Euromex EduBlue 20-40x Stereo Microscope

The EduBlue is Euromex's classroom stereo microscope, for primary and secondary schools, home educators and anyone who wants a solid instrument for looking at whole objects in 3D: insects, seeds, rocks, coins, stamps and circuit boards. Both versions give 20x and 40x from a revolving 2x/4x objective pair behind WF 10x/20 mm eyepieces. The ED.1402-S sits on a rack and pinion track stand with a focus scale, so a pupil can return to the sharp point; the ED.1402-P is on a shorter pillar stand.

Working distance is 60 mm, so tweezers and a probe fit under the lens, and the field of view is 10 mm at 20x and 5 mm at 40x. The eyepieces are secured against removal and come with eyecups, there is a dioptre ring on one side, and eye spacing adjusts from 55 to 75 mm.

A 1 W LED above the stage and another below switch between white at 6000 to 6500 K and a halogen-coloured 3000 to 3200 K that adds contrast on transparent samples. Three rechargeable AA batteries and a 100 to 240 V mains adapter are both in the box. The stands are cast alloy with a hardened coating, two clamps and a 60 mm stage plate that is clear on one side and black and white on the other, and the coarse focus has tension control. The S stand measures 260 by 175 by 220 mm and weighs 2.1 kg; the P stand is 225 mm tall and 2.4 kg.

A dust cover, eyecups and the manual complete the kit. The Levenhuk 5ST below it gives the same 20x and 40x with light above and below on a lighter stand, and the StereoBlue above it adds 100 mm of working distance and 3 W lights. The rest of our stereo microscopes step up to zoom models, and the best microscope for kids explains what children can expect at each magnification.