30 replies to this topic

[Nathant2131]

I need a microscope for my ants to identify to species-level. I don't want a super mega zoom thing, I just want to see stuff like how many segments the antenna contains, or if their are short hairs on the gaster, and to see all the mandibular teeth clearly without having to squint, stuff like that. Any recommendations? I am completely new to microscopes and cameras and such, don't even know where to start. My budget is around 500 bucks.

[gcsnelling]

Try Amscope.

[Nathant2131]

Try Amscope.

I'll look into that, thanks.

[Mads]

I just got one off of microscopes.com. They were great to deal with. This is the particular one that I bought: http://www.microscop...pe-package.html . 

 

Mads

[Nathant2131]

Does anyone think this microscope is good enough?

 

http://www.amscope.c...gen-lights.html

I just got one off of microscopes.com. They were great to deal with. This is the particular one that I bought: http://www.microscop...pe-package.html . 

 

Mads

I'll check that one out too.

[Martialis]

Does anyone think this microscope is good enough?

 

http://www.amscope.c...gen-lights.html

I just got one off of microscopes.com. They were great to deal with. This is the particular one that I bought: http://www.microscop...pe-package.html . 

 

Mads

I'll check that one out too.

 

It's great for it. On my microscope, I just use the lowest setting possible.

[dspdrew]

Actually, I think a zoom microscope IS probably what you want if you are trying to look at ants.

[Nathant2131]

I know this topic's a little old, but I found a nice zoom microscope. Would this work? 

Edited by Nathant2131, February 9 2017 - 7:51 AM.

[CrazyLegs]

Why spend a lot of $. I look at my ants through a carson micromax, $25

[Bracchymyrmex]

https://www.amazon.c...0/dp/B000P8AUMULooks like a great deal...

[CrazyLegs]

https://www.amazon.c...0/dp/B000P8AUMULooks like a great deal...

Bargain

[Nathant2131]

https://www.amazon.c...0/dp/B000P8AUMULooks like a great deal...

Bargain

Ooooh. I might get one of those and then upgrade to a stereo microscope if all goes well. Thanks.

[gcsnelling]

https://www.amazon.c...0/dp/B000P8AUMULooks like a great deal...

Don't waste your money, this style scope is pretty much worthless.

[drtrmiller]

https://www.amazon.c...0/dp/B000P8AUMULooks like a great deal...

Don't waste your money, this style scope is pretty much worthless.

...by virtue of the inferior clarity of the optics and poor diffusion of lighting.

A standard tabletop scope would be a superior instrument in all respects.

[Nathant2131]

 

 

https://www.amazon.c...0/dp/B000P8AUMULooks like a great deal...

Don't waste your money, this style scope is pretty much worthless.

...by virtue of the inferior clarity of the optics and poor diffusion of lighting.

A standard tabletop scope would be a superior instrument in all respects.

 

No reason not to try it out. It is cheap anyway. Plus, CrazyLegs said he uses it. I'll order one and see how it goes, then upgrade to a stereo microscope if I feel it is not enough.

[dspdrew]

 

https://www.amazon.c...0/dp/B000P8AUMULooks like a great deal...

Don't waste your money, this style scope is pretty much worthless.

 

 

Yeah. I actually have that one. I keep it in my backpack just in case I want to get a slightly better look at something in the field. But yeah, worthless for anything else. A magnifying glass would probably be better.

[gcsnelling]

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.c...0/dp/B000P8AUMULooks like a great deal...

Don't waste your money, this style scope is pretty much worthless.

...by virtue of the inferior clarity of the optics and poor diffusion of lighting.

A standard tabletop scope would be a superior instrument in all respects.

 

No reason not to try it out. It is cheap anyway. Plus, CrazyLegs said he uses it. I'll order one and see how it goes, then upgrade to a stereo microscope if I feel it is not enough.

 

 

Feel free to just send me your money instead, you will get about as much value out if it.

[CrazyLegs]

Hahaha, I thought he just wanted to get a closer look at distinguishing features of ants not write a scientific paper. For $8 you can hardly call it a waste of money, if so I have wasted a huge amount of money in my lifetime. I was able to identify a mite no bigger than a fraction of a mm with this little gimmicky microscope. I would be very embarrassed at the least to say I spent $500 to casually identify an ant.

Edited by CrazyLegs, February 9 2017 - 5:54 PM.

[dspdrew]

I spent  $400 on my microscope and it is still one of my favorite investments. I don't only use it for ID'ing ants, I use it for all sorts of stuff. It's a great tool to have. I've used it about five times to pull microscopic splinters and metal shavings from my fingers. The ones you normally just have to put up with for a few days until it finally goes away.

[CrazyLegs]

I spent  $400 on my microscope and it is still one of my favorite investments. I don't only use it for ID'ing ants, I use it for all sorts of stuff. It's a great tool to have. I've used it about five times to pull microscopic splinters and metal shavings from my fingers. The ones you normally just have to put up with for a few days until it finally goes away.

I agree microscopes have many uses however as with most things, I always start with a modest investment and proceed from there.