How to buy the
Right Microscope

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The standard features on the Observer reads like the options list on many other microscopes.  All of these features are standard:

• Quality optical glass DIN achromatic lenses yield 40x, 100x, 400x
• Observer IV ($279) model also provides 1000x

• Equipped with dual lighting for use indoors and out

  • Cool, bright, fluorescent lamp for indoors
  • Reflecting mirror for when power is unavailable

• Precision Dual Focus (Coarse and Fine) with metal rack and pinion gearing system for long, maintenance free life

• Wide Angle Eyepiece, Achromatic objectives, parcentered and parfocal, DIN standard

• Vinyl Dust Cover

• Lifetime Warranty, 30-Day Money Back Guarantee, quality constructed in an ISO 9001:2000 Certified Factory

...features also found on the Observer III and IV ($229 & $279)

• Swing-Out Filter Holder with blue and green filters included

• Iris Diaphragm and Movable 1.25 NA Abbe Condenser

...optional equipment:

• Mechanical Stage for precise slide movement

• Teaching Head for dual viewing

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Features:

The Observer is a well built instrument, loaded with features.  It has standard features that you would expect ... metal alloy body ... DIN Achromatic objectives... wide angle eyepieces ... parcentered ... parfocal ... but it doesn't stop there.

This sturdy instrument (nearly 7 pounds) has gone the second mile in so many areas. It has a rotating headpiece - that is, the very top portion of the scope rotates a full 360 degrees. So any number of people sitting around a table can peer down through 40x, 100x, and 400x lenses and see the wonder that has been so easily brought into focus.  Easily because this scope has not just one, but TWO focus knobs. One performs the "rough" focus, and the other is a sensitive, fine tune focus. (This feature is essential at high powers - where focus is so critical.) One more feature well worth mentioning is the 7 watt cool fluorescent light - which yields a cooler and more natural light.

Here are the unique features of The Observer IId, III and IV:

• 10x wide field eyepiece - the lens in the eyepiece is nearly as large as a dime - brings easier viewing for children and adults, producing clear, sharp images for the user

• 4x, 10x, and 40xr Achromatic objectives combine with eyepiece to provide 40, 100, and 400 power magnification.

• The "nose" of the Observer III scope is ready to accept a fourth objective, making it easily upgradable to 1000x.  The Observer IV model (at $279) comes pre-equipped with this fourth objective (100xr). (The Observer IIdf has a three position nosepiece, and this and other technical reasons make it unsuitable for a 1000x upgrade.)

• Coarse and fine focus adjustments (two knobs) yield quick & accurate focus. We have found these separate knobs to be up to 20 times more accurate than microscopes with coaxial focus.

• The fine glass optics on this scope are parcentered and parfocal - if you rotate the objective to a higher or lower power, what was in the center of view before will still be in the center (parcentered), and still in focus (parfocal). As a result, you'll spend more time viewing, and less time repositioning your slide.

• Iris Diaphragm on the Observer III and IV (shown in photo) allows an incredible range of light adjustment.  The Observer IIdf has a disk diaphragm with six light settings.

• Seven-watt fluorescent 110vac illumination yields cooler and more natural colored lighting while indoors where electricity is available.  The tungsten lamps on other scopes can overheat live specimens, and produce yellowish tinting. All three of our Observer models have this cool fluorescent lighting.

• Inclined tube also rotates 360 degrees, allowing a number of individuals around a table to view without moving the microscope - a great feature in an educational environment - or anywhere where several students share a single scope.  This rotating head rides on precision ball bearings insuring smooth operation and minimizing wear and tear.

• Slip clutch protects the gear train from damage. When a child gets to the top or bottom of the focus range, some will continue to forcibly turn the focus knob. The slip clutch allows the knob to turn without grinding the gears.

• Focus tension adjustment holds your subject in focus, and is easily adjusted.

• Adjustable stage stop protects your objectives from damage.

• The included mirror assembly is easily installed when needed, allowing outdoor field use, making the Observer a versatile choice (especially with the optional scope Carry Case!).

• Movable Abbe Condenser on the Observer III and IV, fixed condenser on the Observer IIdf.

• Eyepiece Pointer provides a point of reference for the teacher or parent to use in instruction.

• 122mm x 120mm Stage is pre-drilled and tapped for available mechanical stage

• 45 degree inclined head for ease of use while seated

• Metal alloy frame is finished with Chemical Resistant Coating

• Swing out filter holder with blue and green glass filters included

• Vinyl dust cover for protection

• 110v grounded electric plug

• 14 inches high   7.7 inches long   5.5 inches wide

• Weighs 6.8 pounds

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Comments:

This excellent scope is loaded with all the features and potential that you are likely to ever need in a student compound microscope.

The Observer has two focusing knobs.  The first, the larger knob, is for course focus.  It is used to bring the slide or object into general focus. The second, smaller, knob is the fine focus. This one changes the focus ever so slowly so that you don't speed right past "perfect focus".  That fine focus knob on the Observer is nice - especially at higher magnifications - like 400x and 1000x.  Remember that when you are magnifying something, you not only magnify its width but its thickness.   Imagine a single piece of paper being magnified 400 times - it makes it as thick as an 800 page book (making 400 sheets since pages are numbered on both sides)!  The fine focus gives you the fine touch needed to focus through the the object and gives you the fine touch you need to find just the right "page".

Another great feature you should notice is the fluorescent light.

• Fluorescent light gives off very little heat. This can be important when viewing live specimens (pond water), or anything that might have a tendency to dry out and die.

• Florescent bulb appears to the eye as a whiter, more natural light.

• Another nice advantage of the Observer's light is that the bulb is a common desk lamp bulb which can be found in most larger home centers, like The Home Depot and Lowe's.

The Observer also includes an easily installed mirror (shown in photo), that permits you to use your scope outdoors without electricity.  Simply unscrew the light lens, and install the mirror. This 15 second job can open up the outdoors in ways you never imagined!

The 40xr and 100xr objectives are retractable, i.e. spring-loaded, to protect your lenses and slides should they come in contact. (The "r" in xr means retractable.)

The Observer is nothing less than a wonderful instrument, built for a lifetime of use, and well worth the extra investment.

The following grid should help you understand the differences between the three available models.  It should be noted that the only difference between the Observer III and IV is the additional 100x objective (which yields 1000x).

Read our "How to Buy the Right Microscope" for details on many of the features mentioned above.

You also may want to design your own Observer using our online Build-a-scope page. Build-a-scope will enable you to select from among all chassis types, heads (monocular, teaching), and objectives, as well as four different lighting options, some at no price difference. Check out Build-a-scope HERE.

Why not order one of these fine instruments today?  This is a GreatScopes QUALITY instrument, with a Money Back Guarantee and full Warranty.

If you still have questions about the Observer, please email us or call us toll free at (877) 454-6364. We'll be happy to help in any way we can.

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We do not print a catalog, but you can print our pages and other information.

• Single page PDF Specification Sheets which can be viewed and printed:
  
    Observer IIdf:   III:   IV:
  
    Free PDF reader:

Microscope Slides

The Observer is for viewing microscopic things (like pond protozoa, etc.) and use glass slides. GreatScopes has ready-made, prepared slides available, and also offers blank slide kits for preparing your own.  The PLUS Kit is provided at no charge, or may be upgraded to the Super Kit at a nominal charge.

Free with purchase! Online access to "25 Simple Slides in a Snap":

• Print these labels on plain paper, glue them to the slides, and start collecting the samples.  Besides the blank slides, everything needed can be found around the house.  (You may want to upgrade your free blank slide kit to the Super Slide Kit to insure you have enough slides.)

• Bonus: 15 more slide labels for specimens that are a little harder to collect - but we tell you how to find them.  40 slides total

• Free access with Observer purchase!

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If you wish to order by toll-free fax or by mail, go ahead and use the shopping cart system. An option will be given to print your total order for faxing or mailing.

Phone Ordering

Click for information on ordering by phone.

• Purchase orders over $500 can be faxed to us at (800) 556-8270 for approval. Please prepay for purchases of $500 or less.

• We ship by UPS Ground. Shipping time estimates (subject to availability).

• In a hurry?  Give us a call, and we'll see what we can do.

• Shipping costs are higher to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada.  Email us your zip code for rates.

• International Shipping available.  Click HERE for details.

• We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express, as well as PayPal, Checks, and Money Orders.

• Quantity Pricing is available.

• The Observer IIdf retails for $199, the Observer III retails for $295, and the Observer IV retails at $350. Save with our discounted pricing!