Customer Reviews

My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope

5 star:		(138)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

As a physician, I have a great deal of experience with microscopes. The optics on this scope are quite good for the price, and although some parts of the scope are of cheaper quality(such as the battery compartment), they put the money where it counts. Intuitive design, and surprising illumination at high magnification(400x). As a bonus, this scope also features above-stage illumination, which allows examination of opaque objects such as insects- making the scope easier to use for younger kids who cannot prepare traditional slides. Finally, included supplies such as dust cover(!), scalpel, probe, prepared slides, well slide, stain, cover glasses,small petri dish, lens paper and test tube allow the budding scientist to set up a home "lab". Excellent for ages 8-13

I purchased this as a gift for my 9 year old son. He likes it, and finds it fun exploring the microscopic world. This thing seemed pretty much durable, and could hold up to some beating. I see no good reason for a microscope manufacturer to not put lights on both the top and bottom of a platform, as I find it to be a real necessity to see anything down there. So I thought, it's great that this product has that feature.

The only thing I didn't like about this is that, we can't get the highest magnification to work. I don't know why. I didn't bother that much to figure out what was wrong. My son is pretty much happy with what he can view so far, but we're probably missing a lot for not seeing things on the highest magnification.

After receiving a 28-piece microscope kit for Christmas that had a plastic scope that broke within 5 minutes, we were in a dilemma: Our son decided he really wanted a microscope, but we didn't want to get burned again. After much research, a science teacher at my school said she bought this for her child. She said the quality was great and that it does things some of the scopes in her high school lab didn't do. We bought it for our son's birthday and it's a huge hit! It is made of very durable materials, is easy to use, and is an extremely high quality for the price. My sons are 7 and 9 and we've had a blast with it! The fact that it's a duo allows you to view slides and objects they pick up around the house. The were amazed when we put different types of print under it to see the difference. I bought a book that Amazon recommended to go with it, and the box of extra slides they listed, and I see us having hours of educational fun. If you don't get a book of experiments and activities, you might run out of ideas quicker. With the great bargain you're getting on the scope, another $10 on a book isn't a huge deal. We haven't used any of the slide-making tools that came with it, but there's a nice bag of goodies. This is a great product that will allow the family to enjoy together and learn in the process. I seriously see this as something we'll use through high school, and will help immensly when the dreaded science projects start being assigned! Don't spend any more money than this. It's just not necessary! From personal experience, research before buying anything cheaper. You'll be compromising on quality and possibly trying to explain to your child why his Christmas present needs to go in the trash.

I bought this for Christmas for my 7yo daughter. When I tested it before wrapping, one of the lights was out. I called the company directly and received the BEST service. They had a return shipping label emailed to me that day, I sent it out the same day, and they shipped a new one as soon as the old one was entered in tracking. Got it in plenty of time for Christmas.
A note on the high power lens: most scopes require oil immersion for the high power, which is not included. I might try that on my own. A carrying case would be helpful. However this is a wonderful microscope at a great price backed by super service. Lightweight, durable, and no cord limits.

This purchase was prompted when I made the mistake of buying another brand without reading reviews. I'm so happy with this microscope as it is of a much higher (much, much higher) quality than the other one I bought. Heavier, made of metal, with two different light sources, I tested it before giving my nephews another that didn't work and was very impressed (and entertained!) while using it to view the included slides and examine a knife blade and a napkin...two items that were sitting nearby while I tested it, lol. It was so cool to use the magnification features!!

The ONLY thing that I don't like is that the eye-lens just "sits" inside the tube and if you aren't careful, it will fall out if the microscope is tipped at an angle while you carry it from place to place...a big problem for kids. A piece of scotch tape can prevent the glass lens from falling out, but it's one thing I hope the manufacturer will consider in the future.

Great buy!!!

I have tried other microscopes and was very disappointed with the results. This microscope however is great! The price is very reasonable, it is very sturdy, and it is easy to adjust to view your specimens. The eye piece takes a little getting used to, if you put your eye too close you will see your eyelashes when you blink. I found that using my thumb and forefinger to make a circle then resting it over the top of the eye piece and then resting my eye on my hand with the rest of my fingers on the eye piece tube works well. Now, I can look through the eye piece without getting to close. I love being able to view the specimens with the above light and the below light which allows you to see different aspects of the specimen. I have found that using the above light shows a lot more detail of the specimens, it really makes the specimens sort of come to life. I ordered pre-made slides which one is of an ant and when I look at it with the above light it is amazing. Even hair looks amazing. I am very happy with my purchase and can't wait to share it with the kids.

Also the microscope comes with the following accessories:
5 Blank Slides
4 Prepared Slides
1 Concavity Slide
Slide Labels
Cover glass
Plastic Dropper
2 Bottles of non-toxis "stain" - (which is actually food color 1 red & 1 blue)
Forceps
Lens Paper - (which is a pad of approx. 50 sheets)
Test Tube
Petri Dish - (which is small, the size of an Eisenhower dollar coin)
Straight Teasing Needle
Cotton Swab on a long thin stick
Long thin stick with no cotton

I bought this tool for my nephew and he loves it. As a science teacher, I was impressed with the quality of the microscope optics for a beginner scope. I would highly recommend for any 3rd-8th grader interested in science.