Euromex MicroBlue 40-400x Microscope

The MicroBlue is the entry point to Euromex's school microscopes, a Dutch-designed compound microscope for secondary science labs, home educators and adults who want a first instrument rather than a toy. The MB.1001 is a monocular with a plain stage; the MB.1052 is a binocular with a built-in mechanical stage, so the slide moves on knobs instead of fingertips. Both give 40x, 100x and 400x from achromatic 4x/0.10, 10x/0.25 and S40x/0.65 objectives behind WF 10x/18 mm eyepieces. Achromatic means the lens corrects colour fringing around edges, and the 40x is spring loaded so it gives if it meets the slide.

The MB.1001 has a 105 by 105 mm stage with two fixed clamps and an N.A. 0.65 condenser with a built-in iris. The MB.1052 has a 115 by 100 mm stage with 55 by 20 mm of X-Y travel and a height-adjustable Abbe condenser, N.A. 1.25, with an iris diaphragm and filter holder. Focus is coaxial coarse and fine, 15 µm per graduation, with a rack stop. The binocular head has 45-degree tubes, 48 to 75 mm eye spacing and a dioptre ring on the left tube.

Lighting is a 1 W LED in two colours: white at 6000 to 6500 K and a halogen-coloured 3000 to 3200 K that lifts contrast on transparent objects. Three rechargeable AA batteries come in the box and charge over USB-C from the multi-plug adapter. The back panel stores five slides, two tools and the cable. The MB.1001 measures 298 by 151 by 202 mm and weighs 2.0 kg.

A white filter, dust cover and manual complete the kit, with no slides included. The Bresser Erudit Basic below it adds a carry case and a slide kit, our microscopes for schools page lists the alternatives, and how to use a microscope walks through setting the condenser for a first slide. For 1000x, step up to the EcoBlue.