Used microscope - good deal?

Fauna · #1 07/08/08, 10:40 PM

Hopefully someone who knows something about microscopes will be able to help me out and tell me if this sounds like a good deal, and sound something I should purchase as I've been wanting to do my own fecals.

I don't know exactly *how* old it is, but think it's only a few years old. Guy was in medical school and says it's in great condition. It is an Accuscope with 4 lens, binocular eye pieces WF10x18. Comes with a hard carrying case and he is asking $250 for it. I would still have to pay shipping/insurance costs on it as well.

I've been looking for a while, and know there are a lot out there much higher so I'm ready to jump on this but.... what do you think?

TIA,
Fauna

Shawhee · #2 07/09/08, 01:13 AM

I just got mine this last week off of ebay - it is a Swift I believe, and man it is nicer that the pictures. I paid about $35 on ebay (that includes shipping). I would really look there first before I spent that much money, but hey I am frugal fannie.

Regards,
Shawna

Laura Workman · #3 07/09/08, 02:35 AM

Try to find one with a moveable stage. They are enormously helpful in making sure you thoroughly and systematically scan the entire slide.

Lada · #4 07/09/08, 07:00 AM

I don't think you need one that expensive if you're just doing fecals. A student microscope would be fine, and even new those are under $100. I got mine on ebay for $40.

Minelson · #5 07/09/08, 07:28 AM

I agree with Lada, you don't really need to get a real fancy one just for fecals. I got mine on ebay...can't remember the exact price but it was around $35. Came with a case, bunch of little tools, slides, plastic spiders and beetles too!

Fauna · #6 07/09/08, 08:29 AM

Ok, think I'd better just hold off and check out e-bay a bit first. Thanks for the tips.

Fauna