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peteinwilts

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Can anyone recomend a cheap and cheerful microscope??

I would like it for beekeeping and identifying plankton species (another story!)

I like the idea of a USB\PC version!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Veho-VMS-004-Discovery-400x-Microscope/dp/B001WKH4WO

i saw this.... good enough?? I am just a little worried that it is difficult to focus on anything but x400 (according to the reviews)

Cheers
Pete
 
Hi Pete,
You get what you pay for.
If the information is correct then you could use it for bee diseases and also for pollen slides, you will not be able to test for AFB or EFB as you need a magnification of X1,000
I think there are members who have these microscopes so I hope they will respond with more than I can offer.
Good luck with the microscopy its fascinating.

Regards;
 
Not a clue about that item, except that on reading the reviews I found one which said it was an 'area magnification' of near 400, not a linear magnification.

That would mean about x20 linear magnification, if true. One cannot tell the quality of the reviews, or the reviewers, so I would be directing questions to the people who should know, and getting their replies in writing.

Remember if you simply double the dimensions of a pint milk bottle, it would hold a gallon.

Regards, RAB
 
I have one of these http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Entertainment-QX5-ENTERTAINMENT-Microscope/dp/B0002HLKI2. Don't seem to be available on Amazon UK anymore.

and a Bresser Biolux AL which I got from Lidl on a special for £50
http://www.astroshop.eu/monocular-microscopes/bresser-microscope-biolux-al/p,14667

Both are USB connected and are fairly low tech. At high magnification you get a lot of artifacts on both microscopes.

I've just started looking at pollen with the Bresser. Hazel pollen.


The Digital Blue I use for wing morphometry. AMM wing.

Varroa mite
 
Not a clue about that item, except that on reading the reviews I found one which said it was an 'area magnification' of near 400, not a linear magnification.

That would mean about x20 linear magnification, if true. One cannot tell the quality of the reviews, or the reviewers, so I would be directing questions to the people who should know, and getting their replies in writing.

Remember if you simply double the dimensions of a pint milk bottle, it would hold a gallon.

Regards, RAB

correct, my granson has one,20x really rather than 400x ( 20x by 20x Area=400x area) not alot of good really, no light source and not able to veiw slides..a toy
 
Can anyone recomend a cheap and cheerful microscope??

I would like it for beekeeping and identifying plankton species (another story!)

I like the idea of a USB\PC version!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Veho-VMS-004-Discovery-400x-Microscope/dp/B001WKH4WO

i saw this.... good enough?? I am just a little worried that it is difficult to focus on anything but x400 (according to the reviews)

Cheers
Pete

I have been in discussion with a number of friends recently who use these for palaeontology and the 200 model is a suberb item for the money, there are limitations like the lens is very 'soft' around the periphery and it is only a 1.3 megpixel CCD that achives a higher rate through interpolation. The discussion then went onto the 400 model and this was resoundly rejected as the 'quality' did not transfer across to this model. For my palaeontlogical uses the 200 has a very definate niche and is highly recommended based on cost but....

I agree with others, that you only get quality at a cost (I use Meiji EMZ scopes at home) but it is a case finding the right tool for the job. The cost on the magnifications you may require will be in the quality of the lenses. I would suggest you stalk the auction sites and try to pickup a decent second hand 'scope. If you need to capture images, then get a trinocular that you can attach a camera to, although you can possibly attach one to a standard eyepiece.

Bottom line is, if it is pureley for identification purposes and the magnification is at the correct level and the price is in the right range, then go for it. Just remember, there are limitations.
:)
 
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correct, my granson has one,20x really rather than 400x ( 20x by 20x Area=400x area) not alot of good really, no light source and not able to veiw slides..a toy

The models I have seen (Veho 200 & 400) have built in LEDS for the light source.
 
Yes, heard a talk by Margaret Thomas at the weekend and she said built in light source is much better.
 
Pete, these were taken with a Veho on x400, I am pretty pleased with it but get the version with the stand. There is a limit to it though. Its x20 or x400, there is nothing in between. These are composites and they have also been breathed on to improve clarity in photoshop. If you want some 'raw' ex-veho shots pm me and I take a couple. R
 
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I have one of these http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Entertainment-QX5-ENTERTAINMENT-Microscope/dp/B0002HLKI2. Don't seem to be available on Amazon UK anymore.

and a Bresser Biolux AL which I got from Lidl on a special for £50
http://www.astroshop.eu/monocular-microscopes/bresser-microscope-biolux-al/p,14667

What did you use to create the crocus pollen photograph posted the other day? It was very impressive!

I too am about to buy a microscope, but have no idea what to go for.
 
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