Discovery Channel Macro Microscope :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
With both micro and macro settings, this microscope lets you see everything from butterfly wings to plant cell walls. Features: Kid-friendly microscope with real power Both micro and macro settings Explore objects from 40 to 400 times their actual size Super-clear images at every level Pivoting die-cast metal base with high-impact plastic body Soft textured handgrips Flexible, 360-degree rotating eyepiece Precision ground metal lenses with optical quality glass Lenses are interchangeable with most standard, research-quality microscopes Independent light source focuses beam on (or through) the specimen Lens bulbs are easy to replace 2 month manufacturer's warranty Includes: Five vials of remarkable specimens to examine Five prepared slides: two insect cross sections, two plant cross-sections and one slide with a real 900-year old, Peruvian mummy wrap! Tweezers Eye-dropper Measuring beaker Spoon Blank slides for collecting your own specimens Experiment booklet Explore the beauty and mystery of the world around you, from small delights to microscopic miracles. Safety warning: This product contains small parts that may present a choking hazard for young children.
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Customer Reviews

OK Beginner set

2006-12-28
I bought this microscope for my 9 year old based on the online review and in comparison to the price and features of others at Amazon. It arrived with everything as advertised and I was impressed with the packaging and presentation. (I also purchased a prepared slide set.) Set up and use were very easy and kid friendly. The design is excellent for smaller hands. The magnification at 40X and 100X are very good, however at 400X it is terrible. Difficult to use and nearly impossible to see. To me it appears to be an optics manufacturing issue. So for the money, a decent buy as long as your expectations are not too high as far as quality of a scientific piece of equipment goes. Definitely a "beginner" scope.

small-child friendly; older child envious -- GREAT item

2006-07-08
We got this set for our then-6-year-old when I felt he had outgrown the talking toy microscope. I remain amazed at the clarity of the optics. This is a real find also in that it has the macro setting as well as the microscope setting -- in other words, you are not limited to translucent specimens on a slide, but can use the top light to view solid objects such as dead bugs, small rocks, etc. Also you can compare the views of translucent things such as salt or sugar or mineral crystals, between the upper and lower lighting. The colorful plastic housing is friendly to small hands. The slide set is limited but it is so easy to make one's own. I also am intrigued by their "cover slides" which are basically very small circles of plastic, much like the cling-style decals you may put on your car window. Our 10-year-old has a standard microscope kit from Edmund Scientific and seems envious of the macro capabilities of this one. A winner all around -- although of course not for the very small. It is a real working science tool, after all.

A Great Microscope for a first time one!

2007-03-17
Our grandson, who lives in WA, just had his 8th birthday, so we felt it was a great time for him to discover the fun of a microscope. He was thrilled! He called us to say he loved the prepared slides that came with the microscope as well as making his own slides of bugs, hair, leaves,and even blood from a prick. He said it's easy to focus and his sister,who is 11, as well as his 4 year old brother loved using it too.

We were pleased to hear that he was enjoying this new world of micro discovery. Sounds like it is a "winner" for all ages!

Good, but not great.

2007-02-15
This is a good microscope, but I think a lesser microscope would have worked just as well. The 400X lens is really bad, and can only see something when the slide is pressed right up against the lens. Changing lenses is also difficult.

Good miscroscope, but don't get persuaded by the brand name.

Great product for a 7 year old

2007-02-09
I bought this for my 7 year old daughter - this was her only request for Santa. I am very impressed with the quality of the microscope. Based on the pictures I saw before I ordered it, I was worried because of the plastic, toy-like look (and it didn't look like the microscopes I used in my science lab at work). But this is a case where the product is well-designed for its users - the design makes it easier to carry (light, easy to grip) and easy to adjust with big knobs. In real-life, it does not appear "plasticy" or cheap. My only problem is that there is not a good way to store the scope and the accessories - the original box is designed more for display on the store shelf, than it is storing it after opening. If this was solved I would give it a solid 5 stars.

Great Item

2007-01-10
My son received this microscope for Christmas and he said it was the best gift he got this year. He's 7 yrs. old, so he does need some assistance using it, but for the most part it's easy to use, sturdy, and a lot of fun. We've made a few of our own slides and used the slides that come with it. Price wise it's a bit steep, but you will get a quality microscope if you buy this one.

Quality microscope

2007-01-09
My twelve year old son had a microscope before where you couldn't see anything. I was hesitant to buy one without knowing how good it was. I took a chance and am very pleased with this microscope. My son had been able to focus it easily. He has enjoyed hatching the shrimp and looking at them under the microscope. he still exploring, but I haven't heard any frustrations from him.

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