So I got a microscope....

GamerDadof4 · Mar 5, 2020

and I wish I would have splurged... This is so cool!!!! I got it to ID my algae I had so I could treat - and I can not stop collecting samples!

My wife has forbid me to use it on our tapwater!

It kind of freaks me out that I put my hand in there! I am no Steven Spielberg but it's still cool!

Peace River · Mar 5, 2020

Nice! What brand/model of scope did you get?

GamerDadof4 · Mar 5, 2020

Peace River said:
Nice! What brand/model of scope did you get?

I got an AmScope IQCrew x1200. It's like a Kids one - but does the job very well. It was like 40 bucks on Amazon.
I think next time I would have have just splurged another 40/50 dollars and got one that I can hook up to my computer or phone and not try to get the phone camera over the eye piece...

Peace River · Mar 5, 2020

Good feedback! I have also looked at various AmScope models, but haven’t made the purpose yet.

GamerDadof4 · Mar 5, 2020

Peace River said:
Good feedback! I have also looked at various AmScope models, but haven’t made the purpose yet.

I only needed to ID some algea so I wasn't interested in getting anything to crazy - but as soon as I saw all that stuff moving around in there - I regretted not having one that hooked to a screen. I have 4 boys and they are loving it as well.

Sailingeric · Mar 5, 2020

Quietman · Mar 5, 2020

@GamerDadof4 thanks, going to look into this as well. Might as well get to know my enemy while it's kicking my butt.

AlexG · Mar 5, 2020

That is a copepod sp. I just got a compound microscope in addition to the stereo microscope I already had. The stereo microscope I have is an AM scope and it is not a bad microscope for the price. It is in no way lab grade but it does a decent job. The compound microscope I got is a swift microscope which is another reasonable priced microscope that does not break the bank.

nickkohrn · Mar 5, 2020

I recently got one from Amazon, and I wish I had spent more on one that allowed observed items to be photographed more easily because trying to hold my phone steady while aiming the camera down the eyepiece is a difficult task.

GamerDadof4 · Mar 5, 2020

nickkohrn said:
I recently got one from Amazon, and I wish I had spent more on one that allowed observed items to be photographed more easily because trying to hold my phone steady while aiming the camera down the eyepiece is a difficult task.

Yeah same. I listened to people when they said 'just go grab a cheap one from Amazon' so I did. I really didn't think I was going to find it as interesting as I do!

AlexG said:
That is a copepod sp. I just got a compound microscope in addition to the stereo microscope I already had. The stereo microscope I have is an AM scope and it is not a bad microscope for the price. It is in no way lab grade but it does a decent job. The compound microscope I got is a swift microscope which is another reasonable priced microscope that does not break the bank.

Do you mind sharing the difference between a compound microscope and a stereo microscope? What are they suited for?

GamerDadof4 · Mar 5, 2020

Quietman said:
@GamerDadof4 thanks, going to look into this as well. Might as well get to know my enemy while it's kicking my butt.

The one I got is really good. It's a kids one, easy to tell when you open it but the quality is good for what I need it for.

If you have it with in your means to spend a bit more on one that you can connect your phone or a screen to. I suggest you do it. Well worth it!

ScottB · Mar 5, 2020

Yeah the hardest part it holding the camera phone steady enough to get good video. I finally bought an after market phone holder and is meh, but better than manual.

Buy one that comes with a decent holder. Read the reviews.

AlexG · Mar 5, 2020

GamerDadof4 said:
Yeah same. I listened to people when they said 'just go grab a cheap one from Amazon' so I did. I really didn't think I was going to find it as interesting as I do!

Do you mind sharing the difference between a compound microscope and a stereo microscope? What are they suited for?

Pulled some definitions from Google.

Stereo Microscopes enable 3D viewing of specimens visible to the naked eye. They are commonly known as Low Power or Dissecting Microscopes. An estimated 99% of stereo applications employ less than 50x magnification. Use them for viewing insects, crystals, plant life, circuit boards etc.

I use mine for studying micro fauna, inspecting corals. I use a cell phone adapter to hold the phone over the eye piece to take pictures and videos.

Compound microscopes are also known as Biological or High Power microscopes. They are used for viewing transparent specimens that are not typically visible to the naked eye.

I needed more magnification to study smaller organisms that are too small to view with the stereo microscope.

GamerDadof4 · Mar 5, 2020

AlexG said:
Pulled some definitions from Google.

Stereo Microscopes enable 3D viewing of specimens visible to the naked eye. They are commonly known as Low Power or Dissecting Microscopes. An estimated 99% of stereo applications employ less than 50x magnification. Use them for viewing insects, crystals, plant life, circuit boards etc.

I use mine for studying micro fauna, inspecting corals. I use a cell phone adapter to hold the phone over the eye piece to take pictures and videos.

Compound microscopes are also known as Biological or High Power microscopes. They are used for viewing transparent specimens that are not typically visible to the naked eye.

I needed more magnification to study smaller organisms that are too small to view with the stereo microscope.

That video is amazing!