Re: Digital Stereo Microscopes for Teaching Grades 1-8


mmstep@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
I am looking for recommendations (both positive and what to avoid)
concerning the best type of digital stereo microscope (and software?)
to get for use by teachers of students from grades 1 through 8. My
thought is to acquire and test the microscope and then to donate it to
a local K-8 private school. The students already have access to
(non-digital) 10X/30X stereo microscopes. The idea is to donate one
digital microscope to be used by the teacher either during "lab"
classes or simply as a teaching tool during non-lab classes. I intend
to start out with a digital stereo scope and possibly add a digital
compound scope later. How much later depends on price. If I could get
a suitable digital stereo scope for less than $1,000, that would be
great. I've seen some advertised in this price range but have no idea
what you are getting for that price. I can probably afford to go as
high as $2,000 if necessary.

Any comments or recommendations would be appreciated.

Mel Stephens
Kodiak, Alaska

May I suggest a really cheap yet effective solution?
Get a TV card for your PC, and a cheap board camera. unscrew lens, if
any, and you will see the sensor, DO NOT TOUCH THIS!
Get an old eyepiece, and unscrew the chrome bit which inserts into the
microscope.
Fic it to the board camera - i used a hot glue gun, with great care not
to get the hot glue on elecronics or sensor.
then you just need a voltage feed for the board camera, and a plug to
plug it in to the TV card.
then insert into microscope in place of the eyepiece. Yo will the n be
able to view, photograph, and video down the. It's crude, but great for
kids. Get the board cam with the best line resolution you can afford,
and any second-hand microscope will do, if it is a quality make.
Russian, Watson, old Olympi, are quite cheap. You can have quite a good
setup with
$50-$80, and a bit of ingenuity.
Your idea of a gift to the school is a marvellous and generous idea.
The gift of my first microscope was a life-changing experience for me.
bests, hugo johnson

.

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