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Microscopy-UK Buying Guide for Christmas |
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| Gifts for : very young people preteens teenagers adults beginners seasoned hobbyists | |||||
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Don't know what Microscope to buy? |
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| For Children aged younger than 9 years The DM1 Younger people are likely to benefit from simple to use instruments and with a guide to help them, and it's likely you will need to start them off by showing them a little bit and not just giving them a gift of a microscope without encouraging them what to look at. Most younger chidren will likely find insects viewed under a microscope a really spectacular thing. Sure, they see flys and ants, bees and wasps, as they grow up in our world, but they don't see them as well as dogs, cats and horses. An introduction to see these marvels of nature in fine detail is likely to awaken their minds to detail and wonder. We suggest a stereo low powered microscope is best. You could also buy them a low powered monocular one but the stereo will give them a view which is 3D instead of a 2D flat image, so it's true to life. These are not expensive but you should not buy one from a toy shop. Toy microscopes have boxes covered with pictures full of promise, but inside are plastic and ineffective rubbish. We recommend one of the following microscopes.... THE DM1 or THE MX1 The DM1 is nice and simple to use. Simply place a subject on the circular base plate and focus the microscope to turn the coarde and fine focus knob. A desk lamp or small torch can be used to shine on the subject if more light is required. |
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| For Children aged younger than 9 years The MX1 - offers 3D viewing! Young children will be amazed to see insects from the garden under this microscope which enlarges them by up to x30. Every fine detail of the insects, right down to tiny hairs normally invisible to the naked eye, will be clearly seen. Unlike the DM1, which shows a flat image, the MX1 will show a solid 3D image just like we see in real life. Although slightly dearer than the DM1, the MX1 microscope benefits greatly from its stereo vision. The eyepieces are adjustable to account for the different space between people's or children's eyes. A simple desk lamp or small torch can provide more light on the subject if more light is required. The good working distance between the stage and objective lenses allows for whole insects or other small objects to be put on the stage and moved around easily - especially by young hands. This is not a toy but a real instrument much used by adults in the dissection of insects or by people involved with repairing or inspecting watches, jewellery or other tiny objects. A great instrument for young children to embark on their first explorations into the micro-world around them. |
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| Guide to help younger children A guide to help younger people get going exploring with their microscope is a good idea. Pippa's Progress is aimed at younger children with a bit of help from mum or dad for the very, very young, or slightly older children without adult help. A set of online videos accessed freely compliment the book which provides a set of projects for the child from looking at the stinging hairs on a nettle to playing the detective to solve a small theft. Dull colour throughout, the book is inspiring and will invoke the fascination and excitement of any young child in a modern and friendly manner. Microscopic Monsters This delightful book is one in the series (well-known) called Horrible Science by Nick Arnold. Filled with cartoons, quizzes, it is a clever way to educate and inform in an interesting manner. |
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| Something cheaper? If your budget can't stretch even to these low prices, and you think the idea of exploring the natural small world is a good move for a youngster, please don't be tempted to buy one of those flashy plastic microscopes that seem to appear in Toy shopsnear Christmas. These are what they say - TOYS - and are completely ineffective at deliverying a clear image of anything magnifies. These toys will put hildren off for many years! Instead, buy them a quality hand magnifyer, a special one called a loupe. A x10 loupe is available as well from here below the x20,x10 loupe, both at the bottom of the page. One advantage is the loupe is like having a microscope in your pocket which you vcan take outside with you onwalks, or into the garden, or on holiday. |
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And a perfect accompanyment to the loupe is this easy to read booklet explaining whatto look at when using the loupe. |
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For Older Children aged 10 to 14 years and also For Teenagers aged 15 to 20 years or in fact any adult taking their first steps into Amateur Microscopy as a hobby. |
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For People older with more time for a hobby For People already practicing Microscopy as a hobby |
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