Choosing the best stereo microscope depends on features, needs, and budget. Magnification, modularity, and lighting are important factors to consider, as well as the field of investigation and ergonomic design. Prices range from under $100 to over $14,000.
Choosing the best stereo microscope, also called a stereo microscope, dissecting microscope or inspection microscope, is a matter of knowing the range of features available and figuring out which one will best meet your needs and fit your budget. Not only do stereo microscopes range in price from under $100 US Dollars (USD) to more than $14,000 USD, but that doesn’t include some useful or even essential extras that are important in certain settings. Even if extras are items you may want to buy later, choosing a stereo microscope that works with them as your initial purchase is crucial.
One of the important considerations in finding the stereo microscope that will best meet your needs is the magnification offered. First, some stereo microscopes have a fixed magnification and some have only two choices, while others have three objectives, each of which combines with the eyepiece. Additional lenses can be purchased for some models.
Second, some stereo microscopes are made simply to magnify objects to show their interesting facets, not to see things at a cellular level, which can be useful for young children and coin and stamp collectors, for example, but it is not a good choice for a high school student who takes biology. Some stereo microscopes also have a zoom function that allows you to move smoothly through the magnification range, rather than separate and distinct choices, and depending on your use, this may or may not matter to you.
Another thing to consider, both in terms of magnification and the range of conditions under which the stereo microscope will be used, is whether you want a pre-built microscope or a modular microscope that reconfigures as needed to suit the situation. The second type of stereo microscope comes with a choice of stands, illumination, eyepieces, and objectives, so you can adapt to varying specimens and conditions.
Your field of investigation may also play a role in determining your choice of stereo microscope. Special models are offered for professional jewelers and gemologists, on the one hand, and engravers on the other, for example. If you need to take digital photography or video through your microscope, that too will shape your choices as well as your need for an ergonomic design to accommodate long hours of use. Flexible booms and arms can extend the ways a stereo microscope can be adjusted, and this offers greater flexibility in varying the distance between the objective and the specimen, as well as greater flexibility in where the microscope is used.
Lighting is another thing to think about. Some stereo microscopes do not have illumination, but may be able to add an illumination element. Choices for lighting include ring lights with both fluorescent and LED versions available, as well as fiber optic lights. Gooseneck halogen lamps are another possibility. Before making a selection, you may want to visit three or more Internet storefronts for specialty microscope companies to review options and current pricing for you.
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