Product Reviews and Ratings - Discovery & Exploration - GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™ from Educational Insights

Buy the GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™ on http://www.educationalinsights.com

GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™ image

(based on 12 ratings)

Located in: Teachers, Theme, Animals, Insects & Plants, Discovery & Exploration

The perfect first microscope! Great for introducing scientific observation. Features a dial children can turn to listen to fun facts about what theyre seeing on the slides Challenges children to remember what theyve learned in an electronic quiz game Includes 12 prepared slides of common insects Magnifies 5x and provides a light for easy, close-up viewing Requires 3 C batteries, not included Grades K+

More information for the GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™

Review Snapshot®

Avg. Customer Rating:

3.8 stars

(based on 12 reviews)

73% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

Pros:

Can withstand use(3), Easy to assemble(4), Easy to play(3), Easy to use(8), Educational(4)

Best Uses:

Children(3), Home(7)

Describe Yourself:

Education oriented(4), Educator(3), Parent(9)

Was this a gift?:

Yes(3)

Great first microscope for kids!

By Cher @ Mom and More

from Chicago, IL on 11/2/2011

Pros:

Can Withstand Use, Easy To Play, Educational, Entertaining, Fun, Interactive, Thought Provoking

Cons:

Needs more slides, Needs slide storage

Best Uses:

Adults, Children, Family

Describe Yourself:

Parent

Was this a gift?:

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™:

First to really get use out of this microscope, you do need three "C" batteries which it does not come with it. I was a little disappointed with that as I don't typically keep "C" batteries on hand. You can still look through the lens without batteries but you can't use the talking part or light.

So anyways once the batteries were in, my boys couldn't wait to put the slides in and look through the magnifier. When you turn on the microscope, a light comes on and you can push one of two buttons for Facts or Quiz. Then you place the slide (it comes with 12 slides of bugs) on the magnifier which it snaps securely in place. I will say the microscope is very kid friendly, from the colors to the durable plastic slides and even that there are not tons of buttons to push or cords to deal with. My boys are 3 and 4 and with a little help from me they are able to use the microscope. They love hearing the different facts, which you just type in the code from the slide on the microscope using A,B and C. For the Quiz portion they aren't very good at that part yet, but it is a neat addition. There are True/False questions and multiple choice using the A, B, and C buttons. You can also use other items from inside or outside your house to look through the mircoscope at like fabric, leaves, or flower petals (hopefully not bugs your kids find!) So once your child is bored with the 12 slides and their Facts and Quiz buttons, you can use it like a regular microscope.

Overall, I think this is a great first microscope for preschoolers/kindergartners. It is plastic, has few buttons and durable slides. I would recommend though to make sure you are putting the slides away as there is nowhere within the microscope to store them (that would have been nice) nor can you pick up replacements. I love that I don't have to totally supervise my boys with this magnifier as it is reasonably priced so I won't be devastated if it breaks and they can use it themselves. I would say too that this is more than a toy and with the included slides and Facts/Quiz button it makes learning fun for kids! I hope to push as much on my kids as I can so they can figure out what they like and are good at. Maybe I have a future scientist at home!

Educational Insights Response: Thanks, Cher - you've magnified our day! We'll be on the lookout for new and exciting discoveries by your future scientists!

Needs replacement slides

By nature girl

from Americus, GA on 10/25/2011

Pros:

Can Withstand Use, Easy To Play, Easy to use, Educational, Entertaining, Fun to learn, Interactive, Scientific

Best Uses:

Children, Entertainment, Learning

Describe Yourself:

Educator, Parent

Was this a gift?:

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™:

This is a great product...until you misplace the slides. I wish you could store the slides in the base of the microscope! Eventually my 2 children have misplaced most of the slides and I don't see where you can get replacement slides.

Educational Insights Response: A Nature Girl definitely needs her slides! Please look for an email from us offering a replacement set.

I need more slides

By ASJ

from Los Angeles, CA on 3/18/2011

Pros:

Can Withstand Use, Easy To Play, Educational, Entertaining, Fun, Interactive, Thought Provoking

Best Uses:

Children

Describe Yourself:

Parent

Was this a gift?:

Yes

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Comments about GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™:

My son really enjoyed looking at the bugs on the slides! A great first microscope. But unfortunately, we've lost or damaged our slides. We need more slides! I'm amazed to hear that I can't get replacements! Please, please offer replacement slides! My son can't play with this toy any more - it's useless without the slides. For your next edition, please use a bit of common sense and manufacture replacement slides for those of us with standard-behavior young boys who accidentally lose or damage the slides & then demand to play with the microscope anyway! I find this situation exasperating. Future purchasers, make sure you can get extra slides before you buy this excellent toy.

Educational Insights Response: You're right, ASJ, that IS a dilemma. We have rectified this issue on newer products. Please look for an email from us to solve your specific issue. We want happy kids and parents!

Very educational and cool features

By Fishman 6007

from Rockford IL on 10/22/2010

Pros:

Easy To Assemble, Easy To Use

Cons:

Needs more than 12 slides

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Parent

Was this a gift?:

Yes

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™:

It is a very easy to use and educational tool. I like that the slides are in 3-D. The speaker talks slow and clear and is easy to understand. The only drawback is that after your child is done looking at the slides and learning about the bugs they are ready to play with something else and lose interest.
It would be nice if there were at least another dozen slides that came with it.

Educational Insights Response: Dear Fishman,
We've heard this before and have taken your comment about extra slides to heart as we design future products. Thanks for sharing your feedback!

seems like fun

By mom of three from toronto, canada on 9/28/2010

Pros:

Easy To Assemble, Easy To Use

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Education Oriented, Parent

Was this a gift?:

Yes

Comments about GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™:

It seems like a great gift and my son was really excited, but ours came without the slides and as it is a gift I don't want to mention it - so right now there is not much we can do with it.

Educational Insights Response: No slides is a big slip up! Please email amy@educationalinsights.com with your shipping address so we can send the slides immediately.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Needs more slide

By Lynn from Charlotte, NC on 8/8/2010

Pros:

Easy To Use

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Education Oriented, Parent

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Comments about GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™:

My son really has enjoyed the microscope and asked for more slides. I can't believe that there are not additional sets you could buy. Very disappointed.

Educational Insights Response: We're disappointed that you're disappointed! Remember that each slide features many facts and quiz questions, so that should provide some additional play time for your son. But we'll keep your feedback in mind as we design additional products.

Needs more slides

By Edwin K.

from Baltimore Maryland on 4/17/2010

Pros:

Easy To Use

Cons:

Boring

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Education Oriented

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Comments about GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™:

Great idea, but with only twelve slides it's not worth the money. My child was bored after one day.

Educational Insights Response: Edwin, we hear you loud and clear and taking your criticism to heart!

Needs More slides

By hp26ma from Buffalo, NY on 2/27/2010

Pros:

Easy To Assemble, Easy To Use, High Quality

Cons:

Boring

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Parent

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™:

My daughter received for Christmas. She played with it the first couple weeks, and has moved on. I've been looking for more slides and can't find any. Really need some soon, to keep kid's interest. Otherwise a fun and informative product for kids learning about science.

Educational Insights Response: You're not the first to suggest that we add more of our colorful, talking slides to this product... future versions will definitely include more content. For now, don't forget that you can use the Talking Microscope as a regular microscope to magnify things you find in nature or around the house!

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]