BRESSER 9119501 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 40-640x Microscope with Smartphone Adapter Owner’s Manual

: June 3, 2024
: BRESSER

Table of Contents

General Warnings
Parts overview
What is a microscope?
Assembly and location
Normal observation
Smartphone holder
Condition and prepare viewed objects
EC Declaration of Conformity
Disposal
Warranty and warranty term extension
Support
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

BRESSER 9119501 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 40-640x Microscope with Smartphone Adapter Owner’s Manual

WARNING:
Choking hazard — This product contains small parts that could be swallowed by children.
This poses a choking hazard.

General Warnings

Choking hazard — This product contains small parts that could be swallowed by children. This poses a choking hazard.
Risk of electric shock — This device contains electronic components that operate via a power source (power supply and/or batteries). Only use the device as described in the manual, otherwise you run the risk of an electric shock.
Risk of fire/explosion — Do not expose the device to high temperatures. Use only the recommended batteries. Do not short-circuit the device or batteries, or throw them into a fire. Excessive heat or improper handling could trigger a short-circuit, a fire or an explosion.
Risk of chemical burn — Make sure you insert the batteries correctly. Empty or damaged batteries could cause burns if they come into contact with the skin. If necessary, wear adequate gloves for protection.
Do not disassemble the device. In the event of a defect, please contact your dealer. The dealer will contact the Service Centre and can send the device in to be repaired, if necessary.
Tools with sharp edges are often used when working with this device. Because there is a risk of injury from such tools, store this device and all tools and accessories in a location that is out of the reach of children.

Parts overview

Eyepiece
Focus knob
Objective turret
Stage
On/off switch ( illumination)
Electronic light source
Base with battery compartment
Battery compartment
Cover plates
Prepared slides
Reservoir
Microscope instruments
Wheel with pinhole apertures
Measuring cup
Hatchery
MicroCut
Smartphone holder

What is a microscope?

A microscope contains two lens systems: the eyepiece and the objective. We’re presenting these systems as one lens each so that the concept is easier to understand. In reality, however, the eyepiece (1) and the objective in the turret (3) are made up of multiple lenses.

The lower lens (objective) produces a magnified image of the prepared specimen (10). The picture, which you can’t see, is magnified once more by the second lens (eyepiece, 1), which you can see as the ‘microscope picture’.

Assembly and location

Before you start, choose an ideal location for using your microscope. It’s important that you choose a spot with enough light for normal observation. Furthermore, it is recommended that you place the microscope on a stable surface, because a shaky surface will not lead to satisfactory results.

Normal observation

For normal observation, place the microscope in a bright location (near a window or desk lamp, for example).
Turn the focus knob (2) to the upper stop, and set the objective turret (3) to the lowest magnification.

Now, turn on the light using the switch on the microscope base. You’ll find further tips about the light source in the next section. Now, place a prepared slide (10) under the clips on the stage (4), directly under the objective (1). When you take a look through the eyepiece, you can see the magnified specimen. At this point, you still might see a slightly fuzzy picture. Adjust the image sharpness by slowly turning the focus knob (2). You can now select a higher magnification by turning the objective turret and selecting a different objective.

When you do so, note that the sharpness of the picture must be adjusted again for the higher magnification. Also, the higher the magnification, the more light you will need for good illumination of the picture.

The wheel with pinhole apertures (13) below the microscope stage (4) will help you in viewing very bright or clear-sighted preparations. Turn the wheel (13) till the best contrast is achieved.

Observation (electronic light source)

For observation with the electronic light source (6) you need to insert 2 AA batteries 1.5 V, in the battery compartment (8) on the base of the microscope (7). The battery compartment is opened using a Phillips screwdriver. Insert the batteries with the correct polarity (+/- indication). Put the battery cover first into the small opening so that the lid fits perfectly. Now you can tighten the screw. The lighting is switched on when you turn the switch on the microscope base. Now you can observe in the same way as described in the previous section.

TIP: The higher the magnification you use the more light is required for a good illumination of the picture. Therefore, always start your experiments with a low magnification.

Smartphone holder

Attach the smartphone holder to the eyepiece.

The suction cups must be clean and free from dust and dirt. A slight moistening is helpful.
Now press your smartphone on the retaining plate and make sure that it is properly secured.
As a backup, you should secure it with the enclosed rubber strap. Smartphones with a rough surface will not hold as good as smartphones with a smooth surface.

Now start the Camera app.
The camera needs to rest just above the eyepiece. Center the smartphone exactly over the eyepiece, so the image can be seen precisely centered on your screen.
In some cases you need to adjust with the zoom function to display the image fullscreen. A light shading at the edges is possible.

Take the smartphone carefully off the holder after use.

NOTE:
Make sure that the smartphone can not slip out of the holder.
Bresser GmbH assumes no liability for any damages caused by a dropped smartphone.

Condition and prepare viewed objects

Condition

This microscope features transmitted light, so that transparent specimens can be examined. If opaque specimens are being examined, the light from below goes through the specimen, lens and eyepiece to the eye and is magnified en route (direct light principle).
Some small water organisms, plant parts and animal components are transparent by nature, but many others require pretreatment — that is, you need to make a thinnest possible slice of the object by hand cutting or using a microtome, and then examine this sample.

Creation of thin preparation cuts

Specimens should be sliced as thin as possible. A little wax or paraffin is needed to achieve the best results. Put the wax into a heat-safe bowl and heat it over a flame until the wax is melted. You can use a candle flame to melt the wax

DANGER!
Be exremely carfeful when dealing with hot wax, as there is a danger of being burned.

Then, dip the specimen several times in the liquid wax. Allow the wax that encases the specimen to harden. Use a MicroCut or other small knife or scalpel to make very thin slices of the object in its wax casing.

DANGER!
Be extremely careful when using the MicroCut, knife or scalpel. These instruments are very sharp and pose a risk of injury

Place the slices on a glass slide and cover them with another slide before attempting to view them with the microscope.

Creation of your own preparation
Put the object to be observed on a glass slide and cover the object with a drop of distilled water using the pipette (12).

Set a cover glass (available at a well-stocked hobby shop) perpendicular to the edge of the water drop, so that the water runs along the edge of the cover glass. Now lower now the cover glass slowly over the water drop.

Experiments

Now that you’re familiar with your microscope’s functions and how to prepare slides, you can complete the following experiments and observe the results under your microscope.

How do You Raise Brine Shrimp?

Accessories (from your microscope set):

Shrimp eggs
Sea salt,
Hatchery,
Yeast.

The Life Cycle of Brine Shrimp
Brine shrimp, or “Artemia salina,” as they are called by scientists, have an unusual and interesting life cycle. The eggs produced by the female are hatched without ever being fertilized by a male shrimp. The shrimp that hatch from these eggs are all females. In unusual circumstances, e.g. when the marsh dries up, the male shrimp can hatch. These males fertilize the eggs of the females and from this mating, special eggs come about. These eggs, so-called “winter eggs,” have a thick shell, which protects them. The winter eggs are very resistant and capable of survival if the marsh or lake dries out, killing off the entire shrimp population. They can persist for 5-10 years in a “sleep” status. The eggs hatch when the proper environmental conditions are reproduced. These are the type of eggs you have in your microscope set.

The Incubation of the Brine Shrimp
In order to incubate the shrimp, you fi rst need to create a salt solution that corresponds to the living conditions of the shrimp. For this, put a half liter of rain or tap water in a container. Let the water sit for approx. 30 hours. Since the water evaporates over time, it is advisable to fi ll a second container with water and let it sit for 36 hours. After the water has sat stagnant for this period of time, add half of the included sea salt to the container and stir it until all of the salt is dissolved. Now, put a few eggs in the container and cover it with a dish. Place the glass container in a bright location, but don’t put it in direct sunlight. Since you have a hatchery, you cal also add the salt solution along with a few eggs to each of the four compartments of the tank. The temperature should be around 25º. At this temperature, the shrimps will hatch in about 2-3 days. If the water in the glass evaporates, add some water from the second container.

The Brine Shrimp under the Microscope
The animal that hatches from the egg is known by the name “nauplius larva.” With the help of a pipette, you can place a few of these larvae on a glass slide and observe them. The larvae will move around in the salt water by using their hair-like appendages. Take a few larvae from the container each day and observe them under the microscope. In case you’ve hatched the larvae in a hatchery, simply take off the cover of the tank and place the tank on the stage. Depending on the room temperature, the larvae will be mature in 6-10 weeks. Soon, you will have had raised a whole generation of brine shrimp, which will constantly grow in numbers.

Feeding your Brine Shrimp
In order to keep the brine shrimp alive, they must be fed from time to time, of course. This must be done carefully, since overfeeding can make the water become foul and poison our shrimp population. The feeding is done with dry yeast in powdered form. A little bit of this yeast every second day is enough. If the water in the compartments of the hatchery or your container turns dark, that is a sign that it is gone bad. Take the shrimp out of the water right away and place them in a fresh salt solution.

Warning!
The shrimp eggs and the shrimp are not meant to be eaten!

Textile fibres

Objects and accessories:

Threads of different textiles: Cotton, linen, wool, silk, Celanese, nylon and any others you can find.
Two needles:
Put each thread on a glass slide and fray each with the help of the two needles. Put a drop of water over each thread with the pipette and cover each with a cover glass. Adjust the microscope to a low magnification. Cotton fibres are of plant origin and look, under the microscope, like a fl at, twisted band. The fibres are thicker and rounder at the edges than in the centre. Cotton fibres consist primarily of long, collapsed tubes. Linen fibres are also of plant origin; they are round and run in straight lines. The fi bres shine like silk and exhibit numerous swellings along the shaft of the fibre. Silk is of animal origin and consists of solid fibres of smaller diameter than the hollow vegetable fibres. Each silk fibre is smooth and even and has the appearance of a small glass rod. Wool fibres are also of animal origin; the surface consists of overlapping scales, which appear broken and wavy. If possible, compare wool fibres from different weaving mills, and note the differences in the appearance of the fibres. Experts can determine the country of origin of wool based on its appearance under a microscope. Celanese is artificially manufactured by a long chemical process. All Celanese fibres show hard, dark lines on a smooth, shining surface. The fibres crinkle in the same way after drying. Observe the similarities and differences between the different fibres.

Notes on Cleaning

Before cleaning the device, disconnect it from the power supply by removing the plug or batteries.
Only use a dry cloth to clean the exterior of the device. To avoid damaging the electronics, do not use any cleaning fluid.
Protect the device from dust and moisture.
The batteries should be removed from the unit if it has not been used for a long time.

EC Declaration of Conformity

Bresser GmbH has issued a ‘Declaration of Conformity’ in accordance with applicable guidelines and corresponding standards. This can be viewed any time upon request.

Disposal

Dispose of the packaging materials properly, according to their type, such as paper or cardboard. Contact your local waste-disposal service or environmental authority for information on the proper disposal.

Do not dispose of electronic devices in the household garbage!
As per Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament on waste electrical and electronic equipment and its adaptation into German law, used electronic devices must be collected separately and recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.
Empty, old batteries must be disposed of at battery collection points by the consumer. You can find out more information about the disposal of devices or batteries produced after 6 January 2006 from your local waste-disposal service or environmental authority.

In accordance with the regulations concerning batteries and rechargeable batteries, disposing of them in the normal household waste is explicitly forbidden. Please make sure to dispose of your used batteries as required by law — at a local collection point or in the retail market. Disposal in domestic waste violates the Battery Directive.

Batteries that contain toxins are marked with a sign and a chemical symbol.

battery contains cadmium
battery contains mercury
battery contains lead

Warranty and warranty term extension

The warranty term is two years from the date of purchase. Please keep your proof of purchase. Register at www.bresser.de/warranty and fi ll out a brief questionnaire to get your warranty term extended to five years. Registration must be completed within three months of purchase (date of receipt) to validate the warranty. If you register thereafter, the warranty term will not be extended.

If you have problems with your device, please contact our customer service first. Do not send any products without consulting us first by telephone. Many problems with your device can be solved over the phone. If the problem cannot be resolved by phone, we will take care of transporting your device to be repaired. If the problem occurred after the warranty ended or it is not covered by our warranty terms, you will receive a free estimate of repair costs.

Service Hotline: +49 (0) 2872 – 80 74-210*

*Number charged at local rates in Germany (the amount you will be charged per phone call will depend on the tariff of your phone provider); calls from abroad will involve higher costs.

Important for any returns:
Please make sure to return the device carefully packed in the original packaging to prevent damage during transport. Also, please enclose your receipt for the device (or a copy) and a description of the defect. This warranty does not imply any restriction of your statutory rights.

Your dealer:
Art. No.:
Description of problem:
Name:
Street:
City/Postcode:
Telephone:
Date of purchase:
Signature:

Visit our website:
www.nationalgeographic.com