Suggest a Microscope EDIT: Bought Radical RXL-4B

Err... What's been happenning ? :angelic:

PLENTY ....@biozen & @logistopath

I have booked my microscope (at last) and expecting delivery by this saturday or monday. Price is 18k (after some discount) :shy:

After all the wonderful discussions we have had here - I took the time to mull over everything over the past 10 days. I pondered over each and every word & aspect that both Mohit and logistopath shared (from their rich experiences). However, the price of those models 30k and above was a deterrent to me at this stage. I tried to push myself .... but just ran outa breadth at the finishing line each time. I meanwhile poured over scores of you-tube videos and online resources & decided to strike a balance somewhere.

I realized that we will not see twice as much with a scope that costs TWICE or THRICE as much - besides we are not into "hard-core" microscopy at this stage. I will further need to spend 5-10k on peripheral things [collection/mini library of permanent slides; stains; slide making kit etc]

I was and am constrained by my budget and the fact that it is primarily meant for my daughter (who is just in her 7th grade) - so I consider this as an educational hobby (for the whole family too) cum investment. This was & is the "primary objective" of getting a microscope.

So if all goes well & she develops a serious interest in "microscopy" then in maybe 5-6 years time, I will sell off this scope (or hand it over to any deserving institution) & then migrate to the habitat of the "gods" - Nikon or an Olympus.

And now, I am too embarrassed to proceed any further (or reveal any further details)...... until I lay my hands on the "actual scope" and see if my gamble was worth it. So apologies to you both ......

I shall definately post a "review"..... BUT ONLY after getting familiar with my new baby.

Thanks a tonne guyz
Terry
 
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biozen said:
Vision 2000?
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Nooooo ... I ruled out the Vision 2000 (halogen) as you had mentioned
..... Regarding your query about Vision 2000, its a decent microscope. But has certain issues with the light source electronics. Tends to blow a lot. Repairs are usually: (1) replacement of the bulb (Rs. 150-200) frequently or (2) replacement of light source PCB (~Rs. 3K) in a year or so.
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besides its pricing was going over my budget.
Like I said
......And now, I am too embarrassed to proceed any further (or reveal any further details)...... until I lay my hands on the "actual scope" and see if my gamble was worth it. So apologies to you both ......I shall definately post a "review"..... BUT ONLY after getting familiar with my new baby.
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At 18k (plus I am told that I now have to pay octroi/ebay/Blue-dart/shipped from Ambala) & packaged as a "gift" ...dunno why?

BUT ok ....why prolong the (stupid) suspense.

It's Radical's RXL-4B - got it for 18k (after the discount using my ICICI card).

I know you may BANG your head :banghead: in disbelief. And like I said at 18k ... it's a huge gamble.

I checked through sources and found it to be comparable to Labomed Vision 2000. I pray & hope that the "optics" are really good [not expecting it to be like Nikon or Olympus +40k scopes]. I will have to perform a whole lot of tests to see that there are no (or minimal) aberrations. I ruled out their other models in the 13k & 16k category as the above scope had the best optics & build.

Mohit you are a professional and I totally understand your depth of knowledge and especially your understanding of "ground-realities" - manufacture/assembling of these scopes in India, so often recommendations do get difficult for a lay-user or a hobbyist who is just venturing into microscopy.

I am likewise finding it difficult to recommend (on another thread) telescopes to folks who do not wish to spend too much. Similarly in my professional field of Field of Film/Video & now 3D Animation for the past 20 years - I have used the best of the very best equipment & softwares at my workplace (always used high end Nvidia Quadro GPU's), so I struggle to suggest builds to a newbie.

In the final analysis - we discover options and alternatives & if they work well. Then it's a search & a job well done.
 
logistopath said:
@terence_fdes How has the experience been thus far..? Keep us posted. :)
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We have been freaking out (I and my daughter).My daughter uses it independently on her own now.:angelic:

The 40x objective poses a lot of challenges [getting things sharply into focus] and the 100x I have'nt tried as yet (those guys forgot to send the imersion oil).

I need to buy it locally in Mumbai (along with a some stainers, about 4-5 cavity slides) dunno where to get them from. Parle book depot has only the cavity slides.
 
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Great.. About the stains/slides, if you are looking for those plain unprepared ones, you could get them at stores that supply laboratory items/chemicals to pathology labs. You just need to know what exactly you want. If you are looking for those readymade slides, the best way would be to contact a few schools in your area and find out who supplies them with slides.
 
terence_fdes said:
We have been freaking out (I and my daughter).My daughter uses it independently on her own now.:angelic:

The 40x objective poses a lot of challenges [getting things sharply into focus] and the 100x I have'nt tried as yet (those guys forgot to send the imersion oil).

I need to buy it locally in Mumbai (along with a some stainers, about 4-5 cavity slides) dunno where to get them from. Parle book depot has only the cavity slides.
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How is your experience with the microscope so far. Let me know.

Thanks
Pav
 
Its been awesome. However since 23rd Sept I am no longer at home... now working in Malaysia. So its kept aside.
While I was at home I used to freak out with it along with my daughter. I have no complaints at all regarding the "quality" of the instrument. Plus the LED lamp is great (as compared to tungsten).
If u are thinking of buying one then this model is good..
Just that its pricey.
 
terence_fdes said:
Its been awesome. However since 23rd Sept I am no longer at home... now working in Malaysia. So its kept aside.
While I was at home I used to freak out with it along with my daughter. I have no complaints at all regarding the "quality" of the instrument. Plus the LED lamp is great (as compared to tungsten).
If u are thinking of buying one then this model is good..
Just that its pricey.
Click to expand...


Thanks a lot for taking time to reply and it was useful. Appreciate it.

Thanks
Pav
 
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