Re: Zenith SCM-200
- From: selwyn.stleger@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2007 04:51:22 -0700
Interesting points about use of monoculars. I don't know whether there
is a specific health and safety regulation in the UK but you won't see
monocular 'scopes in serious use in the UK. That is likely because
binocular scopes are more comfortable to use for long periods and
detail is easier to recognise when the brain combines two images.
Setting aside injury from physically banging ones eye against the
ocular (which is presumably very rare in adults and anyway unlikely to
cause lasting damage) "eyestrain" does not lead to permanent effects
but does imapir one's ability to continue working for long periods.
Thus, the issue is analogous to that of workers who sit at computers
for long periods and need a good quality screen suitably positioned,
appropriate ambient lighting and an ergonomic keyboard. Regardless of
regulations, from an employer's viewpoint it makes good sense to keep
workers comfortable. A child is going to use a monociular 'scope for
only short stretches of time. As an undergaduate student I used
monocular 'scopes in sessions of a few hours and came to no harm.
Also, good quality second hand monocular 'scopes are readily available
but best bought by beginners through a specialist dealer. I would also
add the even with a child's 'scope one should aim for good quality
optics (achromatic) and not those so often found on 'scopes targetted
at children. Interesting things can be done using a 2-5x objective and
a 10x objective with a 10x eyepiece and perhaps another eyepiece of
greater or lesser magnification. Later a higher power (e.g. 25x)
objective can be added if the child becomes absorbed with the hobby
and is proficient in using the instrument. Also, the use of the 'scope
will be greatly enhanced (for pond life etc.) if a darkfield stop can
be inserted below the condenser.
Selwyn
On 28 Jun, 15:56, RossClem...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On Jun 28, 12:52 pm, "Kevin Cunningham" <sms...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Look if you want to use a monocular, go ahead. It will be a huge problem
getting a new, quality monocular since none are made. I'm serious as a
heart attack, monoculars aren't sold and thats not for a make more bucks
attitude it from an its illegal and immoral approach. For every dollar of
monoculars sold there are millions of dollars of binoculars sold. Again,
look at the used market.
I'm not particularly "wanting" to use a monocular microscope. I am
just asking for a reference for the problems. I'm not looking into
buying a lab microscope for professional use, I'm interested in buying
what I would believe to be an "educational toy".
You've provided more details in your post, such as the medical
problems caused by incorrect posture. So I can go look those up. But
it's the potential eye problems that
I've just spoken with Brunel microscopes on the telephone. The scopes
that they would recommend are the RM-1 or possibly the SP-01, both on
the page:
http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/student-microscope.html
I did ask them about potential eye damage due to monocular microscope
use. They did say that there might be problems with extensive use,
giving an example of ten hours a day. But they said that there would
be no problem with a monocular microscope for standard hobby usage.
Now, I'm not trying to get into an internet.argument with you. I just
want to look into your advice properly by reading more detail. For
example pages explaining why it's advised/compulsory to use binocular
microscopes in various situations. So that I can make an informed
choice.
I think there's the potential that we're talking at slightly cross
purposes here. While I'm looking at sites that sell something slightly
better than you'd buy at Argos or ToysRUs, in reality, I'm much more
the typical Argos or ToysRUs microscope buying customer rather and not
at all an Olympus, Leica, Nikon, or Zeiss professional microscope
customer.
It certainly is very easy to buy a monocular microscope. Brunel have
them (see the previous page).
Argos have them:
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001...
ToysRUs have them:
http://www.toysrus.co.uk/SearchResults.aspx?kw=microscope&zone=Tru
Amazon have them:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/203-0719630-7024727?url=sear....
The reason I don't want to buy one from one of these toy sellers is
the probability that the microscope will be cr*p, as I know what an
interest killer useless toys can be for kids. In the amazon link
there's a microscope and telescope kit for £20. I'm sure that
purchasers of those will get the quality they paid for....
the list goes on. I can easily buy a monocular microscope. But I want
to put the effort in to looking into your warning to avoid monocular
microscopes. To do this I need references and/or sources of further
information. But I can't find them with web-search, and hence I ask
you for references. Not because I want to argue against you, but
because I want to make the best possible use of the advice (in total)
that I have received in this group.
.
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