Educational Insights Micropro 48 - Piece Microscope Set
by Educational Insights
|
List Price: Our Price: $24.39 You Save: $18.60 (43%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Toy See more product details |
|---|
Toys and Games Reviews of Educational Insights Micropro 48 - Piece Microscope Set
Customer Review: Utter Garbage
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this microscope for my son's seventh birthday. When we opened it up, I was surprised at the poor quality of the metal used in its construction. It looked like it was made out of something more solid that it actually is because there are plastic parts painted silver. Even worse, the light completely didn't work. We tried two different sets of batteries, and both lightbulbs, and nothing helped. I think the problem is that the lightbulb is supposed to turn on automatically when the mirror, which is supposed to send through enough light to see through a slide but doesn't unless it's on the windowsill, is turned over. At that point, a small piece of metal on the light casing is meant to connect with another small piece of metal on the main body of the microscope, completing the electric circuit. I'm thinking this is probably the problem, that the wiring isn't sufficient to bring the electricity through, either because of the poor connection or because the wiring itself is faulty.
For the price (I bought it from a small retailer locally), I expected a mid-range microscope, but this was a complete piece of junk.
Customer Review: serves the intended purpose
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this for my 15 year old daughter who has a moderate interest in biology. She has enjoyed the prepared slides that we bought on this site, and we have had none of the mentioned problems found in the other reviews. We have used this microscope several times for at least 1/2 hour sessions and the bulb that came in the microscope is still going strong. We have not had to use the replacement bulb as yet. That being said, this is not a super-duper microscope. You get what you pay for. If you are looking for a classroom quality model, this is not it. This model is a lighter weight than most, but we have been able to use it with reasonable success. We have looked at specimens we have made ourselves, ranging from dog hair to blood. I feel it's worth taking a chance on if you can get by with this model. If it doesn't do well for you, Amazon is always good about returns.Customer Review: Not overjoyed with the quality but...
Summary: 2 Stars
Got this for my 8yo daughter and she has fun with it. In the product description it touts itself as having a die-cast body but in reality, it is mostly plastic and is a rather flimsy piece of equipment. The optics are "cloudy" at best and not very good. I have not experimented much with trying to improve the clarity however we have observed some things under low power with some success. The higher power settings are marginal because the light requirement goes up and the optics are just as bad as the low power setting. The tools are cheesy plastic with a "look of metal" to them. Still, my daughter likes it and that is what counts - she doesn't have anything to compare it to.
For the $35 I paid, I would expect a little bit better of a piece. Maybe I'm expecting too much in remembering the all metal one I had when I was a kid that I wish I still had now.
Customer Review: What "quality" are they talking about?
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this scope from a local school store as a gift. Within minutes my nephews were asking for my help focusing. I thought the excessive scratches on the lenses and slides were to blame, only to discover the eyepiece/lenses didn't even line up with the hole through which the light is coming through in the platform! What a waste of money. I'm disappointed that quality-control for a company would allow this product to be sold, nevermind made! (The difference between the models manufactured by this company vary only in the even cheaper painted-plastic "accessories" that actually, laughably, are labeled with "Warning: sharp object" labels!) I'll be calling the company first thing in the morning for a refund so I can purchase something that the boys can actually use!Customer Review: Great first microscope
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a 7 year old daughter who thinks that this microscope is the coolest Christmas gift she received. It's easy to use and works really well. I, myself, having worked in an environment where microscopes were used on an hourly basis am very impressed with how well this microsope actually works. I would suggest finding glass slides and coverslips if you decide to try and make any permanent slides of your own. The ones supplied in the kit are plastic which are fine for limited use. With repetative use they will get scratched and unusable (lots of use - class room or home school setting). The premade slides that come with the kit are high quality and making your own slides is as simply as it should be. I would recommend this product highly.