This microscope is incredible. I love all the features it includes, and it is easy to use and feels very professional. All parts work great and the image quality is crisp and clear. I’m still learning how to do oil immersion, and I have yet to try the third ocular tube (meant for a camera), but overall the quality is great and I love it!
The only problem was with the power we required for our projects but the unit is perfect for new or experienced biologist and is of a very good quality construction. Thanks Steve.
Me sorprendio demasiado la calidad del material se ve fuerte y duradero no como otro tipo de plasticos que hacen dudar ademas al probarlo las observaciones fueron nitidas la caja en que llego fue bien manejada y con la proteccin necesaria para un viaje a campo traviesa. la verdad 100% recomendado
I have just bought this microscope couple days ago, I have used it for 10 hours in total. It works fantastic. I have tried other high-end microscope in labs, and I must say that tho it does not have the little + functionality the resolution is for my eye the same.
I don’t understand why there are so many negative reviews. To be honest my feeling is that the people that say that oil immersion and 40X objective do not work, are very unlucky or don’t know how to use a microscope.
The filter holder allows the creation of a darkfield view as well by placing a darkfield filter that can be created at home. I have only managed to make it work for the 4X and 10X objectives though.
In summary, A GREAT BUY, I would do it again. High quality for the price, and really the best choice for amateur in the field like myself.
No me enfado de usar, le acople una cmara y lo uso con monitor de 25″ y la cabeza de un zancudo se ve como de 20 cm ESTE EQUIPO ES UN VIAJE A OTRO MUNDO LITERAL
I’ve used a few other brands where this SW380T microscope is the best so far and for the price. The only addition needed is a light source from the TOP side, which I’m sure the engineers can implement as another model. To correct for this, I’m using a dual gooseneck LED light source which works very well. I’m extremely happy with this microscope, it’s a keeper!
I've used a few other brands where this SW380T microscope is the best so far and for the price. The only addition needed is a light source from the TOP side, which I'm sure the engineers can implement as another model. To correct for this, I'm using a dual gooseneck LED light source which works very well. I'm extremely happy with this microscope, it's a keeper!
Was purchased for our two teenagers for general interest and artistic sketching uses; drawing what they see- perfect for this application. Left eyepiece is loose and slides downward, so we need to hold it in place when using- but is great other than that!
Scope has excellent build quality. Focus knobs are smooth with no play. Optical quality is very good. Lighting is adjustable and bright. X – Y table adjustments are smooth with no play. I really can’t come up with anything I don’t like. I’m using to look at soil biology from bacteria to nematodes. I haven’t used with a camera yet but you can pop an eye piece in the third tube as well.
A friend of mine who is very much into photo microscopy bought one of the microscopes and utilized his camera in it. I was very impressed with the unit and bought one myself along with Swift’s camera. The microscope is beautifully made, convenient and has nice optics. The camera does a generally good job but has worrisome yellow lines across the image at increased magnification. I am still investigating this problem. Otherwise, I can’t speak highly enough about this unique microscope, it’s filter fixture and condenser. I love it and tend to use it every day because it is so easy to use and set up.
This is a fine microscope of high school/college quality. Be sure to purchase a cell phone adaptor for the upright scope viewer, with a built in lense. With at least a 12 no cell camera, objects can easily be viewed, sharpened with scope fine tuning, and photographed.
Good beginner scope with a few issues.
1. The oil emersion objective is really pointless for this scope. It’d be better to have a 60x regular one instead.
2. The 20x eyepieces are pretty useless. The quality just isn’t there, especially when used with the higher powered objectives.
3. The filter holder is a pain to use. I can never find the little knob used to swing it out.
4. I wish the LED were brighter. Not sure if this is replaceable.
Overall, though, I’m somewhat satisfied, especially considering I spotted it on sale for less the $300.
Excellent microscope pour le prix! Je suis habitu d’utiliser des microscopes 3000$, alors j’avais peur d’tre du, mais j’ai t agrablement surpris par la qualit!
This is an excellent buy. It is actually better then the one I used In medical school. It would be excellent for a student of biology. The lenses are very sharp and the controls work well. I have not used the photo tube yet but it looks like it will also work well.
The build quality is surprisingly good, I had ordered a binocular one at first and liked it so much that returned it and got the trinoc one. Its amazing how these days one can have access to this technology for such a modest price.
To go with this I got the Amscope 3MP camera and it works with no issues.
I’ve also been able to successfully use both the 100X oil objective and 25X eyepiece for a total of 2500X magnification.
The knobs feel good. It doesn’t feel or work in a flimsy way. It’s solid.
The magnification images are alright. Light is decent too. So far everything in my smear slides were visible and clear.
The plaster protection it comes with is a little cheap, it could be better.
The extra ocular tube doesn’t justify higher price. I would advice getting the sw380b instead. If your hooking to a camera then just use one of the eyepiece holes.
Swift microscope are owned from what I’ve been made to understand by Motic, who manufacture extremely high end Research, biological, and Lab compound microscope, of which do own one..so I do know a quality microscope from cheap junk….I’ve viewed everything from bacterial specimens, mold, fugal growth to epithelial cells using the Swift microscope with great results…..
Incredible value for an outstanding microscope …. superbly crafted and engineered for Amature, school, or lab use….I found the image resolution colour and sharpness first rate… the fine focus is dead on…one problem, Swift claims 2500x …
don’t count on that…even the finest Biological or Lab microscope perform best at 1000x to 1500x…
If your looking for the biggest bang for your investment dollar for a great microscope,
you just found it….
This microscope arrived quickly in perfect shape and could not be cooler! My 10 and 17 year olds absolutely dig it. We included 40x images of sugar crystals and torn paper. Now browsing c mount adapters for more serious photography
This microscope arrived quickly in perfect shape and could not be cooler! My 10 and 17 year olds absolutely dig it. We included 40x images of sugar crystals and torn paper. Now browsing c mount adapters for more serious photography
A really good microscope for a good price. The fine focusing knob is very nice to use. I just wish it came with a 60x objective instead of the 100x Oil one. The oil is a bit messy in use & the curiosity wears off quickly. I would’ve preferred a 60x dry objective instead as its not messy and its easy to switch back & forth between lower magnifications. Attached are some of the pics I took with my cellphone by hand: Mosquito probosis, Plant cells and red blood cells.
To see a detailed review, search for “Pretty good microscope and not expensive” on youtube by “Microbehunter Microscopy”.
I got this one on a lighting sale, but even at regular price, totally worth it.
The microscope came in a big box, plenty of padding, several parts were all wrapped in plastic to keep dust out.
These are some pictures I took by simply holding my phone over the lense, without a proper holder (I’ll set that up in the next few days)
Very good microscope! This is my first microscope and I am very pleased with it! Keep in mind this unit doesn’t come with slides in the box (mine didn’t come with them) but they are cheap and easily available. I’ve been looking non stop through it since then.
As a retired research scientist I have spent most of my life looking through microscopes. While this scope is not as solidly built as a Nikon, Olympus, or other professional scopes I have used, the optical quality is very similar at a fraction of the cost. I am very impressed considering the low price.
Received and tested this microscope. it is robust as i expected. High quality components. doesn’t show any bad finished at all, even if this is intended for school. Definitely something up to college/graduate students. Not recommend to spend money in cameras included because low quality, and those that are good, are too expensive. Instead, recommended to buy the cel phone adapter made by same Swift Co., and take pictures with cellular. It worked for my daughter (12 yo) science experiment/fair and was a great addition to have pictures and even movie in her presentation. It was easy to use, she was able to do most of the zooming and media capture.
I love this microscope, I am a lab tech but, I work mainly in administration, so I wanted to buy a telescope to see some old slides in my house from time to time. I am very happy with the quality.
A really well built piece of equipment for the money, both mechanically and optically. One would probably have to invest big bucks to get something significantly better.
he order came very quickly. Already assembled. Optics look good. It is heavy enough for my work. Now I need to get a camera for the third ocular 🙂
I intend to experiment with different lighting (dark field vs. bright) and see if my light polarizers work with this microscope. I am happy that I jumped on the prices around holidays.
So far, it’s been great, the optics are clear, it has every basic function you’d like to see in a good school-quality microscope. The lamp could be brighter for using the 1000x oil lens as getting a bright clear image at that range with the correct settings is a bit tricky.
Bought for my grandson who needed a better microscope for his homeschooling classes. He loves it. This product has heft and outstanding quality. Definitely not a “toy” microscope. His teacher (my daughter) was even more impressed. He’s 12 now and there is no doubt this microscope will carry him all the way through high school and even college.
I am pleasantly surprised for the wholesomeness and great quality of this microscope. Images are sharp and clean. I am happy I got it. It is fun and unpretentious, unlike my lab microscopes.
I paired it wit a Gosky iPhone adapter, the one with the protruding tube to be inserted in the tube of the eyepiece or in the trinocular head.
Helpful hint: First than anything else… Center the iPhone and Gosky adapter already pre-coupled with the light field of the image while it sits on the eyepiece position, for most control and perfect coupling. A little fiddling will show a sharp capture a circular image, uniformly lighted, without vignettes.
THEN, you may photograph from the eyepiece (as if you still owned a binocular microscope) or, BETTER, now troubleless and already centered, on the trinocular tube.
Best of both worlds: your eyes and your camera will be both satisfied, registering images at the same time, without the need to sacrifice observation to please your camera. Your diagnosis should be as good as if you were using a $5K microscope in a hospital or a university.
Pictures included, taken on my inaugural session, are: Nail with fungi under the nail plate (medium power) and old plantar wart (high power).
Questions? @aldogs
I am a pathologist and could easily do my job with this scope!
Pros:
Super sturdy and built like a tank, but light enough to easily carry/move (even has a handle)
Very smooth focus adjustments coarse/fine and equally smooth mechanical stage
Trinocular to take photos/videos or let someone else see what you see as you view through the binocular
High quality optics with no artifacts – extremely crisp view through all objective lenses
Cons:
No darkfield (I personally have no use for it)
Doesn’t come with a case or anything for the eyepieces/caps/fuse/filter (bummer but no biggie)
Doesn’t clean up after me when I’m exhausted from looking at tiny things all day 🙂
100% recommend this beast of a scope to anyone interested in microscopy
Well, the reviews are correct. Build quality is very nice. Optics appear excellent. LED light source is
just right. Focus is precise..just like a Lab-Grade instrument.
I’m retired from the largest University Biological Sciences department in the USA.
To get 20% better performance, you’d have to spend 10X more money. Buy this scope.
So far so good, have not used all functions as of yet but so far this microscope works as described, easy to use, I have not had to use tech support so I cannot give an honest rating.
Micro biology is a critical study. I am privileged to have obtained such a fine tool. For thousands of years man has been blind to what prematurely has killed our spieces. Thank you!
Glad I picked this model over the others I had been researching. It did not disappoint. Super clear optics, microfocus, and very fine adjustment for slide table. Using the light aperture feature made a difference. 5 star all the way. Could not be happier. Buy it, but look it up and see what other people say. use other sites for reviews and you will see why I am so happy.
I was looking for a microscope to share my love of science with my son. As a photographer, I know the importance of “good glass” so I decided that it would be better to buy something with superior optics now that he can grow up to enjoy and that I would enjoy using in the meantime, instead of a cheap toy microscope that would frustrate both of us. I’m very pleased with this microscope. You can tell right away that it’s built to last, all the parts are sturdy and the focusing is super sharp. We haven’t tried out the camera port yet, other than with the included eyepieces, but I’m looking forward to getting a camera attachment next!
No issues like the odd one ive read about, works flawless and great clarity, super happy purchase
Would recommend spending 280 rather than buying the 100 microscopes that are available.
Easy to manipulate. Bright LED light. I would have preferred a 20X lens instead of the useless 100X oil lens.
This microscope is incredible. I love all the features it includes, and it is easy to use and feels very professional. All parts work great and the image quality is crisp and clear. I’m still learning how to do oil immersion, and I have yet to try the third ocular tube (meant for a camera), but overall the quality is great and I love it!
Easy setup. I am a beginner at Microscopy and am very pleased with my purchase.
The only problem was with the power we required for our projects but the unit is perfect for new or experienced biologist and is of a very good quality construction. Thanks Steve.
This was a Christmas present for my adult son. He wanted it to show his daughter the unseen world.
Me sorprendio demasiado la calidad del material se ve fuerte y duradero no como otro tipo de plasticos que hacen dudar ademas al probarlo las observaciones fueron nitidas la caja en que llego fue bien manejada y con la proteccin necesaria para un viaje a campo traviesa. la verdad 100% recomendado
I don’t understand why there are so many negative reviews. To be honest my feeling is that the people that say that oil immersion and 40X objective do not work, are very unlucky or don’t know how to use a microscope.
The filter holder allows the creation of a darkfield view as well by placing a darkfield filter that can be created at home. I have only managed to make it work for the 4X and 10X objectives though.
In summary, A GREAT BUY, I would do it again. High quality for the price, and really the best choice for amateur in the field like myself.
No me enfado de usar, le acople una cmara y lo uso con monitor de 25″ y la cabeza de un zancudo se ve como de 20 cm ESTE EQUIPO ES UN VIAJE A OTRO MUNDO LITERAL
I decided to keep it. I was very skeptical as my experience with past microscopes was bad. This one is sturdy and like the three dimensional movement. Using celestron smartphone adapter (https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Universal-Smartphone-Digiscoping-Bluetooth/dp/B093QJBR67/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=celestron&qid=1626710366&sr=8-13) you can take pretty good pictures.
I’ve used a few other brands where this SW380T microscope is the best so far and for the price. The only addition needed is a light source from the TOP side, which I’m sure the engineers can implement as another model. To correct for this, I’m using a dual gooseneck LED light source which works very well. I’m extremely happy with this microscope, it’s a keeper!
i bought a stereo microscope too from them after seeing this one… very good quality. other positive reviews here that influenced me are on target.
Was purchased for our two teenagers for general interest and artistic sketching uses; drawing what they see- perfect for this application. Left eyepiece is loose and slides downward, so we need to hold it in place when using- but is great other than that!
Scope has excellent build quality. Focus knobs are smooth with no play. Optical quality is very good. Lighting is adjustable and bright. X – Y table adjustments are smooth with no play. I really can’t come up with anything I don’t like. I’m using to look at soil biology from bacteria to nematodes. I haven’t used with a camera yet but you can pop an eye piece in the third tube as well.
A friend of mine who is very much into photo microscopy bought one of the microscopes and utilized his camera in it. I was very impressed with the unit and bought one myself along with Swift’s camera. The microscope is beautifully made, convenient and has nice optics. The camera does a generally good job but has worrisome yellow lines across the image at increased magnification. I am still investigating this problem. Otherwise, I can’t speak highly enough about this unique microscope, it’s filter fixture and condenser. I love it and tend to use it every day because it is so easy to use and set up.
Used with a phone camera mount from ilab. Will need to see how long it will last.
This is a fine microscope of high school/college quality. Be sure to purchase a cell phone adaptor for the upright scope viewer, with a built in lense. With at least a 12 no cell camera, objects can easily be viewed, sharpened with scope fine tuning, and photographed.
I love the microscope but the 40x optical isn’t working for me… all others including oil are good
Good beginner scope with a few issues.
1. The oil emersion objective is really pointless for this scope. It’d be better to have a 60x regular one instead.
2. The 20x eyepieces are pretty useless. The quality just isn’t there, especially when used with the higher powered objectives.
3. The filter holder is a pain to use. I can never find the little knob used to swing it out.
4. I wish the LED were brighter. Not sure if this is replaceable.
Overall, though, I’m somewhat satisfied, especially considering I spotted it on sale for less the $300.
Sturdy and beautiful. The Microscope works great and has different settings you can use for work and viewing slides.
This is an excellent buy. It is actually better then the one I used In medical school. It would be excellent for a student of biology. The lenses are very sharp and the controls work well. I have not used the photo tube yet but it looks like it will also work well.
To go with this I got the Amscope 3MP camera and it works with no issues.
I’ve also been able to successfully use both the 100X oil objective and 25X eyepiece for a total of 2500X magnification.
Works perfectly and quality is great! I use my phone camera to take great pictures of my slides.
Use this to take photos and it is easy to use and the depth of field and clarity is great.
The magnification images are alright. Light is decent too. So far everything in my smear slides were visible and clear.
The plaster protection it comes with is a little cheap, it could be better.
The extra ocular tube doesn’t justify higher price. I would advice getting the sw380b instead. If your hooking to a camera then just use one of the eyepiece holes.
Incredible value for an outstanding microscope …. superbly crafted and engineered for Amature, school, or lab use….I found the image resolution colour and sharpness first rate… the fine focus is dead on…one problem, Swift claims 2500x …
don’t count on that…even the finest Biological or Lab microscope perform best at 1000x to 1500x…
If your looking for the biggest bang for your investment dollar for a great microscope,
you just found it….
Our granddaughter is in love with science and this was a great gift for her.
This microscope arrived quickly in perfect shape and could not be cooler! My 10 and 17 year olds absolutely dig it. We included 40x images of sugar crystals and torn paper. Now browsing c mount adapters for more serious photography
To see a detailed review, search for “Pretty good microscope and not expensive” on youtube by “Microbehunter Microscopy”.
I got this one on a lighting sale, but even at regular price, totally worth it.
The microscope came in a big box, plenty of padding, several parts were all wrapped in plastic to keep dust out.
These are some pictures I took by simply holding my phone over the lense, without a proper holder (I’ll set that up in the next few days)
Very good microscope! This is my first microscope and I am very pleased with it! Keep in mind this unit doesn’t come with slides in the box (mine didn’t come with them) but they are cheap and easily available. I’ve been looking non stop through it since then.
I love this microscope, I am a lab tech but, I work mainly in administration, so I wanted to buy a telescope to see some old slides in my house from time to time. I am very happy with the quality.
Not a toy microscope. Met my expectations for the price. Good for teaching kids.
A really well built piece of equipment for the money, both mechanically and optically. One would probably have to invest big bucks to get something significantly better.
he order came very quickly. Already assembled. Optics look good. It is heavy enough for my work. Now I need to get a camera for the third ocular 🙂
I intend to experiment with different lighting (dark field vs. bright) and see if my light polarizers work with this microscope. I am happy that I jumped on the prices around holidays.
I am very satisfied with the product, loyalty in the sales proposal and quality announced
Awesome capability for reasonable price. No quality issues or complaints. Highly recommend getting the camera.
I paired it wit a Gosky iPhone adapter, the one with the protruding tube to be inserted in the tube of the eyepiece or in the trinocular head.
Helpful hint: First than anything else… Center the iPhone and Gosky adapter already pre-coupled with the light field of the image while it sits on the eyepiece position, for most control and perfect coupling. A little fiddling will show a sharp capture a circular image, uniformly lighted, without vignettes.
THEN, you may photograph from the eyepiece (as if you still owned a binocular microscope) or, BETTER, now troubleless and already centered, on the trinocular tube.
Best of both worlds: your eyes and your camera will be both satisfied, registering images at the same time, without the need to sacrifice observation to please your camera. Your diagnosis should be as good as if you were using a $5K microscope in a hospital or a university.
Pictures included, taken on my inaugural session, are: Nail with fungi under the nail plate (medium power) and old plantar wart (high power).
Questions? @aldogs
Super sturdy and built like a tank, but light enough to easily carry/move (even has a handle)
Very smooth focus adjustments coarse/fine and equally smooth mechanical stage
Trinocular to take photos/videos or let someone else see what you see as you view through the binocular
High quality optics with no artifacts – extremely crisp view through all objective lenses
Cons:
No darkfield (I personally have no use for it)
Doesn’t come with a case or anything for the eyepieces/caps/fuse/filter (bummer but no biggie)
Doesn’t clean up after me when I’m exhausted from looking at tiny things all day 🙂
100% recommend this beast of a scope to anyone interested in microscopy
just right. Focus is precise..just like a Lab-Grade instrument.
I’m retired from the largest University Biological Sciences department in the USA.
To get 20% better performance, you’d have to spend 10X more money. Buy this scope.
So far so good, have not used all functions as of yet but so far this microscope works as described, easy to use, I have not had to use tech support so I cannot give an honest rating.