If you’re using an Olympus SZX10 stereo microscope and suddenly find that the zoom function is no longer working, you’re not alone. Over time, many SZX10 users encounter this issue—and the root cause is often hidden inside the microscope's zoom mechanism.

The Culprit: A Cracked Zoom Gear

Inside the SZX10, there's a small nylon gear responsible for driving the zoom. This gear attaches to the zoom spindle with a set screw. Unfortunately, due to age, repeated use, or harsh storage conditions, this gear can develop a hairline crack right where the set screw applies pressure. Once cracked, the gear can no longer grip the spindle, which means your microscope won’t zoom properly—or at all.

The Good News: It’s Repairable (And We've Got You Covered)

While this might sound like a major issue, it’s actually a relatively simple repair—if you have the right part and expertise.

Olympus has recently redesigned the zoom gear, now reinforcing the set screw area with a brass ring. This upgrade drastically reduces the chance of the gear cracking again in the future.

At Munday Scientific, we’re proud to be an authorized Olympus Evident repair station, which means:

• We stock the updated zoom gears
• Our factory-trained technicians can complete the repair quickly and correctly
• We provide shipping guides and videos to help you safely send in your microscope pod
• We’ll repair, test, repack, and ship it back fast—so you experience minimal downtime

Don’t Let a Small Part Stop Your Work

Your SZX10 is a workhorse, and a cracked gear shouldn’t sideline it for long. If your microscope has stopped zooming, let us take care of it—quickly, professionally, and using OEM Olympus parts.

Ready to get started?
Visit mundaymicroscope.com or contact our service team today to arrange a repair.