Learning Resources Primary Science Viewscope - 3 Pieces, Ages 3+ Microscope for Kids, Beginner Microscope

I LOVE this microscope. I bought two for our preschool lab and the children loved them. Very easy to use. I also love that the "slide" can hold big things. The microscope comes apart to use as a type of pericope. A must for preschool science.

It's difficult even for an adult to use when not attached to the base, since it's counterintuitive. The image is flipped so unless it's on the tray, it's difficult for my child to focus on the object, but it's great when you get it just right.

My 7 year old daughter has really enjoyed this "microscope". I had originally planned on getting her a "real" microscope instead of a toy when she expressed interest in one but this one has been completely satisfactory and probably even better. The price was excellent. She loves that it's lightweight and will take it outside with her to look at things (which wouldn't of happened with a heavier more expensive microscope) and it's easy to use and she doesn't need any assistance with it (again probably wouldn't of been the case with a "real" microscope). This is a great introduction to microscopes and and in a year or so we will probably get her an upgrade and she'll probably be more interested and ready to use it because of our good experience with this one. I highly recommend getting a set of prepared slides to go along with it (we got the Learning Resources Prepared Slides Set 1 that we liked very much).

The price was right, so I bought this to expose my daughter to another world. While it does bring items into focus, it is somewhat difficult to do so. I have only used this while attached to the base, so cannot attest to its functionality otherwise (although I do not have high hopes). However, I do think it is a good introductory science toy for young children.

I purchased this item along with a set of the Learning Resources slide kit for my niece. As I setup it so that she could look at one of the slides I found it difficult to bring the slide clearly in focus. Considering the amount adjustment I needed to make just to get this focused on a single slide I can already see this is something she won't use. The focal adjustment is very poor, it has a very small focus window and it's too much trouble for any kid who's trying to learn how to use a microscope, which was the entire reason I purchased this. Now I'll need to purchase a different microscope for her to use as this one is pretty much useless.

This microscope is a hit with my 6-year-old niece! We gave it took her for Christmas along with prepared slides (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009K4ED0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s05?ie=UTF8&psc=1), a lab coat and goggles (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IVQHC0Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1), and a science kit (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BURAP2/ref=od_aui_detailpages04?ie=UTF8&psc=1). She loves these and we get lots of pictures throughout each week of her playing with her science tools, kit, and gear. She has also made her lap coat a main-stay in her weekly school attire. It is no surprise, really, since science is awesome and girls love science!After we got these for her, she told us she wants to grow up to be a science doctor so she can do lots of fun experiments because she loves science! How could you not just love a 6-year-old that already dreams of getting a PhD in nuclear fusion!? Looks like next Christmas we will have to get her, her very first hadron collider.I just hope thirty years from now she remembers who got her, her first microscope. ;-)

I gave it to my granddaughter on her 3rd birthday. It took some practice for her to "find" the object in the viewer but she loves it, especially the creepy crawlies in the garden. Very durable construction. Would be nice if the base was lighted, it relies on ambient light, which is not always available.

Did not come with petri dish in picture but more importantly, cant see anything clear in viewfinder even with adjustments. Non-functionalThe replacement is similar but i got the petri dish, but this microscope has hairs in it that I cant blow it. It came brand new but with little hairs as u focus you can see they are trapped inside. I had to mix and match pieces from first delivery and second because i didnt want to keep the one that had human body hairs in the viewscope. Honestly i’m overall disappointed in the product but i thought the company was cool . I would not recommend, instead i would suggest to spend a few more dollars on a different one