On a recent trip to my parent's house, I discovered my old childhood microscope and I hoped to bring it home, clean it up a bit, and use it to get my kids interested in microscopy. Upon taking it out of storage, I realized that the microscope I had as a kid was very hard to use and would only frustrate my children and would not inspire them to the degree that I would hope for. I do realize that if I hope to inspire my kids a microscope that it isn't the microscope itself that would inspire them, but what they actually look at in the microscope that would inspire them. However, the "toy" microscope that I had as a child made it very hard to even enjoy an interesting and inspiring microscope slide.
I did a lot of research over the course of a couple of weeks and the Omano is the introductory microscope that I settled on for my kids. I liked the coaxial fine and course adjustment, the pivoting head, and the solid and professional appearance - it just looks like something a "real" scientist would use.
The most obvious differences when looking at this microscope side-by-side with a "toy" microscope is total magnification of the two, the field of view (or how big the "hole" you look through), and the flashiness of the two. The Omano microscope has a lower overall magnification than what you see in most toy microscopes, a significantly larger field of view than a toy, and a bare minimum package and overall flashiness.
Many toy microscopes in the sub-$100 price range advertise 1,000x - 2,000x total magnification (as did my childhood microscope). After working with microscope that cost many thousands of dollars as an adult, I can tell you that there is no way you can get a clear and enjoyable image at 1,000x or 2,000x magnification with a toy microscope. 400x magnification (the top magnification of this Omano scope) is more than suitable to observe nearly every pre-made slide available to elementary through high school education. With higher magnification, more light is required to observe the sample. On a toy microscope, I've found that the light is seldom strong enough to properly illuminate the sample leaving you to only see a dark and shadowy looking something or other at the top magnification. Typically, it is a very unflattering image you get on a toy microscope.
The field of view of this microscope is absolutely humongous compared to that of toy microscopes. You have a large "hole" to observe your sample through when you put your head up to the eyepiece. A larger field of view allows you to see more of the sample and also reduces the fatigue you'll feel when spending more than a few minutes at a toy microscope. The field of view on this Omano scope is comparable to what you would find on many professional microscopes.
The overall build quality and feel of this scope is reminiscent to that of professional microscopes. It feels solid and looks like a professional tool. I don't doubt that it is robust enough to last through many years of abusive use that my children will surely give it.
On a side note, I recommend that if you are purchasing this microscope as a gift that you also purchase a decent set of pre-made microscope slides. This scope comes with nothing. I bought a set of 100 pre-made samples from AmScope for $50 and was very happy with them.
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Omano OM118 Series Microscope Introduction
Microscope LLC
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Quick and easy setup
I bought this as a Kindergarten graduation present for my daughter (it's what she's wanted for a while now after using one at school). I thought ahead and ordered some simple prepared slides to go with it. She was sooooo excited to open up the box and insisted that it be set up immediately. Five minutes out of the box and we were looking close up at an ant, onion skin, etc. I was worried about being able to focus etc but it was super easy. Now I just have to learn how to prepare slides for all the stuff she wants to see close up, for example, there are 2 dead mosquitoes desiccating on top of my fridge. Great fun for the price.Edit to add, my slides aren't mounted perfectly but they came out pretty cool. The tick was just stuck between 2 layers of packing tape. Used my cell phone camera and angled just right toward the eye piece got pics of stuff.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2013
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2019
I bought this as a Kindergarten graduation present for my daughter (it's what she's wanted for a while now after using one at school). I thought ahead and ordered some simple prepared slides to go with it. She was sooooo excited to open up the box and insisted that it be set up immediately. Five minutes out of the box and we were looking close up at an ant, onion skin, etc. I was worried about being able to focus etc but it was super easy. Now I just have to learn how to prepare slides for all the stuff she wants to see close up, for example, there are 2 dead mosquitoes desiccating on top of my fridge. Great fun for the price.
Edit to add, my slides aren't mounted perfectly but they came out pretty cool. The tick was just stuck between 2 layers of packing tape. Used my cell phone camera and angled just right toward the eye piece got pics of stuff.
Edit to add, my slides aren't mounted perfectly but they came out pretty cool. The tick was just stuck between 2 layers of packing tape. Used my cell phone camera and angled just right toward the eye piece got pics of stuff.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2019
