New Microscope in Town
by John Weidner, MSDC Treasurer
![](https://news.mineralogicalsocietyofdc.org/content/images/2024/01/Kids4.jpg)
There’s a new kind of microscope in town, new at least to me. It consists of a camera, a stand, and a screen on which the image is displayed. And if you have a 14-year-old granddaughter, she can connect it to a computer to display the image on a monitor or big-screen TV. At one time, we were looking at a small fossil. Projected on the wall, it was about a foot and a half wide. And since the image is on a computer screen, it’s easy to make a screen print, or even a video as we move the rock or fossil.
![](https://news.mineralogicalsocietyofdc.org/content/images/2024/01/Kids2.jpg)
I’ve purchased two of these microscopes, each about $60, and am pleased with them. I gave the first to my son and his family in California when we were out there at Christmas. My wife found a dead bee. We looked at the fur, the eyes, the antennae, the stinger, the feet, and so on. Neat! I was pleased with the quality of the image.
When I got home, I bought another for myself. I am still pleased. It’s easy to set up and easy to use. So often in a geology lab, I’ve set up a binocular microscope, then said to a student, “Now look in here. Just to the right of center, you’ll see – yadda – yadda – yadda. With this microscope, we’re both looking at the same screen. I just point. “Look at that!” “OK, let’s move it to the left and see what’s there.”
![](https://news.mineralogicalsocietyofdc.org/content/images/2024/01/Kids5.png)
We used this microscope in the junior geologist's lab we ran last week (see the article in this Mineral Minutes). The kids had no trouble using it. The kids loved it. I found these microscopes when I googled “microscope.” Of course, what comes up first is ads trying to sell you a microscope, and there these were. And the ads work. I bought two! The ones I saw ranged from $14 to $120. Well, I believe “everything in moderation,” so both microscopes I bought were about $60. (Several of these are advertised as “coin microscopes.” What? Does a microscope really care what you look at?)
![](https://news.mineralogicalsocietyofdc.org/content/images/2024/01/Kids3.jpg)
I am hoping that some experienced micromounters will try these microscopes. Please let me know what you think: ease of use, quality of image, available amount of magnification, trueness of color, whatever. Please send your impressions to JFWeidner42@gmail.com. We’ll compile your impressions and report on them in a future edition of Mineral Minutes