Top 6 Questions You Should Ask When Buying an Optical Microscope
![]() | ![]() | What type of specimens will you be looking at? This will help you determine whether or not an upright or inverted frame type is best for you. |
![]() | What applications are you using your microscope for? Answering this question is important when deciding whether a polarizing or nonpolarizing microscope is required. That information will also be useful in deciding on a basic or advanced model. | |
![]() | Are accuracy and ease of use critical for your applications? If they are, you will want to check out the motorized options of the microscope brand you decide to select. | |
![]() | Of course, asking about cost is also important. If your budget is limited, going with the basic model is usually the cheapest option. | |
![]() | What service and support options are available? | |
![]() | How long will staff be working at the microscope? If lab workers will be using the instrument for extended periods, selecting the most ergonomic microscope you can is important. |
Top 7 Questions You Should Ask When Buying an SEM Microscope
![]() | What type of samples will you be looking at? This needs to be asked of the technical experts who can guide the user to the appropriate type of SEM, X-ray spectrometer and accessories. |
![]() | What are the sizes of the features you want to image, or expressed differently, what is the maximum magnification you want to view the samples at; and at what accelerating voltages do you want to use? This will be the deciding factor between: a) table top SEM b) W SEM, or c) Field Emission SEM. |
![]() | Who will be using the instrument the most? Experts or non-experts? |
![]() | What is the budget? #1, 2 above may be moot if the budget is not sufficient. What is the expected total cost of ownership? |
![]() | How many of the SEM you are considering (or similar models) are in use, in the field? Get a complete, not hand-picked, users list. |
![]() | Will you receive application support/instrument training? How many service engineers are in your area and what is their average response time to be “on site” for repairs? |
![]() | What is the experience of the applications/training support staff, and can they be contacted directly for help? |
Recently Released Microscopes
SMZ25 and SMZ18 Stereomicroscopes
- The automated zoom model SMZ25 utilizes the Nikon Perfect Zoom System, which enables the world’s largest zoom ratio of 25:1, superior resolution, and exceptional fluorescence transmission capability
- The SMZ18 is more economic and uses a manual-intelligent zoom
- Both instruments are the first stereomicroscopes to use a fly-eye lens on an epi-fluorescence attachment
Nikon Instruments
www.nikoninstruments.com
OPTIKA Optical Microscopes
- OPTIKA is continuously working on development of new models, on production, on quality control, on sales and after-sales service
- Offer quality, innovation, competitive prices, and customer assistance
- Reach end users through a wide network of national and international distributors
OPTIKA Microscopes
www.optikamicroscopes.com
KH-8700 3D Digital Microscope
- Delivers fast operation and faster processor speeds
- User friendly software makes this microscope very easy to operate
- Images saved and taken with the KH-8700 are delivered with ultra-fine detail
- Includes a full HD monitor, auto focus, a high intensity LED light source, roughness measurements, and more
Hirox-USA
www.hirox-usa.com
Phenom ProX Desktop SEM
- Features a magnification range up to 100,000x and resolution of 17nm
- Identifies different elements in a specimen by using the integrated Element Identification software with a specially designed EDS detector
- Provides fast and user friendly imaging and analysis
- Software can be expanded with a combined Elemental Mapping and Line Scan option
Phenom-World
www.phenom-world.com
Microscope Manufacturers
Bruker Optics | www.brukeroptics.com |
Carl Zeiss | www.zeiss.com |
CRAIC | www.microspectra.com |
Edmund Optics | www.edmundoptics.com |
FEI | www.fei.com |
Hamamatsu | www.sales.hamamatsu.com |
Hirox-USA | www.hirox-usa.com |
Hitachi High Technologies | www.hitachi-hta.com |
JEOL | www.jeol.com |
Keyence | www.keyence.com |
Kramer | www.kramerscientific.com |
Leica Microsystems | www.leica.com |
Meiji Techno America | www.meijitechno.com |
MilesCo Scientific | www.professionalmicroscopes.com |
Motic Instruments | www.motic.com |
Nikon Instruments | www.nikoninstruments.com |
Olympus | www.olympusamerica.com |
OPTIKA Microscopes | www.optikamicroscopes.com |
Phenom-World | www.phenom-world.com |
Prior Scientific | www.prior.com |
TILL Photonics | www.till-photonics.com |
Warner | www.warneronline.com |