Well perhaps all parents are doomed to some point to buy for their children what they would have wanted as a child but never received? I promised myself that when I had children I would buy them cool science kits....and I swear that my eldest pointed to a microscope kit in some catalog at least one time (or is this a false memory I invented to justify my gift choice?) So yesterday we opened her microscope and tried to use it. It seemed to work and I was even able to figure out how to blow the piece of dust off the inside lense that was causing a problem...but we couldn't get the slides to focus. I simple see the white circle - there does seems to be "cells" that we can focus in on but this doesn't seem to be part of the specimen itself...more hidden residue or glue or something on the slide. I have not idea if I am doing something wrong because shockingly enough there is no manual or help included! I guess I just remembered all the microscope kits I looked at as a child included helpful instructions or manuals. This one completely leaves you all on your own! There is no support, website, or troubleshooting. I swear that my child's barbie pool came with more detailed instructions and helpful information than this microscope did! Perhaps mattel should consider a Barbie microscope kit? (Although mattel has a history itself of putting less features on barbie technology products than on their boy's technology products...that pink paint must be real expensive!)
In Summary: My review on the product is below. Overall I think it's a real shame because the microscope itself seems to be fairly sturdy but what good is it if nobody can figure out how to use it? Most parents are not biology teachers or medical researchers. A product like this and at this cost needs a whole lot more support and nice thick, detailed instruction/lab manual included!
Originally submitted at Toys R Us
1200x Total Magnification; 4/10/40x Objective Lens Magnification; 3x Barlow Lens (Triples Objective Power); Laboratory Grade Glass Optical Lens; Die-Cast Body; Dual Power Operation; Includes AC Adaptor
Really only 400x - has no manual!
Pros: Had all pieces, Durable, Light turns on
Cons: Had dirt speck in lense, 3x lenses doesn't connect, No support, Won't focus on slides, No Detailed Instructions, Poor case design, Poor Design, Very Expensive, No lab book
Describe Yourself: Working Parent, Parent Of Two Or More Children
We're not sure if this toy works yet or not because it comes with no lab manual or instructions on how to use the microscope!(Only has a simple diagram with the briefest info on the product.)It seems to be magnifiying but yet we can not bring into focus any of the included slides no matter how careful we are. Oh and don't be fooled by the 1200x claim - it really only goes up to 400x! It includes some other 3x lense but this other lens does not connect to the microscope at all - what are you supposed to do with the 3x lense? For $70 I expected a whole lot more than what I received! There is no website or support for this product at all.
2 comments:
I completely agree with The Toy Fairy. No manual is a big issue. I bought it for my 9 years boy last week but he could not figure out how to use it. So, I goggled it to teach him how to use it (sorry I am not a lab teacher). Problem is that no information is available from the manufacturer about this product. Only 2 youtube videos could be found which are just advertisements.
We found dust in lance from the first day and could not clean the dust so far. Focus quality of this microscope is also very poor. Need a lot of work on these 2 adjustment knobs as well.
In my opinion I had just wasted 89 dollars plus tax.
The 3x lens does connect to the microscope. The person who said it doesn't connect, probably tried to connect it to the 3 other lenses, for which this does not fit, because it is not supposed to fit. This 3x magnifier is for the eyepiece. You need to pull out the eyepiece (no, not the rubber viewer but the entire eyepiece, and yes, it does come out). The 3x magnifier connects to that. You place the magnifier between the eyepiece and the microscope head. Voila!
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