If you have seen the dual view microscope, you might be impressed with its ability to cater to the needs of two people at once, saving time and money, especially in the context of a high school classroom. If you have yet to see one, you need only to imagine a run-of-the-mill compound microscope, with two eye scopes for two people to see the same image at the same time. However, like any other microscope, a dual view microscope is still expensive, and if you are planning to buy many such sets for your school or workstation, then you might not be making too wise an investment after all. Therefore, you need to know when to use a dual view microscope.

Although the dual view microscope is like any other microscope, it may be clumsier if you are planning to use it for a small class where people will be moving specimens around constantly. The dual view microscope is intended for a high school or basic college biology laboratory, so if you are working in an advanced research laboratory, there are more advanced microscope types for your work.

For Large Audiences or Classes

A dual view microscope will usually come with basic, low magnification objectives, so if you are planning to view extremely microscopic specimens, you are better off with high power microscopes. However, if you are planning to allow a large audience or class to view specimens, then you might need a dual view microscope to save time and space.

A dual view microscope may be ideal for classes where your lessons revolve around looking at basic specimens, such as mitosis in action in corn cells, cross sections of human cells, or stained bacterial cells. In such cases, you will not need high magnification to visualize your specimens. Moreover, since most of the slides that you are using will already be prepared, you do not need to supervise the students while they share microscopes.

A dual view microscope may also be good for large seminars in basic microscopy or specimen viewing. In this case, you will still be using prepared slides, so you do not need to monitor each seminar attendee on his or her ability to make slides or use the microscope. Seminar attendees can simply share microscopes, look at the slides as you make a presentation, and then stand up and leave without having to worry about putting the microscopes away or cleaning the workstation up.

For Observation of Static or Non-Motile Specimens

Cleaning specimens to prepare them for microscopy can be laborious and messy, but the potential for a mess does not end there. You may need to move a specimen around and about while viewing it. If the person operating the microscope has little or no experience with looking at specimens, or with viewing mobile specimens, then the microscope can end up getting cracked, the objective lenses can be stained or damaged, and the microscope itself can be difficult to clean up.

Dual view microscopes are, in general, good for laboratory partners who will not end up moving the slide back and forth and getting into a quarrel over the specimen. In other words, dual view microscopes are good for observing specimens that do not have to be moved around, or that are non-motile, such as cross sections of cells or stained, non-mobile bacteria. If you are hoping to observe swamp microbes floating around or using their flagella in water, then you might need to use another microscope where you do not have to wait for your partner to allow you to start working.

For Individualized Instruction

That said, dual view microscopes are not only for viewing non-motile specimens, or for static slides. You can still use a dual view microscope while moving a slide around, provided that your partner does not object. One such case is in individualized instruction, where you can sit down with the person, say a student or colleague in need of your help. You can then show the specimen to the person by asking the person to look through the other set of objectives, while you look through your own set of objectives and move the specimen around.

In these cases, a dual view microscope works best, instead of you looking through the microscope lens, then backing away to let your companion take his or her turn. This way, you can move the specimen or slide around and show your companion specific areas of interest in the specimen.

These are only a few situations when a dual view microscope can come in handy. Since you now know when to use a dual view microscope, you can plan your budget and acquisitions accordingly, and have the best equipment for your lab, class, or seminar.