In recent years much attention has been made about the condition of the top soil not only in our gardens but more importantly in commercial farming. It is now well understood that there is a balanced food web in our soil with four main components ensuring good and healthy growth of plants these are fungi, bacteria, nematodes and protozoa. These represent natures operating ecosystem and to ensure they are present in the necessary concentrations soil microscopy is essential.

There are now a growing number of online ‘schools’ offering courses in this this very ‘green’ technology. We have no direct experience about the value of individual courses however we do understand the microscope specification that almost all are recommending and have tabulated this below. All three of the suggested microscopes exceed the recommendations. The SP52 which magnifies up to x600 is an ideal choice, it meets the exact criteria. The SP60 has even better semi-plan objectives and the SP100 even better again with plan objectives. Budgets are a personal choice but the SP52 on its own meets and even exceeds the specification itemised below. All our microscopes have an iris diaphragm and are therefore capable of ‘shadowing’ which some of the soil courses call the effect.

Total magnification:  x40, x100, x400

Objectives: Achromatic DIN x4, x10, x40 (S)

Head: 45 degree inclined, 360º swivelling

Transmitted illumination: 3 Watt LED light

Power supply: AC/DC adapter, 100v – 240v

Stage: mechanical double layer 115 x 125mm

Ocular dioptre: adjustable on the eyetubes

Adjustable interpupillary distance: 55 – 75mm

Stage x-y: travel range 70mm x 30mm

Condenser: NA1.25 with iris diaphragm

Focus: Coaxial coarse and fine controls

Eyepieces: Wide field WF10X

Components: all metal and glass

Nosepiece: revolving quadruple  

Full warranty

The SP100 is an advanced specification microscope and is recommended.

Price £665

Brunel SP100

The SP60 is part of our high spec range that is offered at a very reasonable price.

Price £533

Brunel SP60

This bridges the gap between amateur and professional microscopes.

Price from £398

Brunel SP52

Brunel Microscopes Ltd

Kington Langley, Chippenham

Wiltshire. SN15 5PZ.

0044 (0) 1249 462655

Brunel Microscopes Ltd was established in 1986 and we have many years professional experience in all aspects of microscopy.

We stock a wide range of high power microscopes, stereomicroscopes, slides and reagents to suit  education, industry, research and amateur use.

We are specialists in the field of microscopy image capture. In addition we can provide remote support and undertake  commercial servicing. For expert guidance please telephone and speak to one of our technical advisors, they would be pleased to assist.

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