Meade 9200 Microscope

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I love this scope! I've searched the web for hours and at my last ditch attempt I found this. I've got a friend that owns this, and I had a try. It was incredible! I've got a Edu Science 100X to 750X but, frankly, anything I wanted to view over 450X was most dissapointing. I couldn't get enough of it! Some people might think I'm nuts rating this so high but for a microscope this price its amazing. The other products by Meade seem pretty good too.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent field or introductory scope
Review: I purchased this microscope a couple of years ago. It's small, portable, lightweight, sturdy and doesn't require a power source. For better illumination I purchased a small fluorescent battery-powered light at a local discount store for (dollar amount), and I usually use that rather than the mirror on the scope.

The images from this microscope are very crisp, if you know how to focus a microscope properly. Compared to the less expensive TASCO line (NOT worth the money), the images are superb. If I were purchasing a microscope for a child between 8 and 14 years old, this would be my first choice. It's also my first choice for an inexpensive field microscope, or the sort of thing I would take if I were heading out on a Medicins Sans Frontieres project. The magnification is sufficient for everything except bacterial work.

To sum up: I am very pleased with this microscope. I only marked it as 4 stars because it does have its understandable and completely acceptable limitations. Within those limitations, it deserves all 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent field or introductory scope
Review: I purchased this microscope a couple of years ago. It's small, portable, lightweight, sturdy and doesn't require a power source. For better illumination I purchased a small fluorescent battery-powered light at a local discount store for (dollar amount), and I usually use that rather than the mirror on the scope.

The images from this microscope are very crisp, if you know how to focus a microscope properly. Compared to the less expensive TASCO line (NOT worth the money), the images are superb. If I were purchasing a microscope for a child between 8 and 14 years old, this would be my first choice. It's also my first choice for an inexpensive field microscope, or the sort of thing I would take if I were heading out on a Medicins Sans Frontieres project. The magnification is sufficient for everything except bacterial work.

To sum up: I am very pleased with this microscope. I only marked it as 4 stars because it does have its understandable and completely acceptable limitations. Within those limitations, it deserves all 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: 400X
Review: In my review (below) I said that this Microscope gave clear views at 1000X. However, the maximum power is 400X, and it is this level of magnification that I was refering to, not 1000X. Sorry for the mistake.

Rating:
Summary: Meade 9200 Microscope
Review: The meade 9200 microscope is and awesome product. It works really well. I can see the germs on my very fingertips! It's wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Great introductory microscope
Review: This is a great microscope for students and amateur scientist. It has 3 levels of magnification, 40X,100X, and 400X (yes there is no 1000x magnification); more than enough magnification for amateur biologist or botanist. The scope is made of metal so it is sturdy. It comes with 5 sample speciments (nice ones) which I think will provide motiviation for any budding scientist to get started using the scope. The reason I give it four is that it does not have fine focuser and it does not have built in light source so you have to use it in a place with good lighting. But what it lacks will serve as a good practice for any budding scientist on how to properly handle a microscope. An excellent scope for its price, and makes and excellent gift that will have everlasting intellectual impact for curious kids.

Rating:
Summary: Great introductory microscope
Review: This is a great microscope for students and amateur scientist. It has 3 levels of magnification, 40X,100X, and 400X (yes there is no 1000x magnification); more than enough magnification for amateur biologist or botanist. The scope is made of metal so it is sturdy. It comes with 5 sample speciments (nice ones) which I think will provide motiviation for any budding scientist to get started using the scope. The reason I give it four is that it does not have fine focuser and it does not have built in light source so you have to use it in a place with good lighting. But what it lacks will serve as a good practice for any budding scientist on how to properly handle a microscope. An excellent scope for its price, and makes and excellent gift that will have everlasting intellectual impact for curious kids.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Useful Educational Tool
Review: This is about the best microscope one can buy in this price range. It is a perfect beginner's unit, especially for a young child. Although it uses a mirror instead of an artificial light source, I was able to get plenty of lighting by directing a flashlight at the mirror. The images at 400X are very clear, and it is easy to notice cellular details. It only comes with a course focus, so to use it on high power, you need to have a steady hand. I had no problem focusing on high power. The slide kit that came with it was very dirty, so you will need to wash the slides before using them. I would also recommend getting some microscope project books to help with ideas for starting out. Dover publishes a number of budget priced microscopy books for beginners, such as "The Microscope and how to use it" (adult reading level). There are also plenty of children's books, any of which will help you get started.
Keep in mind that this is a budget priced microscope and it is not as sturdy nor as finely tuned as higher priced units. Nevertheless, it is an order of magnitude better than the toy scopes that are often marketed to well-meaning, but ill-informed parents. Like I said, 400X images are very clear. Definely a good buy. MADE IN CHINA.