Jim from United States, NY Public Profile

I am an engineer, but not a professional user of microscopes, so take this into account in my review. I did consult my son, a PhD in Bioengineering quite familiar with microscopes, and I spent months reviewing various microscopes to select this one. I am very satisfied with my choice. The objectives are a key aspect of a microscope and this one has very high quality objectives (for the price), and all of the features that a discerning non-professional user might want. However, note that I did order a separate phase condenser in order to be able to add a dark field slider (the phase condenser adjusts the light into the objectives to optimize the light for the focal distance of that objective). The microscope is provided with its own phase condenser, and provides all the magnification and lighting that a more demanding user might want. It is of very solid construction and provides features to protect the microscope, such as objectives that retract if you hit the slide. It also provides all the features one needs to manipulate the slide to view a specimen.