The technology revolution moves forward. In the past 50 years, computers have gone from filling a room to fitting on your wrist and small enough to pop into your pocket. Specialty Optical is proud to be part of this amazing age of innovation. As a leading supplier of scientific lab supplies, we carry safety supplies as well as the hardware that scientists and students of science alike depend on to collect accurate data. Among the most important tools in many labs across the world is the microscope. From the days of its initial invention by Hans Lippershey in 1590 and the development of a powerful compound microscope (with a 200x magnification) by Dutchman Anton Van Leeuwenhoek in 1647 to Ernst Ruska's invention of the electron microscope in 1931, leaps and bounds have been accomplished by people. In this week's article, we'll highlight two handheld microscopes that continue the advancement of microscopy.Dino Lite Handheld MicroscopesEven the most basic model of the Dino Lite microscope offers impressive magnification power. The Dino-Lite Basic AM2111 is an easy-to-use and fun USB digital microscope for anyone curious to see the world closer than you can ever see with the naked eye. Perfect for young students, this model is a simple and hassle-free microscope. This all-in-one portable handheld microscope magnifies images with variable magnification up to 200x without changing a lens. In many viewing tasks lighting can be a challenge, but with the Dino Lite range of microscopes, you will always have effective illumination of the objects because you are viewing with built-in LED lighting.The Dino-Lite Basic AM2111 comes included with the DinoXcope software for Macintosh computers with OS 10.4+ and DinoCapture 2.0 software that is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8 operating systems. At only $99.00, it's a bargain for the amount of power you get. This is a handy tool for students to explore the natural world or to see electronic circuits they are learning about.At the other end of the price range, you will find the powerful Dino-Lite AD7013MZT Digital Microscope 5MP. This premier handheld microscope has a 5-megapixel sensor in an aluminum alloy body, adjustable polarizer, and interchangeable nozzle feature. With its magnification power that goes up to 240x magnification (depending on working distance) and 2592 x 1944 of resolution and the adjustable polarizer, you will not miss detail under any magnification. With the adjustable polarizer, you can adjust the amount of glare from light reflected from your object. As a result, you can see fine details of surfaces by fully or partially removing the reflection of semi-transparent materials. It also includes our convenient MicroTouch sensor for integrated microscope picture taking and built-in bright white LEDs to instantly illuminate objects. This model comes with interchangeable nozzles. You'll get both the standard open-faced nozzle as well as a sealed transparent cap nozzle designed to protect the lens and built-in LED lights from dust, debris, and moisture common to certain work environments. The removable nozzles also provide the user the option of using no nozzle, which enables the viewer to get very close to any object. Polarization is an essential feature when working with three-dimensional objects for which contrast enhancement is a must.When you are shopping for the most powerful, top-performing handheld microscope, shop Specialty Optical.
