I wanted a good, study binocular microscope to use as a nature journaling tool and have not been disappointed with this choice. It has 2 and 4x magnification, that allows me to see the level of detail I was looking for. It's easy to use and just the right size.

no problems with this scope , punches way above its price tag

I have a Swift SW350B compound microscope that works very well with organic transparent or translucent objects, but lacks an overhead light source for examining exterior surfaces (like coins, rocks, etc...). This stereo microscope, while limited to 80x with the included eyepieces, does a really good job of examining surface detail. Easy to use and has the ability to backlight as well, worth the money.

Assuming you paid attention in school, you'll have no problem using this scope. All the usual things are there including the stage clips, incident and back lighting, interocular adjustment and a wide range diopter. With two sets of eyepieces and two objective lenses there is plenty of choices for magnification. A reversible stage, and a back lighting stage really complete the package. Just remember, this is a stereo field microscope, NOT a compound microscope for cellular organisms.This has the most important bases well covered with the magnification choices, the lighting, and the very clear image. Properly adjusted, this offers as precise an image as any I have seen. I'm going to stick with 5 stars because of it, but you don't have to look very far to find some disappointments. I noticed right away that the depression to aid in removing the stage is on the back of the scope, under both the objective lenses and the incident LED light. It would be much more user friendly if it were in front. The incident light is not as bright as it could be, pointing out that the lighting intensity is not adjustable. I also could imagine if one were to outfit this with a camera, one might want to use both lights at the same time-not possible as they share a rocker switch. I think the most glaring omission is that there are no lens caps or cases for the unused eyepieces. While they fit both eyepieces, it would have been nice if two sets of eyecups had been included, so they don't have to be removed and reinstalled when changing out the lenses.It would have been good if they had corrected some of the deficiencies rather than trying to coverup by including some questionable value added items. The apparently useless tools, the rechargeable batteries (unlikely to be used with no included charger) and then no fine focus adjustment all stand in opposition to offering a good impression. Never the less, I think this microscope will perform well for the average home user.

This microscope lost a star only because the package as a whole, glosses over some minor details. This lack of attention to detail gives the impression of a less than polished product.The instructions are sparse, but they are not really necessary. It's very easy to figure out how this works without ever referring to the instructions. The one thing that I got from the instructions that didn't immediately jump out at me, was the diopter adjustment. I figured there had to be one, but without the callout in the instructions, I wasn't sure where it was.In this model (S306), the light intensity is not adjustable. It's adequate, but I do wish that I could turn it up just a bit. Some things that I want to view are dark and therefore require brighter light. It's awkward to have to provide your own supplemental light. The S306S model has adjustable lights.I found no problems with how any component worked and I was very pleased to see that the magnified images were sharp and clear. I also like how it can "fold down" into a smaller configuration for transport and storage.I have only a few minor complaints:1) There is a tiny screw that keeps the eyepieces (10x and 20x) from falling out if you turn the microscope on its side or up side down. The eyepieces stay in place via gravity. That screw is not necessary as long as the microscope is upright. It is just there to prevent the eyepieces from accidentally slipping out otherwise. When I removed it so that I could change eyepieces, being so tiny, it promptly rolled off my fingertip and onto the floor. I heard the tick tick tick as it bouncing away on my laminate floor - never to be found. Oh I tried, but searching for something so tiny that could have bounced anywhere, proved fruitless. So now I'm missing that screw. They are so cheap, that spares should have been included. But no... lose it, especially on carpet, and don't count on ever seeing it again. So now, I have to use tape to hold the eyepiece when I transport or store the microscope. The optics aren't very good, no pun intended.2) There are two tools that come with the microscope. One is a tiny allen wrench, and the other looks like a micro bottle cap remover. They are never mentioned in the instructions. So how are we supposed to know what they are for?3) The eyepieces come in tiny Ziploc-style plastic bags. Those bags fit the smaller eyepieces, but not the bigger ones. So, I had to use my own real Ziploc sandwich bags - one for each eyepiece that is not in use. That's so cheap-looking. They should have included some kind of cylindrical case to hold the eyepieces that are not being used.This microscope is powerful enough to look at things like circuit boards, fibers, jewelry, materials (wood, for example), etc. But if you want to look at things like living cells, you will need a more powerful microscope. It is not a shortcoming. This microscope was designed to view the "larger" things in the micro realm.I'm annoyed that extra micro screws for the eyepieces were not included, and by the lack of eyepiece cases (even cheap ones would have been fine). I'm less annoyed at having tools which have no apparent use, but it's not hard to just keep them until their purpose becomes apparent one day. Otherwise, I like this microscope.One more thing. They included an inexpensive plastic dust cover. Use it. I won't because I keep the microscope in its own weather-sealed, plastic storage container. Inside the container is a desiccant and a hygrometer. I treat all my sensitive optical and electronic equipment that way.