A stereo microscope is just the thing you need if you’re interested in industrial micro photography or for inspecting industrial parts and applications. To make your job or hobby produce the best results more easily however, you’ll need to purchase an all-important accessory and that’s a boom stand. Whether they’re integrated with or attached to your microscope, boom stands provide you with additional flexibility and convenience when using your microscope. Stereo microscopes with boom stands definitely make a formidable match and can produce astounding improvement on your work.

What is a Stereo Microscope?
Before we proceed to tips on choosing the best boom stand, it’s best to refresh our memory first about what a stereo microscope is all about. Understanding how a stereo microscope works and what you’d want from it would help you choose the best boom stand for your microscope later on.

A stereo microscope basically offers low power magnification and works best with large objects. That is why it is more suitable to industrial subjects and not for microscopic organisms that are invisible to the naked eye. Stereo microscopes are also preferred by hobbyists. Stamp and coin collectors often use them to identify and validate their findings. Stereo microscopes are not as expensive as other types of microscopes, making them quite ideal for kids with budding interests in microscopy.

What is a Boom Stand?
To elaborate more on the basic definition provided earlier on, a boom stand has a focusing mechanism which you can tilt, pivot, and rotate to suit your needs and preferences. Boom stands can be moved, retracted, or swung out to add working space or reduce working distance. It can be folded back to minimize clutter in your laboratory or workplace. Boom stands may be designed for desktop use or possess a floor stand structure. Certain boom stand models would come with specialized features to make them more useful for the job at hand.

Tips on Choosing a Boom Stand for Your Stereo Microscope
The best way to choose a boom stand for your stereo microscope is to start with an assessment of every feature you come across. Determine which features you can and can’t do without and features that you’d appreciate…but only at the right price.

Base Size – The size of your boom stand’s base must be large enough to provide a solid foundation for the entire structure and the microscope. Nevertheless, take care not to get a boom stand that takes up too much space of your floor or desktop.

Floor or Desktop – Speaking of those two, which do you prefer? A floor boom stand would definitely provide greater flexibility since you could roll it anywhere you want but a desktop boom stand would usually take up lesser space, and this can be especially important if you’re working in limited quarters.

Single or Dual Bars – Boom stands may come with single or dual bars. Which one is better depends greatly on your use for it. Dual bar boom stands naturally provide greater functionality, but they also come at a greater price.

Maximum Height – If movement or repositioning could cause potentially serious damage to a subject, people prefer to observe and study it in its natural environment. In these instances, you’d require a boom stand with the greatest possible height. To add more inches, some boom stands come with extension posts for no extra cost.

Maximum Open Size of Clamp – This determines just how large an object the boom stand will be able to handle. It can be your microscope, camera, light accessory, or something else. In any case, you’d want something adjustable and able to provide a snug fit to keep your objects safe from falling.

Materials – What kind of materials were used to make the boom stand? You’d definitely want something durable for starters. Something that doesn’t rust easily would also do. If it looks good, so much the better!

Flexibility – What are the options for movement and adjustment provided for the boom stand? Do you think it can address all possible needs of your job?

When you’re finished studying every feature you encounter, take a step back and consider the bigger picture. More specifically, focus on the following factors. Is the boom stand perfectly compatible with your stereo microscope? Does it offer you the utmost convenience and functionality? And last but not the least, does it come with a reasonable price? If you say ‘yes’ to all of the above then you’ve got the ideal boom stand for your stereo microscope! Enjoy!