I don't understand why this received so many star reviews (Avg 4.5) as this is a very nicely made instrument but the optics are barely usable. The low power objective is fine for things like pond critters, tiny insects, dragonfly wings, etc. Beyond that, as is much the same with cheap telescopes, higher powered optics are virtually useless. This is a nice little microscope for perhaps children up through grade school age. Beyond that, perhaps the AmScopes in the $500 and up range would be more practical and might be worth taking a chance. It cost too much to send back so I'll keep it around just for fun. I believe if you are truly looking for something that can deliver college-level quality you are looking at a microscope in excess of $1000.

We are returning this after a couple hours of use. First off packaging looked great but once opened there's no directions on how to put it together or how to use it. I'm homeschooling my kids and wanted the entire process to be a learning experience on proper use but without any guidance, I had to search online for this so as not to damage it. The emersion oil was half gone and all over the dust cover and the lense over the light is broken. The light gets EXTREMELY hot, killing every specimen we are observing. I'm not sure if the lack of proper lighting (as others have suggested) is the problem or if we were sent faulty products but we are only able to see using 2 objectives; the 10x and 4x. I took this as meaning I have no idea what I'm doing and I will be learning with my kids as well. Not one to be easily discouraged, I planned on replacing the bulb with a brighter led, overlooking the cracked lens by ordering a replacement and heavily relying on the internet to teach us how to get the higher magnification, that is until all our hands were hurting from turning the course focusing knob. The tool to loosen it did nothing. After a couple of hours, the stage is no longer raising, the knobs turn (kind of) but nothing happens.

We are all very disappointed. This got my kids interested and excited about school and now we will be waiting on a new one from a different company.

Me:I have taken undergrad microbiology and the prerequisite courses for my nursing degree. I purchased this microscope as a long term family item, as we are homeschooling. It arrived on time and I have spent about six hours with the scope.

Appropriate use looks to include good coursework in high school. It fell short of a few things I saw at my university, but not by much.

Physically solid, there's no concern you might accidentally knock it over and break it unless you are surprisingly clumsy. Short of an overly forceful young child, there seems to be only one part that is clearly breakable, and that is improper use of the limit stop screw and then raising the stage too high(into the objective).

It arrived in good default settings with approximately ten minutes of careful assembly required, this with some familiarity, and as others have mentioned take careful note of the code in your box for the manual. The specific manual for your model may not be easy to find without that code. One problem with packing/shipping was that the oil for 100x objective was half gone and into the dust cover for the microscope. Easy enough to clean. Another possible material problem was a very slight bend in the slide holder that made it not flush with the stage, and slides would shoot out. I bent it into the correct shape with minor pressure and it has worked well.

I've been able to see algae I made with my own slide from the bird feeder outside, and easily focused on the pre-made slides I purchased separately. It's been fun and educational, we're planning on getting an Amscope camera, or an adapter for one of our other cameras (haven't decided).

Biggest problem I have here is the light source. It's just a cheap 20W light bulb inside a black housing that does not reflect or direct light 'till it hits a lens up top. It gets hot. It's not nearly bright enough for the top 2 magnifications. I had to use a laser pointer or other light above to see my metal samples. They could supply long life led's here which are cooler and better at directing light.

Second problem ; eyepieces have no way to keep eyes/lashes from pressing against the lens which is annoying and view obstructing. Other scopes have rubber guards to fit shape of the face.

Third problem; oil. Oil came in a tiny bottle but nearly 1/2 of it was gone and leaked all over the vinyl cover for the scope. Had to wash with dishsoap in the sink and dry in the sun.

Fourth problem; They supplied me with 2 tiny round pieces of COLORED glass. What for? They are nearly useless as slides, as they make it even darker and are impossible to handle. Why not just send some full size rectangular glass slides? I mean, I spent over a day's wages here to buy this and I don't even have slides.
----What is good about it?
Well the x/y axis that will move slides around is okay. It has a spring arm for holding standard slides for motion without play in all directions.
The focus knobs are great. Optics great. I do wonder if anyone makes a deeper depth of field scope, since this will focus on things with such irritating precision that nothing but a very defined depth can be seen. It makes it nearly impossible to get good photos of most of my samples which are more spherical sometimes. A single grain of salt is clear on top but 1/4 down the single grain cube is out of focus badly. That's a very narrow margin and it gets worse using the higher magnifications!! I may have even damaged the 2000x lens due to this for all I know, since viewing some items can't be done with a slide.

Pretty good, use it here for sperm motility while artificially breeding cattle. Good clear field of view. Great price for good quality.
C hanged my view. Oil immersion lens is useless and of inferior quality. 40x objective will not focus on the edge of a slise, just a blur, probably a bad mount. This unit sits on a lab counter and does not move. Yes we have had it 4.5 years, but never had occasion to use the 40x objective. Now finding it doesnt work. Was told its a 5 year warranty, but they are back pedaling on replacing the 40x under warranty. Its the wear the custome rout game, i have no way to pack this thing, UPS is 40 miles, just replace the objective, and ill mail the bad one back in the same parcel. We are buying more scopes this year, but they will not be Amsacope if they dont honor this issue.