AmScope B120C-E1 Siedentopf Binocular Compound Microscope, 40X-2500X Magnification, LED Illumination, Abbe Condenser, Two-Layer Mechanical S

• Five widefield magnification settings: 40X, 100X, 250X, 400X, 1000X and 2500X
• Professional 30 degree inclined 360 degree swiveling Siedentopf binocular head
• Sturdy framework with 3-D double layer mechanical stage, coaxial coarse and fine focusing, Abbe condenser, iris diaphragm and color filter
• Powerful single bulb LED illumination with dimmer
• 1.3MP camera comes with user-friendly editing and processing software for Windows offers advanced features including stitching, EDF and measurement, compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10

AmScope B120C-E1 binocular compound microscope with 1.3MP USB camera is designed for teaching demonstrations, clinical examinations and laboratory applications. It is a perfect microscope for a range of people from professionals, students in high school to teachers including those with a major in biology, or enrolled in medical school. It comes with a professional Siedentopf binocular head, double layer mechanical stage, course & fine focusing, LED illumination, and a 1.3MP USB digital camera. There are five magnification settings: 40X, 100X, 250X, 400X, 1000X & 2500X. This microscope is an ideal instrument for bacterial, biological, and pharmaceutical researches.

The Digital Camera:

The 1.3MP digital camera captures still images, streams live videos on your computer screen and is compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8, Mac OS X, and Linux. The user-friendly editing and processing software for Windows offers advanced features including Stitching, EDF (Extended Depth of Focus), Video Recording and Measurement functions. Live video and image capture can be set in different resolutions simultaneously. You can edit and process image captures in a manner similar to PhotoShop.

What's in the Box?

Siedentopf Binocular Microscope Head, Microscope Body Frame with Double Layer Mechanical Stage and LED Illumination, DIN Standard Objectives, 4X, 10X, 40X & 100X, Widefield 10X Eyepieces (pair), Widefield 25X Eyepieces (pair), Blue Color Filter, Dust Cover, Sample Immersion Oil, User's Microscope Manual, 1.3MP USB2.0 Digital Camera, 6' (1.8m) USB Cable, CD with Software, Driver and User's Instructions

About Microscopes

Microscopes are instruments used to enhance the resolution of an object or image. Types include compound, stereo, or digital. Compound microscopes use a compound optical system with an objective lens and an eyepiece. Stereo microscopes show object depth in a three-dimensional image. Digital microscopes are used to display an image on a monitor, rather than looking through a lens. Microscopes can have monocular (one), binocular (two), or trinocular (three) eyepieces, with varying magnification abilities. Magnification ability refers to the size of an image. Resolution, also known as resolvant power, refers to the clarity of the image. The interaction between field of view (FOV), numerical aperture (NA), and working distance (WD) determines resolution. Microscopes can control magnification through a fixed focus, or through a range of adjustments. They can also utilize LED, fluorescent, and mirror light sources to help control viewing capabilities. Microscopes are widely used in education, lab research, biology, metallurgy, engineering, chemistry, manufacturing, and in the medical, forensic science, and veterinary industries. AmScope has been manufacturing microscopy equipment and accessories since 1996, headquartering in Irvine, CA.

                              

By A. M. Dafoe

I have wanted a good microscope for home use for years but have not been willing to shell out the cash. Bought this microscope as my fortieth birthday present to myself and have used it at least three dozen times so far. I run a small farm and have done fecal exams and skin scrapings. I have two little girls and we have examined everything we could find under this microscope even my own blood. I have not used the USB yet as I am used to looking through a microscope and my girls can too so just haven't taken the time to hook it up. My degree is in biology and this microscope's quality is as good as any I ever used back in college. I researched long and hard, read every review. I am very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend.

By Michigan Engineer

This scope was very easy to setup and performs better than I expected for the price. The software and PC interface is fairly easy to use. The 2500x is a bit higher magnification than most other similar scopes.

There's not much technical documentation with the software and scope. The PC view is pretty decent, but not a substitute for looking through the scope itself. If you can afford it, a separate camera mount that doesn't use one of the existing two eyepieces would be recommended.

It was difficult choosing a model because there are so many AmScope models, with little information to differentiate them. I called AmScope and this one was recommended as a newer model with all the best features.

By Tony Malone

My father purchased a microscope for $5 for me when I was a kid. I love it and still have it. It was very imperfect, but I learned a lot from it. I didn't expect much more from this AmScope when I bought it for the price. I was wrong! This is an incredible machine. The first thing I noticed was that tthe edge to edge focus was flawless. The second thing I noticed was the lack of rainbows around the objects. As I moved the slides around I noticed the mechanisms for moving the slide were as smooth as butter, and easy to use. Attached is a sunflower stem to show how beautiful it can be looking through the microscope.

 

By Liz Wilson

The microscope is great. My 10 year old loved it. Give yourself maybe 20 minutes to become familiar with it, and allow for patience. It's not that difficult, it's just that it lacks directions (yes, bizarre... so when you go to hook it up to the computer, and you see no obvious port, then realize you have to remove one of the ocular lenses, and call the 800 number, and are told to find a screwdriver and loosen screws, yet you aren't really supposed to (the customer service rep was confused) it does get frustrating. At that point I was full on irritated. Just wanted some directions!!! However, they will email a booklet to you (the u tube video was of a different microscope) so eventually you will get the info. My suggestion is to ask for the emailed directions before you even receive the microscope. You will then be prepared to use it when it comes. That all aside, this was a fantastic activity. Since the image was on the computer screen we could all talk about what we saw. My video-game loving son spent several hours looking at things and didn't get bored. He thanked me about 5 times for this. He loves it.

By DBP

I had trepidation about buying a microscope at this price level, a low one in my opinion for a scientific instrument. I am happy to admit that that fear was unfounded as I am astounded at the quality of this scope! The build quality is excellent and has several features which I did not expect such as a swiveling head, included light filter and condenser iris.
While the 1.3MP camera is not of the greatest quality, it is just fine for area observers and for capturing photos and video. The USB cord sticking out of it gets in the way a little, but a small complaint.

All in all, if you are looking for a high-quality instrument, this is an excellent buy.

By Tintin

I am amazed and delighted! Granted, I am not a professional, I bought this out of a memory of the fascination I had for the microscopes in high school. But I am very impressed with the quality of this microscope! It is substantial and heavy, with a rotating eyepiece turret with fully adjustable distance between the eyepieces, two sets of eyepieces, a very smoothly operating mechanical stage, smooth and precise dual-precision focusing, and an Abbe condenser with an optional blue lens that pivots out of the way. The LED light is on a dimmer, so you can control the brightness. I've having a ball culturing a hay infusion and seeing all the paramecia and other denizens of the unseen world. If I had to find a fault, it's that there isn't a case or holder for the eyepieces that are not in use, to keep them for getting dusty. The lenses are sharp, and good quality. The camera pickup is good, too, although the depth of field is limited (see the attached image). I'd have to say that this is an excellent student microscope.

By wrygrass

I didn't know what to expect from this purchase but have been more than pleased with the results. It has surpassed whatever wishes I could have had for the scope. I probably will never use the upper magnification limit of x2500. I mainly purchased to extend my hobby of wildflower Id. But for what I do use it for it has been great. It also has an included camera that I found to be a real plus as it allows you to put what you are viewing on screen and with my eyesight that is wonderful. I have been practicing with some ready made slides (not included with the microscope) from Amscope and the pictures, even at the 1.3 Megapixels, are great. The pictures below are of a Tilia Stem, from center to outer edge at x10. The camera software works great. The adjustments for the focus and for the stage work well. A little learning time is needed, but not really a large amount. Was able to get good results from the get-go.
I actually bought this because of another review you will probably find here of an educator working in Africa. If it could survive that, I thought it might survive my rough usage.
I don't think as far as I'm concerned there are any cons to this purchase for the price. My experience with microscopes are minimal, but what experiences I've had in the past aren't near as positive as this has been. There are no doubt better scopes out there, but for the price I'm very happy.

By Rick Myers

When I was growing up, and before my 10th birthday, my parents bought me a microscope. Nothing like this of course, and they probably got it from Montgomery Wards (no Wal-Mart back then). It was a pretty cheap microscope, but I loved it, and maybe it is one of the reasons I became so interested in science that I became an Engineer.

Now that I'm all grown up (and almost 50) I wanted to rediscover my love for the micro, since my telescope purchase has helped me remember my love of the macro.

Money isn't an option like it was for my parents, and I was quite surprised I could get so much microscope for relatively little.

The scope is just about perfect for the amateur. The camera is just enough resolution to make you want to buy more, however, I was lucky as my telescope camera also fit this.

At first I was put off by the 2500x resolution, since it seemed too much, but then I read how to use the immersion oil properly, and viola! 2500x was clear and amazing.

Perhaps professionals need more, but this will sate me for years to come. It has already helped out our dog, as with it we were able to see a thriving yeast colony from a swab of his ears, and he's on medication now that seems to be helping.

Kudos to AmScope for making a great product but with a cheap price.

By KSev 83

We have a small goat farm and needed our own microscope to fun fecal exams and gather performance data on our goats. The microscope is excellent! Came packed securely. I bought the one with the computer attachment because that allows us to take pictures of what we find and share with the veterinarian or to train other users. The gears on the table move smoothly and allow us to use McMaster slides and do counts on parasites. This will also be quite handy to do blood smears and other projects.

The low cost of this microscope is less than the price of one goat! We are very pleased with this equipment and are encouraging our friends to buy one as well. Paying a little extra for binocular vision and the computer setup was well worth it. Another bonus that I didn't realize until we bought the scope is that the headpiece swivels, so that if one person focuses on something, they can swivel the binoculars to someone sitting across from them without moving the microscope.

By JustTrucking

I purchased my AmScope B120C-E1 in 2013. I am very satisfied with this microscope. I originally purchased it for my daughter since she is working to become a physician. At the time I did not know that I too would be the one using it. I am working my way to be in the dental profession and at the time I am taking microbiology at my local college. Well, a week ago my light was out and I tested the components and the transformer went bad. I still have the 5 year warranty and I ended up contacting the company. I explained to them that I tested the equipment and I also send them my finding. Note: I am very familiar with electronics and I now how to test them. What I ended up sending them was a note with what was wrong and the tolerance.
I asked them that if they could send me the parts and I can installed it myself and how much. There answer was $6 for the shipping because it was under warranty for 5 years; I received the parts withing 3 business days. They actually sent me and upgraded base with everything that I needed. The only thing that I did was: unscrew the 4 screws that hold the base together, removed the ground wire screw and the L.E.D connector. Put everything back together and done. It took me about 5 minutes tops. Tested it and it work like new. Thank you Aaron for the parts and great customer service.

This is a good company with great customer service. I recommend them and their product.

Note. I have read some reviews saying that the microscope is not good and that it doesn't come with instruction.
There are plenty of videos online that can help you get there, and your incompetence should not be reflected on the product rating.

The bottom line is.....this is a great product for the price... great for beginners and college students alike... have patience and have fun... it will be a rewarding experience.