Kern OBE 121 transmitted-light microscope, monocular, 40x to 400x, 3 W LED

The Kern OBE-12 comprises three transmitted-light microscopes with a 3 W LED, an Abbe condenser and a mechanical stage. The OBE 121 is monocular, the OBE 122 is binocular and the OBE 124 is trinocular. All three are fitted with 4x, 10x and 40x achromatic objectives and a 10x HWF eyepiece with an 18 mm field of view. Kern describes the OBE series as an all-round transmitted-light microscope for schools, training and laboratories.

A comparison of three tube variants

The OBE 121 has a monocular tube that is inclined by 30°. Both the OBE 122 and the OBE 124 feature a Butterfly tube, which is also inclined at 30° and can be rotated through 360°. The interpupillary distance can be adjusted between 48 and 75 mm on the OBE 122, and between 50 and 75 mm on the OBE 124. On both models, the dioptre adjustment works on one side, from -5 to +5. The OBE 124 also has a third output for a camera; the beam splitter ratio is 20:80.

Optics, field of view and contrast methods

The three objectives are achromatic and feature an anti-fungus coating: 4x with an aperture of 0.1, 10x with 0.25 and 40x with 0.65, the latter being spring-loaded. The nosepiece has four positions, so a fourth objective can be retrofitted. With the 10x eyepiece, this results in a total magnification of 40x to 400x. According to the data sheet, the field of view measures 0.18 to 4.5 mm. The eyepieces have a high eye point, an 18 mm field of view and a 23.2 mm mounting diameter. The contrast method is bright field; dark field is provided as an option and requires the OBB-A1148 dark field insert for 4x to 40x.

Illumination, condenser and mechanical stage

The 3 W LED for transmitted light is continuously dimmable and has a colour temperature of 6,000 K. The Abbe condenser has an aperture of 1.25 and an aperture diaphragm. It is permanently mounted and height-adjustable, allowing it to be focused. The mechanical stage is part of the equipment; it is operated via a coaxial coarse and fine focus control that is accessible from both sides. The fine focus adjusts in steps of 0.002 mm; according to the data sheet, torque adjustment is provided.

Cable compartment and power bank

There is a storage compartment for the power cable on the back. According to Kern, the microscope can also be powered by an external power bank thanks to its USB connectivity. The device is supplied with 5 V at 1 A; the supplied plug-in mains adaptor operates at 100 to 240 V at 50/60 Hz and 0.3 A. The device measures 360 x 150 x 320 mm and has a net weight of approx. 4.6 kg.

Typical applications

• Schools, training centres and universities: microscopy courses using stained specimens
• Medical and veterinary practices: blood smears and sediments
• Haematology and sediment analysis in the laboratory
• Inpatient and outpatient facilities, as well as public health authorities
• Camera use with the OBE 124: image documentation via the third tube port

As samples, Kern names translucent, thin and high-contrast specimens such as plant tissue or stained cells and parasites. If you require oil immersion, this is available in the sister series OBE-13, which comes with a 100x objective. In the OBE-12 range, the 100x oil immersion objective is available as an accessory for the OBE 122 and OBE 124 (OBB-A1109).

Models at a glance

Technical details

These values apply to all models. Any differing values are listed in the model table.

Scope of delivery

• OBE 121, OBE 122 or OBE 124 microscope, depending on the model
• HWF 10x eyepiece (OBE 122 and OBE 124: two eyepieces)
• Achromatic objectives 4x, 10x, 40x
• Plug-in mains adaptor with Euro plug
• Dust cover
• Eyecups
• Multilingual operating instructions

Warranty

According to Kern & Sohn, the OBE 122 and OBE 124 come with a 3-year warranty and the OBE 121 comes with a 2-year warranty. Kern grants 3 years on products with a list price of €500 or more and 2 years on products below that and on components; wear parts such as batteries and rechargeable batteries are excluded. Warranty repairs are carried out by Kern or by a Kern dealer.

Downloads

• Operating instructions Kern OBE-12 (PDF)

Regulatory information

As electrical devices, the microscopes fall under the ElektroG. The manufacturer Kern & Sohn GmbH is registered under the WEEE registration number DE 80821200. How to return old appliances is described on the page Environment and disposal.

Individual requirements and procurement service

Eyepieces OBB-A1347 (WF 10x), OBB-A1348 (HWF 10x), OBB-A1349 (HWF 10x with 0.1 mm scale) and OBB-A1354 (WF 16x), the objectives OBB-A1110 (20x), OBB-A1113 (60x) and OBB-A1441 (100x water, plan), plan achromatic objectives OBB-A1255 (4x), OBB-A1238 (10x), OBB-A1249 (20x), OBB-A1256 (40x), OBB-A1269 (60x) and OBB-A1239 (100x), the OBB-A1109 objective (100x, oil, spring-loaded, for OBE 122 and OBE 124), the OBB-A1148 dark field insert, the filters OBB-A1184 (grey), OBB-A1466 (blue), OBB-A1467 (green) and OBB-A1468 (yellow), the dust cover OBB-A1387, the cleaning spray OCS-A1101 and the cleaning kit OCS 901 are also available. For the OBE 121 and OBE 122, the ODC 874 (3.1 MP, USB 2.0) and ODC 881 (5.1 MP, USB 3.0) eyepiece cameras are available. For the OBE 124, Kern lists the camera adapters OBB-A1137 (0.5x) and OBB-A1139 (1x), as well as the tablet cameras ODC 241 and ODC 251 and the cameras ODC 825, ODC 832, ODC 841 and ODC 854. A C-Mount adapter is required to connect a camera. Enquiries are handled via our procurement service.