Customer Reviews

Smithsonian Microscope and Telescope Super Set

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My daughter cried when she opened this, she was so excited. Upon opening it, however, we found it was a flimsy, lightweight plastic. I didn't like that, but she didn't mind, so we tried to use it. It does not work at all. The microscope barely allows you to view anything, and the image is blurry. The telescope we can't get to work at all. I thought we'd start with an inexpensive set, and if her interest continues, upgrade. This was not the set to start with. I try not to write too many negative reviews, but I'd like to warn anyone reading this not to buy it, so that you don't have a heartbroken child, like I do.

This set represents the absolute worst the "science kit" market has to offer. It all looks pretty so the kids want to use it, but nothing works as advertised. The optics in the telescope are so horrific you can see more with the naked eye than with the scope. The microscope similarly shows nothing but blurriness.

Instead of this telescope, buy the Celestron FirstScope or better yet, a set of cheap Vivitar Classics 7x35 binoculars. You'll spend less and get more.

Instead of this microscope, get a set of jeweler's loupes-- they're easier for kids to use, more portable, and have vastly better image quality.

This product is not worth the money. We got it as a gift for our 7 year old son. He was so delighted to get a microscope that he ripped the box trying to open it.

After 30 minutes struggling to get the microscope to focus on a pre-made slide of an insect wing at 100x all we could get was a blurry image. The product claims it views objects at 450x and 900x but we could not even see the object at those magnifications.

The telescope is clearer but does not magnify to the level that one would expect for a night's view of the sky. This is a flimsy toy that does not work properly at all. It is great for a 4 or 5 year old who wants to pretend, but for a kid really interested in science it is a waste of time.

I'd find something better than this. It leaves a lot to be desired especially for the youngest scientists.Smithsonian Microscope/Telescope