Microscopes

[GSF]

I'm wanting to get a microscope to identify tracheal mites in bees and to do worm/parasite counts in fecal matter from chickens and goats.

Any suggestions? The ones that I "like" are around $500. I know there's a better deal out there somewhere. I want good magnification, maybe two eyepieces, internal LED light, and I want the specimen slide controlled by knobs.

[JWChesnut]

Medical offices, university labs, and doctors all unload optical microscopes for next to nothing (sometimes they go in the trash)  as the world converts to digital imaging.  Look for tag sales at colleges (these often happen in June), or simply advertise on Craigs list.

In terms of optical compound, I have a Steindorff from 1958.  A Zeiss from '65 and a B&L from 1970's.  (all less than $50 buys). Prefer the Zeiss.

A digital conversion is possible for one ocular of the binocular models of compound scopes. 

The Dino-Lite digital medium power unit (10-90x) is really nice. Have one.  Not enough mag for Nosema, but fine for mites.  There are some lower cost clones of the Dino-Lite, quality is unknown to me, but reviews are very mixed.

[cklspencer]

This one is awesome and should do all you need. Its a great price and is really nice to go cordless with the rechargeable led light. You can tske it right out into the feild. http://www.microscope.com/compound-microscopes/home-hobby/hobbyist/omano-om36-lbk-beekeeper-special.html

[tefer2]

Beekeeper special.  http://www.microscope.com/omano-om36-lbk-beekeeper-special.html

[BeeMaster2]

Check out your local school board disposal. I know a retired guy that gets all kind if good stuf from disposals.
Jim

[Jim134]

Check out your local school board disposal. I know a retired guy that gets all kind if good stuf from disposals.
Jim

      After working for in local municipality for quite a few years everything the school board put up for auction or for scrap IMHO belonged in the dump or the scrap yard.





                                    BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

[minz]

I did the Omano but I am so cheap I will squeeze two nickels until I can make them into a quarter.  I went with the 120 v, single eye, no camera.  Binocular may be nice but as little as I screw with it works fine for half the price.

[mdax]

The Omano is pretty cool microscope.  I'm planning on doing a nosema check next weekend.
Did a sugar sifting yesterday, put tupperware beneath the hives and checked today.

The color and shape matched varroa, but when magnified it was a severed ant head...very odd


I counted 8 varroa under Hive 2


I've got an ant in Hive 3


I think a 20-40x stereo dissecting microscope would be better for helping my eyes recognize varroa for counts, but the higher powers are necessary for nosema.