Reddit reviews Foldscope Deluxe Individual Kit
We found 2 Reddit comments about Foldscope Deluxe Individual Kit. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Foldscope, the Original Paper Microscope from Foldscope Instruments.Easy to build and use140x Magnification, 2 micron resolutionScientifically accurateIn use by students, teachers and researchers in over 150 countries around the world
I really like Hank Green’s Crash Course biology videos! I recommend going over some theory and getting out in the world and applying your knowledge.
If you’re interested in microscopy you can find paper microscopes on amazon. A good introductory microscopy exercise would be to grab some dirt or pond water and try to identify some microorganisms.
Excuse formatting, I’m on mobile!
While a foldscope is very accessible for beginners, its worth noting that lab microscopes have seriously fallen in price. You can pick up a sturdy lab microscope for just over twice the price of a foldscope and it will last you for decades. You'd have to get your own slides and stains (which go a long way as long as you're careful/ sparing with them) and get a far better deal.
If you are likely to advance beyond beginner level or want something more solid for your kids, you can pick something up with far greater magnification and lighting that will last for a long time if you look after it. I have nothing against innovations like foldscope, but compare for yourself:
This is a lab-style microscope with 5 lenses, going up to 1000X. It is fluctuating at around $85. You would need to spend another $10-20 for enough slides to last you pretty much forever, and you'll need some stains, but there are kits (that include a few slides and preparations) for $20-40 that will last you quite some time.
https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-M150C-I-40X-1000X-Biological-Microscope/dp/B00AM5XB5O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1518267369&sr=8-4&keywords=microscope
So for 85+20+20=125ish dollars you can have a microscope that will take you from beginner all the way to expert that is not made of cardboard.
The basic foldscope with the cheapest postage option (which is $8 via their website, although you have to get all the way to the last stage before confirming an order to get a quote, and the priority shipping prices are a bit of a joke given that this is supposed to be a small kit) comes out at $55.99:
https://gyazo.com/d08b67d5918ce28eb455056cf82091b0
Amazon link for comparison:
https://www.amazon.com/Foldscope-Instruments-Inc-Deluxe-Individual/dp/B077KMXW9C/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1518267731&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=foldscope
This Foldscope only goes up to 140x Magnification.
TLDR: If you want a microscope, note the price jump before impulsively purchasing a cheap pile of plastic that frankly belongs on /r/shittykickstarters for $56. A university level microscope plus fixings is around $125ish and falling, and that's before you even start looking into second hand equipment.