AmScope M158 Series Compound Monocular Microscope User Manual

1. Product Overview

The AmScope M158 Series Compound Monocular Microscope is a versatile instrument designed for educational and hobbyist use, offering powerful magnification and digital imaging capabilities. It features a robust all-metal framework and a 360-degree rotating monocular head for comfortable viewing.

Key features include:

• Optical System: 360-degree rotating monocular head with optical glass lenses, providing magnification from 40X up to 1000X.
• Illumination: Dual LED illumination system for both transmitted (bottom) and incident (top) lighting, powered via AC adapter or batteries.
• Digital Camera: Integrated 640x480 USB 2.0 digital camera for capturing photos and videos, compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
• Focusing: Coarse and fine precision focus knobs for clear image adjustment.
• Stage: Sturdy stage with stage clips for securing specimens.

Figure 1: AmScope M158 Series Compound Monocular Microscope with included accessories, including a laptop displaying a magnified specimen.

2. Setup

1. Unpacking: Carefully remove all components from the packaging. Verify that all parts listed in the packing list are present.
2. Power Connection:
   • For AC power, connect the provided AC adapter to the microscope's power input and plug it into a standard electrical outlet.
   • For battery power, open the battery compartment located at the base of the microscope and insert 2 AA batteries. Ensure correct polarity.
   

   Figure 2: Power options for the microscope, showing the battery compartment and AC adapter connection.
3. Eyepiece Installation: Insert the desired eyepiece (WF10x or WF25x) into the monocular head.
4. Digital Camera Setup:
   • Remove the eyepiece and insert the USB 2.0 digital camera into the monocular head.
   • Connect the camera's USB cable to your computer.
   • Install the provided software (Windows only) from the included disc or download the latest version from the AmScope website. This software enables image capture, video recording, and measurement functions.
   

   Figure 3: The USB 2.0 digital camera for connecting the microscope to a computer.

3. Operating Instructions

3.1 Preparing a Specimen

For transparent specimens, use standard microscope slides and cover slips. For opaque specimens, ensure they are small enough to fit on the stage.

3.2 Placing the Specimen

Place the prepared slide or opaque specimen on the stage, securing it with the stage clips.

3.3 Adjusting Magnification

1. Selecting Objective Lens: Rotate the revolving nosepiece to select the desired objective lens (4X, 10X, 40X). Always start with the lowest magnification (4X) to locate your specimen.
2. Eyepiece Magnification: The total magnification is the product of the eyepiece magnification and the objective lens magnification (e.g., 10X eyepiece * 40X objective = 400X total magnification).

Figure 4: The objective lenses mounted on the revolving nosepiece above the stage.

3.4 Focusing

1. Coarse Focus: Use the larger coarse focus knob to bring the specimen into approximate focus.
2. Fine Focus: Use the smaller fine focus knob for precise focusing and to achieve a sharp image.


Figure 5: The coarse and fine focus adjustment knobs on the side of the microscope.

3.5 Adjusting Illumination

The microscope features dual LED illumination:

• Transmitted (Bottom) Light: For transparent specimens (slides). Turn on the bottom light source. Adjust the brightness using the dimmer control.
• Incident (Top) Light: For opaque specimens. Turn on the top light source. Adjust the brightness using the dimmer control.

Figure 6: The built-in LED illumination system, providing both incident (top) and transmitted (bottom) light.

For optimal viewing, adjust the 6-hole disc diaphragm located beneath the stage to control the amount of light passing through the specimen.

3.6 Using the Digital Camera

Once the digital camera is installed and connected to your computer, launch the AmScope software. The software allows you to:

• View live feed from the microscope.
• Capture still images (photos).
• Record video footage.
• Utilize advanced features like stitching, EDF (Extended Depth of Field), and measurement functions (Windows only).

4. Maintenance

• Cleaning Lenses: Use only specialized lens cleaning paper and lens cleaning solution. Gently wipe the lenses in a circular motion. Avoid touching optical surfaces with bare hands.
• Cleaning Body: Wipe the microscope body with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
• Storage: When not in use, cover the microscope with a dust cover to protect it from dust and debris. Store in a cool, dry place.
• Battery Replacement: If using battery power, replace batteries when the illumination dims significantly.

5. Troubleshooting

6. Specifications

• Model: M158C-E
• Head: 360-degree rotating monocular
• Eyepieces: WF10x, WF25x (included)
• Objective Lenses: 4X, 10X, 40X
• Total Magnification: 40X-1000X
• Illumination: Top and bottom LED lights
• Focusing: Coarse and fine focus knobs
• Stage: Plain stage with stage clips
• Condenser: Single lens condenser with 6-hole disc diaphragm
• Digital Camera: 640x480 USB 2.0
• Power: AC adapter or 2 AA batteries
• Dimensions: 10.24 x 6.69 x 14.96 inches
• Weight: 2.98 pounds

7. Warranty and Support

For warranty information and technical support, please visit the official AmScope website or contact their customer service department. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase.

AmScope Official Website: www.amscope.com