Posted on March 07, 2012

Need a Stereo Zoom microscope on a limited budget?
This scope comes complete with stand, transmitted and reflected illumination, both adjustable, trinocular head with 10X eyepieces.
You get a complete solution at a budget price.

The tradeoffs are:

1. 1. You will need to refocus when changing the zoom factor. Top of the line stereo zoom scopes allow you to adjust focus at maximum magnification and have a focussed image throughout the range, right down to low magnification. Here you will need to refocus when changing the zoom factor significantly.
2. Illumination will be in some situations a limiting factor on image quality. Then you might need to use add-on illumination.
3. There are no additional accessories available from the scope supplier, like for example 15X and 20X eyepieces or auxiliary lenses to change total magnification and working distance. But we can help out with parts from other scopes that we tested on this scope.

Since this Stereo Zoom Microscope shares some dimensions with higher end scopes there are plenty of upgrade options. These are not coming from the scope supplier but are essentially parts we are selling for other zoom scopes.
Magnification can be increased with 15X, 20X, 30X eyepieces and - with some reduction in working distance - with 1.5X and 2X auxiliary lenses. You can drive magnification to a maximum of 270X with 30X eyepieces and a 2X auxiliary lens. We tried that and the result is acceptable. The tradeoffs are:

• Reduced viewing field size with higher magnification eyepieces
• Darker image with less contrast
• Magnification does not keep up with resolution

These are problems effecting all stereo zoom scopes to some degree. Magnification of 150X or more is really the domain of compound scopes.
For some work you will need less magnification, 5X or 7.5X eyepieces are an option. Selecting auxiliary lenses below 1X (0.3X, 0.44X, 0.5X, 0.75X) reduces magnification as well. Most importantly, it increases working distance, to a maximum of 250 mm with a 0.3X lens. If you need to manually assemble some small item at the bottom of a 150 mm tall part you will need some 100 mm clearance to get in with your hands and tools, hence the availability of a maximum of 250 mm WD.
External illumination, for example with fluorescent / LED ringlights or fiberoptic light guides can enhance visibility and contrast.
Finally you can do a heart transplant, so to speak, by exchanging the main scope body with a more specialized and powerful one from another manufacturer. You can still retain the extremely low cost stand.

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Description

Part # / Price

Low Cost Stereo Zoom microscope

Trinocular Zoom Stereo Microscope, stand with Dual adjustable illumination, 10X eyepieces

AY11234        US$459  £298

Eyepieces from major manufacturer

Super Widefield Eyepiece 5X (paired)

MA501        US$134 £87

Super Widefield Eyepiece 7.5X (paired)

MA718        US$134 £87

Super Widefield Eyepiece 10X (paired)

MA502        US$134 £87

Super Widefield Eyepiece 10X, per unit

EW1030522        US$39 £25

Super Widefield Eyepiece 10X, per unit

EW1030523        US$42 £27

Super Widefield Eyepiece 12.5X (paired)

MA520        US$134 £87

Super Widefield Eyepiece 15X (paired)

MA503        US$134 £87

Super Widefield Eyepiece 15X, per unit

EW15305      US$42  £27

HSWF15X High-eyepoint, Super Widefield Eyepiece (pr)

MA535        US$160 £104

Super Widefield Eyepiece 20X (paired)

MA504        US$134 £87

Super Widefield Eyepiece 20X, per unit

EW20305      US$48  £31

Super Widefield Eyepiece 30X (paired)

MA521        US$160 £104

Super Widefield Focusing Eyepiece 10X (each)

MA519        US$169 £110

Auxiliary Lenses

Auxiliary Lens 0.3X, Working Distance 251 mm

MA530        US$116 £75

Auxiliary Lens 0.44X, Working Distance 171 mm

MA525        US$116 £75

Auxiliary Lens 0.5X, Working Distance 148 mm

MA517        US$116 £75

Auxiliary Lens 0.5X, Working Distance estimated at 150 mm

AL0505075      US$72  £47

Auxiliary Lens 0.75X, Working Distance 97 mm

MA526        US$116 £75

Auxiliary Lens 0.75X, Working Distance estimated at 100 mm

AL0755075      US$72  £47

Auxiliary Lens 1.5X, Working Distance 49 mm

MA507        US$116 £75

Auxiliary Lens 1.55X, Working Distance estimated at 52 mm

AL1505075      US$72  £47

Auxiliary Lens 2X, Working Distance 33 mm

MA511        US$116 £75

Auxiliary Lens 2X, Working Distance estimated at 36 mm

AL2005075      US$72  £47

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