Boom microscopes are microscopes that are mounted on a stand. These microscopes had found a number of applications in different fields. Much of this is because of their intrinsic features. Determine whether a boom microscope is of high quality of not through the article below.

Boom microscopes are special microscopes that don’t look like a traditional microscope with an arm and a stage. Instead, the microscope’s body is attached to a vertical rod and a platform. This is what’s referred to as the boom stand. And being connected to a metal rod, these microscopes can easily be moved and manipulated around.

Because boom microscopes are usually seen inside industrial plants, it is very important that it is made only of very high quality materials that are able to provide the system with optimum durability. The strains of use inside industrial laboratories are different from that of a regular home-based laboratory. As such, users should be well aware of how to check the quality of boom microscopes prior to buying them. A checklist can be found below:

1. The boom stand should be heavy and level.
Because the microscope primarily uses the boom stand for support and balance, it should be created with a good type of a heavy metal. The boom stand’s main purpose is to serve as a counterweight to the microscope system. Therefore, it is also important that it is leveled to the surface so that it won’t easily topple over with a nudge. There should also some sort of a friction-producing mat attached to the whole base or the studs that touches the surface found under the microscope. These would make sure that the microscope would stay in the same position even if it were slightly bumped.

2. The metal rod should be made of quality stainless steel alloy.
The vertical arm from where the microscope system is attached to is preferably made out of stainless steel. This is for ease of adjustment. The height of boom microscopes can be adjusted with the mere turn of the knob. And it is the vertical metal rod that provides for that. If the rod is not made of high quality stainless steel, then lowering or raising the microscope is going to be difficult for its users, especially if the rod became rusty in the long run.

3. The microscope should ideally be either a dual view binocular or a trinocular microscope.
This feature is has a lot to do with the user’s ease of use rather than durability. If the microscope is a binocular microscope, then the user won’t strain his or her eyes while viewing the sample. With both of his eyes open, it becomes very convenient to observe the specimen under the objective lenses. On the other hand, the additional port that the microscope has is ideal for attaching a digital camera. It is more functional that way much more when it was to be used for another person’s viewing purposes. Connecting a boom stand microscope to a digital camera allows the users to freely manipulate his sample while looking through the screen instead of the eyepiece. And multiple persons can view the sample at the same time too.

4. The optics should be of good quality
The microscope’s optical lenses are the main things that allow a microscope to magnify small objects. If the optics were made not made of thick, crystal clear glasses, then the lenses may easily break. That, or the images produced are not as lucid as it is supposed to be. To know whether the optics are good or not, find out where they is made from. The ones made from Germany, US, and UK are usually quality ones.

5. There’s a built-in light source.
Much of a light microscope’s functionality depends upon the light that passes through the sample and the objective lenses. If there won’t be adequate lighting, then it is not possible to view the specimen correctly. While it should be fine to use daylight and the light of the room to view a specimen with, those might not be able to provide the necessary illumination for all types of samples. Ideally, boom microscopes should be equipped with a halogen or fluorescent lamp attached to its system. And users should be able to adjust its intensity with a knob that is created for it.

These are the things you have to check to determine whether a boom microscope is of good quality or not. If the microscope passes with flying colors on these five points, then you can very well use that microscope for any of your intended purposes, provided that boom microscope does meet your specifications.