need help getting a microscope

[WayneYasinski]

with so many varieties available, I'm needing alittle guidance?? heres one i found that looks to fit the bill but kind of pricey even used..

i'll be using it for molts, dissection, maybe alittle cellular exploration, along with being able to take pictures... so let me know what you would recommend and why... and since im on kind of a budget, the most bang for the buck is appreciated..thanks wayne

Binocular
Serial #: 002312
Eyepiece: Zeiss CPL W10x
Nosepiece Quadruple
Focusing: Coaxial coarse & fine adjustment mechanisms
Stage: Graduated mechanical stage
Objectives: All Zeiss objectives 3.2x, 10x, 40x, 100x
Substage: Condenser
Light Source: 6v 5w variable light intensity
Warranty: Two Years
Comments: This Zeiss was rebuilt and is in excellent condition throughout. It features all Zeiss quality optics (see above) that will provide outstanding clarity and resolution. An equal microscope today from Germany would cost in excess of $2,000+. This microscope is recommended for educational or medical applications.

[Phil Rea]

A microscope suitable for cellular exploration is unlikely to be of any use with molts and dissection, as the magnifications needed are too high and the working distance between the objective lens and the microscope stage will be too small.

I have a trinocular zoom microscope which has a zoom magnification from 0.9x to 4.5x. I use 10x and 20x eyepieces. With the 10x's I can use 9x to 45x, and the 20x's give me 18x to 90x, also the working distance is plenty. The lighting is 2 stage, variable, and is built into the stand. It's a generic one (Chinese, from the largest optics factory in the world, and is sold as own brand by many), but the optics are excellent. Not quite up to the standards of the big boys, and neither is the build quality, but it's very good and great for what I use it for. I bought it new a good few years ago from the States (already set up as 240v), and had it shipped over to the UK

If I were buying one now, I'd try and go for one on a boom arm, and with positionable twin cool lights, but when I bought it I was using it for insects in amber, and it was (and still is) ideal. In amber, I can see insect eggs, thrips, aphids, parasitic wasps, mites, and so on with no difficulty

[lee smith]

i myself an Intel Play QX3 usb microscope, it has 10X 60X 200X magnifications and can take still images as well as video.

[Tom Forman]

Have a look at small portable ones. They are not the best quality but they are cheap and they do the job:


http://www.google.co.uk/products?hl=...&um=1&ie=UTF-8

Lee, your comment is nice and fancy but really no good to us as that model is no longer produced now is it?

I think I might mention I own the batmobile when ppl ask me what kind of car they should get next... Get the batmobile, its the best and shoots out fire

I wish they did make those usb microscopes again and I wish I really did own the batmobile too lol


Edit: There is one on sale on Ebay. Worthwhile getting, it is still very cheap atm too