Buying a microscope - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

gdr2004 · 09-17-2004, 07:58 PM

So, I'm a biology major and I want to purchase a microscope so that I can look at cells and do little experiments on my own (hair, orange skin, snot, water, whatever I can get my hands on basically).

Where is the best place to buy one? And what kind of things should I consider before putting down money? Are they so high maintainance that it'd be impossible to have one? I want it to have binocular lense and a 4X 10X and 40X, and maaaybe a 100X for oil immersion.

I'm looking at this one right now. ANY information regarding this would be greatly appericiated :-) Thanks

-Geek

Slavakion · 09-18-2004, 05:49 AM

Unless I'm wrong, there'snot a whole lot of maintainance involved. You'll need special cloths to clean dust from the lenses and that's about it. If something wears down on the inside, that could be a problem (like where the diaphragm turns or the lenses turn. Any moving parts). If you're looking to save money, I'd think that a mirror-lighted 'scope would be cheaper.

That's about all I can offer you.

gonadman · 09-19-2004, 06:02 PM

Best place to buy a good microscope is at your nearest medical school. First and second year students are required to buy/rent one. Then by third year its off to clinical rotations so most students are looking to unload then for the money. The required scopes have two objectives and an oil immersion and are binocular. All are lighted as you need the illumination for oil immersion. These scopes go for $1000-$1200 new but you can probably grab one for $600-$800. Just post a wanted note on a bulletin board near the lecture halls.

If you are not looking for that nice a scope, then try Edmunds scientific. As a bio major, if you are thinking pre med, might as well invest the money now instead of throwing away a few hundred now the paying again for a good scope later.

kazoo · 09-19-2004, 07:11 PM

There's a 40X, 100X, 400X, 1000X oil on eBay going in a little over an hour-current bid is $50. Log in and do a simple search of "microscope".

Blackthorn · 09-20-2004, 05:32 AM

There is a great web site specializing in just what you may need as a biology major.

Check this out: Great Scopes

They also have a section that shows you what to look for a good micro scope. Fun stuff indeed...

Doog1983 · 09-21-2004, 12:22 PM

I agree with gonadman...best place is the nearest medical school or university...I'm a biology and biochemistry double-major and I don't use my microscope too often at home...we have the digital image microscopes in the labs...so it's much more useful to go there...they sell one for about 560$ and it's a 4x/10x/40x/100x...they also sell one that makes a 3D view of the specimen (but that one is about 1000$)

09-17-2004, 07:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
gdr2004 Crazy Location: CA	Buying a microscope So, I'm a biology major and I want to purchase a microscope so that I can look at cells and do little experiments on my own (hair, orange skin, snot, water, whatever I can get my hands on basically). Where is the best place to buy one? And what kind of things should I consider before putting down money? Are they so high maintainance that it'd be impossible to have one? I want it to have binocular lense and a 4X 10X and 40X, and maaaybe a 100X for oil immersion. I'm looking at this one right now. ANY information regarding this would be greatly appericiated :-) Thanks -Geek

09-19-2004, 06:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
gonadman Psycho Location: Philly	Best place to buy a good microscope is at your nearest medical school. First and second year students are required to buy/rent one. Then by third year its off to clinical rotations so most students are looking to unload then for the money. The required scopes have two objectives and an oil immersion and are binocular. All are lighted as you need the illumination for oil immersion. These scopes go for $1000-$1200 new but you can probably grab one for $600-$800. Just post a wanted note on a bulletin board near the lecture halls. If you are not looking for that nice a scope, then try Edmunds scientific. As a bio major, if you are thinking pre med, might as well invest the money now instead of throwing away a few hundred now the paying again for a good scope later. __________________ For me there is only the traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length. And there I travel, looking, looking, ...breathlessly. -Carlos Castaneda

09-19-2004, 07:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
kazoo Psycho Location: Where the night things are	There's a 40X, 100X, 400X, 1000X oil on eBay going in a little over an hour-current bid is $50. Log in and do a simple search of "microscope". __________________ There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy

09-20-2004, 05:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
Blackthorn Beware the Mad Irish Location: Wish I was on the N17...	There is a great web site specializing in just what you may need as a biology major. Check this out: Great Scopes They also have a section that shows you what to look for a good micro scope. Fun stuff indeed... __________________ What are you willing to give up in order to get what you want?

09-18-2004, 05:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Slavakion Mjollnir Incarnate Location: Lost in thought	Unless I'm wrong, there'snot a whole lot of maintainance involved. You'll need special cloths to clean dust from the lenses and that's about it. If something wears down on the inside, that could be a problem (like where the diaphragm turns or the lenses turn. Any moving parts). If you're looking to save money, I'd think that a mirror-lighted 'scope would be cheaper. That's about all I can offer you.

09-21-2004, 12:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Doog1983 Upright	I agree with gonadman...best place is the nearest medical school or university...I'm a biology and biochemistry double-major and I don't use my microscope too often at home...we have the digital image microscopes in the labs...so it's much more useful to go there...they sell one for about 560$ and it's a 4x/10x/40x/100x...they also sell one that makes a 3D view of the specimen (but that one is about 1000$)