for children 10 and up, but with parental instruction and supervision, children a few years younger would enjoy it, too. (Steer clear of the scalpel that comes included, though!)

A worthy product that would be a fine gift to a budding scientist.

205 of 210 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice Microscope, May 7, 2007

By 

D. EMERSON - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope (Toy)

I bought one of these for my 10 year old. I was very pleased with this purchase. This microscope is well made, durable, and contains quality optics. It is as good of a microscope as you would find in a high school lab. With the upper light you can zoom in on coins, seeds, etc. with clarity. It makes a perfect birthday gift.

110 of 111 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great first scope, December 25, 2007

By 

R. Paul Grunwald "Paul Grunwald" (Albuquerque) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope (Toy)

I did a lot of searching for a microscope for my 7-year old daughter. I almost bought a USB scope but glad I didn't. I'm pretty impressed with this one. Focus is firm and very smooth. Optics are sound and the upper and lower lights make this very versatile. LED lights are easy on the batteries and no cord is needed to operate. The high power is not usable from above but this is stated in the manual. The slides and include equipment is a nice starter package. My 7-year old is THRILLED with it and I'm pleased with the value for $50. I'm sure we will get many hours of exploration with this scope! The only thing this scope is missing is a good carrying/storage case. The inclusion of that would make this a perfect item!