They said get a toy microscope, but.... Really??

[CherBear811]

So, I have decided to get a microscope. I have seen several suggestions on different threads to get a toy microscope from amazon for $10-15, as that's all you need to identify things like dinos, diatoms and other critters that cab be seen well in the 50x-100x range. So....

After looking at all the cheap kids models these two had the best reviews, but my long standing belief that nothing comes super cheap in this hobby is holding me back from pulling the trigger. I am buying to ID dinos.

Anyone use either of these models?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HPNIBQ4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=A36KEYTSB3R4TZ&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Lab...pID=41HUEk3vuOL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 

[Velcro]

The cheap ones work fine. Don't overthink this

 

[dwest]

So, I have decided to get a microscope. I have seen several suggestions on different threads to get a toy microscope from amazon for $10-15, as that's all you need to identify things like dinos, diatoms and other critters that cab be seen well in the 50x-100x range. So....

After looking at all the cheap kids models these two had the best reviews, but my long standing belief that nothing comes super cheap in this hobby is holding me back from pulling the trigger. I am buying to ID dinos.

Anyone use either of these models?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HPNIBQ4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=A36KEYTSB3R4TZ&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Lab-Mini-Duo-Scope/dp/B00V3DHJC0/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1536396294&sr=1-3&keywords=microscope+glass+optics&refinements=p_36:-3000&dpID=41HUEk3vuOL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

The top one worked for me. I identified what I needed to.

 

[CherBear811]

The top one worked for me. I identified what I needed to.

Do you mind if I ask if it was for dinos and if not what magnification did you successfully use with this model to ID what you need to?

 

[dwest]

Do you mind if I ask if it was for dinos and if not what magnification did you successfully use with this model to ID what you need to?

Yes it was for dinos. Honestly, I don’t know the magnification (showing my ignorance here), but the shortest lense was pointing down. I did borrow some glass slides from my school, but everything else as as is.

 

[Instigate]

So, I have decided to get a microscope. I have seen several suggestions on different threads to get a toy microscope from amazon for $10-15, as that's all you need to identify things like dinos, diatoms and other critters that cab be seen well in the 50x-100x range. So....

After looking at all the cheap kids models these two had the best reviews, but my long standing belief that nothing comes super cheap in this hobby is holding me back from pulling the trigger. I am buying to ID dinos.

Anyone use either of these models?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HPNIBQ4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=A36KEYTSB3R4TZ&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Lab-Mini-Duo-Scope/dp/B00V3DHJC0/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1536396294&sr=1-3&keywords=microscope+glass+optics&refinements=p_36:-3000&dpID=41HUEk3vuOL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I got the 12 dollar one and returned it. I say it's worth is to spend ~$50 and get a legit one. It could be that the unit I got was defective but I wasn't able to get a clear shot with it. I would be interested if anyone that is happy with the $12 scope would post some samples of images from it. This is the best I could do with the unit I received:

 

[Instigate]

The cheap ones work fine. Don't overthink this

Do you have any sample photos from the cheapo one? I was never able to get a decent shot with one, maybe mine was defective?

 

[mcarroll]

So, I have decided to get a microscope. I have seen several suggestions on different threads to get a toy microscope from amazon for $10-15, as that's all you need to identify things like dinos, diatoms and other critters that cab be seen well in the 50x-100x range. So....

After looking at all the cheap kids models these two had the best reviews, but my long standing belief that nothing comes super cheap in this hobby is holding me back from pulling the trigger. I am buying to ID dinos.

Anyone use either of these models?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HPNIBQ4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=A36KEYTSB3R4TZ&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Lab-Mini-Duo-Scope/dp/B00V3DHJC0/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1536396294&sr=1-3&keywords=microscope+glass+optics&refinements=p_36:-3000&dpID=41HUEk3vuOL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Selecting a microscope

I'm still working on my chops with the toy scope. Someone mentioned that there's a metal version of the same toy scope model, but that comes with a case and nicer set of stuff. Only a little more $.

Otherwise just get the best scope you can afford.

Dino's aren't hard to see so it's not a question of getting "too little scope". You'll notice that most of the really awesome features will double or triple your scope's cost though.

I over-analyzed this in the thread I linked, so you can read a lot more there. It might help.