- Compound micro provides high magnification for biological use and educational applications.
- Monocular viewing head with 18mm 10x widefield eyepiece with pointer, fixed 45-degree vertical inclination to reduce eye and neck strain, and 360-degree rotation capability to provide a more comprehensive view and enable sharing.
- Forward-facing nosepiece with 4x, 10x, and 40xR DIN achromatic, parfocal, parcentered objectives that provide color correction of magnified images and keep the image centered and focused when magnification is changed.
- Brightfield, tungsten illumination and built-in 0.65 NA condenser with five-hole disc diaphragm for clear examination and light control.
- Plain stage with clips secures slide in place, and separate coarse and fine focus knobs speed focusing.
The National Optical 131 Basic Monocular Compound Micro has
a 10x widefield eyepiece with pointer, a forward-facing nosepiece
with three DIN achromatic objectives that are parcentered and
parfocal, tungsten illumination, separate coarse and fine focus,
a disc diaphragm, and a plain stage with stage clips. The
monocular viewing head has a fixed inclination to reduce eye and
neck strain, and 360-degree rotation capability to enable
sharing. An eyepiece pointer is used to identify features for
students. A forward-facing nosepiece eases changing objectives.
Rotation positions with secure, positive stops ensure accurate
positioning and support a range of magnification options.
Achromatic objectives provide color correction of magnified
images. Parcentered and parfocal objectives ensure that the image
stays centered and focused when the magnification is changed. The
40xR objective is retractable and spring-loaded to prevent damage
to the slide or objective when focusing. A basic compound
micro is used in classroom, home school, and hobbyist
settings for inspection and dissection of specimens when
two-dimensional images are desired.
The micro has lower (diascopic) Brightfield illumination
that transmits light up through the specimen for enhanced
visibility of translucent and transparent objects. Brightfield
(BF) illumination allows the specimen to absorb light, resulting
in a dark image on a light background. The tungsten
(incandescent) light source provides bright light. A disc
diaphragm controls the a of light illuminating the specimen.
The plain stage has an opening for light transmission, stage
clips to secure the slide or specimen in place while viewing, and
pre-drilled holes that accept a mechanical stage (sold
separately). Separate coarse and fine focus knobs speed focusing.
A slip clutch prevents excess pressure from damaging the slides
or objectives, a stage stop prevents the stage or specimen from
coming into contact with the objectives, and a focus tension
control prevents stage drift. The cast metal frame provides
durability and has a gray enamel finish.
Micro Head and Optics
SpecificationsHeadMonocularMagnification range40x-400xHead
inclination45 degreesEyepiece
(18mm)WF10xNosepieceForward-facingObjectives, DIN achromatic,
parcentered, parfocal4x, 10x, 40xR (retractable)
Micro Illumination and Stage SpecificationsFocus
typeSeparate coarse and fineCondenser0.65 NALight sourceTungsten,
20WDiaphragmDisc, five-holeIllumination typeBrightfieldStage
typePlainStage dimensions110 x 120mm (W x D)Power110V
W is width, the horizontal distance from left to right; D is
depth, the horizontal distance from front to back.
Micros are instruments used to enhance the resolution of an
object or image. Types include compound, stereo, or digital.
Compound micros use a compound optical system with an
objective lens and an eyepiece. Stereo micros show object
depth in a three-dimensional image. Digital micros are used
to display an image on a monitor, rather than looking through a
lens. Micros can have monocular (one), binocular (two), or
trinocular (three) eyepieces, with varying magnification
abilities. Magnification ability refers to the size of an image.
Resolution, also known as resolvant power, refers to the clarity
of the image. The interaction between field of view (FOV),
numerical aperture (NA), and working distance (WD) determines
resolution. Micros can control magnification through a fixed
focus, or through a range of adjustments. They can also utilize
LED, fluorescent, and mirror light sources to help control
viewing capabilities. Micros are widely used in education,
lab research, biology, metallurgy, engineering, chemistry,
manufacturing, and in the medical, forensic science, and
veterinary industries.
National Optical and Scientific Instruments manufactures
micros and micro cameras. The company, founded in 1991,
is headquartered in Schertz, TX.
What's in the Box?
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* National Optical 131 Basic Monocular Compound Micro
* WF10x eyepiece, 18mm
* 4x DIN achromatic objective
* 10x DIN achromatic objective
* 40xR (retractable) DIN achromatic objective
* Dust cover
* Instructions