LED Microscope (11/7/16)

We have begun carrying a new LED Microscope (#250-40). No longer carrying the Variable Voltage Microscope (#250-45).

  • The old MS-01UL had a fluorescent light source that was not dimmable and could only be used with 110V.
  • The old MS-01ULD had a halogen or tungsten light that may have been dimmable (I don’t remember) and was dual voltage, meaning it could be used at 110-240V – basically, anywhere in the world.
  • The NEW MS-01U (LED version) has an LED light source, which uses very low power, is dimmable with a light intensity knob and is variable voltage from 110-240V so it can be used anywhere in the world.
    • LED is a cool light and will not damage specimens over extended use. It is also a “whiter” light and is easier on the eyes over extended use.
    • This new model should replace both previous models. There is no need to offer both US and International versions, as the new MS-01U can be used anywhere.

C&A Return Policy, Warranty

“Five Year Warranty: The manufacturer warrants each instrument to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal user (one year for electrical componenents). It does not cover damage resulting from abuse or misuse, repairs or alterations performed by other than authorized repair technicians, or damage occurring in transit.” Their flat “return” policy is 30 days.

Digital Eyepiece (3.3.16)

There is a tiny screw that holds the digital eyepiece to the microscope. The shape of this screw has changed and requires a hex-head screwdriver to change/tighten. This must be requested from Jonn Aitken at C&A Scientific ([email protected])

Variable Voltage Microscope

  • has all the same features as the Ultra Microscope, only it has the ability to handle different power source voltages.
  • http://www.sonlight.com/250-45.html:
    • For Sonlighters living or traveling outside the U.S.A., this "international" version of the Ultra 250-40 microscope (above) *has all the same features*, plus works virtually anywhere in the world.*
    • "Continuously variable voltage" design adapts to any power source from 85-265 volts. A durable halogen bulb handles the range of current (gets a bit warmer than the 250-40).
  • http://www.sonlight.com/microscope.html

Digital Microscope Camera Eyepiece

  • The ULEAD Photo Explorer software that comes with the camera eyepiece is now Vista compatible. Vendor has a $5 upgrade disk for customers with non-Vista versions. Refer to CR. (8.3.09)
  • Can you use both the eyepiece and the camera? 7.30.08
    • You can only use one or the other - the camera and computer or the eyepiece. What I usually tell people is to use it normally (with the eyepiece) and when you want to display your images to a group or if you want to capture an image or video, just swap out the eyepiece for the camera. It's an easy switch. There's a little screw underneath the eyepiece tube that you have to loosen to free the eyepiece. A lot of people miss this step and end up unscrewing the two halves of the eyepiece, leaving half of it in the eyepiece tube. Then the camera doesn't fit

Microscope Instructions 2.20.08
All microscopes we carry include the paperback set of instructions. If a customer insists they did not receive any instructions, feel free to send them the MicroscopeInstructions file.pdf. We also have extra instruction booklets in the office, so feel free to refer to CR.

Microscope Case 10.9.07 Due to customer comments, the case description has been changed to indicate it is a carrying case, not a protective case.

Binocular Microscope does NOT fit in the carrying case. 8.23.07

Available Microscopes2.12.07

We will no longer offer 250-50, the drop shipped microscope. We only sold a handful last year.

Our international customers can order 250-45 which is a microscope that will work in any voltage from 85V to 265V. The customer may need to purchase a plug adapter for their specific country. This item will be added to the print catalog.

The 250-45 microscope has all of the same features as our regular microscope (250-40) except for the bulb. The international microscope uses a tungsten bulb in order to accommodate the differences in voltage.

Can the Magnifier view slides? [11.05]

I got my magnifier out and my slides and it works great if you hold the slide up to a light then put the magnifier on the other side and look at it that way. So you are looking through the magnifier and have it resting on the slide while pointing the whole thing toward a light source (like the overhead light in a room). Since the slide is transparent, if you hold it down and look at it, you really can't see much becasue the colors behind the slide show up. I tried looking at a slide that was laying on a piece of typing paper and that didn't work either.

I guess it has to have a light source on the other side. I looked at a planaria and a spirogyra and it looked pretty cool and I could see the same structures you see when looking in a microscope. Pretty easy to use.

Digital Camera for Microscope [updated 12.06]

The software for this item can be run on virtual PC software on your Mac, as long as your Mac has the requirements to run that additional virtual PC software and you have that software available. The manufacturer of the digital camera for the microscope: ULEAD at www.ulead.com using photo explorer(se) version 7.0.

How to attach the digital camera to the microscope: About midway down the page there are instructions and pictures showing how to do this: http://www.sonlight.com/SSM20.html

  • Remove one small setscrew;
  • Take out the existing eyepiece
  • Set the camera eyepiece in its place

REFER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO C & A, AS THIS IS THEIR PRODUCT: [email protected]; 703 330 1413

Microscope Details [updated 11.9.05]

  • The 40x lens is NOT retractable
  • The eyepiece is removable. Since the microscope we sell is used as an educational microscope, there is a screw that holds the eyepiece. This screw, which can be loosened with a small screwdriver, just insures that kids do not lose, misplace, or steal the eyepiece from the microscope.
  • all optics are DIN standard and can be interchanged with other DIN standard objectives
  • The Field of View at 400x is .45 mm with a .57 mm working distance. The Eyepiece is 10x widefield and the diameter of the field is 15.
  • The Numerical Aperture at 4x is .10, at 10x is .25 and at 400x is .65. Our microscope is adaptable to an additional objective that you can purchase as an upgrade if you would like. This will bring the N.A. to 1.25.
  • Oil immersion is only used at higher magnification. It is a very difficult process, and is only recommended for those who are well-practiced. The oil disperses the light in order to make a connection between the objective and the specimen. The oil is then placed on top of the cover slip over the specimen.

Availability of replacement lenses for microscope

Online Sonlight offers the 20x and the 100x lens. We can order the 40x lens upon customer request.

Microscope convert to oil immersion? 7.26.04

  • SSM61 oil for 100X $5.00
  • SSM8 objective 100X $75.00
  • The customer unscrews one of their current objectives and screw in the 100X and they are set.

Replacement bulbs are available http://www.sonlight.com/250-41.html

Sonlight’s microscope - fine focus Problems with the fine focus in the highest magnification - A homeschooler and nurse practitioner (who is president or some such thing of the Texas association of nurse practitioners) uses three Sonlight microscopes in her class. She very much disagrees with Dr. Wile (he does not recommend SL’s microscope) and feels the mechanical stage makes the microscope a very good value. She has told me on occasion that some people assume that you should be able to see so much more the higher the power. However, depending on what you are looking at, the highest power may be inappropriate. If the substance has depth, the higher power doesn't work...on any microscope unless it has been specially prepared. For the work that Dr. Wile has the student's doing, Sonlight's microscope is more than adequate.

Problems with microscope

"Today we opened up our microscope for the first time. It seems that one piece is either damaged or simply not assembled correctly or carefully. The piece that rotates the lenses around is VERY loose and does not hold firmly in place. Should we send it back to Sonlight? Has this been a problem with others?"

The green wire in the base of the microscope should be connected to a screw that connects the base of the microscope to the body. You may unscrew the base of the microscope (making sure that your scope is unplugged) and reconnect the end of the wire around the screw that is made to fit the wire. Per Trent at C&A, taking this action will not affect your warranty with C&A.

If tightening does not work, please call C&A (703-330-1413) and they will send a call tag to pick it up and send you another one.