Are you in the market for a new pocket microscope but aren’t sure what you need from it? Maybe this is your first pocket microscope and you don’t know where to start?
Or are you curious and want to know more? Whatever the reason is that brought you here today, we have the answer for you!
Pocket, or portable microscopes are the perfect way for children, students, and scientists to examine objects in greater detail.
Whether the object is outdoors or indoors, your pocket microscope is sure to be a fine addition to your life and allow you to explore the world in a new and exciting way!
But knowing what you need from your microscope can be tricky! You can easily find yourself overwhelmed by the list of features and benefits, unsure what features best suit your needs and budget.
Whether you are a first-time microscope buyer or a seasoned expert, the process can be difficult and leaves many people feeling overwhelmed.
Well, no more! Today, we are here with the answers that you need! Just keep reading for our pocket microscope buyer’s guide as we show you the features you need to keep an eye out for!
Pocket Microscopes – What Are They?
Let’s start with a quick recap for those that need it! A pocket or portable microscope is essentially a small microscope that is suitable for traveling with.
Portable microscopes don’t have the solid base that standard microscopes need to sit on, instead, they are handheld, allowing you to move or hold them over a large object to look at it in closer detail!
Portable microscopes can be as small as a pen and feature a magnification ranging from 25x to 100x! That is ideal for seeing microscopic levels of an object!
Some will also feature an LED light and be battery-powered, allowing you to adjust the focus and brightness to see with more clarity.
There are lots of different shapes and sizes to choose from, including those with a handle that will provide added stability when viewing objects at odd angles.
Other microscopes will feature USB cords to connect to a computer to view parts of a larger object that might not fit under the microscope in one go.
These microscopes will allow you to save images to be viewed later too, making it the perfect choice for students needing to refer to images for reports.
Now that we have established an overview of these versatile microscopes, let’s move on and look at them in closer detail to help you narrow your search and find the right one for you!
What Can I Use A Pocket Microscope For?
When choosing a pocket microscope, you will first want to consider what you intend to use it for.
Thankfully, most miniature microscopes can be used anywhere, from classrooms to the great outdoors!
We recommend looking for one that comes with rubberized eyepieces.
These will provide added comfort around your eyes too and are safe for use with children! If you are looking for one to use with your child and on your own, then comfort and safety should be high on your priority list!
If you are using the microscope with children, you will want one that has no moving parts, as these will be safer and easier to use.
Thankfully most pocket microscopes are made like this, so you won’t need to worry about moving parts too much!
These microscopes are super versatile! You can expect to find them used by students, scientists and hobbyists, in science labs, out in nature, in emergencies both in the field and hospitals and in classrooms.
Pocket microscopes are also used by manufacturing companies, helping them to spot any imperfections in glassware, optics, metals, electrical components, or structural issues in machinery.
The list of uses for pocket microscopes is endless!
Quality
Once you have decided on the use of your pocket microscope, you will want to turn your attention to the quality of it.
Often, the focal point of a pocket microscope is the same as, if not more powerful than traditional microscopes!
You can find a lightweight microscope weighing no more than a few ounces with a magnification of 100x! Not bad for something that fits in the palm of your hand.
Some of these microscopes will have LED lights powered by batteries that will provide added brightness to the object you are looking at.
This can be super handy, especially if you are only relying on natural light or looking at objects in poorly lit rooms.
Pen-sized microscopes will tend to only use natural light, although you can find some with additional lights! You can also find miniature optics that are the size of traditional eyepiece lenses that will have LED lights.
Typically these are attached to glasses and used in manufacturing.
You can also purchase handheld microscopes that can connect to your computer, transferring images to be printed or viewed later.
These are ideal for students or scientists that need to use the image later for further analysis or to help type up their findings.
You will need to make sure that you have the space on your computer and budget for any additional software that could be required.
Who Makes Pocket Microscopes?
So where can you get a pocket microscope from?
Well, there are lots of companies that produce standard and pocket-sized microscopes for you to choose from, as well as companies that typically make telescopes, binoculars, and other optical devices that also sell pocket microscopes.
Below we have a short list of the best providers for pocket microscopes we think you should look at.
- American Optics
- Carson
- Electron Microscopy Sciences
ElectroOptics - PEAK Optics
- Olympus
- Nikon
- Home Training Tools
- Scientific Online
- Sper Scientific
Previously, you could also purchase a pocket microscope from Celestron, but this has since been discontinued.
You might find it second-hand for a lower price or you can opt for their 44302 handheld digital microscope. It’s a little larger than other pocket microscopes on the market, but it’s a fine choice if you want a Celestron microscope!
If you want a pocket microscope from the brands listed above, we have a few suggestions that we think you will love!
First up, the Carson MicroMax Pocket Microscope! It’s affordable, super small, and comes with an LED light that will provide you with fantastic image quality.
The magnification is pretty impressive too, and has left users impressed! That’s why it’s a bestseller!
Another option is the SE Mini! It doesn’t have a brilliant magnification, only 16x, but it’s affordable, and a good option for those looking for a beginner-friendly microscope for children.
Its adjustable focus is easy to use and has a great image quality that is perfect for coin or stamp collections.
And for those after a popular option, try the KINGMAS Mini Microscope! It has a magnification of 60x and is perfect for a range of applications, whether you are teaching students, adjusting a circuit board, or exploring a part of your home in closer detail! The faux-leather pouch makes it super easy to travel with the microscope too!
If you are looking for an electronic microscope, try the Carson zOrb! Sure it has an unusual shape, but it’s super portable and its capability is virtually unrivaled!
It’s also compatible with PCs and Macs, so no matter the software you are working with, you can enjoy your images on a large screen!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Pocket microscopes are super versatile and are sure to make a welcome addition to your home or work! Just be sure to consider its use and features before selecting the best one for you.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated by science. Every holiday I would ask for the newest science kit, and spend weeks learning with it.
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