Which scope

[drex]

Having read the microscopy article in the latest beecraft, I am thinking about giving it a go.

However the Brunel microscopes he recommends for starting off, no longer appear available from Brunel and certainly not at the prices he quotes. I might consider the Brunel Wedmore SP14 for high power and the MX2 for dissection.

Apex microscopes, which I have seen mentioned here appear to have good alternatives, they appear equivalent spec to Brunel but at better prices. ( Apex Examiner £46 and Practitioner £106).

I am researching but at a bit of a loss. Microbees website does not seem to be available at present.

Comments from those experienced would be welcome. Thanks

 

[Hivemaker.]

Here are some threads you may find useful.

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=19913

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=15396

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3500

 

[itma]

You are a few weeks late (this time round) for Lidl's £49 (high power) Bresser Biolux NV microscope. You can get the same model (most of the time) from Amazon (themselves, not marketplace) at about the £90 mark. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bresser-Microscope-5116200-Biolux-20x-1280x/dp/B001NL9UNS (only one in stock a moment ago)

eBay entrepreneurs seem to empty their local Lidl and then offer them online at around £70 ...

 

[drex]

Thanks Pete, that was helpful. Brunel seem highly recommended. However the first link mentions Brunel scopes that are no longer available, as does the beecraft article.

Anyone any experience of Apex? Are my Brunel choices the equivalent of what has been recommended before or acceptable replacements?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Brunel do some beekeeper starter kits consisting of two microscopes.


http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/bee-disease.html


I use a Brunel microscope for disease recognition, but that one is also no longer available, cost was £500 second hand.

The dissecting stereo i use is by Swienty, that costs over £800 now.

 

[MuswellMetro]

Having read the microscopy article in the latest beecraft, I am thinking about giving it a go.

However the Brunel microscopes he recommends for starting off, no longer appear available from Brunel and certainly not at the prices he quotes. I might consider the Brunel Wedmore SP14 for high power and the MX2 for dissection.

Apex microscopes, which I have seen mentioned here appear to have good alternatives, they appear equivalent spec to Brunel but at better prices. ( Apex Examiner £46 and Practitioner £106).

I am researching but at a bit of a loss. Microbees website does not seem to be available at present.

Comments from those experienced would be welcome. Thanks

i ordered an apex and they sad sorry not in stock and sent me a Brunel.higher spec...so I assume they are connected, they are on the same trading estate, they asl do special offers to beekeepers at the National Honey show and BBKA event and i think some County Shows

our BKA has several apex x400 scopes for Nosema which we lend out to memebers

 

[drex]

I eventually decided on the Brunel route, after talking to them. Their web site is not that clear, but they tell me they are working on a new one.

I got the DM6 stereo and SP22 compound ( same as SP20, but with 100x objective - same price).

Really pleased with the SP22 - already viewed my first slide of hazel pollen. The DM6 had a fault, but was replaced the next day. I also ordered a dissection kit, and was sent the non bee one, but again they are going to correct that. They are very helpful.

I also bought "practical microscopy for beekeepers" by Bob Maurer. He recommends Numount but BBKA seems to just talk about glycerine jelly, and he says fuchsin stain for pollen, but BBKA talk about safranin. Any suggestions for further reading, and what reagents are a "must"?

Thanks all.

 

[Ruary]

I also bought "practical microscopy for beekeepers" by Bob Maurer. He recommends Numount but BBKA seems to just talk about glycerine jelly, and he says fuchsin stain for pollen, but BBKA talk about safranin. Any suggestions for further reading, and what reagents are a "must"?

Thanks all.

I think you'll find that Bob talks about glycerin when he actually means glycerine jelly. Numount is used for slides of bee plants and you need to remove all water from the slide before using it.
Most people use Basic fuchsin in glyverine jelly for pollen, it is what Sawyer used. Safranine and fast green are just two other stains which can be used.
Further reading Practical microscopy by Marsden, Meyers books, Yates micriscopy etc.

 

[Black Comb]

Just a heads up to say I have a scope for sale in the "equipment for sale section"