This is a terrific beginner microscope for kids and young adults. With 3 objective lenses, and 2 eyepieces, you can use 5 magnification levels from 40X to 1000X. Even better, the included 0.3MP digital eyepiece lets you watch everything on your computer! The included software can take photos and record video. You can edit the images using professional tools. The magnification range is ideal for viewing microscopic organisms, like what you might find in water samples from a lake or ocean. It’s also great for looking at crystal structures and metallurgical samples. The top and bottom LED illumination provide light for both translucent and opaque objects. This means you can look at ultra-thin tissue samples, or plant leaves and insects. And since the microscope is battery-powered, you can take it anywhere.

The easy-to-use controls guarantee that anyone can get the hang of using the microscope in no time. The 3-lens turret can switch between the 4X, 10X, and 40X objective lenses by simply rotating. The specimen-stage has two clips to hold a slide or other object in place, while focus is adjusted by turning the large knob on either side of the microscope. A switch on the back will select the top light for opaque objects, or bottom light for translucent ones. An aperture wheel under the stage can be rotated to change the focus of the bottom light, which can increase or decrease the detail in the specimen.

This kit includes 5 prepared slides, as well as a collection of tools for making your own slides. There’s a Petri dish for holding liquid samples, and 5 blank slides and cover slips for mounting thin-section specimens, like tissues. There’s an easy-to-use microtome for slicing specimens, and red and blue stains to improve contrast in highly-translucent specimens. A vial, stirring rod, and pipette will help prepare wet-mount slides. And, of course, there are tweezers to help with the more-delicate subjects.