IQCrew by AmScope 40X-500X Kids Inverted Compound Microscope for Students

The microscope for the price optically performs excellent. I already have an Omax M8311 so I can compare. Inverted microscopes can explore specimens in the Petri dish and this was the reason for buying it. I didn't like the limited range control of LED brightness - particularly when exploring specimens with low magnification. Despite setting it to minimum, it was still bright for my preference. Being proficient in electronics I made small changes around potentiometer 1k Ohm controlling LED. Now I can control the full range from completely dim to full brightness. The picture tells all. Add a resistor 1k as shown and change cabling between batteries and LED (else you would drain the battery despite the switch is off). I already have 25x eyepieces so I bought the set with just one eyepiece 10x. This limits magnification to 200x but for my purpose (educating grandchildren) is enough.

I tested it, before giving it to the kids. I was amazed that it has listed N.A., which looks to me correct, thus giving good resolution. The objective are even configured for looking thru the bottom of Petri dishes. You can't do better for this price.

I am an amateur microscopist and have purchased several of these for personal use and for gifts for young people. It is unique because it is the lowest price inverted microscope sold anywhere. It can be used for both slides and samples in petri dishes. I have many expensive, professional inverted microscopes to compare it to. It is very good for the price you pay. I created a Facebook group specifically about maximising the potential of this microscope. It is very tiny and lightweight plus has a self contained battery powered LED illumination, so makes a good portable field microscope. The biggest problem is that the stock eyepieces aren't good, which can be cheaply upgraded, about $10, and it doesn't have an iris diaphragm to control contrast. That can be remedied with either a free, self made, cardboard oblique filter or a $20 add on iris diaphragm. Inverted microscopes are great for beginners and advanced amateurs so that can observe water life in a much more natural environment than on a microscope slide. You can watch the same organisms for a days and have long observing sessions without them drying out, being crushed or dying from lack of oxygen. It is very easy for children to use and can be used for variety of illumination techniques like bright field, oblique, polarising, epi and Rheinberg illumination. All are shown how to do easily and cheaply and demonstrated on the Facebook group about it. I keep one on my boat for fresh plankton observations. They are great travel microscopes, also. I've taken one around the world in a backpack, a motorscooter and airplanes. Check the IQCREW inverted microscope group on Facebook to see all that it can do and for support about using to its fullest potential.

Great

Great for kids! Purchased for my 5 year old. Quickly became a hit with kids in the neighborhood. Comes with everything you need - learning guide with experiment ideas and tips, pre-made slides, batteries, tools to collect specimen, etc. The pre-made slides are fine, but the real fun/learning was the kids finding bugs, making crystals, etc. One product tip: the eyepiece arrived unattached and needs to be “popped-in” place. I was a little confused when I first opened (not a microscope expert!), but once assembled everything was really easy. Great value based on the fun/learning we’ve had already. Seems well built, so assuming we’ll have it for years to come!