Handheld Microscope Users Guide
www.ScopeCurriculum.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Hand-Held Microscope User’s Guide Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................1 What is a Scope-On-A-Rope? .....................................................................................................1 Which model do you have?.........................................................................................................2 Analog vs. Digital ..
Author: Adrienne S. Lopez Scope-On-A-Rope Program Coordinator Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science Publisher: Real Curriculum, Inc. Glendale, CA Copyright © 2009 Real Curriculum, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Introduction This guide is intended to answer your questions about how to use your scope: the different parts and their functions, how to change lenses, how to take images, care and maintenance, etc. If you need further assistance, please visit www.ScopeCurriculum.com, where you will find directions on how to get further support, as well as instructional videos. You can also visit the LSU Scope-OnA-Rope Program site: www.scopeonarope.lsu.edu.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Which model do you have? There are several types of hand-held microscopes, some of which are sold as toys. This manual provides detailed instructions for four models designed for classroom use: the “New” Scope-OnA-Rope (VL-7EX II), the “Old” Scope-On-A-Rope (VL-7EX), the L2, and the ProScope. The chart below will help you distinguish these different models.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Analog vs. Digital The type of output refers to the types of devices that can be used to display the images created by the scope. A digital scope has to be connected to a computer, usually via a USB cable. Software needs to be installed on the computer before using the instrument. Analog scopes, however, are true “plug and play” devices–you don’t need to install any software to operate them.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide New Scope-On-A-Rope The LSU VL-7EX II is the instrument used in Louisiana State University’s education outreach program. This section describes parts and assembly of the SOAR, how to use lenses and buttons, and how to set up the SOAR in different ways using accessories. Note: The information on the “new” scope contained in this section applies equally to the “old” scope.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Connections • The white camera cable (aka “rope”) connects the scope to the cradle. • The black power cable connects the cradle to a power outlet. • The yellow-tipped video cable connects the cradle to your display–whether you choose to use a TV, projector, active board, or computer via digital converter. Each cable has a differently shaped end, which means that unless you can fit a square peg in a round hole, you can’t get it wrong! Turning It On 1.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Comparing and Installing Lenses Both the New and Old Scope-On-A-Rope education kits come with three lenses: 1X, 30X, and 200X. Refer to the table below for general information on these lenses. Detailed instructions for using each lens are included in the following pages of this section. Lens 1X 30X 200X Magnification Variable – depending on how far away the object is from the lens 30X 200X How to use This lens works like a video camera and/or document camera.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide How to Use and Capture Images with the 30X Lens When you are first using the Scope-On-A-Rope, it’s best to begin with the 30X lens. Just remember some basic rules to share with your students: • Never immerse the lens tip in a liquid. • Never touch anyone’s eye or mouth with the lens tip. • Never point the lens at someone’s eye. • Take proper precautions to avoid spread of infection.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Press the REC button to get back to live capture mode. You can take as many pictures as you want during a class session, but these images will not be saved after the scope is turned off. To save these images permanently, you will need to use a converter and connect your scope to a computer. The steps above can be used with any of the three lenses. In fact, you can switch lenses to compare items at two different magnifications at once.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Polarization with the 30X Lens The lights in the 30X lens can be polarized (a process that reduces unwanted reflection/glare) by pressing the LIGHT/ON button. This should greatly reduce the reflection. You can continue to switch the LIGHT/ON button on and off to switch between polarized and unpolarized illumination. Try looking at different objects with polarized and unpolarized light.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide When using the 200X lens for the first time, it’s easiest to get a focused image of something flat (e.g. paper, fabric, or a prepared slide). Touch the tip of the clear dome to the object you’d like to view. While continuing to touch the object, rotate the white, scalloped ring in one direction. If the focus is not cleared up, try rotating the ring in the opposite direction. Keep in the mind that several turns of the ring may be necessary to achieve the proper focus.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide • If you have the “Old” SOAR, press the ERASE button, located on the underside of the scope. Pressing the ON button will allow you to go back to the previous light setting. Note: the ERASE button also erases any images previously taken with the SOAR. How to Use the Stand The stand that comes with the Scope-On-A-Rope kit comes in handy when using the 1X lens, using the 30X with the contact tip removed, or in any situation where you might want to use the scope hands-free.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Troubleshooting A. No picture appears on the TV or projector. 1) Check that all cords are plugged in, especially the power cord, and that the TV or projector is on. 2) Check that the power switch on the scope’s cradle is on (the red light will be illuminated). 3) Press the LIGHT/ON button on the scope to make sure the lights are on. 4) Check that the correct channel or input is selected in your display.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide C. Image is too dark and/or details of the object aren’t seen. 1) If using the 30X or 200X lens, make sure the lights in the lens are on by pressing the LIGHT/ON button on the scope. 2) If using the 1X lens or looking at a water sample with the 30X or 200X lens, try adding a lamp or changing the background on which the specimen is placed. salt on a white background salt on a dark background D. Image appears fuzzy. 1) 1X lens – rotate the black ring to adjust the focus.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Old Scope-On-A-Rope This is the instrument previously used in Louisiana State University’s education outreach program. To learn about this model, please refer to the section above ("New Scope-On-A-Rope”). The above information on the new SOAR equally applies to the old SOAR. The minor differences are that where the new SOAR has a LIGHT button, the same button on the old SOAR says ON, and that the “new” SOAR does not have an ERASE button.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide L2 Scope The L2 Scope connects to a TV or projector like the Scope-On-A-Rope, but is designed to work with the same accessories as the ProScope (see next section). This section describes parts and assembly of the L2, how to use lenses, and how to set it up in different ways using accessories. Parts and Assembly of the L2 12 14 7 9 8 13 5 11 10 6 1 2 3 4 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide 4. Once all the cords are connected and you are ready to begin using the scope, make sure the power switch is turned to the AUTO position. 5. Find the light switch on the side of the scope and put it on the “A” setting. 6. Turn on the television, projector, or other device that you are using with the scope. Depending on the kind of display you are using, you might need to go through a couple of steps to make sure the display finds the proper input.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide To remove a lens, press the lens release button and, while holding it, rotate the lens counterclockwise until the small index marks on the lens and the camera body line up. The lens should then be easily removed. To place a lens on, simply reverse the process. First, line up the small index marks on the lens and the camera body. Do not force the lens onto the scope! There are several contact points that need to meet up just right for the lens to function properly.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Non-Contact Viewing What if you want to examine an object that you cannot touch? Perhaps it’s behind glass (such as a fish in an aquarium), or the object is wet, or it has a complex structure that cannot be touched (such as the inside of a small geode). The contact tips of the 30X and 50X lenses can be depressed by twisting the conical tip.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Unpolarized light Polarized light Skin Glass slide Watch How to Use the 100X, 200X and 400X Lenses Once you have the hang of using the 30X and 50X lenses, change to the 100X or 200X lens to see the same objects under higher magnification. (Follow above instructions for changing lenses.) You will find that the 30X/50X is best for looking at certain larger items, such as fingerprints, rocks, etc.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Fingerprint at 50x Fingerprint at 200x The 100X, 200X, and 400X work the same way as the 30X/50X– you must touch the object with the tip of the lens housing to get a focused image. In this case, the tip of the lens is a clear dome with a small hole in it. The actual “lens” is inside this plastic housing, and it sees whatever is lined up with the hole in the plastic.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Since the 1X lens is not a “touch lens”, it is recommended to secure the scope in a stand. This will help the scope remain stable and avoid the “home movie effect.” After following the instructions in the following section–“How to Use the Stand”–you are ready to begin using the 1X lens. The gray, grooved ring around the tip of the lens is the focusing mechanism. Turn the ring to focus on the object of your choice.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Troubleshooting A. No picture appears on the TV or projector. 1) Check that all cords are plugged in, especially the power cord, and that the TV or projector is on. 2) Check that the power switch on the base of the scope is set on AUTO. 3) Check that the light switch is set to position “A” and that light is coming out of the lens. 4) Check that the correct channel or input is selected in your display.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide ProScope HR This instrument is a digital scope, meaning that it connects to a computer via a USB cable. It was designed to work with the same accessories as the L2 Scope (outlined in the previous section). This section outlines the setup and general use of the ProScope, but for detailed instruction on using the lenses and accessories, see the section on the L2 Scope.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Lenses and Setups The lenses and setups for the ProScope are identical to those for the L2, described in the earlier section “Comparing and Installing Lenses.” How to Use the ProScope HR and its Software When you begin using the ProScope, it’s best to begin with the 50X lens; it’s the lens that comes with all kits.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Thumbnails (smaller versions) of captured images appear on the bottom of the screen. Click on any of them to view the picture at full size. Click on the arrows to the right of the thumbnails to scroll through all your images. To return to live mode, click on the image window (you will then see whatever the scope sees). On the Macintosh computer, you can change to full-screen view by clicking the small button on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide You will also find other options under the “Preferences” heading. From these menus, you can select how you’d like your images saved, set the length of your videos, etc. To change the preferences for each capture mode (still image, video, or time-lapse), select the options on the left side of the screen.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Information and Features that Apply to all Models This section contains information and features that apply to all of these models: LSU VL-7EX (“old” SOAR), LSU VL-7EX II (“new" SOAR), L2, and ProScope HR. Capturing Digital Images and Movies The ProScope HR is a digital microscope, and information on capturing images with it is included in the previous section.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Z axis Z knob (fine focus) Y axis X axis Coarse focus knob X knob Y knob To use the stage with the 100X, 200X, or 400X lens, follow these directions: 1. Turn the focus knob of the lens clockwise until it is almost flush with the lens housing (it will feel tight). 28 2. Loosen the coarse focus knob on the stage to raise the stage platform as high as it will go.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide 3A. If you have a Scope-On-A-Rope, slide the scope with the lens facing up into the metal holder on the base of the stage. The lens should be underneath the hole in the stage platform. 3B. If you have the L2 or the Proscope, the XYZ stage will be different (instead of a metal holder, a screw is used to hold the scope in place). Locate the screw attachment on the back of the scope and the screw on the bottom of the stage.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Lamp and Light Blocker You may need to provide additional lighting to get the best image of your object, especially if it’s a water sample. Use the lamp and light blocker included in your scope kit to achieve optimal lighting. Slide the light blocker onto the lamp, place the lamp over your sample, and adjust the position of the lamp and/or blocker until you get the desired image.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide A. The Deep Well Slide These plastic slides are perfect for use with the hand-held microscope! The depressed, circular area in the center holds a few drops of water and other small objects, such as algae. It has a 12mm thick ridge with a cover, so your organisms do not get crushed and the water does not spill out! Organisms can live in a deep well slide for as much as a week, as long as the water does not dry up and you have some plant matter inside of it to produce oxygen.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide • Follow the safety rules for using the scope: never immerse the lens tip in a liquid; never touch anyone’s eye or mouth with the lens tip; and take proper precautions to avoid the spread of infection (e.g. don’t touch mouths, scabs, or open wounds). • Always store the scope with a lens on to prevent dust and/or moisture from accumulating on the camera chip. • Store all pieces in a safe place when not in use, as lenses and other small parts are frequently lost.
Handheld Microscope Users Guide Stand The screws at the bottom of the stand loosen over time with use. The stand should be able to be placed at any angle and stay where it is placed. If the stand begins drooping–that is, if it won’t stay where you put it–you probably need to tighten it. To tighten, all you need is two coins (pennies work best). Place a coin in the slot of each screw and turn the right screw away from you while turning the left screw towards you.
