There’s nothing like a microscope to throw you back to grade school science class. How cool was it to be able to use the real microscope? Well, lucky for you microscopes are not just blasts to the past but are excellent resources for all kinds of professional careers.
Whether you are in education, research, biology, engineering, manufacturing, medicine, or a sundry of other careers, you will probably cross paths with a microscope multiple times a day. So, you might as well make it a good one! Read on to hear why this model gets our top pick.
AmScope SE400-Z Professional Stereo Microscope
This microscope model is an incredible piece of art for the working professional. It is built to be trustworthy and reliable, no matter what profession you are in. There are several different kinds of microscopes available depending on their intended use. Typically, microscopes are used to enhance resolution when looking at something. To determine details, a user might choose a compound microscope, a stereo microscope, or a digital microscope.
A stereo microscope, like this product, shows an object’s depth as a three-dimensional image. For reference, a compound microscope uses a compound system and an objective lens, while a digital microscope displays details on a monitor or screen, instead of through a lens.
Who is this product for?
This microscope is perfect for anyone who takes their work seriously. Whether you are a professional and need an office upgrade, or a serial hobbyist looking to take your work up a notch, this is an excellent tool. This model is often purchased by those working with circuit boards, soldering, or any small-pieced hobby, and these customers have left excellent reviews.
What is included?
So, what are the specifications of this tool? What makes this model so special? Well, the microscope comes with a boom-arm stand, and two pairs of eyepieces. Both sets of eyepieces are 30.5 mm each. The first pair is WF10x18mm, while the second pair is 20x10mm. It also comes with 1x objective, two eye guards, and an LED light. In addition, a dust cover is included (not that you will need it — you won’t want to leave this microscope alone!) There is also a power cord and instruction manual available.
Overview of features
As far as unique figures and features go, this microscope features a binocular head with two options for magnification: 10x and 20x, depending on your needs. It has a 1x objective power and the two sets of eyepieces as listed above. The focus is adjusted via bilateral coarse. The stand is a boom-arm stand, which gives 9 inches of vertical working distance.
For reference, the overall pillar length is 13.5 inches. The boom arm, then, provides 12 inches of working distance, with 17 inches of overall length. The head rotates on both the X axes and the Y axes, and the light source is a 1W LED on the adjustable gooseneck. The illumination type is upper-reflected light, and the power is 110V-120V. This microscope is constructed from durable metal and is even stain resistant.
We like this product because of its thoughtful and intentional design. To reduce neck strain and tired eyes, the binocular viewing head has an interpupillary range of 50 to 77mm set at a 30-degree incline to help the average user reduce strain and fatigue. The eyepieces are interchangeable based on your need, and the dioptric adjustment option helps compensate for the differences in strength in each eye per user.
Pros and Cons
There are clearly several pros to this product — it is easy to use, excellently made, and it delivers on the aforementioned promises. However, there are two notable yellow flags to point out. When searching the reviews for pros and cons, two cons stood out. First of all, as you can see above, the microscope boasts that it comes with instructions.
However, upon opening the box, there is not a physical paper copy of a manual or instructions. Instead, there is an access code and a link to download the manual online. Although this may not be so bad, it can be a hassle if you don’t have a printer or access to the original packaging.
Secondly, several users have mentioned that the stand is slightly too short for them to work comfortably. One user defined it as “heavy, but not sturdy,” and theoretically, the height of your microscope may impact how well it focuses on your intended subject. There seems to be a bit of debate on whether or not this is a manufacturing issue or just a user-preference issue.
How can I use this product?
Stereo microscopes are colloquially referred to as inspection or dissection microscopes because they have low magnification, but long working distances, which means users can have their hands on whatever they are viewing to manipulate or operate on. If the object you are viewing needs fixing, and you need to be able to handle the piece, this is the right microscope for you.
Alternatives
Based on the listed “cons,” there are two recommended courses of action. First of all, the customer service for AmScope is truly excellent. If you find yourself in need of the manual, send them an email, and they should be able to get it to you.
Secondly, concerning the microscope stand, several reviewers mentioned just switching out the stand completely. While that may be a little more involved, that may allow you to experience the best of both worlds — an excellent microscope, and a stand that suits your needs.
Conclusion
The AmScope SE400-Z is an excellent choice when it comes to choosing a great microscope model. Understanding the difference between various available options and knowing what you want and need out of a particular product will be key to choosing the right product for you.
This microscope is durable, professional, well-constructed, and will serve your needs for a long time to come. If you are looking for a high-quality product at a very reasonable price, then this microscope is for you.
