Hi Everyone,
Garrett had some questions about microscopes for tracheal mite
disections and may have found a scope at a reasonable price in Toys R
Us.  I have a few comments about scopes that should be considered.

First there are two main types of microscopes designed for somewhat
different purposes.  I suspect Garrett found a standard microscope with
usual magnifications from about 100X to 400X.  These scopes have a very
short working distance ( this varies with the mignification due to the
optics ) due to the higher mignifications used.  The microscopes
recommonded for tracheal mite counting have much greater working
distances - they are usually called disecting microscopes because you
can literally disect specimens while viewing them under the scope.  For
tracheal mite counts the disecting scopes work much better and easier
than the standard scopes as it is much easier to find the trachea and
examine them.  Disecting scopes however cannot be used for such things
as nosema counts which require 400X mignification.  Picking the right
tool for the job will make a big difference in the time required to read
a sample and in the frustration of trying to figure out how to use it.

There is another source of microscopes out there to look for as well.
Schools need to replace their student microscopes periodically and
usually the old scopes are either sold directly or traded to the local
supplier of the new scopes for a very reasonable price.  The local
dealer will service the old scopes and then sell them for a very
reasonable price and the optice are usually better quality than those
from the toystores.

Jim's comments on light sources are right on and very important -
without a good light source a scope with good optics just won't work
very well so it is wise to invest in a good light source.

FWIW

blane


******************************************
Blane White
MN Dept of Agriculture
[log in to unmask]

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::