The AmScope T690C-PL-8M digital compound trinocular microscope has a Siedentopf binocular mount with interchangeable pairs of 10x super-widefield and 25x super-widefield eyepieces, a reverse-mounted nosepiece with four DIN infinity plan achromatic objectives, Brightfield halogen illumination, and a double-layer mechanical stage with a stage stop to protect slides and objectives from damage. The 8MP camera has a CMOS color sensor, a reduction lens, image capture and editing software, and USB 2.0 output to capture or display still or video images on a computer or projector. The trinocular head has a vertical camera mount and a Siedentopf binocular mount with interchangeable pairs of WH10x and WH25x eyepieces, 55 to 75mm Siedentopf interpupillary adjustment, a fixed 30-degree vertical inclination to reduce eye and neck strain, and a 360-degree rotation capability to provide a more comprehensive view and enable sharing. Dioptric adjustment accommodates individual eye-strength differences. The vertical trinocular port accepts a camera with a 23mm or C-Mount adapter. The mechanical tube length is 6-5/16″ (160mm). The reverse-mounted revolving nosepiece has 4x, 10x, 40xS, and 100xS (oil) DIN infinity plan achromatic objectives that provide color correction, focus over the entire range of the viewing field, and a longer working distance for improved focus when auxiliary components are utilized. The 40xS objective is spring loaded to prevent slide damage when focusing. The 100xS spring-loaded oil-immersion objective uses oil between the specimen and the objective lens to provide increased resolution over a standard objective. A digital compound microscope is used for inspection and dissection of specimens when two-dimensional images are desired, and where image capture, detailed records, or documentation is required.

The 8MP digital camera has a CMOS color sensor for displaying still microscopy images and streaming live videos to a computer or projector. The camera has 40x magnification and a 0.5x reduction lens that ensures that the display has a similar field of view as the microscope eyepiece. The camera can be mounted in a C-Mount or any 23mm eye tube. The camera includes image capture and editing software that provides still image and live video capture and editing capability, including measurement functions. The software supports JPG, TIF, GIF, PSD, WMF, and BMP file formats and is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8; Mac OS X; and Linux. Camera drivers are compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8; Mac OS X; and Linux. The software includes Windows APIs for native C/C++, C#, DirectShow, Twain, and LabVIEW that enable custom application development. The camera has a USB 2.0 data port (cable included).

The microscope has Brightfield (BF) illumination which allows the specimen to absorb light, resulting in a dark image on a light background. Halogen light source provides bright light in a concentrated path, and a Kohler condenser focuses and centers the light path using two iris diaphragms, providing optimum contrast and resolution. The graduated double-layer mechanical stage, with 1mm stage divisions, locks the slide into place and provides precise slide manipulation along the X- and Y-axis to allow coordinates to be recorded, enabling the viewer to return to a specific location on the slide. A stage stop prevents the stage or specimen from coming into contact with the objectives. The stage is 7.1 x 5.9 inches (180 x 150mm) and a traveling range of 3 x 2 inches (75 x 50mm). Graduated coaxial coarse and fine focus has a focusing range of 1-3/16″ (30mm) and fine-focus divisions of 0.002mm (0.0000787″) that enable measurements to be taken. Focus knob tension control prevents the stage from drifting out of focus. The cast-alloy enamel-coated body is durable and resistant to stains and corrosion.

Microscopes are instruments used to enhance the resolution of an object or image. Types include compound, stereo, or digital. Compound microscopes use a compound optical system with an objective lens and an eyepiece. Stereo microscopes show object depth in a three-dimensional image. Digital microscopes are used to display an image on a monitor, rather than looking through a lens. Microscopes can have monocular (one), binocular (two), or trinocular (three) eyepieces, with varying magnification abilities. Magnification ability refers to the size of an image. Resolution, also known as resolvant power, refers to the clarity of the image. The interaction between field of view (FOV), numerical aperture (NA), and working distance (WD) determines resolution. Microscopes can control magnification through a fixed focus, or through a range of adjustments. They can also utilize LED, fluorescent, and mirror light sources to help control viewing capabilities. Microscopes are widely used in education, lab research, biology, metallurgy, engineering, chemistry, manufacturing, and in the medical, forensic science, and veterinary industries.

United Scope manufactures microscopy equipment and accessories under the brand name AmScope. The company, founded in 1996, is headquartered in Irvine, CA.

What’s in the Box?

• AmScope T690C-PL-8M microscope with double-layer mechanical stage
• WH10x eyepieces, 30mm, one pair
• WH25x eyepieces, 30mm, one pair
• 4x DIN infinity plan achromatic objective, 20mm
• 10x DIN infinity plan achromatic objective, 20mm
• 40xS DIN infinity plan achromatic objective, 20mm
• 100xS (oil) DIN infinity plan achromatic objective, 20mm
• Immersion oil, one bottle
• (3) Color filters
• 8MP digital camera (MU800)
• 0.5x reduction lens
• USB 2.0 cable
• Software CD
• Spare halogen bulb
• Spare fuse
• Dust cover
• Power cord
• Instructions