Meade Model 9600 Microscope
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Introduction.
The Meade Model 9600 Microscope is a precision instrument with the important
advantage of a binocular eyepiece head. The Model 9600 provides dramatic views of the microcosmic
world with its all-metal construction, fine glass optical elements, and
precision adjustments.
Your Meade microscope will be your companion in a hidden realm of unimagined
detail and wondrous structures within everyday objects from crystalline
structures in minerals to a veritable zoo of microorganisms in a drop of
pond water.
Unpacking and Assembly.
Your Meade Model 9600 Microscope requires some minor assembly of the Eyepiece
and Objective Lenses.
To complete the assembly, carefully remove each of the three Objective Lenses
(6) from their storage bottles and thread them into the Objective Lens Turret
(7).
Remove the protective dust-caps covering the Eyepiece Drawtubes (9). For
final assembly, locate the WF (wide field) 10X Eyepieces (10) or the 12.5X
Eyepieces (not shown), unthread each Eyepiece Set-Screw (11) on the microscope's
Drawtubes (9) with a small flat-head screwdriver, slide a pair of the WF10X
or a pair of 12.5X Eyepieces into the drawtubes and gently tighten the Eyepiece
Set-Screws.
Using the Microscope.
In any microscope, the objective lens magnifies the illuminated specimen
on the microscope stage, and then is further magnified by the microscope's
eyepiece. In this way the image can be magnified many times. The Meade Model
9600 Microscope offers magnifications of 100X, 400X, and 1000X with the
10X eyepiece, 125X, 500X, and 1250X when used with the 12.5X eyepiece. The
Ocular Head (8) may be repositioned by loosening the 2 Set Screws (21),
rotating the Ocular Head as desired, then re-tightening the Set Screws with
a small flat-head screwdriver.
To get started, use a prepared microscope glass slide, and place it into
position in the center of the microscope Stage (5) over the Condensing Lens
(20), by opening the spring-loaded Slide Retainer Lever (16) of the Micrometric
Mechanical Stage and gently letting it pivot closed on the edge of the slide.
The spring tension will hold the slide in place. Transverse (13, behind
the objective lens in photo) and Longitudinal (12) Control Knobs permit
the smooth positioning of the specimen slide. A vernier scale is provided
to permit accurate measurements to be made. An Attachment Screw (14) permits
the Micrometric Mechanical Stage to be removed, if desired.
Plug the cord into a standard 115v.AC outlet, and turn on the Illuminator
(2) by toggling the On-Off Switch (1). Look through the Eyepiece and check
that illumination is seen through the Eyepiece. Opening the Iris Diaphragm
(4) clockwise will ensure that the maximum amount of light illuminates the
specimen.
Adjust the Binocular Eyepiece Head to the correct interpupillary distance
for your eyes by grasping the serrated edges and racking the Eyepieces
left-or-right to the correct spacing for your eyes. A scale is included on the
top of the Binocular Eyepiece Head so that settings may be duplicated. Variations
between your left and right eyes may be compensated for by turning the Helical
Focusing Rings (11) to correct focus.
Always start observing using the lowest magnification with the microscope.
In the case of the Meade Model 9600, use the 10X Objective Lens (6) by rotating
the Objective Lens Turret so that the 10X Objective Lens (engraved "10/
0.25") is aiming at the center of the Stage (when it is in the proper
position it will click into place). The 10X Objective Lens will give a 100X
(100 power) view with the 10X Eyepiece. Final Power is calculated by multiplying
the Objective Lens Power by the Eyepiece Power (e.g., 10 X 10 = 100).
Focus the microscope by slowly turning the coarse Adjustment Focus Knob
(17), until an image forms in the Eyepiece. Then with the Fine Adjustment
Knob (18), slowly rack the focus back and forth to get the best image, or
to reveal hidden structure at different depths of the specimen being examined.
Note that the WF10X Eyepieces have internal pointers to reference a specific
region in the object being examined.
If the image appears too bright, rotate the Abbe Condensing Lens (19) and
Iris Diaphragm (4) until a comfortable view is seen. If the image is too
dim, use the largest aperture and increase the concentration of light through
the Abbe Condensing Lens.
To increase magnification, rotate the Objective Lens Turret to center the
40X Objective Lens over the specimen for 400X, or the 100X Objective Lens
for 1000X. Changing to the 12.5X Eyepiece will yield magnifications of 125X,
500X, and 1250X. When using higher magnifications focusing becomes more
critical and the objective lens will come closer to the specimen in order
to reach focus. A Focus Stop (15) is provided to prevent the Objective Lens
from contacting the specimen. Use the same techniques in coarse and fine
focusing as described above.
A Filter Tray (3) allows the insertion of the various colored filters provided.
To use, grasp the round knob and swing out the Filter Tray. Carefully insert
a colored filter, and pivot the Filter Tray back into position under the
Abbe Condensing Lens. Various colors will enhance and highlight features
of the specimen.
Maintenance.
As with any quality instrument, your Meade Microscope should be stored in
a cool, dry place free of dust, acid and fumes.
The lenses of your Meade Microscope should be cleaned as infrequently as
possible. Tiny particles of dust on the surface of the lenses causes negligible
loss of image quality. In all cases avoid touching the optical and mirror
surfaces, and never disassemble the optical parts of the microscope.
When lens cleaning does become necessary, use a camel's hair brush or compressed
air gently to remove dust. If the microscope is covered with the provided
plastic bag between uses, cleaning of the optics will rarely be required.
To replace the Illuminator Light Bulb, unscrew the Electric Illuminator
cover (2) and carefully remove it. The spent bulb is pushed down and rotated
about 30° counter-clockwise to remove. Installation is accomplished
by reversing the removal procedure.
Specifications.
Magnifications: 100X, 400X, and 1000X with WF10X eyepieces,
125X, 500X, and 1250X with 12.5X eyepieces
Objectives: 10/ 0.25 (10X), 40/ 0.65 (40X), and 100/ 1.25 (100X)
Eyepieces: Multi-coated Wide Field 10X, and 12.5X
Focuser: Rack-and-Pinion Type, with coarse and fine adjustment
Stage Size: 118mm X 118mm with transverse (50mm) and longitudinal (25mm)
adjustments
Illumination: Electric illuminator (20W)
Viewing Angle: 45 degrees
Weight: 9.0 lbs.
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