Microscopes

[Aleman]

I was passed details from the CBA that Lidl were doing a Microscope for just under 50 quid . . . So I popped along and bought one :). The Lidl advert makes it look like a Child's toy, but I can say that it is not . . . it is a quality instrument . . . not necessarily a precision instrument, but of usable quality. Ultimately it is let down by the optics, but not to a point where it is unusable.

For things like Cell counts and viability tests it would be ideal . . . coupled with a haemocytometer slide . . . The really good thing about it is that it comes with a 'camera' that connects to the PC via USB.

For bacterial work its no good at all . .. but then most optical scopes are pretty poor for that . . . unless you pay a lot of money

 

[percival]

I really enjoy looking at images that come from the hubble space telescope. There was a program about it on TV the other day so i tuned in hoping for some cool images that maybe i hadn't seen before (some have been pulled from you-tube). One of the best bits of the program tho was the description of the first images that came from it .... all out of focus ... turns out it's optics were letting it down. i don't remember if it was long or short sighted (the astronomer's own simplified description) and i can only guess at the extent of heart sinking feelings. Anyway, obviously all wasn't lost cos the images from it are just spectacular. Essentially some brainy folks made it some fancy specs to correct its vision (gross simplification but again thats how it was put across for us non-specialist viewers - no pun intended ). The result was images .... way better than expected. Turned out the problem was a simple as an extra washer in a tool of some sort that was used for grinding or measuring the original mirror. Your microscope shares some illustrious company and the results you get from using it may be very much better than you anticipate. Sounds like it was something you couldn't resist so grats on your purchase and enjoy :thumb:

 

[Aleman]

Well, If you need to do cell counts

You could do it with this scope . . . This is an image from my Boh Pils drawn straight from the keg . . . .. . its a bit hazy . . . it might pass a Feck Test but it is not bright . . . and this has the evidence.

 

[Phil]

Would you be able to identify a square of a particular size as you would with a hemocytometer to aid cell count?

/Phil.

 

[Aleman]

I could . . . but it is easier to just buy a haemocytometer slide . . . as that also gives you a specific volume to work with as well . . . of course a quality haemocytometer slide costs as much as the scope :lol: