Microscope

Wondering what people are useing microscope wise. I am looking to get one. I would like one that can connect to the computer and is a reasonable price. Let me know what you have and what you like or dont like about it. Not looking to spend millions here. 

I have the OMAX 40X-1600X Digital Lab LED Binocular Compound Microscope with Double Layer Mechanical Stage and 1.3MP USB Digital Camera that I got off of amazon and I really like it.  The LED light burned out/stopped working earlier than I would have expected, but I put the microscope on a tupperware "stand" and put a more powerful light under it and think it's the better for it.  The camera adapter is great, I think, but I haven't had any other kinds so I don't really have anything to compare it to...  It was about $230.
 

Funny you posted this, I have been looking at the same thing. I had saved a page open to look through these in more detail but they seem to be a good deal. Not sure if the "sale" price is an always on sale ploy or is a real sale. There are many pages and options from mono, bi, and tri-nocular to various camera options. Perhaps a lab or life science guru can comment on the quality.

http://www.amscope.com/student.html

What are anyone's thoughts on having a low power dissecting scope (10x, 40x, 60x, etc) instead of a high power 300x and up one? Wondering if those higher magnifications are even useful. I know they aren't on my current one but it's a toy basically.

I would love a lower power one as well.  I like the option of being able to use the higher magnifications for some of my culture stuff, but for the majority of things I am looking at, I always use the lowest magnification possible and it is often not low enough.  I would love a 10x option...

Yeah, lower power dissecting microscopes are generally more useful for the things fish breeders want to look at, and yet, the 40x - 100x of a compound microscope is also very useful from time to time.  I find I never have a use for the 400x - 1000x, and 1000x needs to be used with oil immersion, and with cheaper scopes, the 1000x is basically worthless even when used correctly due to the poor optics and inadequate light source options.

Looks like this may be the most useful one for me.

http://www.amscope.com/se303-pz-e1.html

Nice, I am looking for one that could do measurements as well. Or is this computer programs?
 

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Celestron 44302 Deluxe Handheld Digital Microscope 2MP? It's available on Amazon for $40 and the software allows measuring.
 
John

I have the Celestron 44340. It works great for smaller things like rotifers, copepod, and small larvae. Not so well for larger larvae. Capturing pics and video is easy and viewing the the LCD screen is easier on the eyes than looking through an eyepiece.

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

+1 to tal's statement on the Celestron, also on the bigger things, like larger larvae for instance, I use this: http://www.amazon.com/Det...ords=iphone+macro+lens If you have a smart-phone with mildly good picture quality, it gives you good results, I use it on all my larvae pics and I love it (and its only $4!)

Not to mention bench stability when talking about the higher powers.

Hey guys, check out Amazon.com for your microscopes - good pricing.  I checked out all the ones listed in this thread.  USA prices are awesome, Amazon.ca - almost double the price.  *grumble*

Don't let fear and common sense stop you! =]

Sounds like an easy way to pay for the MBI conference trip. Buy a scope, get the trip
for free! I am sure there is a US address that would volunteer to receive and hold it for you.

 
Well, I don't know about free - but yeah, that's an idea!

Don't let fear and common sense stop you! =]

Well, my Celestron 44340 is no longer working. When I turned it on several weeks ago the screen showed only horizontal lines for a while. After turning it on and off a few times it was OK. A week later it would turn on but then turn off by itself. Now it won't turn on at all. Has anyone encountered this problem?
 
 

http://www.fishtalpropagations.com/#!home/mainPage
"Making captive breeding easier."

 
Did you end up buying this one? If so, does it do what you want it to do?

No I haven't. I need to get a scope soon though.

Do you still think something like the one you linked to previously would meet your needs?
 
I am also looking to buy a scope but am unsure of exactly what is best.
 
The general consensus seems to point towards something covering the 10x to 80x range, or as much of that as possible - agree?

I have the Celestron 44302, and I'm not able to focus up real close. This is the best I can do thus far. Please tell me those are rotifers and not something else.
http://www.amazon.com/Cel...s=celestron+microscope

Can't tell from that pic. Does it take video? Even if not in very good focus we can tell from movement. For me they move like old school bumper cars.

It does but it so damn hard to get a decent picture. I have rotifers coming tomorrow from reed. So ill look at those under the same scope to compare.

I am fairly certain they are rotifers - the general shape and colour looks correct.

A very timely thread, I have an older student scope, and past time to replace it. I would like the computer capability, a bi not mono eyepiece, and real magnification to clearly ID small copepods.  I checked several of the companys that sell to schools but they are for sure geared to school prices, NOT my wallet. Amazon seems like the better option right now.
 
If I find a good link I will post it.
 

Jake
We are all in this together

returning the Celestron. The 40x zoom doesn't work, the SD card was bad. I think I need a disecting microscope for less magnification.

Here is the one I found on Amazon, I know several people who have an older model. Its a bummer the zoom not working. I like this because you have the option of not using the monitor and just the scope.
 

OMAX 40X-2000X Digital Lab LED Binocular Compound Microscope with Built-in 1.3MP USB Camera and Double Layer Mechanical Stage by OMAX

In stock on March 1, 2015

Eligible for FREE Shipping    

$289.99
 
 
 

Jake
We are all in this together

I went with this one. https://www.amazon.com/gp..._s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Amazon returns are easy if it's defective.