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AmScope
AmScope T490B-5MT
$630.99
Best Microscopes · head-to-head
AmScope T490B-5MT vs National Optical DC5-163
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. AmScope T490B-5MT is cheaper at $630.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
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National Optical & Scientific Instruments
National Optical DC5-163
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | AmScope T490B-5MT | National Optical DC5-163 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $630.99 | — |
| Brand | AmScope | National Optical & Scientific Instruments |
| Released | — | — |
| Max magnification | 2000 | 1000 |
| Head type | Trinocular, vertical camera mount + Siedentopf binocular mount | Binocular, 30-degree inclined, dual diopter, with 3-position beam-splitter (100% binocular / 100% camera / 70:30 split) |
| Illumination type | Halogen, brightfield, rheostat intensity control | 12V 20W halogen with variable rheostat |
| 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, rack-and-pinion focus, swing-out filter holder (clear/blue/green/yellow) |
| Camera compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Focus mechanism | Coaxial coarse and fine focus with tension control | Coaxial coarse (tension-adjustable) and fine (graduated) |
Sources — AmScope T490B-5MT: amscope.shop (verified 2026-08-01). National Optical DC5-163: homesciencetools.com (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the AmScope T490B-5MT and National Optical DC5-163?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Max magnification: AmScope T490B-5MT 2000 vs National Optical DC5-163 1000
- Head type: AmScope T490B-5MT Trinocular, vertical camera mount + Siedentopf binocular mount vs National Optical DC5-163 Binocular, 30-degree inclined, dual diopter, with 3-position beam-splitter (100% binocular / 100% camera / 70:30 split)
- Illumination type: AmScope T490B-5MT Halogen, brightfield, rheostat intensity control vs National Optical DC5-163 12V 20W halogen with variable rheostat
- Condenser type: AmScope T490B-5MT Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus vs National Optical DC5-163 Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus, swing-out filter holder (clear/blue/green/yellow)
- Focus mechanism: AmScope T490B-5MT Coaxial coarse and fine focus with tension control vs National Optical DC5-163 Coaxial coarse (tension-adjustable) and fine (graduated)