Live Science Verdict
With prepared and blank slides , extra accouterment and a choice of kindling , the National Geographic Ultimate Dual is a great all - in - one microscope outfit for young biologists and geologist .
Good for self-coloured specimens
devote 3D images
The National Geographic Ultimate Dual microscope comes with numerous accessories, to help kids feel like real scientists.
Numerous scientific accessories include
Low overstatement
big avail take to put it up
Hatchery accessories: brine shrimp eggs, hatchery, pipette, tweezers and petri dish.
Batteries not included
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We had a motley of experience while review the National Geographic Ultimate Dual . Stereo microscopes can be tricky to expend , so it was a challenge for young tiro to fathom . However , what started off as quite a frustrating experience extend on to give a riches of excitement , dangerous undertaking and discovery . This microscope kit has the right balance of didactics and merriment to provide nipper with piquant tasks that they can carry out severally .
The teaching booklet, unfortunately, has errors and typos.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
The name of this microscope , Ultimate Dual , account the two dissimilar LED placements , upper and lower . But it could also be a nod to its mass of paired map : for firm and transparent objects , lab and outdoor use , animation and non - living specimens , or because of the two separate images call for for stereo 3D showing .
The activities possible with the National Geographic Ultimate Dual stereoscopic photograph microscope kit are legion and varied and will give children a good introduction to the world of microscopy .
Kids who are a little older might benefit from one of thebest microscope for students , while younger children who are just getting concerned in science will love thebest microscopes for kids .
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
National Geographic Ultimate Dual Stereo Microscope review
National Geographic Ultimate Dual Stereo Microscope: Design
The National Geographic Ultimate Dual Stereo Microscope has been designed as a consummate , various starter kit for children . By layer two separate simulacrum , one from each of the binocular tubes , its stereophonic design make a three - dimensional image .
The low light-emitting diode admit light to be shone through specimens , which is idealistic for translucent or very lean aim , especially slides of cells and tissues . The upper light-emitting diode shines onto solid objects from above and allows their form and texture to be fancy . With multiple accessories , we found that this invention has tally the ripe balance wheel between being fun and educational , having almost everything needed to ply hours of 3D exploring .
design as a gift , the taboo packaging is attractive . The box is glossy yet textured , coupled with some enticing range that give this ware shelf appeal and make you require to delve inside . nipper enjoyed finding multiple package within : this created excitement and added to the unwrapping pleasure . Adults enjoyed the gross package concept so that no extra portion were necessary . But it was frustrating that the microscope postulate batteries , which were not supplied . It would have been utilitarian if this information was printed on the boxwood — we could have been more prepared . There is nothing uncollectible than a giving that can not be directly enjoyed !
The glass light diffuser is not fixed, so can fall out when inserting batteries.
We were proud of that the add-on include were convincingly “ scientific . ” have a pipette and tweezers to transport solids and liquidness made the whole experience more naturalistic . The petri looker was also brilliant for holding pond piddle , rather than having to prepare slides . The accessories enabled instant satisfaction in the bod of prepared coast and the rock sampling . Yet both prompted further investigation through scientific enquiry .
Blank slides were included , for the preparation of tike ’s own slides . Seeing the flesh and grain of the rock stimulated the tiddler ’ imaging and they were shortly on the hunt for feathers , shells , moss , ejaculate and flowers to put under scrutiny . Although we were unsuccessful in hatching any brine shrimp , we could see the benefit in getting kids to gain experience in following a method and patiently awaiting the results .
Head : Adjustable stereophonic system with 10X and 25X ocular lensesMagnification:20X or 50XLight source : Dual , bottom and upper LEDsFocusing : Coarse focusing onlyPower : Two Alcoholics Anonymous batteriesReady for use?:No . Needs two AA batteriesSlide accessories : Prepared and clean slides , cover slips and boxExtras : Pipette , tweezers , brine shrimp eggs and hatchery , petri lulu , bookletAdd - ons : National Geographic 200 - piece rock ‘n’ roll , crystals , fogy and gemstones dress , National Geographic divulge - open geodes
With multiple accessories the National Geographic Ultimate Dual is a great all-in-one microscope kit for kids.
Another nice touching was the educational booklet . Not only did it contain entropy about how to apply the microscope , there was also a plane section on the history of the microscope and suggestions for experiments that could be carried out using it . Sadly , the pamphlet contain several errors ( we identified three with just a ready scan ) . The most obvious was in a duplicated example deed — three different images asked , " What are fossils ? " but this was relevant to only one of them .
design with unseasoned children in mind , there were a number of features that made the Ultimate Dual a safe mathematical product . Powered entirely by shelling , Thomas Kyd would not need to plug it into the mains electricity . Additionally , although still made of glass , we noticed that the corner of the slides had been rounded off , minimizing the chance of cut . The microscope was also light , so it could be carried easy .
alas , we describe one hazard that does demand address . The glass cover above the abject light-emitting diode is not fixed in stance . When turning the microscope upside down to insert the battery , the glass fell out . This could have broken and been a cutting hazard . It also uncover the medulla oblongata beneath . Moreover , the ocular electron lens fall out as well !
Using the National Geographic Ultimate Dual to examine invertebrates up close.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
National Geographic Ultimate Dual Stereo Microscope: Performance
When guess the performance of the National Geographic Ultimate Dual stereo microscope it is important to recognise that , although we found the carrying out pathetic when observing cell , this microscope was a brilliant tool for hyperbolize solid objects and see their three - dimensional social organization and surface textures .
If your primary economic consumption for a microscope is to watch jail cell , the Ultimate Dual is probably not the veracious option for you . There are more robust , higher - lineament microscopes available with a much higher enlargement . The highest overstatement is accomplish when using the 25X eyepieces . The overall exaggeration becomes 50X , because of the 2X accusative lens . However , this is the equivalent of the minimum magnification on other , similarly price compound microscopes . Cells need to be greatly enlarge to observe the anatomical structure within them . Ergo , the Ultimate Dual falls short in this area .
Fortunately , the viewing of substantial aim in 3D is where the National Geographic Ultimate Dual shines . Although tricky to coiffure up initially , once the binocular length is correctly coif up for the viewer , specimens can be swapped and interchanged with ease .
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Objects observed in stereoscopic picture have a surreal quality . The image pop out towards you and can give the effect of float as you move your head . This can feel a little unusual , but it is also really exciting , especially with magnanimous objects like whole worm , shells and rock candy . Although fiddly , it was worth persevering with as the vibrate 3D imagery was Modern to the child — even those who had used a microscope before .
A further benefit of the Ultimate Dual is that the top LED illuminates objects from above , bouncing light from the surface up through the phototubes . This is what make observing solid objective potential . As the light reflects , color and grain are retained . Beautiful approach pattern were seen on flush , butterfly wing and plume . The Ultimate Dual was used in this way to take apart blossom and test water from the pond .
Pond water was pipetted into the petri lulu and scrutinise with the top light . Some little creatures were enlarged to 50X enlargement . However , 25X enlargement was more useful here so that a wider athletic field of purview could get more activity . bloom were analyse with tweezers , to remove the stamen and petals and in some face bring out the seed within the ovary . Although lowly , all the accessories execute well during our probe .
Using the National Geographic Ultimate Dual’s bottom LED to observe the wings of moths and butterflies.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
In summary , the National Geographic Ultimate Dual Stereo Microscope perform brilliantly when viewing solid specimens in 3D , but poorly when magnify most prison cell . However , the younger children who would enjoy using this tool to magnify objects of interest around their house and garden in all likelihood have n’t get down learning about the structure of cells yet anyway . So in reality , this may not be a huge problem at all .
National Geographic Ultimate Dual Stereo Microscope: Functionality
The National Geographic Ultimate Dual had four different functions that needed to be set up aright before being rewarded with an picture . But once explain and show , children could confidently and independently switch between specimen and permit their imaginations and wonder take over .
Our youngest participant was 7 years old . After following instructions a few sentence , she became impressively competent in adjusting her binoculars , selecting the correct light-emitting diode , move her specimen into thought and concentre .
The most complicated maneuver was to place the binocular ocular at the optimum distance so that the two separate ikon became layered on top of one another , which is essential for stereo 3D viewing . This mensuration is unlike for each observer . Therefore , binocular placement can not be correct up by an grownup as the interpupillary aloofness will not pit the minor ’s . We found that the good technique for this was to get the child to look through the eyepieces , without a specimen , with the lower LED on . call for them to bring the phototubes together until they see just one rotary , and the machine is then ready to be used .
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Unfortunately , this interfered with the educational activity physical process slightly , as share take in required binocular adaptation for every new viewer . We compromise by impart the binoculars set to the baby ’s interpupillary length and viewing through one eyepiece only . We were n’t seeing the 3D image but were capable to fall in in the excitement .
One function that we peculiarly enjoyed was having the stage in a lasting status with the eyepiece be active up and down while focusing . Keeping the specimen still enabled us to select reasonably large object . The fixed phase was ideal for supporting a huge moth in lodge to magnify the crest of its wing without damaging it .
The stagecoach - to - nonsubjective lens distance was also relatively large , devote us enough way to observe taller objects . We had resin - mounted invertebrates — crabs and a Scorpio — as well as shell and rocks . We also had enough room to target our hands under the microscope , to scrutinize all the corner and crannies in our cutis and nails .
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
The Ultimate Dual , as its name suggest , benefit from have two different light root . The upper and lower LEDs can be change forthwith , at the flick of a switch . shaver did this with easiness and quickly see what was necessary for each scenario : upper LED for solid objects , and low lead for translucent sections of tissue paper and organisms on slides . Sadly , the cleverness on the LEDs was not adjustable , mean some samples were too bright , and others too dark .
To conclude , although there were a turn of office to get ripe , the children we introduce to it were enthusiastic , spry to learn and gallant to show how capable and independent they were . We would urge the National Geographic Ultimate Dual stereo microscope as a gift for younger family member or friends , as long as you have time to help get them protrude on their microscopical journeying .
Should you buy the National Geographic Ultimate Dual Stereo Microscope?
✅ You want to detect specimens in 3D : The Ultimate Dual is a stereo microscope . Seeing two disjoined , layered images gives them profundity and texture. ✅ You want a basic starter outfit : The accessories supply will give untested children a tasting of being a scientist .
❌ One center does n’t work in effect : Stereo image rely on visual information from both eyes. ❌ You ask high enlargement : The small - mogul overstatement may be thwarting when viewing cells .
This would be a sound gift for children who are singular about the human beings around them , as long as you are prepared to spend some clock time get them used to the stereo single-valued function . It can be tricky to delineate up separate figure , peculiarly when catch flat objects like cell slides . However , once mastered , the 3D imagination that can be watch is awesome .
Using the National Geographic Ultimate Dual’s top LED to examine the surface textures of shells.
Kids will regain the details and textures of conversant object and creatures enthralling . to boot , the accessories allow children to cut into into the Earth of being a scientist as they do technique such as dissecting , pipetting and mounting .
This stereophonic system microscope sits at the more expensive end of the graduated table for the functions it furnish . But you do get an beautifully packaged and presented point — important in a gift — as well as the credibility that come with the National Geographic name .
If this product isn’t for you
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For high magnification , National Geographic makes a monocular microscope with 400X magnification : the National Geographic STEM outfit for minor
For more ambitious child , National Geographic build an entry - layer microscope with 800X magnification and a smartphone holder
Switching from the lower LED to the upper LED is quick and simple.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
How we test
During a neighborhood skill afternoon , kids were pass on free rein with an copiousness of 3D physical object to view , including vintage invertebrates , resin - mounted invertebrates , peak , ejaculate , prepared slides , shell , moss , coins and rocks . Children were guided to employ the petri dish and tweezers to deal their specimen and were encouraged to prepare some simple slides of their own . Later , children explored the garden to find other interesting living and non - living thing to examine .
In preparation for the science good afternoon , we attempted to evoke some brine shrimp from the render eggs , using the hatchery . Sadly we were unsuccessful , and despite our effective efforts , the eggs did n’t dream up . Fortunately , because of its portability , we were able to demonstrate the live - viewing capacity of the National Geographic Ultimate Dual by observing mini - organism from the pond or else .
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Using the National Geographic Ultimate Dual’s top LED to examine invertebrates up close.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Using the National Geographic Ultimate Dual’s top LED to examine invertebrates up close.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
Lightweight and battery-powered, the Ultimate Dual can be used for field studies.(Image credit: Heather Barker)
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
(Image credit: Heather Barker)
