Home Science Tools MI-20EXPLX2 User manual

Instruction Manual for
MI-20EXPLX – Explorer Microscope 20x
Phone: [phone]
Web: www.homesciencetools.com
Copyright 2005 by Home Training Tools, Ltd.
All rights reserved.
No part of this booklet may be reproduced
without permission from the publisher.
Explorer
Microsco
p
e 20x

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Welcome to an exciting world of
discovery with your new Explorer
Microscope! This low-power microscope is
designed for viewing whole objects, such as
flowers, rocks, or insects. This manual will give
you a familiarity with the different features of
your microscope, how to use them, and how to
preserve your investment by proper
maintenance and care.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents................................................. 2
General Microscope Care .................................... 2
Unpacking......................................................... 2
Cleaning ........................................................... 2
Features & Definitions.......................................... 2
Microscope Diagram......................................... 2
Description of Components .............................. 2
Operating Procedure............................................ 3
Maintenance......................................................... 3
Adjusting Tension ............................................. 3
Warranty............................................................... 4
General Microscope Care
Unpacking
Your Explorer microscope is shipped in a
two-part Styrofoam case. Keep this case for
storage, transport, and shipping. It is perfect
packing material should you ever need to send
your microscope in for repairs covered by the
warranty.
Avoid touching the lens surfaces on the
eyepiece or objective lens, as finger prints will
decrease image quality.
Cleaning
The best optical quality can be
compromised by dirty lenses. Using a dustcover
and cleaning the lenses regularly will greatly
enhance your microscope use.
To clean lens surfaces, remove dust by
using a soft brush or a can of compressed air.
Then moisten a piece of lens paper (our item MI-
PAPER) with some lens cleaning solution (MI-
LENSCLN). Gently clean the eyepiece and
objective lens exterior surface using a circular
motion. Repeat with a second paper moistened
with solution if necessary. Repeat once again
with a piece of dry lens paper until the lens is
clean and dry. Do not spray lens cleaner
directly on the lens.
Features & Definitions
Microscope Diagram
Description of Components
1. Eyepiece: This is the part of the microscope
that you look through. It is inclined at a 45º
angle for comfortable viewing. It contains a
lens that magnifies 10x.
2. Rotating head: The head rotates 360º so
that multiple users can look in the eyepiece
comfortably without moving the microscope
itself. To rotate, loosen the head set screw.
3. Locking knob: The head is mounted on a
post and can be raised, lowered, or turned
around by loosening the locking knob on the
back of the post.
4. Focus knob: This knob is used to raise or
lower the objective lens until the image is in
focus.
5. Head set screw: Loosen this screw to
rotate the head.
6. Objective lens: This is the lens closest to
the specimen. Its magnification of 2x
multiplies with the 10x of the eyepiece to
provide total magnification of 20x.
1. Eyepiece
2. Rotating head
3. Locking knob
4. Focus knob
6. Objective lens
5. Head set
screw
7. Stage
8. Stage clips
9. Stage plate

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Tension collar
7. Stage: The stage is the platform that
supports the specimen below the objective
lens.
8. Stage clips: These clips can be used to
hold thin specimens in place.
9. Stage plate: The stage plate is reversible,
providing either a white or black background
to help you get the best contrast. Dark
specimens should be placed on the white
plate, while light specimens should be
placed on the black plate.
Operating Procedure
Now that you have an overview of what
each component of your microscope is for, you
can follow this step-by-step procedure to help
you get started using it.
1. Set your microscope on a tabletop or other
flat sturdy surface. Position it in direct
sunlight or under a table lamp that will shine
directly on the specimen. A good amount of
light will greatly enhance your image quality.
2. Center a specimen on the stage plate. If the
specimen is light-colored, use the dark side
of your stage plate. To reverse the plate,
push up on it from beneath the stage until it
pops out.
3. If your specimen is thin and flat, or if its
edges curl up easily, use the stage clips to
hold it in place. To do this, push down on
the short end of the clip behind the screw.
This will raise the pointed end, which you
can slide over one end of the specimen. Do
the same with the stage clip on the other
side. If your specimen is larger than the
stage plate, turn the stage clips out so that
they hang off the stage; this will give you
more room to work.
4. You may need to adjust the height of the
head in order to find a good working
distance between the specimen and the
objective lens. Do this by loosening the
locking knob, moving the head to the
appropriate position, and tightening the
locking knob. If you are viewing a very large
specimen, you may want to turn the head
180º and place your specimen directly on
the table.
5. Slowly turn the focus knob until the
specimen comes into view. Once you can
see the outline of the specimen, turn the
knob even more slowly until it is focused as
sharply as possible. Once you have
focused your specimen, you can move it
around to see other parts of it. You may
need to refocus slightly on each new area.
Note: with this microscope you will often be
viewing three-dimensional specimens that
have many different levels. You will not be
able to focus on every feature clearly at the
same time.
Maintenance
Adjusting Tension
The focus tension is pre-adjusted by the
manufacturer, but if it falls out of adjustment, the
microscope head will drift
down under its own weight
and the image will move
out of focus. The tension
adjustment collar is
located between the
microscope arm and the
focus knob on the right
side (when the stage is facing you). To adjust
the tension, follow these steps:
1. Turn the collar clockwise to tighten or
counter-clockwise to loosen (you can get a
better grip by putting a wide rubber band
around the collar).
2. Tighten only enough to keep the stage from
drifting downward.
Troubleshooting
If you’re experiencing difficulty with your
microscope, try these troubleshooting
techniques:
Problem Possible Reason &
Solution
Poor resolution,
image not
sharp, spots in
the field
The objective or eyepiece
lens is dirty. Clean the lens.
(See “Cleaning,” p. 2.)
Lighting is insufficient. Move
the microscope into brighter
sunlight or closer to a lamp.
Unable to focus The head drops under its
own weight. Adjust tension of
coarse focus knob. (See
“Adjusting Tension,” above.)

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Specifications
Widefield 10x eyepiece, fully coated
Inclined 45° head
2x fully coated objective provides 20x magnification and 75mm working distance, 9mm field-of-view
at 20x
All metal rack-and-pinion focusing, focus knob has tension adjustment
Stage with stage clips and reversible white/black stage plate
Maximum specimen height of 40mm on-stage and 60mm off-stage
Warranty
Home Science Tools warrants this instrument against defects in materials and workmanship for the
warranty period of five years from the date of purchase (invoice date). This warranty does not cover light
bulbs or damage due to misuse, abuse, alterations, or accident. You will need to return your microscope
freight prepaid for warranty service to Home Science Tools, or the repair facility we designate. We will
repair or replace your microscope at no charge and return it freight prepaid to you. Please call 1-800-860-
6272 to arrange warranty service before returning this instrument.