So What Is a Pocket Microscope?

A pocket microscope is exactly what you think it is, a microscope designed to be small and portable. Although many are truly pocket-sized, others are slightly larger. Their small size and varying levels of magnification make them an extremely versatile tool for professionals and amateur scientists alike.

Most pocket models have a light on one end and an eyepiece on the other. Some have a tiny staging area, which is a base where you can put small objects and hold them in place while you view them. If there's no stage the microscope is simply held over the object and moved around until you get the right angle.

Although less common now, some pocket models display an image that is reversed. This is due to the microscope using mirrors and lenses to magnify the image, not unlike what happens in your eye.

However, a small microscope may not have enough space to hold the mirrors that correctly reposition the image. Thus you'll always see the picture in reverse. This takes some getting used to, and may be too confusing for some. It's just something to watch out for when buying a very small microscope.

These products are popular with parents of small children. They are very easy to use and usually relatively inexpensive, making them a fun and educational introduction to the microscopic world. They're a great gift for the budding scientist.

They have a wide variety of other uses as well:

• Jewelry inspection
• Circuit board inspection
• Scientific work in the field
• Education
• Photography
• Watch making
• Dentistry
• Entomology (the study of insects)
• Coin collection
• Infinite other geeky pursuits!

So what's the best pocket microscope? That depends on your needs. Models vary greatly in terms of size, cost, quality, and features.

Magnification usually ranges anywhere from 30x to 100x, with some models having variable settings. Most have some sort of light source, and some even have camera attachments that let you take pictures.

Below are just some of the different types, with quality examples of each:

Carson Microflip MD-250x Microscope

This very affordable pocket-sized microscope has a magnification range of 100x to 250x. It has a slide tray that can be folded away to allow for viewing other objects.

It comes with a wrist strap and a clip for attaching a small camera or cell phone for taking photos of what you are viewing.

There are two focus mechanisms, one for the magnification levels and the other for fine-tuning the focus. Read more about this one (bottom section) on the illuminated pocket microscope page.

30x Pocket Microscope

While it may not seem like much to the high power microscope user, a magnification of 30x can show you great detail.

One of the most popular products out there for this magnification level is the Learning Resources Illuminated Microscope. It usually retails for $10 or less, so they're an easy investment to make. Some features include:

• Magnification of up to 30x

• Small and lightweight

• Storage case and guidebook

• Battery powered illumination

This microscope was built for younger kids (6-12), but it's far better than a simple toy. Hours of educational entertainment are granted by the ability to see the world 30 times larger.

Given the cheap price and ease of use, we think it's a good investment for jewelers or casual hobbyists as well. The one downside is that you'll have to provide your own batteries.

LED Pocket Microscope

If you're tired of constantly changing batteries and want more illumination, consider purchasing an LED model. With LED illumination, the lighting is more powerful and efficient.

What was once rare is now quite common, and many models come with LED Illumination. One of our favorites is the SE Mini illuminated pocket microscope. It's cheap, easy to use, and gives off a very bright light. Some other features:

• Magnification of up to 45x (although some users question whether it really goes that high)

• Plastic body that is sturdier than it looks (we should know, we dropped ours a couple of times!)

• Clear image with good optics

• Long-lasting LED illumination

This is a mini microscope, so it's pretty small even for a pocket model. The diminutive size could be an advantage for those wanting to do horticultural or biological work outside.

For under $10, it's cheaper than many jewelers' loupes and provides brighter light and a clearer image. An extremely versatile product for the price.

Pocket Microscope 100x

Looking for something with more powerful magnification than a simple 20x, 30x, or 45x? Some have a power range between 60x and 100x. The higher magnification makes them more suitable for fieldwork, while still remaining easy to use for hobbyists and kids.

One such popular product is the Carson MicroMax 60x-100x Lighted Microscope, which comes in both a standard and LED model. With a magnification of up to 100x, so much more is revealed than with a 30x microscope. The Carson MicroMax also boasts:

• Lightweight and easy to use

• Good optics and powerful lighting provide a clear, bright image

• Magnification from 60x up to 100x

• Rubberized eyepiece for extra comfort

Although some users lament the fact that there's no stage, this is still a good value for the price. It usually retails for under $15, which seems a fair deal for an instrument that provides a good image with up to 100x magnification.

As you can imagine, there's a wide variety of pocket microscopes out there for a multitude of different uses. These products offer convenient portability and relatively powerful magnification at a cheap price. So whether you want a 30x kids microscope for outdoor fun, or a 100x LED model for inspecting small parts, there's bound to be a product out there for you.

Just remember not to sit on it after you put it in your back pocket!