The AmScope M500C-E digital monocular compound microscope has interchangeable 10x and 25x widefield eyepieces, a forward-facing nosepiece with four DIN achromatic objectives, tungsten illumination, coaxial separate coarse and fine focus, a 1.25 NA Abbe condenser, and a plain stage. The 0.3MP camera has a CMOS color sensor, image capture and editing software, and USB 2.0 output to capture or display still or video images on a computer or projector. The monocular viewing head has a fixed 45-degree vertical inclination to reduce eye and neck strain, and 360-degree rotation capability to enable sharing. An anti-mold head preserves optics in high-humidity areas. The forward-facing revolving nosepiece has 4x, 10x, 40xS, and 100xS (oil) DIN achromatic objectives that provide color correction of magnified images. The 40xS and 100xS objectives are spring loaded to prevent damage to the slide or objective when focusing. The 100xS oil-immersion objective uses oil between the specimen and the objective lens to provide increased resolution over a standard objective. The fully-coated optical system provides sharp, high-resolution images. 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 0.3MP digital camera has a CMOS color sensor for displaying still microscopy images and streaming live videos to a computer or projector, and 40x magnification. The camera can be mounted in 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 lower (diascopic) Brightfield illumination that transmits light up through the specimen for enhanced visibility of translucent and transparent objects. Brightfield (BF) illumination allows the specimen to absorb light, resulting in a dark image on a light background. Tungsten (incandescent) illumination provides bright light, and a rheostat controls the amount of light emanating from the lamp. The 1.25 NA Abbe condenser can be adjusted to control the distance of the light from the stage and has an iris diaphragm to optimize the amount of light illuminating the specimen. The condenser is controlled using a spiral mechanism. The plain stage has clips to secure the specimen in place, and is 4-3/8 x 4-3/4 inches (110 x 120mm) (W x D; where W is width, the horizontal distance from left to right; D is depth, the horizontal distance from front to back). Separate coaxial coarse and fine focus eases focusing for left- and right-handed viewers, and a rack-and-pinion mechanism provides precise and secure focusing. Focus tension control prevents stage drift. All the mechanical parts of the microscope are constructed of metal to provide durability and resistance to wear. The metal frame has a stain-resistant enamel finish for durability and to ease cleaning.

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 M500C-E microscope with plain stage
• WF10x eyepiece, 23mm
• WF25x eyepiece, 23mm
• 4x DIN achromatic objective, 20mm
• 10x DIN achromatic objective, 20mm
• 40xS DIN achromatic objective, 20mm
• 100xS (oil) DIN achromatic objective, 20mm
• 0.3MP digital camera (MD35)
• USB 2.0 cable
• Software CD
• (2) Stage clips
• Wrench
• Color filter
• Immersion oil
• Dust cover
• Instructions

The AmScope SW-3B13Z-FRL binocular stereo microscope head has a 1x/3x objective, a pair of 10x20mm widefield high-eyepoint eyepieces, a 2.0x Barlow lens, and a single-arm boom stand. The microscope head has a 3″ O-ring style mounting ring. The binocular viewing head has an interpupillary range of 47 to 75mm, a 45-degree inclination to reduce eye and neck strain, and 360-degree rotation to enable sharing. The WF10x20mm super-widefield high-eyepoint eyepieces combine with the 1x/3x objective to provide 10x, 20x, 30x, 60xmagnification, and a longer working distance for inspecting large-scale specimens that require handling or repair. The microscope includes a 2.0x Barlow lens that can be added to the objective to increase the magnification range. A Barlow lens with a magnification greater than 1.0 increases the magnification and reduces the working distance. High-eyepoint eyepieces ease viewing for users who wear glasses, dioptric adjustment accommodates individual eye-strength differences, and eye guards ensure comfortable viewing. The optical glass lenses provide sharp images, and are fully-coated to ensure high-resolution images. A stereo microscope, sometimes called an inspection or dissection microscope, has low magnification and a long working distance that enables users to manipulate the object being inspected.

The removable 8W fluorescent ring light provides cool, white light for observing specimens as they would appear in their natural environment. A ring light provides shadow-free illumination. It has a 2-3/8″ inner diameter and uses a 110V power supply. The microscope has a 17″ pillar that has an 8″ vertical working distance. The 16″ single-arm boom has a 24″ overall length. Bilateral focus eases use for left- and right-handed users. The microscope head can be rotated on the X- and Y-axis. The solid cast-steel base is 1-3/4 x 9 x 9 inches (H x W x D, where H is height, the vertical distance from the lowest to highest point; W is width, the horizontal distance from left to right; D is depth, the horizontal distance from front to back).

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?

• Binocular stereo zoom head with 1x/3x objective
• WH10x eyepieces, one pair
• 2.0x Barlow lens
• Single-arm boom stand with focus rack
• Fluorescent ring light, 8W (FRL8)
• Eye guards, one pair