What magnifications can I achieve with the Celestron Labs CM800?
The CM800 provides six magnification powers: 40x, 80x, 100x, 200x, 400x, and 800x. These are achieved by combining the two included eyepieces (10x and 20x) with the three objective lenses (4x, 10x, and 40x).
Can I view solid objects like coins or insects with the CM800?
Yes. The CM800 features both upper and lower LED illuminators. The upper illuminator is specifically designed to light the surface of opaque, solid objects, making it suitable for viewing details on items like coins, stamps, insects, or plant leaves.
Is the Celestron CM800 microscope portable for field use?
Absolutely. The microscope can be powered by three AA batteries (included), making it fully portable for use outdoors, in the field, or anywhere an AC outlet is not available. It also includes a universal AC adapter for standard indoor use.
What kinds of specimens can I see with the 10 included slides?
The 10 prepared slides offer a great introduction to microscopy with a variety of samples. You can explore plant structures like a Lily anther and Spirogyra, fungi such as Aspergillus, and animal tissues including sections of the small intestine and testis.
Does the CM800 have a fine focus control?
No, the Celestron Labs CM800 features a coarse focus only mechanism. The rack and pinion system is designed for simplicity and is effective for navigating through the magnification range, but it does not have a separate fine-adjustment knob for micro-focusing at the highest powers.
What is the purpose of the rotating disc below the CM800's stage?
That is the stage diaphragm. It is a simple disc with six different aperture sizes. By rotating it, you can control the amount of light from the lower illuminator that passes through your specimen, which allows you to adjust the image contrast for better viewing.