National DS-2 User manual

National Optical & Scientific Instrument Inc.
6508 Tri-County Parkway
Schertz, Texas 78154
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
INSTRUCTIONS FOR
MODEL DS-2
COMPOUND BIOLOGICAL MICROSCOPE
WITH DIGITAL CAMERA
(For microscope operation only. Camera operation covered in separate
supplement on disc.)
HOW TO USE YOUR MICROSCOPE SERIAL NUMBERS
1. Microscope serial number: This number (located on a silver sticker on the
bottom of microscope) is the number under which your warranty is registered.
2. Microscope DM number: This number (located on a white sticker on the bottom
of the microscope) is used for logging on the Motic web site, which gives you
the ability to download free software upgrades.
3. Motic CD DM number: This number is to be used to register the software when
loaded on the computer for the first time.
Copyright © 4/14/06
National Optical & Scientific Instrument Inc.

Eyepiece
Eyepiece Locking
Screw
Head Locking
Screw
Objective Lens
Knurled Trim
Ring
Top Light
Stage Plate
Stage Clips
LED Indicator
Light
USB Cable
Tension Adjustment
Collar
Post Locking
Screw
Focusing Knob
Power Switch
2x Auxillary
Objective Lens

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About the Digital Microscope
Your new digital microscope incorporates a built in camera with data transmission made possible through a simple
plug and play USB cable. In order to achieve optimum results, it is important that you carefully read both this and the
software instructions before operating your microscope or camera.
UNPACKING
1. The microscope and accessories have been carefully packed to assure that they reach you in the best possible
condition. Carefully remove all components and check against this list.
A. Microscope and built-in camera with attached USB cable, WF10x eyepiece, 2x objective lens, stand with
cordless LED incidental illumination, rechargeable batteries, stage clips, and reversible black and white
stage plate.
B. Auxiliary 2X objective lens.
C. Recharger
D. Motic Images software
E. Two instruction manuals: this one and separate supplement documentation
F. Calibration slide
G. Dustcover
H. Warranty card
2. Save packing container in case it becomes necessary to ship the microscope for any reason. Repack in the
styrofoam container, and then pack the styrofoam in other corrugated shipping container for optimum
protection. Use of the styrofoam alone will not provide adequate protection in transit, and will void your
warranty.
DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS
1. LED INDICATOR LIGHT: Indicates if camera is on. The LED lamp is illuminated after microscope is connected
to computer with USB 2.0 cable. Camera is turned on and off by software commands.
2. WIDEFIELD 10X EYEPIECES: Lens closest to the eye, magnifies the primary image formed by the objective
lens.
3. EYEPIECE LOCKING SET SCREW: Prevents removal of eyepiece.
4. HEAD LOCKING SCREW: Locks head of microscope in a fixed position.
5. OBJECTIVE LENS: Lens closest to the objective being viewed, forms first magnified image of the specimen.
6. KNURLED TRIM RING: Trim ring, protecting threads for auxiliary lens, is removable to facilitate installation of
the 2X auxillary objective lens.
7. FOCUSING KNOBS: For focusing image seen through microscope and camera.
8. TENSION ADJUSTMENT COLLAR: Located between knob on one side and arm of microscope.
9. POST LOCKING KNOB: Permits microscope to be raised or lowered on post.
10. TOP LIGHT: Cordless LED incidental (top) light illumination. Powered by 3 rechargeable AA nickel metal
hydride batteries, no power outlet or electrical cord is needed.

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11. STAGE PLATE: Reversible black and white 60mm stage plate.
12. STAGE CLIPS: Two locked-on clips hold specimen slide in place on stage
13. POWER SWITCH: Turns power to incidental illuminator on and off.
14. RECHARGER: Automatic switching charger accepts 100v-240v, 50H/60H input and supplies 12VDC power to
the microscope for recharging batteries.
15. USB CABLE: USB 2.0 cable with connector.
OPERATION
1. Place microscope directly in front of you in a manner, which permits you to comfortably look into the eyepiece.
A. Your microscope has special LED illumination that is powered by 3 rechargeable AA nickel metal hydride
batteries (supplied). These batteries may be recharged, as required, using the recharger (supplied). Each
set of batteries may be recharged approximately 500 times before replacing, and each charge will provide
up to 50 hours of microscope operation.
WARNING
DO NOT USE regular AA alkaline batteries. Use of other than rechargeable AA nickel metal hydride
batteries could result in batteries exploding during recharge. ONLY USE THE SUPPLIED
SWITCHING BATTERY RECHARGER WITH AUTOMATIC “TRICKLE CHARGE”.
B. It is recommended that you charge the batteries before initial use and after prolonged storage as the
batteries may have discharged. Plug output cord from battery charger into DC recharging socket located on
back of microscope base. Your automatic switching recharger operates on 100 to 240 volts AC 50/60 Hz.
Plug recharger into your AC wall outlet. Battery recharger is also equipped with an automatic “trickle
charge” feature; the red LED indicator lamp located on recharger will be illuminated when batteries are
receiving maximum charge. After batteries are charged, the red LED indicator lamp will turn to green and
charger automatically switches to “trickle charge”. The charger can be left plugged in, but for safety
reasons it is a good idea to disconnect the charger from the AC wall outlet and the output cord from
recharging socket after 12 hours. Batteries and charger may feel warm when charging, and unplugging the
recharger is a safety precaution. Note that your microscope can be used during recharging.
2. Place specimen to be viewed on stage, centered under objective lens. If viewing a prepared slide, make certain
slide is positioned so side with cover slip is facing up.
3. Push On/Off switch to on position.
4. Position the top incidental top LED illuminator so that it will illuminate your specimen evenly.
5. Position focusing knobs in the center of focusing range.
6. Viewing head is mounted on a post. The height of viewing head can be adjusted up or down on the post in
order to focus on different sized objects. While firmly holding viewing head with one hand, loosen locking knob
located on back of focusing assembly so that head can move freely up or down on post.
7. While looking through microscope, move viewing head up or down on post until object can be seen in
approximate focus. Tighten focusing assembly locking knob. It is not necessary to make this adjustment every
time you change objects to be viewed, so long as the different objects are of similar thickness or height. The
distance between specimen and objective lens will be about 85mm when microscope is in focus. This is called
the “working distance”.
8. The “depth of field” of a microscope is very small, or narrow. When focused sharply on one feature of a
specimen, any feature slightly below or above will appear slightly out of focus. This is normal. For example,

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when looking at a flower, you can focus of the upper surfaces of the petals. Then, slowly turn the focusing knob
to bring into sharp focus other features at difference levels of the specimen.
9. Change magnification by installing 2x auxiliary lens on microscope as follows:
A. First remove the knurled black trim ring from bottom of the fixed 2x objective lens.
B. Carefully thread the 2x auxiliary lens onto threads located at the bottom of 2x fixed objective lens by rotating
lens in a clockwise direction.
C. Holding viewing head with one hand, loosen locking knob located on back of focusing assembly so that
head can move freely down on post.
D. Looking through microscope, move viewing head down on post until object can be seen in approximate
focus. Tighten focusing assembly locking knob. The distance between specimen and objective lens will be
about 40mm when microscope is in focus.
Microscope Specification Chart
Objective
Field of
View
Working
Distance
Magnification with
WF10X eyepiece
Fixed Built in 2X
9mm
85mm
20X
Auxiliary Lens 2X
4.5mm
40.mm
40X
MAINTENANCE
WARNING: For your own safety, make certain that battery recharger is unplugged and cord removed
from microscope jack before maintaining your microscope.
1. OPTICAL MAINTENANCE
Prior to cleaning any lens surface, brush dust or dirt off lens surfaces using a camel hairbrush. Or use air to
blow dust and lint off surfaces. Use of compressed air in a can, available at any computer supply store, is a
good source of clean air.
Do not remove eyepieces or objective lenses to clean. Clean only the outer lens surface. Breath on lens to
dampen surface, then wipe with lens paper or tissue or use a cotton swab moistened with distilled water. Wipe
lenses with a circular motion, applying as little pressure as possible. Avoid wiping dry lens surface as lenses
are scratched easily. If excessive dirt or grease gets on lens surfaces, a small amount of Windex can be used
on a cotton swab or lens tissue. To clean objective lenses, do not remove objectives from microscope. Clean
front lens element only, following same procedure.
Do not attempt to disassemble any lens components. Consult a microscope service technician when any
repairs not covered by instructions are needed
NOTE: Fingerprints or other matter on the front lens element of the objective lens is the single most common
reason that you will have difficulty in focusing the microscope. Before having costly servicing done, or before
returning to National for “warranty repair”, make certain to examine the front lens element with a magnifying
glass or eye loupe for the presence of such contaminants. If a microscope is returned to National for warranty
repair, and it is determined that such contaminants are the problem, this is not covered under warranty and
National will submit a cost estimate for cleaning.
2. MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE
A. Coarse focus tension adjustment:
Coarse focus tension adjustment prevents the head from drifting down from its own weight and causing the
image to move out of focus. The tension adjustment has been adjusted to appropriate tension at the factory.
However, after some period of use, tension can loosen, and the stage will “sink” from its own weight or from

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any slight pressure applied to the stage. This will cause the microscope image to move out of focus, and
you will need to readjust the tension control.
When looking at the back of microscope base (facing on/off switch), the tension adjustment wheel is the
small wheel immediately inside the large, coarse focusing knob on the left side of microscope. Insert small
jewelers screwdriver into small hole on edge of tension adjustment wheel, engage blade into set screw and
turn counter-clockwise to loosen. Do not remove setscrew from tension adjustment collar. Loosen
setscrew enough to permit tension adjustment wheel to turn freely. Turn adjustment wheel clockwise to
tighten tension and counter-clockwise to loosen tension. When desired tension is obtained, retighten
setscrew to prevent wheel from moving from desired tension.
It is recommended that you leave the tension as loose as possible for ease of focusing, yet not so loose that
it permits the stage to drift downward from its own weight and cause the microscope to “drift” out of focus.
B. Metal parts: Use a clean, damp cloth to remove dust or dirt from metal parts, followed by a dry cloth.
3. ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE
The extent of electrical maintenance, by other than qualified technician should be charging the
batteries. Only qualified technicians should replace LED Lamp assembly and wiring contained in base.
A. Recharging batteries: Plug output cord from battery charger into DC recharging socket located on back of
microscope base. Your automatic switching recharger operates on 100 to 240 volts AC 50/60 Hz, plug
recharger into your AC wall outlet. The red LED indicator lamp located on recharger will be illuminated
when batteries are receiving maximum charge. After batteries are charged, the red LED indicator lamp will
turn to green and charger automatically switches to “trickle charge”. The charger can be left plugged in, but
for safety reasons it is a good idea to disconnect the charger from the AC wall outlet and the output cord
from recharging socket after 12 hours. Batteries and charger may feel warm when charging, and
unplugging the recharger is a safety precaution. You may operate the microscope light even while it is
being recharged. Simply flip light switch to “on” position and continue using microscope while the recharger
is fully engaged.
B. Replacing batteries: Your microscope includes 3 rechargeable AA nickel metal hydride batteries. These
may be recharged up to 1000 times, but if you observe that a recharge is providing significantly less than 40
hours of operation. It is probably time to replace to batteries.
IMPORTANT WARNING: DO NOT USE REGULAR ALKALINE BATTERIES IN THIS MICROSCOPE.
ANY ATTEMPT TO RECHARGE ALKALINE TYPE BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN BATTERIES
EXPLODING.
Gently lay microscope on its side or back. Gently pull out the four rubber feet from bottom of base. Using a
crosshead screwdriver remove the four cross head screws located in each of the rubber feet recesses.
Carefully remove black base from microscope stand and observe battery case mounted on the bottom.
Using small Phillips screwdriver, carefully remove Phillips screw that holds battery case together. Slide lid
of case straight out to remove and expose batteries. Remove all 3 batteries and replace with new
rechargeable AA nickel metal hydride batteries, making certain to insert with correct polarity according to
markings on battery holder. Replace lid, close and secure door.
Follow instructions on new battery packaging to determine if they are already charged, or if they should be
charged before initial use. If recharging is required, following directions in “3.a” above.

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TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM
REASON FOR PROBLEM
SOLUTION
Light fails to operate.
Batteries fully discharged.
Recharge batteries.
Light switch in off position.
Turn light switch on.
Image does not remain in focus Head of microscope drops from
its own weight.
Adjust tension control.
Image does not focus
Viewing head improperly
positioned on post.
Raise or lower viewing head by
adjusting focusing mechanism.
Poor resolution
(Image not sharp)
Objective lenses dirty.
Clean objective lenses.
Eyepiece lens dirty.
Clean eyepiece lenses.
Spots in field of view.
Eyepiece or condenser lens dirty.
Clean lens. ***
Specimen slide dirty.
Clean slide.
***Spots in field of view can also result from dirt on inside of eyepiece. It is recommended that you have
service technician clean inside of lens.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES AND PARTS:
#610-045 W10x eyepiece w/pointer
#802-003 Replacement auto Cut-0ff recharger.
#950 Dustcover, 13” tall x 11”, heavy vinyl with stitched seams.
WARRANTY -5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Please see our website, www.nationaloptical.com, for complete warranty details and exclusions.
(Revised 11/6/09)