Selecting a microscope

[mcarroll]

(Ed: You can start with post #66 if you want to see what I picked for my first scope.)
40X-2500X LED Trinocular Compound Microscope w 3D Two-Layer Mechanical Stage

$225 (on sale) seems like a great price. And it seems to have all the necessary features.

But they have so many similar models for "just a little more"....are any of them worth it or will this scope make me happy enough?

I wanna look at everything cool...from pods on down.

Anyone have cheaper/better/different scopes to recommend?

 

[jboone82590]

I have always wondered the same thing. Thanks for posting.

 

[brett_schn]

I have an amscope I believe. I love it.

 

[mcarroll]

I have an amscope I believe. I love it.

What model do you have?

 

[brett_schn]

What model do you have?

No clue. It was a gift a few years ago. I'll check and I'll post picture of mine in a minute

 

[brett_schn]

Ft my bed lol

The eye piece isn't in ATM

 

[mcarroll]

Ah, the legendary M158C!!! (Pic #1.) They still sell that one – very economical!

I'll have to check out the details and see how it compares to anything else. I know they still sell that basic design.

Seems like yours has all the basics save the highest magnification. I wonder about the necessity of higher mag, but I presume they make 2500x scopes for some reason.

Ever miss having a fine focus control or mechanical stage or top light? ...or anything?

 

[jboone82590]

This one looks cool.

 

[Ghxst]

I have the b160? Works as well as the 2k ones in lab on campus. I'll warn you, once you see all the things in your tank, you cannot unsee them. I now use gloves anytime I'm in or around my tank.

 

[mcarroll]

I have the b160? Works as well as the 2k ones in lab on campus. I'll warn you, once you see all the things in your tank, you cannot unsee them. I now use gloves anytime I'm in or around my tank.

Which one specifically? The B-series looks like it comes in binocular form and with high end lenses (and maybe more) but I don't see a model 160.

Maybe the M160B like this?
40X-800X Top Bottom Lights Glass Lens Metal Frame Student Microscope + Slide Kit

 

[brett_schn]

I have used some high quality micros before and I honestly wouldn't care about the difference they have. Mine is bright enough clear enough and it's magnified enough for me.

 

[BCSreef]

Ah, the legendary M158C!!! (Pic #1.) They still sell that one – very economical!

I'll have to check out the details and see how it compares to anything else. I know they still sell that basic design.

Seems like yours has all the basics save the highest magnification. I wonder about the necessity of higher mag, but I presume they make 2500x scopes for some reason.

Ever miss having a fine focus control or mechanical stage or top light? ...or anything?

We had a discussion a few months ago here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/help-purchasing-a-microscope.298297/

I think 2,500X is mostly a gimmick. You won't see any additional detail much above about 1,000X using "white" light.

Hope that Helps,

Bob

 

[mcarroll]

Did see it hidden in the chemistry forum....LOL. (You can't see chemistry in a microscope, can you????)

Checking...

 

[Ghxst]

I misspoke it's b120b.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009...cope+b120b&dpPl=1&dpID=51nal-Oml4L&ref=plSrch

 

[BCSreef]

Did see it hidden in the chemistry forum....LOL. (You can't see chemistry in a microscope, can you????)

Checking...

Now that I think about it, it was an odd place to post it! No, you can't see chemistry with a microscope

 

[mcarroll]

Love this feedback!!!

Dang @Ghxst that's even cheaper than the scope I had selected....lacking trinocular port, but that doesn't prevent photos, and it looks like it's from one of the higher end lines if I'm getting AmScope's marketing.

Hm.

Thanks for that thread @Bob Stohrer!

Interestingly I've heard "no need for >400x" before but like the ">2500x is a must" and "40-80x is fine" it's usually without enough context for me to understand why.

I've used a standard "low-power" scope (binocular, "dissecting") and they are easier by far, but isn't 80x limiting for ID of things like dinoflagellates. I'd like to be able to differentiate between (e.g.) ostreopsis and symbiodinium.

Would anyone recommend going with cheaper scopes so that a low power scope AND a compound scope could be afforded?

 

[BCSreef]

I have both a dissecting and a 1,000 X compound. Both research grade and both free after my company downsized. Both are old. The compound is a 40+ year old brass Zeiss. Weighs a ton but still works.

I use the dissecting scope the most. I don't think you'll be able to ID Dinos at 80X. You'll need more power for sure. I would go with a 1,000 X, 10X binocular eyepieces and 100X objective along with 2 or 3 lower power objectives. If you can afford it, a third tube for photos, phase contrast is nice for wet mounts and the mechanical stage is nice at higher powers.

I wouldn't "recommend going with cheaper scopes so that a low power scope AND a compound scope". If I could only get one, I would get the compound scope.

 

[mcarroll]

To be specific (and honest), I'm having trouble justifying >$200 for the budget, but I think I could hit $250 if needed. I'd love to be happy spending <$100 if possible.

I could hypothetically spend that $200-$250 on...

A) The trinocular T250C at $225 – A brand-new model, but apparently a "low end" trinocular??
B) A binocular scope like the B120B for as little as $185?
C) A "low end" low-power binocular scope like the $58 SE100ZZ-LED and a "low end" compound scope like the M162C for as little as $68 with a package?

$130 for TWO SCOPES sounds pretty sweet, but unless I'm mistaken these are all sorta low end options. (But look acceptable to me!!!)

D) Would I be better off with a M500 M600 or M620? With or without a kit I can get one of those for around $200+. At that price a 1.3MP camera is included. Magnification can be up to 2500x. Single-viewing seems like a bummer, but are these scopes so much better that it would be worth it?

 

[mcarroll]

@Jolanta I've seen your pics on the dino thread....any thoughts on what scopes might be better or worse? Or any other thoughts?

For what it's worth....

I'm planning to take my pics with a phone cam.....I've heard varying reports that this is just as good or better than a builtin cam.

I'm also on a Mac, which seems to mean very little software support for manufacturer cameras....

(thinking of who else to tag in here...)

 

[brett_schn]

@Jolanta I've seen your pics on the dino thread....any thoughts on what scopes might be better or worse? Or any other thoughts?

For what it's worth....

I'm planning to take my pics with a phone cam.....I've heard varying reports that this is just as good or better than a builtin cam.

I'm also on a Mac, which seems to mean very little software support for manufacturer cameras....

(thinking of who else to tag in here...)

Boot camp ur max. That's what broadfield and I do