Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope

Comments about Toys 'R' Us Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope:

The lens have imperfections that affect the visibility.

Comments about Toys 'R' Us Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope:

After reading the reviews on here I was very nervous to buy this microscope. However, I decided with it on sale, I would give it a try and just return it if it is awful. It's a Christmas present for my son so I definitely wanted to check it out first.

First off, my dear husband has an Edu Science microscope from over 15 years ago that still works. My son is currently using it.

So on with the product. Love the microscope. Love how sturdy it feels and easy to use. LOVE the ac adapter so it doesn't just have the run on batteries. The additional light that shines down on top will be great for less transparent objects.

After checking all that out, I put it to use. Wow, it took just a few seconds to focus in on the lowest magnification and just as easy to on higher magnifications. Much faster than on the old telescope. As for the 1200x magnification, it was okay. I did figure out how to get the extra 3x eye piece to work but it is harder to get good focus. In my quick check out I wasn't able to get it to focus as crystal clear as the other magnifications.

As for instructions, I honestly didn't even look at the paper that came with it so I can't tell you what kind of info it gives you.

Everything was very sturdy and I was quite happy with how well it worked. The view is much sharper and easier to see than with the old scope.

I do wish it came with more slides than just two. I did pick up extra slides at the store when I got the microscope anyways.

As for long term use, can't really say yet. I just wanted to write a review telling of my experience after reading all the bad reviews. I'm sure some of the microscopes are bad but not all. It's definitely not too bad to focus in with this microscope. Always start on the lowest magnification and work up. Makes it much easier. Lower knob does large movements, upper one does small movements. Make larger movements until you can see the object. (I could not see ANYTHING when the tray was all the way down and it had to come up pretty far to see anything) After you can see the object, use the knob for smaller movements to really focus in. Works great!! Really quite simple. You need patience when using this as with any microscope. If you child doesn't have that, or you don't, I don't recommend this.

Comments about Toys 'R' Us Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope:

The thing did not come with any instructions. I was ok with that since I have done research in a Molecular Biology lab before. I figured I would just have play with it a bit and it would work.

So far nothing has worked. Not even the two slides that they gave as freebies. I tried looking at pond water and leaves - I could not see anything.

I cannot figure out why its not working. There is no accompanying document or explanation. I see nothing. I bought this for my nephew but am going to return it.

Comments about Toys 'R' Us Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope:

At first I thought it was pretty neat but it got boring very fast. I expected more out of it and the 1200x doesn't seem accurate. I am only seeing it up too 400x. This item is priced [$] but was on sale of 25% off and figured I will check it out. But It will be returned back to the store because for the price of this microscope it is not worth it. You can get a better microscope with a much higher star rate at amazon for the price you pay at toys r us. And you are better off paying an extra $10 to $20 to get a high quality microscope.

Comments about Toys 'R' Us Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope:

My 7 year old son is very very much in to science and has been asking for a microscope for a long time. His science teacher encouraged us because his interest was sparked. We wanted the "top of the line" product at Toys R Us (I know, we should have maybe gone elsewhere..), so we went for this one. The instructions are so vague and if you aren't careful, the lens bumps against the slide easily on the highest res. Hopefully it is just something very simple we are doing wrong, but whithout instructions, I don't know? Advice?

Comments about Toys 'R' Us Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope:

My daughter was not happy with this gift at all...there were no clear instructions and it was close to impossible to figure out what you were looking at and thats if you could find it in the eye loop!!

Comments about Toys 'R' Us Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope:

Not worth even one star. Will not focus. Impossible to see ANYTHING. No instruction manual. Gave this as a gift and I am totally embarassed. How to disappoint a kid? This is it!

Comments about Toys 'R' Us Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope:

Wanted to use with homeschooling .Can't see anything with this.Needs an instruction manual on how to make slides.

Comments about Toys 'R' Us Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope:

This microscope is pretty easy to use, we have had a lot of fun with it.

Comments about Toys 'R' Us Edu Science ProLab 1200X Microscope:

This product is a toy and should not be mistaken for a lab microscope. First the revolving lens turret does is on the same plane as the slide stage, which means that the 400x lens is always the limiting factor for how close or how far you can get to the stage. In a lab microscope the plane of rotation is such that the longer lens move out of harms way when you are using the shorter lens.

Secondly, the 1x occular lens (eye piece) is not removable so that if it is dirty on the inside face, it cannot be cleaned.

Thirdly, it comes with no interpretive material for the prepared slides, which would be useful in a microscope aimed at students.