Want to buy a microscope

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Want to buy a microscope

Posted: 3/29/2015 9:36:21 AM EDT

I want to buy a low cost microscope just to look at random shit up close. I was checking eBay and many used microscopes are available for less than $100. Any recommendations for me, or are there any pitfalls I should look out for? Thanks, ARF!

Posted: 3/29/2015 9:37:41 AM EDT

[#1]

Is this a decent one?http://m.ebay.com/itm/111632460000?nav=SEARCH

Posted: 3/29/2015 4:40:32 PM EDT

[#2]

Get a stereo scope.

They work a lot better as reflection scopes.

A transmission scope is a PITA to light at any but the lowest power.
The clearance is tight as can be from the lens front to the object.

Posted: 3/30/2015 8:34:33 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:

Get a stereo scope.

They work a lot better as reflection scopes.

A transmission scope is a PITA to light at any but the lowest power.

The clearance is tight as can be from the lens front to the object.

View Quote

Yup. Microscopes made for looking at slides in HS Bio are not good for looking at random shit. They can be great for prepared slides but if you don't have a thin sample that light can move through they're pretty much useless.

Posted: 3/30/2015 8:39:18 PM EDT

[#4]

I did a small amount of research, and determined that the $100 microscopes are not really better than the $50 child's toy microscopes. I ended up spending just over $150 for a more study one to use for my animals.

Posted: 4/3/2015 2:50:16 AM EDT

[#5]

A binocular inspection scope is a great thing to have and use. They usually top out at about 60X but they are zoom-able, so you can tailor the magnification as you go - low power to find what you want to see, high power to see the selected feature up close.

They are not usually used as a transmission scope, so get a light source - coaxial or external.

The base is a reasonably important feature.

Something like this -

Posted: 4/5/2015 11:07:58 AM EDT

[#6]

Thanks guys!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Want to buy a microscope

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