Install Batteries
1. Remove button screws and cover.
2. Install batteries with the positive
(+) and negative (-) in the correct
direction indicated by the battery
compartment label.
3. Replace the cover and screws.
Please recycle batteries responsibly.
How Do I Use My Microscope
Before you use your microscope, make sure that the table, desk or surface that you
place it on is stable and is not subject to vibration. If the microscope needs to be moved,
hold it by the arm and base while carefully transferring it. Once the microscope is in a
suitable location and the batteries are installed, check the light source to make sure that
it illuminates. Use a microfiber cleaning cloth to gently wipe the lenses off. If the stage is
dirty with dust or oil, carefully clean it off. Make sure that you only raise and lower the stage
using the focus adjustment knob.
How Do I Operate The Illumination?
Locate the mirror/light on the base of the microscope. Flip the mirror/light to the “on”
position (with the light facing up) and the light will illuminate. This microscope is equipped
with an incandescent light that illuminates the specimen from below. The color filter wheel
is located in the middle of the microscope stage. The filters help you when you observing
very bright or clear specimens. Using these filters, you can choose various brightness
levels and colors. This helps you better recognize the components of colorless or
transparent objects (e.g. sea salt).
How Do I Adjust My Microscope Correctly?
Place the microscope in a suitable location as described above, and sit in a comfortable
viewing position. Always start each observation with the lowest magnification. Adjust the
distance of the microscope stage so that the stage is in the lowest position — farthest
away from the turret head. Turn the objective turret until it clicks into place at the lowest
magnification (Objective: 5x/Magnification: 100x). Note: Before you change the objective
setting, always make sure the microscope stage is farthest away from the turret by
rotating the focus knob. Separating the stage and turret by rotating the focus knob will
avoid causing damage to the specimen slide or microscope. When starting an observation,
always start with the 5x objective in the rotating head.
How Do I Observe The Specimen?
Sitting in your location with adequate illumination, the following basic rules should be
observed. Start with a simple observation at the lowest magnification. Position the object
or specimen in the middle of the stage under the stage clips, center over the lower light.
Focus the image by rotating the focus knob until a clear image appears in the eyepiece.
Place the prepared slide directly under the objective on the microscope stage and secure
it with the stage clips. The prepared slide should be located directly over the lower
illumination. Look through the eyepiece and carefully turn the focus knob until the image
appears clear and sharp. Now you can select a higher magnification by rotating to the
objective turret. Higher levels of magnification can be achieved by turning the objective
turret to a higher setting (400x or 900x). Following this procedure creates a steady
increase of magnification without overpowering the view of the object. The following
magnification order should be used: 100x, 400x then 900x. Each time the magnification
changes (due to the objective change), the image sharpness must be readjusted with the
focus knob. When doing this, be careful because if you move the microscope stage too
quickly, the objective and the slide could come into contact and cause damage to the slide
or microscope.
For transparent objects (e.g. sea salt), light is projected by the lower light traveling from
below the stage, through the objective and eyepiece, and finally into your eye. This process
of light transmission is known as microscopy. Many micro-organisms found in water, plant
components and the smallest animal parts are transparent in nature. Opaque specimens,
on the other hand, will need to be prepared for viewing. Opaque specimens can be made
transparent by a process of treatment and penetration with the correct materials (media),
or by slicing. You can read more about creating specimens in the enclosed microscope
experiments booklet.
MAGNIFICATION GUIDE:
Eyepiece
Objective
Power
20x
5x
100x
20x
20x
400x
20x
45x
900x
NOTE:
THE HIGHEST MAGNIFICATION IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST FOR
EVERY SPECIMEN!
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE:
Problem
Solution
No recognizable image
Turn on light, Readjust focus,
Start with the lowest power objective (5x)
No image
Center object on slide under
lowest power objective
No light
Replace batteries, Check on/off position
©2020 National Geographic Partners LLC. All rights reserved.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC and Yellow Border Design are trademarks of the
National Geographic Society, used under license.
©2020 Explore Scientific, LLC.
1010 S. 48th Street, Springdale AR 72762
All rights reserved. explorescientificusa.com | 866.252.3811
Made in China
CONTENTS AND COLORS MAY VARY
CONFORMS TO THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF ASTM F963
V042020
