Best Microscope?

[6e]

For those that do their own fecal testing, what is the best microscope? We had one little cheapy one we got off ebay and the light was not bright enough to see well. So, before I buy another one, what's a good one that you've used that works well and is bright enough to see with?

[Heritagefarm]

http://www.amazon.com/My-First-Lab-D.../dp/B000NOU54O
Nice price, ergonomic design, up to 400x times magnification, two lightbulbs for viewing from bottom or top. You can go up to a 1000x microscope, but from what I've heard the resolution becomes too low.

[dtsh]

If you aren't in a rush, stake out eBay. I bought one about 2 years ago that way and got it for less than $100 including shipping. I personally like having at least one high power lens (usually oil immersion, 1000x+). Oil immersion lenses require a drop of oil on the slide to act as a lens between the slide and the objective lens. I've used olive oil with fair results.
I tend to use mine for a wide variety of purposes, last time was looking for Giardia in dog feces.


Edited to add:
Wesco, AO Spencer, and Swift are often available as schools upgrade. Check your local college bookstore for retired ones.
Mine specifically is a Wesco.

[CaliannG]

I am rather interested in this thread also. It seems that my old microscope, that I got in the 90's when our local Jr. College upgraded their labs, has finally bitten the big one. I likely will not be able to get it fixed, since it was ancient when I got it and weighs about as much as your average treadle sewing machine. I should probably get a new one.

It did, however, serve me well for many years, and had served a couple of decades worth of abusive, clumsy college students before me. I was probably a good retirement for the poor thing after all of that.

[dtsh]

Originally Posted by CaliannG

I am rather interested in this thread also. It seems that my old microscope, that I got in the 90's when our local Jr. College upgraded their labs, has finally bitten the big one. I likely will not be able to get it fixed, since it was ancient when I got it and weighs about as much as your average treadle sewing machine. I should probably get a new one.

Don't write it off too soon! Many parts can be found online, again eBay is a good source.
Good optical equipment will last a long time if poorly maintained and nearly forever if well maintained.

[CaliannG]

~smiles~ Then perhaps I should send it to you? My daughter allowed my granddaughter to "play" with it, and now the light doesn't work, at least one of the lenses is cracked, and I can't get it to line up properly.

What I don't know about repairing microscopes will fill VOLUMES.