AmScope Stereo Fixed Power Microscope Review – Model “SE400-Z”

This fixed power microscope review goes out to the home hobbyists that just need a little more oomph of magnification than they can get with their loupes. Sometimes there’s a detail on your watch that’s just a little too small for a normal loupe to see–that’s where an AmScope fixed stereo microscope will solve your problem without breaking the bank. Easy to assemble, easy to use, and effective for a myriad of home uses (watch repair, electronics repair, circuit boards, general inspection, gem setting, firearm cleaning, and so on…), this fixed stereo microscope solution from AmScope gets the job done on time, every time.

Let’s dig into it.

AmScope Stereo Fixed Power Microscope Review – Model “SE400-Z“

So the loupes aren’t cutting it. Most loupes are pretty low magnification, which is great because you get a long working distance from it. But if an imprint or part is too small to see (let alone place!) with a loupe, the SE400-Z is what you need.

A fixed power microscope is a microscope that only has a few settings to choose from. Usually, this is done by changing an objective lens. On compound microscopes, that’s done by simply rotating the turret where the objectives are mounted to. For this microscope, the objective itself is fixed in place, so there’s no changing of the objective. What you change on this particular fixed power microscope are the eyepieces. The microscope itself comes with a 1x objective lens. Now, you might say, that seems rather pointless, since 1x offers no magnification. While this is true by itself, you also have to factor in the eyepiece magnification. Total magnification is eyepiece magnification times objective magnification. The fixed power microscope model SE400-Z comes with both 10x and 20x eyepieces, giving you two possible magnification options.

The 10x is best used to start, which is how you find your target area on your sample. If you then need more magnification, simply pop out the 10x and insert the 20x, as they slide in (once the locking screw that it ships with is removed). Those of you that follow my blog or are microscope enthusiasts might be screaming in your head right now, right? “But MicroscopeGenius, if I’m using eyepieces to create magnification, isn’t this microscope based entirely off of empty magnification, which is bad since it doesn’t offer any additional resolution (image clarity)?” Yes, you are absolutely correct–HOWEVER, this is a low power fixed stereo microscope. A compound needs extremely high resolution to provide detail for very fine (microscopic) samples. A fixed power stereo microscope simply isn’t designed to view those kinds of things, and thus, using empty magnification is okay, even if it is not ideal.

 So, now that we’re good with the magnification offerings, the next thing we need to look at is the working distance. I’m not going to go into detail on optical quality, as this is a low power microscope–your sample is going to be clear. There simply isn’t as high of a resolution need, so lower quality optical elements will suffice. Remember, while this SE400-Z from AmScope is a great unit for it’s price, there are far better quality stereo microscopes on the market. This fixed power microscope is designed to be economic and get the job done, which it does well–just not as well as a more expensive variant. By dropping flexibility in magnification and working distance, you get a much lower cost–which hobbyists like coin collectors and stamp collectors will greatly appreciate.

Anyway, so working distance. Since this unit has a single fixed power objective that’s a low magnification value (1x), the working distance is quite high. This unit, at either magnification, will focus at about 9″ away from your sample. So whether you’re trying to set a stone in a piece of jewelry, solder on a circuit board, or check a mispress on a coin, you’ll have plenty of room to manipulate your sample with hands or tools. That’s pretty much all there is to it–plenty of space to work makes for a solid fixed power stereo microscope. Go you, SE400-Z!

The only thing I have a qualm with is the light source. Now, the SE400-Z comes in two versions–the halogen “wand” and the LED gooseneck. You want the LED gooseneck. Every link on this page will direct you to the LED gooseneck, as pictured here as well. The wand light, although halogen, is worthless. It hardly illuminates at all–granted, low magnification, you don’t need much to view with the eyes. But, if you go to use a USB camera, you won’t be able to see anything, even with the exposure time set to as high as possible. Make sure you get the LED gooseneck style, which has much better illumination. Cameras like the MU130 will work, no problem. You can also get it in a package with a USB camera, but usually these are AmScope’s older MD series cameras (which miss a lot of features and thus are of lower quality). Don’t bother, just pick up an MU series instead (I recommend the MU130).

All in all, for the price, there’s nothing optical on the market that maintains the quality and functionality of the SE400-Z. Personally, I feel I need a little more flexibility with my microscopes, and I love multitaskers when they’re available (and don’t sacrifice functionality, which is rare in microscopy). The SE400-Z does one job, and does it well–with or without a camera.

To get pricing, more information/reviews, or to get your fixed power microscope, check it out on Amazon here: SE400-Z

As always, leave me questions, suggestions, or comments below! I love to hear from you!