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Charles The Bald
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Registered: 09/28/11
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Would this microscope be okay?
#19170293 - 11/21/13 02:12 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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I've been looking around for microscopes for a while and I've come across this cheap one from a shop near me, do you think it will suffice for looking at spores to identify mushrooms? http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/bresser-biolux-nv-microscope-set-with-usb-49-99-lidl-from-13-dec-2012-1395533
Thanks, Charles.
-------------------- Charles The Bald
I'm all about lies me, everything I say is a lie.
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Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist

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No, this is a toy microscope because it lacks the 100x oil immersion objective.
Consider an Amscope B-100ms or one of the less expensive omax scopes.
Scopes with just one eyepiece are very unpleasant to look through for very long.
Also remember that you will need a way to measure what you see. I suggest get one of the $13 stage micrometers from ebay and use the Piximetre software to measure.
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Hashfinger
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Registered: 07/10/12
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Quote:
Alan Rockefeller said: No, this is a toy microscope because it lacks the 100x oil immersion objective.
Consider an Amscope B-100ms or one of the less expensive omax scopes.
Scopes with just one eyepiece are very unpleasant to look through for very long.
Also remember that you will need a way to measure what you see. I suggest get one of the $13 stage micrometers from ebay and use the Piximetre software to measure.
http://www.amscope.com/b100b-ms.html It even comes with immersion oil? lol. Valued at 1,200 bucks and on sale for 195!?
-------------------- Species List (Georgia): Psilocybe caerulescens/weilii, Psilocybe atlantis/galindoi, Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata, Psilocybe caerulipes, Psilocybe semilanceata, Psilocybe fagicola, Copelandia cyanescens, Panaeolus cinctulus, Panaeolus fimicola, Panaeolus olivaceus, Gymnopilus luteofolius, Gymnopilus aeruginosus, Gymnopilus junonius, Pluteus salicinus (Ohio): Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata, Psilocybe caerulipes, Pluteus cyanopus, Pluteus salicinus sensu lato..., Panaeolus cinctulus, Gymnopilus luteus, Gymnopilus luteofolius, Gymnopilus junonius, Gymnopilus aeruginosus
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Charles The Bald
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Re: Would this microscope be okay? [Re: Hashfinger]
#19171014 - 11/21/13 04:26 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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Okay, I thought as much. Thanks for the help.
That microscope is sort of in my price range but unfortunately I am in the UK so i can't buy from that site but I will look around a bit more , thanks though.
-------------------- Charles The Bald
I'm all about lies me, everything I say is a lie.
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Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist

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Perhaps the omax scopes on ebay can be shipped to the uk.
Of course the amscope is not worth 1200, its worth more like 300. And if the immersion oil smells like cedar, throw it away.
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RiverDweller1



Registered: 03/05/12
Posts: 4,347
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Quote:
Alan Rockefeller said: ...... And if the immersion oil smells like cedar, throw it away.
Why's that? Mine smells like cedar
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Byrain

Registered: 01/07/10
Posts: 9,664
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Here, you should probably be using this instead.
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Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist

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Quote:
RiverDweller1 said: Why's that? Mine smells like cedar 
I don't know what that stuff is, I think its some kind of tree extract. It comes with a lot of new scopes.
It works, but it gets really sticky after being out for awhile. I worry that if you forget to clean the 100x objective, it could harden and make that objective blurry. I recommend cleaning the 100x well with alcohol after use.
The recommended oil does not harden or get as sticky, so no big deal if you forget to clean it after you are done with the scope.
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Joie


Registered: 10/17/09
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I don't think it's necessary to ship a microscope to the UK.
Here is the supplier I will probably use for my next one, one of these £200-400 models with a USB.
EDIT: Brunel's site shows the whole range I had in mind and accessories.
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Edited by Joie (11/22/13 02:32 PM)
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Charles The Bald
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Re: Would this microscope be okay? [Re: Joie]
#19181555 - 11/24/13 06:28 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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I was looking for something more like £150 rather than a few hundred, I've looked at Bresser, Amscope and the Brunel's site but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for.
-------------------- Charles The Bald
I'm all about lies me, everything I say is a lie.
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The Lightning
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Registered: 09/06/11
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Charles The Bald
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-------------------- Charles The Bald
I'm all about lies me, everything I say is a lie.
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The Lightning
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It's missing the 4x objective which is needed.
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Charles The Bald
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-------------------- Charles The Bald
I'm all about lies me, everything I say is a lie.
Edited by Charles The Bald (11/24/13 02:22 PM)
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The Lightning
Mycology Enthusiast


Registered: 09/06/11
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You can buy it separate, but I'd recommend getting a scope that has a 4x, 10x, 40x, and a 100x oil objective in one package.
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Charles The Bald
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Alright, thanks a lot for the help I have a much better idea of what I need now
-------------------- Charles The Bald
I'm all about lies me, everything I say is a lie.
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Joie


Registered: 10/17/09
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Quote:
The Lightning said: You can buy it separate, but I'd recommend getting a scope that has a 4x, 10x, 40x, and a 100x oil objective in one package.
I bought a really nice old Kyowa microscope, for around £200 iirc. The 100x lens was missing, so I had asked the supplier to fit one. Because it is from a different manufacturer I have to refocus at 100x, but more distressingly that lens frequently hits the stage. I do not use it much now because I cannot measure the spores on it and for someone who needs practise it is a naus, and I wouldn't invest more in it until I had some practise with a good microscope and knew exactly what I wanted (and then I don't need 2 of them really; would probably hope to get my money back selling this on ebay). So I can vouch that it is best to start out with a full kit!
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Alan Rockefeller
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Re: Would this microscope be okay? [Re: Joie]
#19185900 - 11/25/13 08:43 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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You can get a stage micrometer for $13 including shipping on ebay so you can measure stuff.
It's best to use the stage micrometer to calibrate Piximetre and measure electronically, but you can also put spores to be measured directly on the stage micrometer slide.
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Joie


Registered: 10/17/09
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Thanks Alan, hoping to get the new microscope (which comes with measuring software) very soon (some financial juggling and then which model I choose). But I should get a stage micrometer anyway!
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dodeski
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Re: Would this microscope be okay? [Re: Joie]
#19187824 - 11/25/13 04:46 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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as far as over all quality; how does OMAX compare to AmScope? OMAX 40X-2000X Lab LED Binocular Compound Microscope
-------------------- "People use the word "natural" ... What is natural to me are these botanical species which interact directly with the nervous system. What I consider artificial is 4 years at Harvard, and the Bible, and Saint Patrick's cathedral, and the Sunday school teachings." -Timothy Leary “You are an explorer, and you represent our species, and the greatest good you can do is to bring back a new idea, because our world is endangered by the absence of good ideas. Our world is in crisis because of the absence of consciousness.” ― Terence McKenna "In defying the authority we become the authorities" - Unknown
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