Would a cheap USB microscope be helpful ?(under $50)

[ronzxcvb]

ya the toy ones http://www.walmart.com/ip/Carson-MM-480 ... n/11186214
I think being able to take photos would be the most important thing for me at this time
Want to be able to check pod- algae cultures Necropsy use to compare mesh sizes etc.
If this would be ok for now could get a used microscope later for more advanced work that don’t take pictures
Another option would be the celestron LCD from wall mart $160/$190
Off from work so moneys tight need to be cheap right now

[BaboonScience]

I just looked at that one. Looks like it would be a good starter. The price is certainly right.
There are several people here that have had great success with the Celestron. So that would be another good choice but quite a bit higher in price.

I have a fairly expensive trinocular scope and am using a 1024 by 480 web cam that I purchased on ebay as the camera. Not as good as a traditional digital microscope camera but it gives adequate results and was only $13 delivered.

Tell us how it works for you if you decide to go with that cheap one. I for one would be interested.
John

[ronzxcvb]

I didn’t want to wait two weeks for Wal-Mart’s ship to store so I checked Amazon
What I didn’t like about the $30 Wal-Mart one was it didn’t come with a stand
What I chose was double the price but still cheap
No reviews so hopefully I made a good choice
http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Round-L ... rvi_cart_1
I will post my impression of it and some pics when it arrives

[BaboonScience]

I will be very interested.
Thanks
John

[ronzxcvb]

I think I made the right decision
I’m quite impressed
Here are some pictures of an unidentified pod I’m culturing
Hopefully someone can identify it for me

[ronzxcvb]

Was in a hurry didn’t do a good job picking what to post so here is a better representation of what it can do low power 24x high power 240x to 1000x
It goes to 1960x but not the greatest quality that high

[JimWelsh]

Your copepod is a harpacticoid, but that's all the specificity I'll venture right now.

Some of those pictures are pretty good for a $60.00 microscope, I must say!

[ronzxcvb]

Real glad I went with this one
You have to move the slides manually
And the focus can be a little tricky at times
But it surpassed all my expectations so
I’m really happy with it

[BaboonScience]

Heck, the focus is a little tricky on my $3,500 scope.
Those pictures are really pretty good. My experience is that you have to play with Bright, Contrast and Color balance more than anything else, in order to make an image look right.

I think you got your money's worth.
John