Ideal for middle and high school students, the National Optical 129B-CLED Binocular Microscope makes it easy and comfortable for small groups of people to share the view through the eyepieces.
Using a binocular head lets you view with both eyes open, giving you a more comfortable viewing experience. The two eyepieces are set at a comfortable 45° angle, and the whole head can rotate in a full 360° circle so people standing or sitting at a table or desk can all enjoy the view without needing to have everyone move to the eyepieces. Optically, the microscope is outfitted with two 10x power eyepieces that, when combined with the four objectives, provide magnifications from 40x to 1000x that enable its use for a wide variety of specimens and applications. The objectives are parfocal, requiring little or no refocusing when changing magnifications, and parcentered so the center of the view stays the same at each magnification.
A dual focusing system raises and lowers the stage to achieve tack-sharp images for making detailed and accurate observations, with a tension adjustment that ensures the stage won't drift when the focusing knob is released. Hard rack stops and a safety slip clutch on the coarse focuser prevent the objectives from hitting the specimens or being damaged. The large stage provides a solid and secure platform for specimens, with lower LED illumination directed through a 1.25 N.A. Abbe condenser with an iris diaphragm. Utilizing current LED technology delivers higher light efficiency than a conventional tungsten bulb with a cool operating temperature that prolongs specimen life when viewing live material.
Use and Handling
- Binocular design makes it easier and more comfortable to use versus monocular heads
- Head set at a 45° angle to place user's head in a comfortable viewing position
- Head rotates a full 360° to make it easier to share with a group or class
- Adjustable interpupillary range accommodates a variety of users
- Runs on standard 110VAC power; supplied with a three-prong grounded US wall outlet plug
Optical Performance
- Four magnification choices provide a wide range for a variety of applications: 40x, 100x, 400x, 1000x
- Two 10x eyepieces help to produce moderate magnifications when combined with one of the four objectives
- Achromatic eyepieces and objective lenses virtually eliminate chromatic aberration, so colors are accurate and true to life
- Four-position rotating turret holds objectives with positive click-stops
- Color-coded objectives: 4x (0.10 N.A.), 10x (0.25 N.A.), 40xR (0.65 N.A.), and 100xR (1.25 N.A.)
- 40x and 100x objectives are retractable to prevent damage by avoiding contact with the slides/specimens
- Objectives are parfocal and parcentered so there is little to no refocusing required when changing magnification, and specimen remains perfectly centered
- Dual-speed focusing brings views into sharp detail with tension adjustment that eliminates drift when the knob is released
- Stage moves up and down during focusing; nosepiece and objectives remain fixed
- Slip clutch on the coarse focuser prevents damage to the focusing system
- Hard stops prevent damage to slides/specimens and objectives
- Optional eyepiece reticle available to add versatility and customization for specific needs
Specimen Stage and Illumination
- Bottom LED illumination delivers higher light efficiency than a conventional 20-watt tungsten bulb with a cool operating temperature that prolongs specimen life when viewing live material
- Large 4.75 x 4.75" stage
- Low-profile mechanical specimen holder with low-position coaxial x-y controls
- Built-in 1.25 N.A. Abbe condenser with iris diaphragm allows the diameter and focal point of the cone of light that goes through the specimen to be precisely controlled
- Convenient on/off switch on base
