GeoSafari Tuff Scope Review Learning Toy

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I had the opportunity to check out this GeoSafari Tuff Scope which I was really excited about. I liked the GeoSafari Talking Electron Microscope, but I was eager to see more of a traditional type microscope that my husband could also use in his classroom. I was also curious to see how it would hold up to my kids! the Tuff Scope is for ages 5+, and I know how rough kindergarteners can be!

One of the really cool features of this microscope is that you can actually detach the scope from the base and use it by itself! It was a really neat idea, but how well did it actually work? It DID work, although it’s tougher to use as a separate piece because you have to hold the scope perfectly still in the right location to study the objects very well. I had a difficult time holding still long enough. And you do have to make sure there is good lighting, but we were able to investigate our porch screen which was pretty cool!

The Tuff Scope zooms up to 400x of the original size of the object which is pretty impressive. It comes with reflective LED lighting to make it easier to view the slides. There is also a finished slide included (it’s plastic!) and two empty slides for you to create your own image. The slide included is a piece of cotton textile fiber. We also played a fun guessing game while we were making our own slides. We would tell my son what item we were going to put on the slide and ask him what his hypothesis was on what it would like. The easiest and fun thing we were able to check out was table salt! Do you know what shape table salt is under a microscope?

In the back end of the Tuff Scope is a small storage drawer which will hold all three slides included with the scope. This was a very nice feature to have!

The GeoSafari Tuff Scope by Educational Insights retails for $39.99 which I think is a very good price for this. Overall it is a really good product. We probably won’t be using it outside with the detachable scope, at least not till the kids are older, but it’s a neat option. The Tuff Scope is very sturdy and perfect for younger children. I loved not having to worry about glass slides or moveable lights. Although we were careful with our scope, it looks like it would endure quite a bit of abuse before being damaged! This would be a really great investment for an elementary classroom or homeschooling family.

This is also compatible with the GeoSafari Tuff Cam digital video camera. When used together you can actually project images onto a projector or computer screen. I haven’t been able to try this since I don’t have a Tuff Cam but it sounds like a neat idea!

Thanks to my friends over at Educational Insights one of my readers will win their own GeoSafari Tuff Scope!

Mandatory Entry:
Leave me a comment letting me know who would get this microscope if you won! 
**Please make sure you leave your email address.**
 
Optional Entries:
*Follow this blog via Google Connect (2 entries)
*Enter any of my other giveaways and let me know what you entered in. (1 entry)
*Let me know what you might use to make your own slides! (1 entry)
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I received some rocks to play with! All opinions are 100% mine. Giveaway open to US only. Giveaway ends at 8 PM EST on July 5, 2011. Winner will be chosen by www.random.org and will have 48 hours to claim prize. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook.

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237 Comments

  1. iamjusttiff says:

    I like you both on facebook (Tiff Britt), and follow you with Google (iamjusttiff). I think that I would definitely use some rocks and minerals for our fourth grade science curriculum. I'd also love to show the smallest parts of an ecosystem for our 5th grade science curriculum.

  2. This does look great! We are starting homeschooling with our 5 year old this fall for kindergarten so it would get a LOT of usage 🙂

    [email protected]

  3. I'd use just about anything to make my own slides. Probably food, bugs, rocks, etc. Exploration is the most important thing in our curriculum!

    [email protected]

  4. This would be for both of my kids. We do a virtual homeschool and this would make a great addition to our curriculum.
    mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com

  5. We would make our own slides with flowers petals, sand, dirt, grass, hair etc.
    mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com

  6. I Like Educational Insights on Facebook (Steph E.)
    mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com

  7. I follow you on GFC (Steph)
    mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com

  8. I follow you on GFC (Steph) #2
    mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com

  9. I entered the Smens Pens giveaway
    mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com

  10. Anonymous says:

    I would use it with both kids in our homeschool.

  11. I would use this with a young girl I am working with who has special learning challenges and can use some extra support in school.

  12. I like EI on FB

  13. I like Surviving… on FB

  14. I'm following via GFC!

  15. I subscribe via email!

  16. My kids would love to explore with this. Thanks for the opportunity.

  17. Fan of Educational Insight on FB.

  18. Fan of SATS on FB.

  19. My kids say they would be excited to use fingernails with this.

  20. Anonymous says:

    I would use it in my classroom!!! cmoyer0122 (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Like you and edinsights
    Casey

  21. If I was to win this awesome microscope my two girls would get it to use this year in there new schoolroom at home! tchilluffo @gmail.com

  22. I like Surviving a teachers salary on facebook! tchilluffo @gmail.com

  23. I also follow educational insights on facebook and love all the great things they post about especially the giveaways! tchilluffo @gmail.com

  24. A (Daily) Woman says:

    My two boys would get this if I won. It would be great to use for our science lesson.
    laceylong27574(at)gmail(dot)com

  25. A (Daily) Woman says:

    Like Educational Insights on FB

  26. A (Daily) Woman says:

    Like you on FB

  27. A (Daily) Woman says:

    I am a GFC follower

  28. A (Daily) Woman says:

    To make our own slides I am sure the boys will want to look at BUGS or something to do with BUGS.

  29. A (Daily) Woman says:

    I am a GFC follower entry 2

  30. A (Daily) Woman says:

    Entered the Smens Scented Pens giveaway

  31. BethElderton says:

    I'd give this to my grand kids
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

  32. BethElderton says:

    I'm a gfc friend
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

  33. BethElderton says:

    #2 gfc friend
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

  34. BethElderton says:

    I'd use everything from samples of saliva to pond water, soil samples, and vegetation to make slides.
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

  35. I would love to win this for my 8-yr old grandson who loves anything science! thanks so much for the opportunity to win:) He would be thrilled!

  36. I'm already a follower on facebook! Yeah, another entry!

  37. I follow you on Google:) I'm having trouble with blogger so including my email
    [email protected]. thanks for the opportunity to win:)

  38. If we won I'm sure my grandson would think of many things to look at with it. One of the first things would probably be a sample of the pond water in our back yard. He'd probably also try a bug or two as well as what all he could find in the kitchen cabinets. He's a very curious kid!

  39. I would love to use this in my classroom for an awesome addition to the science curriculum!

  40. I entered your Sounds Amazing giveaway!

  41. I entered your Fractions Formula giveaway

  42. I would make slides of droplets of water from various sources, the pool, a puddle after the rain and maybe slides from sand from the beach.

  43. susanlanai says:

    This would be for our niece.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  44. susanlanai says:

    She'd probably makes slides of hair.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  45. susanlanai says:

    I follow via Google Friend Connect.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  46. susanlanai says:

    I follow via Google Friend Connect 2.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  47. susanlanai says:

    I entered your Smens Pens giveaway.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  48. susanlanai says:

    I entered your Energizer Batteries giveaway.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  49. susanlanai says:

    I entered your Fractions Formula game giveaway.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  50. I would use this with my own children and also bring it to my classroom on occasion
    [email protected]

  51. "Liked" Educational Insights on FB
    Angela Wegner Myers

  52. "Like" you on FB
    Angela Wegner Myers

  53. I would actually give this to my daughter's teacher for use in her classroom. Our budgets have been cut and she's a new teacher. It's time she got some "fun" stuff for her class! [email protected]

  54. If we were to make our own slides, I'm sure it would have to be plant related. My kids are really into growing things this year! [email protected]

  55. If I won, I would give the microscope to my daughter.

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

  56. I would give it to my son
    stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

  57. I follow educational insights on fb as charline stanley
    stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

  58. I follow via GFC: abfantom entry #1

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

  59. I follow via GFC: abfantom entry #2

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

  60. I follow surviving a teachers salary on fb as charline stanley
    stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

  61. I follow gfc as stanleybilly
    stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

  62. I entered the Energizer Lithium Batteries giveaway

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

  63. I follow gfc as stanleybilly entry 2
    stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

  64. We would use bugs and things like that to make our own slides.
    stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

  65. My daughter would make her own slides of insects (She is fascinated with bugs!)

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

  66. if i won, i have 5 children who are home educated that would get to use this!
    neenee838 at gmail dot com

  67. i liked them on fb

  68. i liked you ob fb

  69. i think it would be neat to use some skin cells to make a slide

  70. gfc follower

  71. Brent Sims says:

    I'd give this to my great grandson Anthony. It would knock his socks off!

    brntsims at gmail dot com

  72. Brent Sims says:

    I liked Educational Insights on Facebook. I'm Brent Sims on Facebook.

    brntsims at gmail dot com

  73. Brent Sims says:

    I liked Surviving a Teachers Salary on Facebook. I'm Brent Sims on Facebook,

    brntsims at gmail dot com

  74. Rebecca Graham says:

    I would give this to my nephew.

    rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

  75. I would give it to my son if I won.

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

  76. I am a GFC follower. (Anja M.) #1

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

  77. I am a GFC follower. (Anja M.) #2

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

  78. I entered the "Smens Pens" giveaway.

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

  79. I entered the "Energizer" giveaway.

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

  80. I entered the "Fractions Formula Game" giveaway.

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

  81. I entered the "Sounds Amazing Bilingual System" giveaway.

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

  82. Keys4Education says:

    If I win, I will create a science center in my classroom for the kiddos to explore. 🙂

    jennkeys @ gmail . com

  83. Keys4Education says:

    If I win, I would make slides using materials to accompany the alphabet. Example: C / Cotton 🙂

  84. Keys4Education says:

    I entered the smencils giveaway 🙂

  85. Keys4Education says:

    I entered the Dinosaur Flap Book giveaway

  86. Keys4Education says:

    I follow you on Google Connect

  87. Keys4Education says:

    I follow you on Google Connect

  88. Keys4Education says:

    I entered the "Sounds Amazing Bilingual System" giveaway

  89. This would be for my daughter who is very interested in science and insects. Thanks for the chance.

    mia at jacobsracing dot com

  90. I like Educational Insights on Facebook.

    mia at jacobsracing dot com

  91. I think we would start out making slides of flowers or leaves and then might move on to insects.

    mia at jacobsracing dot com

  92. It would be my grandson who got it. We like to go on nature walks together and this would be great.
    iridia718 at gmail dot com

  93. My daughter loves science, so this would go to her!

  94. I "like" Educational Insights on Facebook as Heidi@TextbookMommy

  95. I "like" Surviving A Teachers Salary on Facebook as Heidi@TextbookMommy

  96. Mom2anutball says:

    This would be for my daughter if I won!
    Thanks!

    fineinsanity (at) live (dot) com

  97. Mom2anutball says:

    Educational Insights Facebook fan! (Sheila Hickmon)

    fineinsanity (at) live (dot) com

  98. Mom2anutball says:

    I'm your Facebook fan! (Sheila Hickmon)

    fineinsanity (at) live (dot) com

  99. Mom2anutball says:

    GFC follower (mom2anutball)
    #1
    fineinsanity (at) live (dot) com

  100. Mom2anutball says:

    GFC follower (mom2anutball)
    #2
    fineinsanity (at) live (dot) com

  101. Mom2anutball says:

    I entered your Smens Gourmet Scented Pens giveaway!

    fineinsanity (at) live (dot) com

  102. This microscope would be perfect for my sons up coming birthday.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  103. I am a fan of Educational Insights via Facebook as Jill Myrick.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  104. I am following via GFC as Jill Myrick.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  105. I am following via GFC as Jill Myrick #2.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  106. I am a fan via Facebook as Jill Myrick.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  107. I would give it to my grandson, he would love it!
    mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

  108. I follow you on GFC(LInda G)
    mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

  109. I follow you on GFC(LInda G) entry #2
    mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

  110. mrsmgreen says:

    I like ed. insights on facebook. m.melissagreen at gmail.com

  111. mrsmgreen says:

    I would mostly use this in my first grade classroom, but my two girls would love it as well. we'd find all kinds of things to look at. It would be great for my first grade science studies. m.melissagreen at gmail.com

  112. mrsmgreen says:

    I like surviving teachers salary on facebook. m.melissagreen at gmail.com

  113. mrsmgreen says:

    I have entered the smens giveaway. m.melissagreen at gmail.com

  114. mrsmgreen says:

    We would probably start with plant matter under the scope. I'd love to do some pond and river water and I'm sure we'd end up with some insects too.

  115. My kids!

  116. If I was the lucky winner I would give it to my daughter. She and my hubby would have tons of fun with it! Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  117. I like Educational Insights on Facebook (Erin E)
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  118. I like you on Facebook (Erin E)
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  119. I follow you via Google Friend Connect (Sewmuchstuff).
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  120. I follow you via Google Friend Connect (Sewmuchstuff).
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  121. I would use things discovered in our backyard for slides, such as rain water, plants, and bugs. sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  122. rsbryswrrl says:

    I think my five year-old son would use this with my husband, who works in a lab and would love to show my son how to use it.

    rsbryswrrl at gmail dot com

  123. Anonymous says:

    This microscope would be put to use in my classroom for sure! I teach pre-k, so it is slightly below the recommended age level, so it would definitely be an adult supervised activity!

    Jennifer
    jweeren (at) yahoo (dot) com

  124. Anonymous says:

    I like educational insights on fb.

    Jennifer
    jweeren (at) yahoo (dot) com

  125. Anonymous says:

    I follow your blog on fb.

    Jennifer
    jweeren (at) yahoo (dot) com

  126. Anonymous says:

    I also entered the dinosaur train giveaway and the battery giveaway.

    Jennifer
    jweeren (at) yahoo (dot) com

  127. Anonymous says:

    I think I would like to use very thin slices of different vegetables to make my own slides – celery, carrot, etc.

    Jennifer
    jweeren (at) yahoo (dot) com

  128. I will give this to my son who loves science!
    katiekarr at gmail dot com

  129. My 6 year old nephew would get this microscope.
    gmail: sweetsteakwinner78

  130. Liked educational insights on facebook
    gmail : sweetsteakwinner78

  131. I follow Surviving a Teachers Salary on facebook

  132. I follow on GFC entry #1
    gmail : sweetsteakwinner78

  133. i follow on GFC entry #2
    gmail: sweetsteakwinner78

  134. It would be for my daughter who's been wanting one 🙂
    My email is in my profile.

  135. I'm a GFC follower.

  136. I'm a GFC follower. 2

  137. I'm sure one of the first things would be plants from outside.

  138. I entered the Smens Gourmet Scented Pens Giveaway.

  139. Hippie4ever says:

    It would be for my son. silenttributary at yahoo dot com

  140. Hippie4ever says:

    following with GFC silenttributary at yahoo dot com

  141. Hippie4ever says:

    2 following with GFC silenttributary at yahoo dot com

  142. Hippie4ever says:

    Like Educational Insights on fb Hippiefourever Mum
    silenttributary at yahoo dot com

  143. Hippie4ever says:

    entered fraction Formula silenttributary at yahoo dot com

  144. Our inquisitive son would love to have this scope!

    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  145. like them fb
    rich hicks
    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  146. like you fb
    rich hicks
    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  147. follow you gfc 1
    ardy22
    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  148. follow you gfc 2
    ardy22
    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  149. Might make some slides from leaves of stuff we are growing in the garden.

    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  150. entered Fraction Formula game by Educational Insights- Review and Giveaway

    ardy22
    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

  151. Anonymous says:

    I like Educational Insights on FB.
    Please, please, please pick me.
    Thanks.

    Debra
    [email protected]

  152. Anonymous says:

    I also like Surviving a Teachers Salary on FB.
    Oh, please, please, please pick me.
    Thanks.

    Debra
    [email protected]

  153. kathy pease says:

    id love this for my son jordan
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

  154. kathy pease says:

    like ei on facebook kathy l pease
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

  155. kathy pease says:

    like you on facebook kathy l pease
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

  156. kathy pease says:

    1 google friend klp1965
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

  157. kathy pease says:

    2 google friend klp1965
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

  158. kathy pease says:

    entered Smens Gourmet Scented Pens Giveaway

  159. I liked you and ed insights on fb. I entered the Scented Pens giveaway as well. If I won this I would give it to my nephew..the budding [email protected]

  160. susansmoaks says:

    if i won, this would be for our daughter
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

  161. I would get this for my 3 boys! They would have so much fun with this and hopefully learn a lot too.

    ecarian at yahood dot com

  162. I entered the Fractions Forumula giveaway.

    ecarian at yahoo dot com

  163. I liked educational insights on Facebook.

    ecarian at yahoo dot com

  164. Salt was always my favorite thing to look through on a microscope, so I would start with that for our slides (as well as other things).

    ecarian at yahoo dot com

  165. /\Heather/\ says:

    My kinder would get this should I win.
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

  166. My son would love this.

  167. liked you on FB

  168. following on GFC

  169. /\Heather/\ says:

    I like Educational Insights on Facebook
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

  170. /\Heather/\ says:

    1 I follow via gfc as /\Heather/\
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

  171. /\Heather/\ says:

    2 I follow via gfc as /\Heather/\
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

  172. /\Heather/\ says:

    I entered the Smens giveaway.
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

  173. /\Heather/\ says:

    I have a few ideas for slides: onion skin, flea, grass, paper, etc.
    heatherpooh (hotmail)

  174. I would give this to my son if I won He would love it
    talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

  175. I like Educational Insights on Facebook
    Danetta Young
    talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

  176. I like Surviving a Teachers Salary on Facebook
    Danetta Young
    talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

  177. I am following on Google Friend Connect
    talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

  178. 2
    I am following on Google Friend Connect
    talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

  179. We would most likely make our own slides with things like leaves, hair, grass, flowers, sand, and paper.
    talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

  180. My kids would get this microscope if I win

  181. I Follow this blog via Google Connect 1

  182. I Follow this blog via Google Connect 2

  183. Anonymous says:

    This would be for my 5 year old who is really into science and would love this. wilcarvic
    [at]gmail[dot[com]]

  184. Anonymous says:

    We would use bugs, dirt, leaves, pond water etc. She is real interested with the outdoors. wilcarvic
    [at]gmail[dot[com]]

  185. Anonymous says:

    entered smens contest wilcarvic
    [at]gmail[dot[com]]

  186. If I won, i'd give it to my 8 yr old daughter. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up. She has consistently said this since she was 2!
    [email protected]

  187. For my oldest (8), a drop of Mommy's blood would be very interesting to look at under the scope. For my younger ones, maybe a piece of grass, a leaf or something similar.
    [email protected]

  188. I would give it too my daughter

    mckenziesmom1(at)hotmail(dot)com

  189. liked educational insights on fb

    mckenziesmom1(at)hotmail(dot)com

  190. liked surviving on a teachers salary on fb

    mckenziesmom1(at)hotmail(dot)com

  191. follow via gfc 1
    mckenziesmom1(at)hotmail(dot)com

  192. follow via gfc 2
    mckenziesmom1(at)hotmail(dot)com

  193. susanlanai says:

    I entered your Sounds Amazing Bilingual System giveaway.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  194. susanlanai says:

    I entered your Dinosaur Train Book giveaway.
    susaaan at gmail dot com

  195. tina reynolds says:

    I follow via gfc

  196. Mrs. Polston says:

    I would use this with my kinder class at school. Won't they have fun seeing things up close like this.
    Elizabeth
    [email protected]

  197. Mrs. Polston says:

    I would use it to make slides of plant parts for our 6 week plant unit.
    Elizabeth
    [email protected]

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