Microscopes

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by hotspur

I just bought a metal detector and some fishing gear.

Find shipwrecks

Sorry, could not resist, I'm an old scuba diver. This was once seriously discussed by us in about 1976.

Cheers

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by GeoffW1

Hi,

You can find out ANYTHING here.

I'm serious for once

Good stuff. also

Cheers

It's all true I tell's ya Geoff!!!!
First pic is the good ol' BH2
Second pic is the one I sit down at on a daily basis...The mighty BX45 - Mwehhhh!!!

[stephenb (Stephen)]

The following is my opinion only:

I would recommend the Wedmore SP range of microscopes: http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/s...icroscope.html

I have owned the Wedmore SP3 and SP14.

From the UK - good quality, accessories are interchangeable, service and support are excellent. They are good "hobby" instruments, definately not toys, but also not high-grade professional microscopes - you don't need that level of instrument.

I researched for 12 months for the most appropriate instrument. Forget the Astro shops - they sell junk and over priced. Be wary of the EBay microscopes - also mostly junk. Unless you plan to cure cancer or AIDS, forget all the high grade professional instruments - waste of money.

The only Australian supplier I would remotely recommend is http://aunet.com.au/digital_microscope.htm

In the end I chose the Wedmore range.

Stephen.

[dannat (Daniel)]

stereo scopes are expensive, & for 300 you would need to go secondhand to get a decent one -sometimes schools have old ones which just need cleaning. ono is ok & cheaper -keep in mind slide preparation at 100x is a skill & the kids will have trouble with it

if it were me i would go for a macro scope with stage that doesn't use slides like scope it has 2 sets of ep's (prob 10x & 20x) - kids can just put bugs/butterfly wings up & get a good look - it isn't hard for them to work & i find it gets more use than a scope requiring slides

[TrevorW]

http://store.amscope.com/m200b-ms-m.html

[OICURMT]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

http://store.amscope.com/m200b-ms-m.html

I'd be very careful about AMScope. Their reputation is subject of great debate in the gemology community. If you want a solid microscope, but don't want to pay the ultra-big prices, I'd look for a low end Japanese brand or a high end Chinese. The only Chinese microscope I would recommend is a Motic (I have the SMZ143). Almost all Japanese brands are great... just pricey.

The Motic SMZ series is a "fit for purpose" type of system. You buy individual parts and assemble them for your needs.

http://www.hoj.com.au/images/catalog...ce2c9c73f0.jpg


My system is like the one in the lower left of the following image, except I don't have the CCD, I use a Sony a350 instead.
http://www.hoj.com.au/images/catalog...67deb0561f.jpg


OIC!