My First Microscope from GeoSafari® Jr.® is a colorful plastic 8X binocular inspection scope for pre-preschoolers. Includes a built-in white LED top illuminator, over-sized rubber eyecups and simple focus knob. Fixed stage holds flat or 3D objects, so there's no need for slides. All you add is (3) "AAA" batteries and a bunch of stuff for them to peer at, like insects and coins.

Begin their microscopic education here, with this 40-640X student microscope from Levenhuk®. Featuring an adjustable eyepiece, variable white LED illuminator, and adjustable iris. Comes with a cover; (5) blank and (5) prepared slides; pipette; brine shrimp, yeast, sea salt and glue samples; forceps; a microtome; 58-page user guide; and a 23-page manual. Includes (2) “AA” batteries and a lifetime warranty through the manufacturer.

Best done with this computerized StarNavigator 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope from Meade® Instruments. Enjoy the stunningly sharp images while you let the telescope take you on a guided tour of 30,000+ celestial objects. Includes the AudioStar hand controller, which not only guides the scope but also tells you, through its built-in speaker, all about what you’re viewing. Features a 1250mm focal length (F13.8), 90mm (3.5”) aperture, single-speed internal focuser and an internal flip-mirror for celestrial/terrestial viewing or photography. Includes (2) Plossl eyepieces, 26mm (48x) and 9mm (139X), full-sized aluminum tripod, red-dot finder and vixen-style dovetail. Works on (8) “AA” batteries or external power source, not included. Additional shipping charges may be required.

Up close and personal. From My First Lab™, these prepared microscope slides are Biology 101 in a box. Fungus slides (“Fun Guys”) have bread mold, penicillum, lichens, mushroom and yeast samples. The guts group has human stomach, heart and blood, plus brain and kidney cells from a small mammal. For ages nine and up.

Choose either the 25- or 100-slide selection of 3" x 1" prepared microscope slides from Celestron®, both in sturdy hinged wooden cases. The selections include a wide range of bacteria; plant, animal and human tissue; insect or reptilian specimens; and a list of each of the slides.

You get a half-dozen of these 2-1/2" dia x 3/32" thick back-surface mirror glass discs. Call it the crafter pack. What you do with them is a reflection on you, or perhaps a reflection of you. Made in the USA.

Paul, the guy with vision around here, calls these the binocs to get if you're stepping up your binocular game. From Celestron®, they're Nature DX Series 8 x 42 and lightweight at about 22 oz with BaK-4 prisms, fully multi-coated optics, twist-up eyecups, 7.4 degree angular field of view (FOV), 6.5 ft near focus, linear FOV of 388 feet at 1000 yards, 17.5mm eye relief, 5.2mm exit pupil for brighter images and phase-coated optics. They're completely waterproof and nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging and are "perfect for birding" per Paul. Measure an easy-to-handle 5.3" x 4.9" x 2" and come with a case, neckstrap and chamois.

Our newest Celestron® compound (biological) microscope is even better than the last one we offered. This one comes with a 3.5" color LCD viewing screen that rotates 180° for easy sharing in a lab, classroom or at home. It has an upgraded 5-megapixel camera that can record 625 hi-res photos or 20 minutes of 30fps video to the included 1GB SD card. The 4X, 10X and 40X objectives provide 40X, 100X and 400X optical magnifications, and the digital zoom raises it up to 1600X. On-screen, button controlled settings allow you to easily adjust exposure, image effects, a digital measuring reticle and other visual tweaks. Top and bottom independently adjustable LED illumination and a built-in 6 position filter wheel allow complete light adjustability. Also included are an AC adapter with 3 extra European adapters for those who travel, (5) prepared slides, USB and video out cables and a rigid lined 15" x 7" x 8.5" OA carrying case with a suitcase-handle and shoulder strap, for storage, field work or classroom visits. Carries a 2-year manufacturer's warranty.

Our best-looking magnifier ever, the 2.5X, 3” dia frameless acrylic lens has a 5X, 3/4” dia inset and is attached to a streamlined heavy chrome handle, sort of like those hipster designer razors have. Comes in a reinforced zippered case with a chamois and a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer Levenhuk®. Model Zeno 100. Ignore the pic with LEDs on the box. (This one’s prettier anyway.)

From Levenhuk®, this Rainbow Plus student biological microscope has a 16X eyepiece; magnification of 64X, 160X and 640X; dual adjustable LED illuminators; adjustable iris; and coarse focus. Can be powered by (3) “ AA”s or the included adapter so you can do microscopic viewing in the field or at home. Includes the K50 experiment kit with specimens, forceps, slides, pipette, brine shrimp and more, along with an overview booklet and user’s manual. Metal body with glass optics. Has a lifetime warranty through the mfr.

A recipe from the Elizabethan Cable Food Network? No, just a couple of samples from our collection of (48) specimens preserved for your classroom examination, with (4) well-labeled specimens on each of (12) standard-size slides. You get animal, plant, insect, textile, and pollen and spore specimens, including camel hair, camellia leaf, plant louse, fruit fly, fern spore, bee wing, nylon, wool, lily pollen, bamboo shoot, goldfish scale, and three dozen more, including our homonymic favorite, hare hair. Grades three and up.

Get 5ml of microscope slide stain in a nifty plastic squeeze bottle with a dropper top and white plastic screw cap. Bottle is approx 2" tall x 3/4" dia, like a standard food-coloring dispenser. You pick red or blue stain.

For students or professionals, this Celestron® handheld digital microscope that captures still images and videos is a terrific computer accessory. Plug the USB 2.0 cable into your computer's port and take advantage of the built-in, upgraded 2mp digital camera (Up to 5mp with interpolation.), 10X to 40X and 150X magnification, and LED illumination. The 4-oz, 4-1/4" x 1-1/4" dia scope may be handheld, or slipped into its metal stand for steadier viewing. CD-ROM software includes a measurement function. Minimum requirements UVC Plug & Play with Windows XP, Vista, 7 and MAC 10.4.9 and later, CD/DVD drive, open USB port. Very cool.

Brand spanking new military surplus. New/old if you will. Perfect project mirror for light experiments. It is front surface. (That means the mirror coating is on the outside.) 22mm diameter and only 1.5mm thick. Buy a bunch they are cheap!

New, international-standard, full-sized illuminated student microscope, professional quality at a student price. Now comes with a variable intensity 5.5V LED cool illumination system with a built-in rechargeable battery and wall transformer for use or charging. It has turret-mounted achromatic objectives, fine and coarse rack-and-pinion focus and substage diaphragm light control, and a metal frame. It is built to international DIN standards and accepts all DIN eyepieces and objectives. With extras like focus stop for slide protection, adjustable tilt and (2) spring clips, it is a fine instrument for most home science work and projects in the field. If you are looking for more magnification purchase the spring loaded 100X (oil immersion) objective lenses. Brings your scopes total magnification up to 1000X magnification. Our (36) piece assorted specimen set comes on (12) slides. All are great additions.

A bright little flashlight with (8) super-bright white LEDs in a circle and a less-than-5mW red laser right in the middle. One click and it's a flashlight, another click and it's a laser pointer. (Note: flashlight and pointer can't be on at the same time.) Measures 4-3/8" long x 1-1/8" dia in assorted colors dark silver, red or blue aluminum with knurled grips at both ends. Lasts 30 hours on a set of new alkaline batteries (3 "AAA" heavy duty batteries included).

Microscopy marches on. This 20-500X portable digital microscope with a video recording function has a 3” LCD, 5Mp sensor, resolution between 1.3-12Mp as well as VGA, 8-LED illumination and a rechargeable battery, which will power it for 4 hours. Includes a 5 volt adapter for charging, a ball and socket pedestal stand, A/V cable, carrying pouch and chamois. Does some nifty tricks, including extrapolated measurements from kilometers down to microns. Measures 5” x 4” x 1-1/4” overall and weighs just 4 oz. It’s from Levenhuk®, with a lifetime warranty.

Has the print in your books been getting smaller? Fight back using this 3-1/2" long plastic magnifier with (2) lenses. The 2x lens is 1-3/4" dia., while the 6x lens is 3/4" dia. Kids will love using it to explore bugs, crystals and leaves up close.