Thinking about getting some sort of microscope for my son...

[UglyCasanova]

He's 7 and really into doing "science experiments" and projects etc. We are getting him a present for helping us out with some things, and I'm thinking about trying to get him some sort of microscope.

Whatever I get I don't want it to be some cheap plastic thing. I want to get something nice, but my budget is going to be at $100 tops. I'm sure that you can't get a good professional microscope for that much, but I'm really not sure what to even look for or where.

Second option (and I'm not even sure if this exists) is to get him some sort of microscope thing that plugs into his ipod touch. If that exists it would make his world.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'm always pimpin' OPT. They are close to me, only a few miles away, and they have a great selection of microscopes, telescopes, and photography equipment.

http://www.optcorp.com/

 

[UglyCasanova]

Maybe binoculars would be an option as well. A telescope would be cool but for one that's worth anything it would be well outside our budget. Eventually I want to get a good one, but alas now is not the time.

 

[PsiStar]

"Scope" out Edmund Scientific but I do wonder if they are what they used to be so be a little careful.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

I used to sell microscopes -- primarily Olympus and some Zeiss -- at basically the highest levels of optical microscopy. I can tell you, you're not going to get much for $100.

A good stereomicroscope with transmitted and reflected illumination would be the most versatile and enjoyable for a young boy, I believe. This one from Jules' link is pretty good.

Something like this would also be cool, since you could conceivably mount a camera to the trinocular head and capture digital images.

 

[Fenixgoon]

get your kid a SEM!*


*when you hit the lottery

:wub: SEMs. so much fun!!!

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

I didn't really read the OP thoroughly, and I had in mind that this purchase would be the focus of some recurring projects between the boy and you.

If, instead, this is simply a gift in exchange for his helpfulness, certainly a budget greater than $100 would be extraordinary. I still maintain a stereo microscope would bring him the greatest enjoyment, however, so consider this one.

 

[IronWing]

<== currently has four microscopes in the house.

Another vote for a stereo microscope. Look around for a used/refurbished one. A cheap stereo microscope can be enjoyable. A cheap compound scope almost never is. With a stereo microscope your son can look at most anything with no slide preparation needed. Just the scope and a halogen desk lamp and he's good to go.

 

[IronWing]

I still maintain a stereo microscope would bring him the greatest enjoyment, however, so consider this one.

I suspect that the 2x objective (20x total) will be the only useable setting for that scope. 20x is a very useful range. The 10x and 20x objectives with the 10x eyepieces are going to have such narrow depth of field as to probably just frustrate the user. Can't beat that price! I bought a used Ken-a-Vision projecting scope off ebay. It's fun for looking at bugs in pond water swim across the wall but is much more limited than a stereo microscope.

 

[Imp]

Teach him young how to not mash the sample... I couldn't stop in highschool.

 

[IronWing]

For a regular compound microscope, the Brock Magiscope has received very good reviews. I haven't tried one myself.

http://www.amazon.com/Brock-Magiscop.../dp/B0042SUKEC

 

[SKORPI0]

AmScope 40x-1000x All-metal Student Cordless LED Field Biological Microscope with Optical Glass Lenses

List Price: $450.00 Price: $89.98 You Save: $360.02 (80%)

 

[Sho'Nuff]

He's 7 and really into doing "science experiments" and projects etc. We are getting him a present for helping us out with some things, and I'm thinking about trying to get him some sort of microscope.

Whatever I get I don't want it to be some cheap plastic thing. I want to get something nice, but my budget is going to be at $100 tops. I'm sure that you can't get a good professional microscope for that much, but I'm really not sure what to even look for or where.

Second option (and I'm not even sure if this exists) is to get him some sort of microscope thing that plugs into his ipod touch. If that exists it would make his world.

I think this would fit the bill. I had something similar as a kid and had a ton of fun with it.

http://www.smithsonianstore.com/toys/scienceactivity-kits/smithsonian-microscope-68009.html

FWIW, most 7 year olds are not going to appreciate the difference between a "nice" scope and a kit scope like the one linked above. Most of the additional functionality provided by the nice scopes are beyond the ability of a first grader/kindergartner.