Purchase of a microscope

[B Rubble]

Hi

I need the advice of any knowledgeable ab’ers.

We are looking at buying a microscope for a friends son for Christmas. A few months back we got him a cheap one to see if he’d take to it and he has, now we have promised to get him a better quality scope.

Do any of you have experience or suggestions of which ones to look at, we have a budget of about £100 and are looking for something that will see him though high school.

Thanks
B

[vulcan]

This site might help
http://www.ukge.co.uk

[theprof]

Have a look at the answer I gave here:

http://www.theanswerb...e/Question786004.html

I've recommended Brunel Microscopes for many years. The Wedmore SP series are robust models well suited to a student as he'll need both course and fine focus controls.

http://www.brunelmicr...udent-microscope.html

The SP27 shown on the same page is also excellent and has the advantage of a rotating monocular head which is standard in most schools nowadays. It also has it's own illumination source. It's over your budget slightly but it's an improvement on the Wedmore series.

I've tried out the Wedmore and SP27 myself and I can vouch for their quality - my university has around 120 of the SP27 in various undergraduate laboratories the last time I checked the inventory.

If you need any assistance, give Brunel a ring - you'll find their technical advisor's very helpful and down-to-earth. Post again if I can assist further.

[theprof]

The link vulcan42 has provided to UKGE also illustrates the Brunel range. Forget the Explorer as it has no fine focus and is not up to the standard required. The SP15 is good, but it does need a mains supply nearby as it has no mirror or led illumination. The others might well be too expensive.

[heathfield]

I'd recommend looking for any or all of the above suggested types on Ebay - there's usually quite a number of microscopes on offer at well below their new price.

[B Rubble]

Thank you all for your input on this.

have has had a look at these and I think I will give ukge a call later.

If I need any more help I'll get back to you all...

Thanks once again.
B

[heathfield]

Tut, tut, Prof. ''course'' for ''coarse''? No doubt written during a quick tea brake?

[theprof]

Argh, you're right heathfield! I don't waste my time with tea at that time of the night - it was all that Gordon's I'd consumed earlier.
I've now put a sticky note on the laptop: "Watch your spelling when you're pis*ed"

[B Rubble]

Hi All

I spoke to the people at Brunel and decided to purchase the SP27 as suggested.

It was a little more than we wanted to pay, but it is an investment in his education after all.

Regards and thanks once again
B

[theprof]

Many thanks for letting us know your decision.

You won't regret buying the SP27 and I know it will take him comfortably through high school. As you say, it is an investment and the additional expenditure is well worth it.

[bazwillrun]

Tut, tut, Prof. ''course'' for ''coarse''? No doubt written during a quick tea brake?

Tut, tut, brake for break ?! a deliberate typo no doubt !