Kern OKO 178 Metallurgical Microscope, Trinocular, 5x-50x, Reflected and Transmitted Light
€2,345.00
% Manufacturer's RRP: €3,350.00 30% below manufacturer's RRP
- Metallurgical microscope with LED reflected light and LED transmitted light, 5 W each, individually dimmable
- Infinity semi-apochromatic objectives: 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x (50x to 500x total)
- Simple polarisation unit included in the scope of delivery
- Trinocular Siedentopf tube, inclined at 30 degrees
- Köhler illumination, centring Abbe condenser 1.25
- Open cross-table 77 x 52 mm, fine adjustment 0.002 mm
- Five-position revolving nosepiece, 100x oil objective available as an accessory
Product information "Kern OKO 178 Metallurgical Microscope, Trinocular, 5x-50x, Reflected and Transmitted Light"
Metals and surfaces are examined under reflected light, whilst transparent specimens are examined under transmitted light. The Kern OKO 178 combines both in a single instrument: LED reflected light and LED transmitted light of 5 watts each, separately dimmable, plus infinity optics, Köhler illumination and a simple polarisation unit, all included as standard. Kern describes the microscope as professional and versatile, designed for the inspection of metals and surface analysis.
Objectives with space for a fifth
The standard objectives are 5x, 10x, 20x and 50x, all of Infinity Semi-Apochromatic quality. The revolver has five positions, one of which remains free. With the HWF-10x eyepieces (22 mm field of view, anti-fungus, high eye point), this gives a magnification range of 50x to 500x. For the free position, Kern offers as accessories a 100x oil immersion objective with an aperture of 1.25 (OBB-A1241), an 80x objective with a long working distance and an aperture of 0.8 (OBB-A1530), as well as other semi-apochromatic objectives. The 80x objective is listed by Kern as an objective for a long working distance.
Reflected light, transmitted light and polarisation
Both reflected light and transmitted light illumination have a power of 5 watts each. The Abbe condenser with an aperture of 1.25 is centring and height-adjustable; it also features an aperture diaphragm and a field diaphragm for full Köhler illumination. The simple polarisation unit, comprising an analyser and a polariser, is part of the standard equipment. A blue filter is included as standard; accessories available include a polariser for transmitted light illumination, as well as yellow, green and grey filters.
Head and stage
The Siedentopf tube is trinocular, inclined at 30 degrees and rotatable. The interpupillary distance can be adjusted between 50 and 75 mm, and dioptre adjustment is available on both sides. The open mechanical cross-table has a travel range of 77 x 52 mm. An object holder for two slides and an extension plate for the stage are available as accessories. The coaxial coarse and fine adjustment mechanisms operate in increments of 0.002 mm. The microscope measures 472 x 211 x 440 mm (W x D x H), has a net weight of 11 kg and is powered by a mains adaptor (100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 0.3 A, protection class III).
Documentation with a camera
The third tube outlet accommodates a camera. Kern offers C-mount adaptors with 0.5x (adjustable focus) and 0.75x magnification, as well as an adaptor for trinocular models, and the ODC 825, 832, 841 and 854, and the ODC 241 tablet camera.
OKO 178 or a biology microscope
The OBN 135 is designed for brightfield transmission microscopy of specimens; for fluorescence, the OBN 141 is recommended. The OKO 178 is the preferred choice when reflected light is required, for example when examining metals and surfaces.
Typical applications
Kern describes the OKO 178 as being suitable for the inspection of metals and for surface analysis. As a combination of LED reflected light and LED transmitted light, it covers both opaque and transparent samples.
- Inspection of metals
- Surface analysis using reflected light
- Transmitted light examinations
- Polarisation observations using the supplied unit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the magnification of the OKO 178? The objectives provide magnifications of 5x, 10x, 20x and 50x. With the 10x eyepieces, this gives a total magnification of 50x to 500x.
Is a polarisation unit included? Yes, a basic unit comprising an analyser and a polariser is included in the Scope of delivery.
Can I add a 100x oil objective? Yes, Kern stocks a 100x objective (oil, 1.25 aperture) as an accessory. There is a free position on the revolver.
Can the incident and transmitted light be controlled separately? Yes, both 5 W LED light sources can be dimmed independently of one another.
Technical details
| Optical system | Infinity |
| Tube | Trinocular, Siedentopf, inclined at 30 degrees, rotatable |
| Eyepieces | HWF 10x, 22 mm field of view, anti-fungal, high eye point |
| Interpupillary distance | 50 to 75 mm |
| Dioptre adjustment | on both sides |
| Objectives | Infinity semi-apochromatic 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x |
| Objective turret | 5 positions |
| Condenser | Abbe, aperture 1.25, centring and height-adjustable, aperture diaphragm |
| Illumination | 5 W LED incident light and 5 W LED transmitted light, independently dimmable, Köhler |
| Polarisation | Basic unit (analyser, polariser) included |
| Cross table | Open, mechanical, travel range 77 x 52 mm |
| Focusing | Coaxial coarse and fine adjustment, fine adjustment 0.002 mm |
| Power supply | Mains adaptor, 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 0.3 A, Protection Class III |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 472 x 211 x 440 mm |
| Weight (net) | 11 kg |
| Storage temperature | -5 to 40 °C |
Scope of delivery
- OKO 178 metallurgical microscope
- Simple polarisation unit (analyser and polariser)
- HWF 10x eyepiece with 0.1 mm scale
- Blue filter
- Dust cover
- Eyecups
- Operating instructions (multilingual)
Individual requirements and procurement service
We can supply a 100x oil immersion objective, additional objectives, filters, eyepieces, an objective holder, a camera with a C-mount adapter or a cleaning kit for the OKO 178 on request. Please use our procurement service for this.