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When I first opened this gift for my nephew (to inspect for quality before I gave it to him), I couldn't see ANYTHING. However, my partner, who is a medical doctor, then helped me learn how to use it, and I can see everything beautifully now. This product has a lot of great potential, but to utilize it you will need to practice a few "ticks." I have some tips for users and tips for AmScope. Tips for Users (please read all the tips before attempting a view): 1) In order to see the prepared slides, you must begin on the *lowest* magnification, find the sample, focus the view, and then graduate to the next highest setting, repeating the find/focus process (but do not attempt this until you've read all the "tips"). You will not be able to find most samples if you start on a higher setting. 2) Do not press on, hold, or touch the viewing column (the neck of the microscope that you peer into) while focusing or viewing a slide. If you do, it will bump the lens away from what you are trying to see and you won't be able to maintain focus. The only part of the microscope you should touch is the actual focus knob. This may be tough for kids, but it's a good skill to learn. 3) If you see part of the slide, but want a fuller view, move the slide in the **opposite** direction than what it looks like you should (that is, if it looks like the slide needs to go down, move it up; same for Left vs. Right). The instruction manual doesn't mention this, but it's a very important, elementary fact that will drive you batty if you don't know it. 4) You are going to see, what appears to be, light grey, transparent dots and circles when you peer into the lens, and when you view the slides. That is OK. All microscopes have these blemishes to some extent. You will not get rid of them. However, this ***should NOT impair your ability to view and focus on each slide*** so that you see their cells, bright colors, and sharp detail. When the microscope is properly focused, these grey blotches do not block or inhibit an excellent view of the specimen (when properly focused, you don't really even notice them). But, if you are not able to focus, almost all you will see is these grey blotches. You **can** clean the lenses with alcohol to remove some external dust or grime, but no matter what there will **always** be some debris (it's a microscope: it blows everything up, including dust and water marks). So, before assuming it's a problem with the lens, make sure you get a good focus (following the steps below) and see if your view is actually blocked. It shouldn't be. My husband works with industrial grade microscopes and he says all of them have this effect, to some extent. 5) My Corn root slide is hopeless. With a lot of work, my husband was able to get a view of it, but it was barely visible even then; so, don't try that one first (you'll assume the microscope doesn't work). Try the darkest specimen and then once you have the knack of it, move to the more transparent ones. They are all BEAUTIFUL once you can get a good focus (except the corn root). Tips for AmScope: 1) Ditch the corn root sample and replace it with something larger. It is almost impossible to see. 2) Improve your instruction manual to include directions about how to focus, beginning from the lowest setting, and informing folks not to touch the viewing column. 3) Include three images in your instruction manual of what they should see with no specimen (including the grey blotches), what an unfocused specimen could look like, and what a sharp, focused image should look like. These can be grey scale, and would provide some guidance. (PS: I'm a technical writer, so let me know if you need someone to improve your instruction manuals). So, here are my version of written instructions for viewing a sample slide: 1. Place your slide under the viewer. 2. Do not touch any part of the microscope other than the focus knob while viewing your specimen. 3. Begin on the lowest magnification (300x). Adjust the slide until you see at least a shadow of the specimen in the viewer, and then slowly turn the focus knob until you can clearly see the specimen (you should be able to see some definition between cells). 4. If you see the specimen in part of your viewing circle, but want to see more, move the slide in the *opposite* direction than it appears that you should (eg: if it looks like you should move it down, move it up). 5. Once you have a clear view, you can increase your magnification to 600X. 6. Note: when you turn the lens to the next setting, your view of the specimen will change (as the lens will be lined up slightly differently). You can shift the slide again, or you can gain focus, and then move the slide. Remember not to bump or lean on the viewing column, as it will cause you to loose focus. Hope this helps.