Julie in CA Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 (edited) Would this one work? Good choice, or bad choice? http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=104721 Or maybe this one: http://www.labpaq.com/600x-microscope-wadjustable-stage-no-kit I know, I know...I should read about microscopes to find out what would be best. For a variety of reasons I'm just not able to put in the time & effort. I really don't want to mess up though! If you already know a good microscope from a bad, would you just tell me what you think? Thanks a bunch, Julie Edited July 13, 2010 by Julie in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Nice job - both look great! But I've got to say that the MS-03 from Sam's looks amazing and has everything you'd need at an amazing price! Mechanical stage and iris aperture as well as other features - wow!!! I admit it ... I want one! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 I did the whole research thing & just got Sonlight's. This one looks similar, but if you don't want to do any research, you could just get Sonlight's. I've not heard of anyone disappointed with that. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Get the Sam's Club one. I like that it has the coaxial knobs, the mechanical stage, and the oil immersion 1000X lens. I was looking at one with those features for about double the price and couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger since I already have an old one from GreatScopes that goes up to 400X. But I'm going to go ahead and buy this one since I'm doing Biology with 3 kids plus a tagalong rising 4th grader this coming year and would love to have an extra microscope. Thanks for posting this, Julie! Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share Posted July 13, 2010 I feel better making an uninformed decision after checking with fully-informed friends. :001_smile: Thank you for your advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share Posted July 13, 2010 I would be concerned about the optical quality. Unless I could find out more about the manufacturer and their optical standards, I would not be comfortable buying either of these. Microscopes can be frustrating to learn to use and struggling with poor quality optics is, imnsho, worse than not having a microscope at all - one would be better off using images from slides (easily available online). I highly recommend the Home Science tools microscopes (though I am sure there are other reliable sources out there). Their 'home microscope' is $180, but if that is too much I think it would be better to get their 'kids microscope' (intended for pre-high school use) than one with more bells and whistles but potentially worse optical quality... Does this tell any more? http://www.cnascientific.com/Products/Product.aspx?id=26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ida Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Sorry if this qualifies as a hijack, but has anyone bought scopes from http://www.amscope.com? Anyone want to take a look and tell us if it's really as good a deal as it looks or which one would be best? I'm also in the market, know virtually nothing about microscopes, and appreciate the wisdom of the board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnG in Arizona Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Get the Sonlight microscope. We looked at several choices before deciding. My husband is in the sciences and was impressed with Sonlight's. He also had some lab professionals take a look at it, and they gave it the thumbs up as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicmom Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 :iagree:Go with the Sonlight microscope. The quality is excellent. I did the whole research thing a few years ago, and basically came down to one available through Apologia and the one through Sonlight. The Sonlight scope had better features, and seemed to be a little higher quality, so I purchased it. Two dc have used it for biology, now, and we've been very pleased with it. I don't think you could go wrong with that microscope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share Posted July 13, 2010 Are you talking about this $230 microscope? http://www.sonlight.com/science-microscope.html It's almost $100 more than the ones I've been looking at, and the budget just won't stretch that far. :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 (edited) Julie, the MS-03 is a high quality microscope! Check out what it sells for elsewhere online. ;) I can't imagine getting a better one at that price. I'm doing all I can not to order it even though I won't need it for another two years. :D Up until you pointed this out, I had checked Sam's, but they only carried the MS-01. It's also a good microscope, but not as good as this one. And adding a mechanical stage alone would bring the costs about the same. ETA: I'm only saying this based on reviews I had read in the past on the MS-01, but in checking on the net for reviews on this microscope, I'm not finding any. If you have a Sam's nearby, the risk is minimal as you can return it there if it's not good quality. It would be great to hear from anyone who has bought one of these microscopes. I did find a site that showed pictures Edited July 14, 2010 by Teachin'Mine I'm afraid I may be totally wrong! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share Posted July 14, 2010 No, I'm sorry. That gives info about magnification levels , the light source used, etc, but none about optical quality. I called HST to see if they knew more about either of these microscopes. They aren't familiar with this specific model, but said that the company who makes it does have some good models - one enormous concern is whether the optics are glass or plastic. So, I called C &A Scientific & talked w/ a very helpful young man & it sounds as if this is an okay option. I wouldn't plan on the 1000x magnification being as usable as on a higher bracket model, but the lighting source, optics *material*, and iris diaphragm are good features... and 400x is fine for most high school level work. (Apparently Sam's Club is making almost *nothing* on these... they are priced almost at cost.) I couldn't reach a live person at Labpaq - they seem to prefer email communication.. Oh Eliana, thank you so much for doing that footwork! The Sam's Club microscope fits into my budget, so if it's even a reasonably good option, I'm so glad! My communications with Labpaq haven't been wonderful. They seemed reluctant to send even a small sample of one of their lab manuals, and they show no samples on their website.:confused: I have also been unable to get a list of materials included in their high school Biology kit. Frustrating. Thanks again! I am overwhelmed at your kindness in researching for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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