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Brix meters are handy devices used to conveniently measure the dissolved sugar content of a liquid. They’re popular in a variety of fields. Everything from agriculture to metalwork and the food and beverage industries have a need for quick and accurate sugar content readings. Whether you’re a seasoned orchardist, a passionate winemaker or just a home gardener, a pocket-sized Brix meter – like Optico’s handy refractometer – will quickly test the sugar levels in your fruit or crops, allowing you to assess flavour and ripeness and to adjust conditions, if necessary.

The humble tardigrade – tiny, strangely adorable and practically indestructible. Found almost everywhere on Earth, the microscopic tardigrade – also known as the ‘water bear’ or ‘moss piglet’ – is so unique that all 1300 tardigrade species belong to their own phylum, Tardigrada. With their widespread habitat and fascinating 8-legged appearance, they’re a great specimen for any microscope enthusiast.

The origins of the microscope can be traced back to the early days of human history when people first began using lenses to magnify objects. Today, they are used in a wide range of scientific fields, including biology, medicine, and material science. Here’s a quick look at their journey through the ages.

A microscope is more than a tool. Treated with care and respect, this delicate piece of equipment will carry you through decades of professional service.
Here are some general tips to help you keep your microscope in top condition.

A wet mount slide is one of the most common types of slide preparation techniques used in microscopy.
This guide walks you through the steps needed to prepare a wet mount slide for yourself. If you’re interested in microscopy, knowing how to mount your own wet slides is essential.

Normal light microscopes have taken science a long way, but there are some realms that even light can’t reach.  This is why science has turned to something even more powerful – the nanoscope.

Are you wondering about the difference between stereo and biological microscopes (also known as compound microscopes)? Don’t fret if it sounds confusing. They’re just two distinct types of microscopes, and it’s easy to decide which one you’ll need.

Objective lenses are the heart of your microscope. To get the best image quality, you’ll need to keep them clean and clear. Here’s a quick guide to cleaning your lenses.

Think of a reticle as a contact lens with a crosshair. But for your microscope, of course. You’ll need a reticle if you want to measure microscopic specimens (and a stage micrometer too, but we’ll get to that). A reticle is a simple instrument – a small glass disc with an unlabelled measuring scale etched into it.