Eric Rathhaus
Winston - Does your microscope only have lighting beneath the stage, which is why you use the camping lantern? Some of the stereoscopes have lighting from above as well. I've read that stereoscopes are better for solid objects like rocks, electronics, etc, but the magnification difference (and price) between a stereo and compound is dramatic. 80X is the most you can get with a stereoscope in the lower price ranges. Could you use your mobile phone as the view finder too?