The microscopic world is available to everybody young and old, but only if they have a proper microscope. The question that remains now is, “what is a stereo microscope, and is it right for me?”
A stereo microscope allows you to see a 3-dimensional view of a specimen. The stereo microscope is one of many names for this microscope, the others include dissecting microscope or stereo zoom microscope. It is sometimes called the dissecting microscope because of the 3-dimensional view that it provides.
Want to know more details? Read on to know whether a stereo microscope or compound microscope is right for you!
Compound vs Stereo Microscope
The stereo microscope and the compound microscope are very similar, and it may be difficult to know which one to use for different situations.
The primary difference between a compound microscope and a stereoscope is the strength of magnification the two use. A stereoscope uses lower magnification to view 3-dimensional, opaque objects. Any of these objects could include flowers, insects, coins, fossils, mineral specimens, or any other similar object you could think of. The typical magnification strength a stereo microscope uses is 20x or 50x with specimens being lighted from above. Stereoscopes tend to have two eyepieces and two objective lenses, both of which you employ at the same time.
A compound microscope (also called a biological microscope) uses higher magnification strength(s) to view smaller, microscopic cells or thin sections of organic/tissue. These specimens must be thin enough for light to pass through from beneath, as opposed to a stereoscope specimen that is lit from above. The compound microscopes useful magnification ranges anywhere from 40x to 1000x.
Compound microscopes have multiple objective lenses (usually four) but only one is ever used at a time. In a nutshell, the stereo microscope magnifies an entire specimen (such as a bug or flower) and allows you to view it as a whole, whereas a compound microscope provides an up-close look at pieces and cells of a specimen that are not visible to the naked eye.
Is One Better Than The Other?
Because stereoscopes and compound scopes do two different things, they really cannot be compared. Scientists in all fields use both compound and stereo microscopes. Amateur microscopists use both as well! They are both widely used in the research industry, to further education, and for the sake of developing hobbies and interests. Both microscopes are great for different reasons.
As mentioned before, stereo microscopes give you a 3D look at specimens. If you happen to have a hobby, such as collecting insect specimens, coins, flowers, minerals, stamps, rocks, etc., a stereo microscope is probably the microscope you will want. Studying large specimens is better done under a stereo microscope because a compound microscope is only meant to view microscopic specimens.
If you are planning to do microscopy with younger kids, the stereo microscope is probably a better option as well because of its 3D capability. It engages young minds much more quickly than a microscopic perspective. Investing in a stereo microscope if you are interested in macro-photography is also a good idea. It can help you develop your eye for detail and improve your skill. Additionally, using a stereo microscope does not require lengthy preparation as opposed to a compound microscope.
Conversely, rather than giving a 3D glance at specimens, the compound microscope utilizes ultra-thin specimens to allow you to view unseen/microscopic cells. Compound microscopes require much more preparation, precision, and time to use. This is mostly because you have to create and prepare your own slides, which can take a great deal of time. If this is something that interests you, the compound microscope is the microscope for you! Looking at cells is fascinating and engaging if you have the proper mindset and skills.
Some would say that if you are struggling to decide between the two, you would be better off purchasing the compound microscope. This is primarily because there is more to learn through using a compound microscope. Stereo microscopes are great if you want to further study only what is immediately available. Though compound microscopes are more difficult, they will also take you farther.
Which One Does My Kid Need?
Obviously, the compound microscope and the stereo microscope are two different microscopes that do different things. However, you might be wondering which one do I need/want more and which will suit my needs better? Chances are, you are probably asking this question because you might have young children at home in whom you are trying to instill a love of the scientific or microscopic world. You can answer the question of which one to get easily enough for yourself. However, if you are trying to decide which one will best suit your child, you may want to read these tips.
The first things to consider before getting your kid a microscope are their age and their level of interest. If your kids are younger than nine years old, you may want to get them neither a compound nor stereo microscope, but a small, digital microscope that is handheld and easily operable.
If they are nearing nine years of age, a stereo microscope is recommended. Stereo microscopes provide a larger view and are less complex to operate than a compound microscope. The close-up look at specimens through a stereo microscope is easier for young children to process than a view through a compound scope. In a sense, stereo microscopes provide instant gratification and immediate engagement as opposed to the compound microscope.
For children ages 10 years old and older, you could probably start leaning toward using a compound microscope. As mentioned before, compound microscopes use stronger magnification (40x-1000x) to view microscopic cells that are not immediately visible to the outer eye. These microscopes take a considerably longer time to set up and prepare than the stereo microscope.
Many people prefer not to create their own slides because it can become quite a chore. Compound microscopes become more relevant the older your child gets, so keep in mind that if you do opt for one of them, you will have to spend a fair amount of time on preparation. If neither the stereo microscope nor the compound scope tickles your fancy, you can also invest in the ever more popular digital microscopes which are handheld and very easy to use.
