What can you tell me about microscopes?

[Panthira]

I want to buy one for my kindergartner and my 10th grader (Biology this year). I'm trying to do my research before hand, but I'm finding myself a bit confused. There are compound and stereo microscopes. There are microscopes with lights and power, and some with neither.
I thought I would get the Brock Magiscope, but I've been reading that because it doesn't come with a light, that it can be hard to use.

I can't spend a lot of money, but I do need something that will last years, and be functional for a variety of subjects.

What microscopes do you mamas (and papas) use? Are there any online site that are easy reads for choosing a microscope?

[mum21andtwins]

I can't answer your question but subbing to hear other peoples views

[Panthira]

Well, hopefully someone around here knows about microscopes and can answer our questions.

[frogguruami]

We have a Brock and love it. If you are trying to use the Brock in a dark room then it won't work. It needs a light source. It has a rod that collects ambient light. If you are trying to work in a dark area or outdoors in a shaded place then a pen light shined down onto the rod works great.

I love the Brock because it is very sturdy, the lenses are upgradeable and the magnifier can be taken out of the stand to look at things that won't fit under it.

Also if a lense breaks then you just order another one of those. The housing (stand, whatever you want to call it) is steel I think. Ours has been dropped on our terazzo floors twice and nothing has happened to it.

There is very little to break when there are no moving parts.

[melissel]

We love our Brock. I bought a package from Rainbow Resource, so got free shipping. So far, we've not had any problem with the lighting. It also has an unconditional warranty:

"The MAGISCOPE® is made in the USA and has an unconditional warranty that is unique in the industry- accidents are included!"

If you really want one with a light, Sonlight sells one that is usually recommended as highly as the Brock. If I can find a link, I'll add it here.

[saintmom]

I bought a blister microscope years ago from NASCO.Works great for elementary.The slides have deep wells for bugs and pond water.Bought a regular one from greatscopes for high school.They both look great on the counter with the kitchenaide,LOL

[1stTimeMummytoLore]

shopping for a microscope can be totally overwhelming. we ended up buying the Sonlight one a PP mentioned and are very satisfied with it. we also got the digital camera eye piece which allows us to see the images from our microscope on our computer screen via an included USB cable and save those images for later discussion (or for showing daddy when he gets home from work!). that little device also makes it easy for more than one child to view what's under the microscope at a time.

i wrote a short article about how i decided to buy the one i did and a few things to consider when looking for one on my HSing blog (in siggy- The Diosa Dotada Endeavor) ---> MODS- if it's not ok to send the OP to my blog article, pls let me know and i'll edit my post. but it's in no way a commercial site, so i figured it would be ok.