The AmScope T490A-PCS compound trinocular microscope has a sliding head, interchangeable pairs of 10x widefield and 16x widefield eyepieces, a forward-facing nosepiece with four DIN achromatic objectives, three phase-contrast objectives, Brightfield and phase-contrast halogen illumination, and a double-layer mechanical stage with a stage stop to protect slides and objectives from damage. The trinocular viewing head has a vertical camera mount and a compensation-free binocular viewing head with interchangeable pairs of WF10x and WF16x eyepieces and sliding head to adjust inter-pupillary distance, a fixed 30-degree vertical inclination to reduce eye and neck strain, and a 360-degree rotation capability to provide a more comprehensive view and enable sharing. A Siedentopf binocular head enables the viewer to change the interpupillary distance without changing the tube length, eliminating the need to re-focus the image. It has an interpupillary range of 55 to 75mm to accommodate individual eye differences, and bi-lateral dioptric adjustment accommodates individual eye-strength differences. The vertical trinocular port accepts a camera with a 23mm or C-Mount adapter (camera sold separately). The forward-facing nosepiece has 4x, 10x, 40xS (spring), and 100xS (spring, oil) DIN achromatic optical-glass objectives that combine with the eyepieces to provide color correction of magnified images. The 40xS objective is spring loaded to prevent slide damage when focusing. The 100xS spring-loaded oil-immersion objective uses oil between the specimen and the objective lens to provide increased resolution over a standard objective. Three phase-contrast plan objectives (PH10x, PH40x, and PH100x) combine with the eyepieces to provide phase contrast at six magnifications. Plan objectives provide improved focus over the entire range of the viewing field. A compound microscope is used for inspection and dissection of specimens when two-dimensional images are desired.

The microscope has lower (transmitted, diascopic) Brightfield and phase-contrast illumination that transmits light up through the specimen for enhanced visibility of translucent and transparent objects. Brightfield (BF) illumination allows the specimen to absorb light, resulting in a dark image on a light background. Phase-contrast provides high contrast and visibility without the use of stains, allowing specimens to be observed in their natural state without being killed or fixed. Halogen illumination provides bright light in a concentrated path and has a rheostat to control light intensity. The 1.25 NA Abbe condenser is mounted on a rack-and-pinion control system, can be adjusted to control the distance of the light from the stage, and has an iris diaphragm to optimize the amount of light illuminating the specimen. The double-layer mechanical stage, with 1mm stage divisions, locks the slide into place and provides precise slide manipulation along the X- and Y-axis to allow coordinates to be recorded, enabling the viewer to return to a specific location on the slide. A stage stop prevents the stage from coming into contact with the slide and objectives. The stage is 5-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches (140 x 140mm) and has a traveling range of 2-15/16 x 1-3/4 inches (75 x 45mm). Graduated coaxial coarse and fine focus has a focusing range of 1-3/16" (30mm) and fine-focus divisions of 0.002mm (0.0000787") that enable measurements to be taken. Focus knob tension control prevents the stage from drifting out of focus. The solid-metal enamel-coated body is durable and resistant to stains and corrosion.

Microscopes are instruments used to enhance the resolution of an object or image. Types include compound, stereo, or digital. Compound microscopes use a compound optical system with an objective lens and an eyepiece. Stereo microscopes show object depth in a three-dimensional image. Digital microscopes are used to display an image on a monitor, rather than looking through a lens. Microscopes can have monocular (one), binocular (two), or trinocular (three) eyepieces, with varying magnification abilities. Magnification ability refers to the size of an image. Resolution, also known as resolvant power, refers to the clarity of the image. The interaction between field of view (FOV), numerical aperture (NA), and working distance (WD) determines resolution. Microscopes can control magnification through a fixed focus, or through a range of adjustments. They can also utilize LED, fluorescent, and mirror light sources to help control viewing capabilities. Microscopes are widely used in education, lab research, biology, metallurgy, engineering, chemistry, manufacturing, and in the medical, forensic science, and veterinary industries.

United Scope manufactures microscopy equipment and accessories under the brand name AmScope. The company, founded in 1996, is headquartered in Irvine, CA.

What's in the Box?

• AmScope T490A-PCS microscope with double-layer mechanical stage
• WF10x eyepieces, 23mm, one pair
• WF16x eyepieces, 23mm, one pair
• 4x DIN achromatic objective
• 10x DIN achromatic objective, 20mm
• 40xS DIN achromatic objective, 20mm
• 100xS (oil) DIN achromatic objective, 20mm
• PH10x (0.25) phase-contrast objective and condenser
• PH40x (0.65) phase-contrast objective and condenser
• PH100x (1.25) phase-contrast objective and condenser
• Immersion oil, one bottle
• (3) Color filters; blue, green, and yellow
• Spare halogen bulb
• Spare fuse
• Dust cover
• Power cord
• Instructions