LW Scientific Microscopes: Choosing the Series and Reading the Part Number
At LabSupplies.com, most LW Scientific microscope orders come down to one line: the part number. It encodes everything that changes what you receive. Take R3M-BN4A-DAL3: R3M is the Revelation III-A series, B a binocular head, N4A four objectives, and DAL3 DIN achromatic optics with LED illumination. Read those three blocks and you can tell any two LW models apart before you order.
Block 1: The Series Prefix
The first three characters name the series. Choose this first; it fixes the optical system, and with it which objectives, eyepieces and heads you can add later. If you are still deciding between DIN and infinity-corrected optics, our microscope guide by application covers that choice.
| Prefix | Series | Magnification | Optics | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDM | Student PRO | 40×–400× (3 objectives) or 40×–1000× (4) | DIN achromatic | Teaching, monocular or dual-view |
| R3M | Revelation III-A | 40×–1000× | DIN achromatic or DIN PLAN | Everyday clinical and veterinary work |
| i4M | i-4 Infinity | 40×–1000× | Infinity semi-PLAN or PLAN | Infinity optics; 0.5× C-mount on T heads |
| iNM | Innovation Infinity PLAN | 40×–1000× (4 objectives) or 50×–1000× (5) | Infinity PLAN | Flat-field PLAN, 4 or 5 objectives |
| i4S | i-4 specialty | 40×–1000× | Infinity PLAN or S-PLAN | Epi-fluorescence, semen evaluation, camera combos |
| iNS | Innovation camera combo | 40×–1000× | Infinity PLAN | Trinocular with BioVID 4K camera and 13.3" monitor |
| L1M | L1 Inverted | 4× to 40× objectives | Infinity PLAN with phase | Viewing from below the sample |
| Z4M | Z4 Zoom stereo | 7×–45× (3.5×–45× on PA77) | Zoom stereo | General stereo, embryo transfer, large-part inspection |
| DMM | DM Dual-Mag stereo | 10×/20× or 10×/30× | Paired stereo | Bench work at two set magnifications |
Block 2: The Head and the Objectives
The second block starts with the head letter, followed by the objective set.
| Letter | Head | Example |
|---|---|---|
| M | Monocular | R3M-MN4A-DAL3 |
| B | Binocular | R3M-BN4A-DAL3 |
| T | Trinocular (camera port), except on Student PRO | R3M-TN4A-DAL3 |
| D | Dual-view teaching, two binocular heads | R3M-DN4A-DAL3 |
The Student PRO exception. On EDM part numbers the T means a teaching head, not a camera port. EDM-TM4A-DAL3 is a monocular microscope with a dual-view teaching head. If you need a camera on a DIN instrument, the trinocular Revelation III-A R3M-TN4A-DAL3 is the model to order.
The digit is the objective count, and it decides your top magnification:
- 3 objectives (EDM-MM3A-DAL3, EDM-TM3A-DAL3): 40×–400×, no oil-immersion 100× objective.
- 4 objectives (most models): 4×, 10×, 40× and 100× oil, for 40×–1000×. You need the 100× oil objective for blood films and bacteria.
- 5 objectives (iNM-B05A-iPL3, iNM-T05A-iPL3): adds a 20× position; the iNM-T05A lists 5×, 10×, 20×, 40× and 100× PLAN for 50×–1000×.
Block 3: Optics and Power
| Suffix | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| DAL3 | DIN achromatic objectives, LED | R3M-BN4A-DAL3 |
| DPL3 | DIN PLAN (flat-field) objectives, LED | R3M-BN4A-DPL3 |
| DALP | Achromatic, portable: rechargeable battery, 5 V DC base, USB cord | R3M-BN4A-DALP |
| iSL3 | Infinity semi-PLAN objectives | i4M-BN4A-iSL3 |
| iPL3 | Infinity PLAN objectives | i4M-BN4A-iPL3 |
| DPH3 | L1 inverted with 10× and 20× phase objectives, 30 W halogen | L1M-T04A-DPH3 |
PLAN objectives keep the whole field flat and in focus to the edge. That matters when you photograph slides or count across the field. Achromats are sharpest at the center of the field.
Objectives and Spares Follow the Optics
LW numbers its objectives the same way. DIN objectives carry an R3O prefix, such as R3O-040X-DADR (40× DIN achromatic) or R3O-040X-DPDR (40× DIN PLAN), and are listed for the Revelation III-A and Student PRO. Infinity objectives carry an I4O prefix, such as I4O-010X-IPDR (10× infinity PLAN) or I4O-010X-ISDR (10× infinity semi-PLAN), and are listed for the i-4 and Innovation. A DIN objective will not focus correctly on an infinity microscope, or the reverse. Our compound and stereo listings carry LW's own parts table for that model: the R3M-BN4A-DAL3 lists 23 part numbers, from the R3B-BTR7-LED3 LED base tray to the R3E-1018-WRET reticle eyepiece. Browse LW objectives by part number or heads and camera tubes.
Camera-Ready and Specialty Models
- Trinocular i-4: i4M-TN4A-iPL3 and i4M-TN4A-iSL3 have a 0.5× focusable C-mount for a camera.
- Camera combos: iNS-T4BV-iPL3 and i4S-T4BV-iSL3 ship with the BioVID 4K camera and a 13.3" monitor. BV in the part number is the camera bundle.
- Epi-fluorescence: i4S-EPB4-iPL3 (binocular) and i4S-EPT4-iPL3 (trinocular) use the LUMIN 485/510 nm FITC module with mercury-free LED. The module is also sold alone as i4P-EPiL-485N.
- Semen evaluation: i4S-SEB4-iPL3 and i4S-SET4-iPL3 with heated stage and phase contrast.
- Embryo work: Z4M-BZM7-EML3 and Z4M-TZM7-EML3 are the Z4 zoom stereo with Embryo-GLO illumination and reticle.
Stereo Suffixes Describe the Stand and Light
| Suffix | Stand and light | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 7LL3 | Pole stand, dual LED (top and bottom) | Z4M-BZM7-7LL3, DMM-S13N-7LL3 |
| EML3 | Embryo-GLO base with reticle | Z4M-TZM7-EML3 |
| PL77 | Pole stand, no light: add your own | DMM-S13N-PL77 |
| PA77 | Flex arm with C-clamp, no light | DMM-S12N-PA77, Z4M-BZM7-PA77 |
Power and Voltage
The Revelation III-A R3M-MN4A-DAL3 lists a 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz auto-switching supply, and the i-4 epi-fluorescence models list 110–240 VAC, so those part numbers run on both 115 V and 230 V mains. For field and mobile clinics, the DALP portables run on battery.
Selecting the Right LW Scientific Microscope
| If you need | Order |
|---|---|
| Teaching with an instructor view, to 1000× | EDM-TM4A-DAL3 |
| Everyday clinical or veterinary brightfield | R3M-BN4A-DAL3 |
| Flat-field DIN optics with a camera port | R3M-TN4A-DPL3 |
| Battery-powered field microscope | R3M-BN4A-DALP |
| Infinity PLAN optics with a C-mount camera port | i4M-TN4A-iPL3 |
| A 20× objective position | iNM-T05A-iPL3 |
| FITC fluorescence | i4S-EPT4-iPL3 |
| Semen analysis with heated stage | i4S-SET4-iPL3 |
| Embryo transfer and IVF stereo | Z4M-TZM7-EML3 |
| Phase-contrast inverted | L1M-T04A-DPH3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DAL3 mean in an LW Scientific microscope part number?
It marks the optics package. On the Revelation III-A and Student PRO, DAL3 models carry DIN achromatic objectives with LED illumination, as on the R3M-BN4A-DAL3. DPL3 swaps in DIN PLAN (flat-field) objectives, and DALP is the battery-powered portable build.
Is the LW Scientific EDM-TM4A-DAL3 a trinocular microscope?
No. On the Student PRO line the T stands for the dual-view teaching head: the EDM-TM4A-DAL3 is a monocular microscope with a second viewing head for an instructor. On the Revelation III-A, i-4 and Innovation lines, T is a trinocular camera head.
What is the difference between the R3M-BN4A-DAL3 and the R3M-BN4A-DPL3?
Both are binocular Revelation III-A microscopes with four objectives and 40× to 1000× magnification. The DAL3 uses DIN achromatic objectives; the DPL3 uses DIN PLAN objectives, which keep the whole field in focus edge to edge.
Can I put i-4 objectives on a Revelation III-A microscope?
No. The Revelation III-A uses DIN objectives (R3O part numbers) and the i-4 and Innovation use infinity-corrected objectives (I4O part numbers). The two optical systems are not interchangeable, so order replacement objectives from the parts list for your exact model.
Which LW Scientific microscope runs without mains power?
The Revelation III-A portable models, R3M-BN4A-DALP and R3M-TN4A-DALP, run on a rechargeable battery with a 5 V DC base and USB cord. The i-4 semen evaluation microscope i4S-SEB4-iPL3 runs on 12 V DC or a 110–220 VAC adapter.
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Ordering a specific model? Every LW Scientific microscope we list carries its full part number and LW's parts table. Browse LW Scientific → or see all microscopes →
Send the part number on your current microscope's base to support@labsupplies.com and we will match the objectives, eyepieces and bulbs that fit it.
Related Guides
- Best Laboratory Microscope by Application
- Monocular vs Binocular vs Trinocular Microscopes
- Buying Brand-Name Lab Equipment: Order by the Full Catalog Number
- Microscope Slides and Cover Glass Guide
- Best Microscope for Parasite Detection
Sources and Technical References
- DPDx — Diagnostic Procedures: Blood Specimens, Microscopic Examination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — cdc.gov
- 42 CFR 493.1252 — Standard: Test systems, equipment, instruments, reagents, materials, and supplies (CLIA) — ecfr.gov
— By the LabSupplies.com Technical Team