i need suggestions on a good microscope

[knubs]

hello everyone, i am trying to get some recommendations on good digital microscopes. i want one that will let me clearly distinguish between a hatched and unhatched broad mite egg. i currently have a cheap usb scope off ebay and a hand full of different handheld scopes. currently i am not happy with any of them...
so if anyone has a scope that they love, please let me know what kind it is.

 

[Seamaiden]

Try this :)

Celestron 5 MP Handheld Digital Microscope Pro


https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Ha...1014f545e3e360b3614268197d9f12&language=en_US

 

[squiggly]

I guess let me put it this way:

Most of what you have access to are chinese knockoffs. Lucky for you that for government work and below (anything you'd be doing) these knockoff brands will MORE than suffice. If you're looking to escape that type of technology, you will need to spend thousands of dollars to buy the #1 chinese/japanese brand of microscope (like Canon or similar).

For 2,500 you might be able to find a used top-of-the-line microscope, but you don't need one.

The lower option in my first post has a wider stage and wider objective and that will allow you to more easily locate eggs--whereas the general purpose microscope will require some skill to track to the eggs and find them, but it can also visualize things for you in, say, a compost tea or your water source.

 

[Seamaiden]

One of the links you provided was to an outfit called MicroscopesIndia.com. Our tractor, a very most excellent tractor, is a Mahindra, an Indian brand.

That said, I like the first one you linked but I'm still trying to remember and then figure out whether it does phase contrast viewing or not. :o

 

[squiggly]

One of the links you provided was to an outfit called MicroscopesIndia.com. Our tractor, a very most excellent tractor, is a Mahindra, an Indian brand.

That said, I like the first one you linked but I'm still trying to remember and then figure out whether it does phase contrast viewing or not. :eek:

It does not. That will run you another $2-300.

 

[Seamaiden]

And then we're in Microbeman territory with regard to pricing. He makes no profit on the scopes he sells, either.

 

[squiggly]

And then we're in Microbeman territory with regard to pricing. He makes no profit on the scopes he sells, either.

Personally I'd go for something a bit more run-of-the mill. That way you can upgrade as needed. Upgrading these things can be a pain because the standardization is fairly poor. Another problem is that microbeman's rig lacks a 100x objective (unless I'm just not seeing it mentioned). At that price you really should have between 2000-2500x magnification power.

My personal choice would be something like this:



Actually rather than something like, that's probably exactly the one I'd get.

If you wanted to, you could then purchase a phase contrast kit and throw it on top of this one.

 

[Seamaiden]

It can be bought as a kit? No one's ever told me that before! Double LIKED!

 

[squiggly]

Yeah, scroll down to the bottom of that ebay post you'll see a link to a compatibility list. It will take you right to a list of things which fit on that microscope model.

I can personally recommend the seller in that listing, I have facilitated several microscope purchases through them. They've got just about anything you'd need, a huge variety. Thermal stages, phase contrast kits, different types of objectives, cameras, you name it really.

 

[Seamaiden]

Sweet! I've got it saved in my watch list. :D

 

[squiggly]

That kit would fit on the microscope I linked. As I said, true phase contrast capability is expensive. Most folks do not need it.

 

[knubs]

well i dont know much about microscopes. i do know i want something with a broad view so i can see more of the leaf at once though. it would, however, be nice to be able to use that same microscope for checking my microbe brews though... and that one with the camera attachment was nice. i would like to be able to save pictures of what i see under the scope.
also what purpose would the contrast kit serve?

and Egzoset, i've just been busy lately and i am only getting a couple minutes online at a time right so i figured i would wait to respond. it would be nice to see pics from peoples scopes but i know not all of them are digital, and even with a pic from someones scope it's hard to tell if it would be ideal for the exact task of broad mite egg hunting.

well, gotta go, i will hopefully get some time online tonight, because i see that i need to do a lot of general learning about microscopes.

 

[Seamaiden]

For me, I only use my scope for microbes (teas), so phase contrast would make viewing a lot easier on these eyes. Often you can't see a lot of microbes because the light just blasts right through them, and even if you close up the iris as far as it will go they can be difficult to see.

 

[leadsled]

I have a Labomed Binocular CXL led, 4,10,40,100x. LED is not as hot as halogen bulb, LED illumination with built-in rechargeable battery makes it cordless during use.
About 560-600.00 through online retailers. Very well made, can get the halogen version for about 100 cheaper. Solid unit, costs more than a student scope but is worth it.
http://www.wayfair.com/Labomed-CxL-Binocular-LED-9135006-LBX1007.html
10x photo, put camera up to eyepiece for photo. USB connection makes things much easier to view on the computer screen.

 

[knubs]

what kind of bug is that in the picture? Have you ever had broad mites or anything that laid tiny/microscopic eggs? If so how good was your scope for searching for eggs?

 

[leadsled]

what kind of bug is that in the picture? Have you ever had broad mites or anything that laid tiny/microscopic eggs? If so how good was your scope for searching for eggs?

hypoaspis miles, by the naked eye are very small. for a size reference 0.5mm

No, I have seen broad mite eggs in another growers garden via a handheld scope.

for comparison to above bug, female broads are 0.2 to 0.3 mm and males half that size.

So yes could view broad mites and also much smaller animals :)

This is way easier and superior to using a handheld cheapo scope.

Keep in mind, depending on the leaf location and size of plant you may have to remove leaves to get a good look.

Making any sense? I suspect for just scanning leaves for bugs you could probably get away with a usb scope with a laptop. Vs this scope is a more significant $$ investment.

Example of few options for basic student microscopes and usb scopes 100 or less.
usb scope


student scope


Have not used the above model but heard of others purchasing them. Was considering one to save $$ but went for the nicer scope after using a cheaper model.

Many cities have a Science or lab store where they have various scopes at least a few student models and a step up. Then you can see how a student model will work but is not as nice to look through or built to last. If you are not spending much time this is as not as much as issue as when you are spending hours on a scope. Then a nicer one is so worth it.

Check and see if they have a return policy or take returns in case the microscope does not suit your needs.

Wishing you success in eradicating broads or at least sleeping well at night knowing you do not have them.

 

[leadsled]

Salutations LeadSled,

That's an interesting selection to mention here as i found no less than 8 candidates costing between 160 to 235 $ (on sale), ranging from 10x to 100x depending on model. All with digital capture and yet still below the 300 $ price mark... No doubt they'd have a good chance to beat a camera with viable macro anyway.

:D

Hello! Glad you found the selection interesting. Seems easy to keep creeping up the price point... Please share some photos and feedback if anyone picks one up. Will help others not looking to break the bank on a scope.

p.s. I tend to use squint and use one eye even though I got a bifocal scope. So keep that in mind on the link I sent.

Camera may have more options for photos of live flowers. But have seen some cool scope shots of trichs.

That one squiggy posted in post #9 looks pretty sweet as well.

 

[jiggaboojones]

wow all that stuff is way cooler tha my 12 dollar 60x handheld!! lol

 

[seaslug]

I'm loving my
Pentax PTX62216 8.5 X 21 mm Papilio Binoculars
I dunno about mite eggs but I have a bad back and using these standing straight up, I spotted mite damage on lower leaves--I had no idea there were mites in my grow. Cost about $105 at amazon mkt.

 

[Delerium]

I'd like one that snaps pic and or vid while your looking through it, then be able to use a usb and upload to view on your pc if you desire. I'd rather not to have to drag around the laptop or tablet connected to the scope unless I'm say at my desk with already cut flowers.