microscope for homeschooling?

Question

I have started homeschooling my 5th grade daughter and she needs a microsope for science. I would like to find a new one, and one that will be sturdy enough to last throughout the rest of her education. Can any one suggest a cheap one from a store. I have found one for $159.00, but thought maybe I could find one cheaper. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

$159 isn't much for precision optics. You can search and maybe get lucky on ebay...but that's about it.

There are lots of cheap ones out there, and you get what you pay for.

But, I would offer that you consider do you really need one? If you're really into it, then go for it. But, you may find that it's a tool that gets used rarely.

BTW, why are people so anxious to get homeschoolers back into public schools. It's eerie how much they advocate it. Ever hear of "freedom"?

Answer 2

Ah, a great question! Here is my take, having a extensive science background. Invest in a real scope from ebay or a surplus agent. If you don't think you can afford that, there is a separate option. Contact your local community college and ask about access to a lab. You can even call at a university, but you probably need to find a sympathetic person who has lab access. Now, why not to buy the scope from Walmart or wherever:

1) The field of view is very dependent on the eyepiece, and a reasonably good eyepiece is already a few hundred dollars by itself.

2) The lighting on cheap scopes is horrendous and frustrating.

3) The optics can be extremely bad.

4) The focus can be very frustrating.

There, even if you only get to do a couple of labs a month, the experience will be far richer and make sense with a real scope. Even better, do a simple lab to start with and get a stereoscopic examination scope. Guaranteed excitement, and you will have the benefit of creating more interest. Hope this helps.

Here is eBay listings. I see a couple of Olympus scpes at ~$100, something to look at.

Answer 3

My experience with microscopes and telescopes is:

You get what you pay for. $159 is not that expensive, when you consider the investment will be spread over the next 5, 6, or 7 years. There is a big investment in quality materials the first year of homeschooling, but many of those materials will last through several years of homeschool, so the investment is well worth it.

Look at it this way: you could buy a $25 or $50 model and then find out it's cr*p, so you end up buying the $159 model anyway. Do this and you're spending over $200 instead of the $159. Buy the $159 model.

Answer 4

Honestly you wouldn't want to go cheaper than that. Any cheaper and you'll probably not be getting much of a microscope.

However, do check in with your local middle and high schools or the school board to find out what they do with old microscopes. They may have some decent ones to sell for cheap.

Answer 5

I am sure you can buy a cheaper one, with proper care it will last many many years. (I still have a microcope that was given to my on my 6th birthday that was bought for 25 dollars)

the main thing to look for in a micrscope is Magnification (the wider rage of magnification the more that can be done with it)


If you are looking for 1 microscope to last the rest of her education 159 isn't that big of an investment. But I have seen cheaper ones at Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Target, and KB Toys

Answer 6

You get what you pay for. You might check with School Specialties. They are a good source for school supplies. $159.00 is a good price if it's a good microscope.

Answer 7

Toys R us has a selection of capable microscopes for not too much

Answer 8

walmart $25 - $50

Answer 9

do the schools sell their old one .some time they have grants for home school children check with the state to see if any body has one

Answer 10

They've got cheap - nay, free! - ones in schools. Send her there!