# National Optical DC5-163 vs Bresser Erudit DLX 40x-1000x: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the National Optical DC5-163 (National Optical & Scientific Instruments) and Bresser Erudit DLX 40x-1000x (Bresser) among microscopes.

## Side by side

| Spec | National Optical DC5-163 | Bresser Erudit DLX 40x-1000x |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | not published | not published |
| Brand | National Optical & Scientific Instruments | Bresser |
| Max magnification | 1000 | 1000 |
| Head type | Binocular, 30-degree inclined, dual diopter, with 3-position beam-splitter (100% binocular / 100% camera / 70:30 split) | Monocular, 360-degree rotatable |
| Illumination type | 12V 20W halogen with variable rheostat | LED with integrated dimmer |
| Objective count | 4 | 4 |
| Mechanical stage | Yes | Yes |
| Condenser type | Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus, swing-out filter holder (clear/blue/green/yellow) | Abbe, height-adjustable, field diaphragm, filter holder |
| Camera compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Focus mechanism | Coaxial coarse (tension-adjustable) and fine (graduated) | Coaxial coarse and fine focusing drive |

## Key differences

- Head type: National Optical DC5-163 Binocular, 30-degree inclined, dual diopter, with 3-position beam-splitter (100% binocular / 100% camera / 70:30 split) vs Bresser Erudit DLX 40x-1000x Monocular, 360-degree rotatable
- Illumination type: National Optical DC5-163 12V 20W halogen with variable rheostat vs Bresser Erudit DLX 40x-1000x LED with integrated dimmer
- Condenser type: National Optical DC5-163 Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus, swing-out filter holder (clear/blue/green/yellow) vs Bresser Erudit DLX 40x-1000x Abbe, height-adjustable, field diaphragm, filter holder
- Focus mechanism: National Optical DC5-163 Coaxial coarse (tension-adjustable) and fine (graduated) vs Bresser Erudit DLX 40x-1000x Coaxial coarse and fine focusing drive

## Sources

- National Optical DC5-163: https://www.homesciencetools.com/content/reference/MI-163DC5.pdf (homesciencetools.com, verified 2026-08-01)
- Bresser Erudit DLX 40x-1000x: https://www.bresser.com/p/bresser-erudit-dlx-40-1000x-microscope-5102000 (bresser.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/microscopes/national-optical-dc5-163-vs-bresser-erudit-dlx/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, National Optical DC5-163 (not published) vs Bresser Erudit DLX 40x-1000x (not published) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/microscopes/national-optical-dc5-163-vs-bresser-erudit-dlx/
License: CC BY 4.0.