# AmScope T490B-5MT vs Celestron LABS CM2000CF: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the AmScope T490B-5MT (AmScope) and Celestron LABS CM2000CF (Celestron) among microscopes. Celestron LABS CM2000CF is the cheaper of the two at $315.

## Side by side

| Spec | AmScope T490B-5MT | Celestron LABS CM2000CF |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $630.99 | $315 |
| Brand | AmScope | Celestron |
| Max magnification | 2000 | 2000 |
| Head type | Trinocular, vertical camera mount + Siedentopf binocular mount | Monocular, 360-degree rotatable, 45-degree incline |
| Illumination type | Halogen, brightfield, rheostat intensity control | Halogen, variable intensity dial |
| Objective count | 4 | 4 |
| Mechanical stage | Yes | Yes |
| Condenser type | Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus | Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm |
| Camera compatible | Yes | — |
| Focus mechanism | Coaxial coarse and fine focus with tension control | Rack and pinion, separate coarse/fine dials, 0.1mm travel per rotation |

## Key differences

- Head type: AmScope T490B-5MT Trinocular, vertical camera mount + Siedentopf binocular mount vs Celestron LABS CM2000CF Monocular, 360-degree rotatable, 45-degree incline
- Illumination type: AmScope T490B-5MT Halogen, brightfield, rheostat intensity control vs Celestron LABS CM2000CF Halogen, variable intensity dial
- Condenser type: AmScope T490B-5MT Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus vs Celestron LABS CM2000CF Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm
- Focus mechanism: AmScope T490B-5MT Coaxial coarse and fine focus with tension control vs Celestron LABS CM2000CF Rack and pinion, separate coarse/fine dials, 0.1mm travel per rotation

## Sources

- AmScope T490B-5MT: https://amscope.shop/products/amscope-t490b-5mt-digital-compound-trinocular-microscope-wf1-b004t6q852 (amscope.shop, verified 2026-08-01)
- Celestron LABS CM2000CF: https://kwtelescope.com/cm2000cf-compound-microscope/ (kwtelescope.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/microscopes/amscope-t490b-5mt-vs-celestron-labs-cm2000cf/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, AmScope T490B-5MT ($630.99) vs Celestron LABS CM2000CF ($315) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/microscopes/amscope-t490b-5mt-vs-celestron-labs-cm2000cf/
License: CC BY 4.0.