Best affordable microscope

[Idoc]

I purchased a $39.95 Amscope and it was terrible! I could make out Dinos on my slide, but the image quality was very poor and smeared. I returned it and picked up a higher level Amscope that is excellent for what we are looking at everyday in our tanks. It uses glass optics and has fine/coarse tuning adjustments. It was only $89 on Amazon. He's the link...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AM5XB5O/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can easily hold my phone over my eyepiece and get excellent videos/pics...but, the digital screen on those listed earlier in this thread would be helpful. Just wanted to show a decent lower cost option for those wanting to quickly see what they are dealing with in their tanks!

Just played with my Amscope M150C... here's some pics I just took through the eyepiece with my phone... just to give an idea of the quality. And yes, I'm not happy to see so many dinos in my tank, ugggh.

I would like to find a phone holder that attaches to this eyepiece though... you do have to have a steady hand to get pics and videos.

 

[Reefahholic]

What magnification is that?

 

[Reefahholic]

There’s a lot of cell phone adapters out there. Trying to pick a good one is the hard part.

Cellphone adapter we use is made by carson. It's the Hookupz 2.0. We use a variety of phones, including iPhones and Samsung S series. The iPhones tended to need to have protective cases removed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LCHLDWS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_-2slCbZRN6610
The lenses are Labomed LP series and can be found new on Ebay

 

[powers2001]

I know I am joining the conversation late but would anybody pay $50 for something like this? https://www.aquaristikshop.com/aquaristic/Aqua-Medic-microscope-Pocket-Microscope/368011/

 

[Chilli]

No

 

[nycfishy]

Check this out
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foldscope
I have about 20 of these I got from investing in a kickstarter project a few years back. Was going to use them as part of a cub scout project but it would have been too hard for little kids to put together and use.
I should dig one out and try it on some tank samples....but being paper it will be pretty limited uses.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/foldscope/foldscope-the-origami-paper-microscope

 

[Sashaka]

My two tops picks at the moment.

AmScope T450C 40X-2500X LED Siedentopf Trinocular Compound Microscope w/3D Mechanical Stage https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0197JMZMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-PUkCb8XHKM5C

OMAX 40X-2500X Trinocular Biological Compound Microscope with Replaceable LED Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SGCE7O4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yQUkCbA682GJ4

@Trickman2, I just ordered the OMAX 40X-2000X. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0094JTZOU/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 .

After looking up your 2 picks, I found the kit version of OMAX that comes with a few starter supplies. Thanks for pointing me in this direction! I primarily want to identify the bugs and bacteria in my tank, so I think this model will be sufficient. I can always take a sample to my local school if I need an id with a different type of scope. I'll have to let you know how I like the OMAX since you went with the AmScope.

I also picked up the 5mm Thick Microscope Slide Double Concave, Deep Well For Aquatic Specimens on amazon that you purchased. Thank you for sharing. I would not have thought to look for this item.

Cellphone adapter

Finally, I picked up the cellphone adapter recommended by @cmcoker. Thanks cmcoker!

I have been wanting to buy a microscope for some time - over a year - but I became overwhelmed with the many choices and just stopped looking. Reading these posts finally helped me make a decision.
Thank you everyone for sharing your ideas and knowledge!

BTW @Trickman2, how do you like the AmScope you purchased? Any regrets about the model you selected? Would you add or delete any features if you had to do it over again?

 

[ckalupa]

So don’t laugh but at the advice of another thread on here, and after a couple other options including a defective Celestron that was a couple hundred bucks (all three others went back)

https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-100X...r+100-1200&dpPl=1&dpID=51MUQwp8ajL&ref=plSrch



I bought this cheap one and it works better than the others and at 1200 can see Dino’s (ya, unfortunately). Like $12.00

 

[Sashaka]

So don’t laugh...I bought this cheap one and it works better than the others and at 1200 can see Dino’s (ya, unfortunately). Like $12.00

Laugh? I'm crying! I just dropped several hundred dollars on the model and extra supplies I bought. It came in today. I have to take it to school and ask the science teacher (a colleague) to check it out for me because it didn't come with any directions. How embarrassing! Blush. I might have avoided showing my ignorance of using a microscope had I bought the children's model you picked up. LOL

 

[JaimeAdams]

bump. I'm in the market for a $300 ish scope to identify fish disease/parasites.

 

[Sashaka]

OMAX 40X-2000X

Update...

Posted below are a few pics taken with the new microscope to give people a comparison of how well this microscope works. I am still learning how to take good pictures, so be kind. LOL The pictures attached identify the plague in my tank as Spirulina and start with the lowest magnification moving to the highest. None of the samples were taken with stain added. The first picture is what the plague in my tank looks like with the naked eye. The last picture is of a critter I have yet to identify...a dino? maybe plankton because of the little horns? Of course there is always the chance that the horns are really just algae behind the bug and they just look attached to it. LOL

Anyway... On with the review: I really appreciate the many features to focus and fine tune this microscope. I can move the slide table back and forth, up and down, diffuse the LED light, ramp up or down the LED brightness, move the light up and down, and swivel the duel eye pieces. The microscope seems well built, sturdy, and came with starter supplies. I am happy with my choice.

 

[MrsBugmaster]

I have been looking at getting a microscope. I have narrowed it to these two. Which one of these two would you recommend and why?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SGCE7O...ZT&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it#customerReviews
or

https://www.amazon.com/40X-2000X-Tr...&sprefix=amscope+T490,aps,161&sr=8-3-fkmrnull

 

[powers2001]

I know it’s not much of a microscope but for $50 US it will serve a purpose.

 

[powers2001]

This eyepiece is universal fit for sizes 20mm to 43mm. When you get a new microscope no need to get a new eyepiece camera. $39. DM200 JuniorCam 2.0MP Color Digital Microscope Eyepiece Camera

 

[Gareth elliott]

I have been looking at getting a microscope. I have narrowed it to these two. Which one of these two would you recommend and why?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SGCE7O...ZT&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it#customerReviews
or

https://www.amazon.com/40X-2000X-Tr...&sprefix=amscope+T490,aps,161&sr=8-3-fkmrnull

Second one has fine and course focusing.

 

[powers2001]

Think I finally found what I’m looking for.

 

[MrsBugmaster]

Second one has fine and course focusing.

I think they both do.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I think they both do.

Maybe someone with better knowledge of microscopes will chime in :/

 

[Gareth elliott]

So wanted to share this as i was looking for a replacement for my toy scope that didnt require me to pass by the other half.

Now the picture quality of the included camera is not the greatest but enough detail for ID.
Cost me $65 with shipping
Zeny 40x-1000x with usb microscope

 

[MrsBugmaster]

I bought the amscope T490B-LED. Will be here next week.