Advice on Buying a Microscope

teslacoil33 on 25/10/2018 - 15:17

I'm looking to buy a microscope for my girlfriend for her birthday. I'm basically looking for something that she can view insects and leaves and stuff through. Not exactly sure what kind of magnification would be required for that? I've done a little bit of research and from what I've heard a bifocal lens might be the way to go.

Are there any brands I should seek or avoid? I don't really want to spend a fortune, ideally under $300. Are there any other things I need to consider? I was thinking of perhaps buying a 2nd hand microscope from a school-lab if it would be suitable.

Any help appreciated.

Education & Work Microscope

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2018 - 15:21
    +26

    I'm looking to buy a microscope for my girlfriend for her birthday.

    There is a joke here but I will refrain myself.

    • teslacoil33 on 25/10/2018 - 15:27
      +2

      Greatly appreciated

    • gaz3342 on 25/10/2018 - 15:45

      So. Tempting.

    • raymosaurus on 27/10/2018 - 13:47
      +1

      I know. My instant thought too.

      Keep it classy Ozzie B.

  • Hybroid on 25/10/2018 - 15:21
    +1

    Interesting and thoughtful gift. You can get microscope attachments for smartphones which might be of interest so she can take pictures of her experiments too.

    • teslacoil33 on 25/10/2018 - 15:28

      She is quite into her photography so that could be really cool!

  • pjetson on 25/10/2018 - 16:00
    +1

    There's also USB microscopes that display the image on a PC screen.

  • The Wololo Wombat on 25/10/2018 - 16:35
    +1

    She will like this gift? If so, sounds like you've got an awesome girlfriend! I'd go for a USB compatible one :) Can project the image onto a laptop.

    • teslacoil33 on 25/10/2018 - 16:42

      She's rather fantastic if I do say so myself :)

      With these USB compatible ones, is the USB a requirement or can the microscope still be used without it? If it's just an optional extra that would be a really cool feature!

  • kahn on 25/10/2018 - 18:43
    +1

    Will she be using it after you've gone swimming?

  • altomic on 25/10/2018 - 19:32
    +1

    A microscope as a present is becoming a thing. You should look into it

  • SydStrand on 26/10/2018 - 00:40

    As someone who uses a microscope fairly regularly, I can't fathom why anyone would want one.

    Even kids grow bored of them after they looked at a couple of leaves and the included slides. Unless she means to be a pathologist, then 40X is sufficient, and even 100x microscopes are dirt cheap online. Might be a cute gag gift, but expect it to gather dust once the novelty wears off.

    • teslacoil33 on 26/10/2018 - 18:01

      Curiosity, wonder, fascination maybe? Perhaps the fact that you use one fairly regularly might be the reason you find them boring and mundane?

      • SydStrand on 27/10/2018 - 02:33

        I received one as a kid, I've even seen them gifted, and the novelty wears off very quickly. Seen one desiccated leaf? Seen em all. Once she goes through the included slides (insect wing, onion) and maybe a wet prep of pond water, 99% it'll gather dust. She probably won't be checking body fluids, and histo requires sampling equipment and ideally, stains. If you want to get a scientific doodad gift she might actually use, how about a telescope?

        • teslacoil33 on 27/10/2018 - 09:49

          Already got a telescope and a nice pair of binoculars. I might be better off just picking up a cheap one off Gumtree then.

          • raymosaurus on 27/10/2018 - 13:50

            @teslacoil33: Yep, used FTW. If/when it's time to part with it, you won't have lost much/any money if you bought it at a fair price.

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