A. O. inverted microscope

[charlie]

There seems little interest in this AO. Is it not a good scope? (The high bidder has won two of the scopes I have bid on!)

http://www.swapauction.wisc.edu/Listing ... cope-40035

[Charles]

There seems to be lots of problems with the lamp section. It is missing the lamp module, has a broken mirror and the top cover is missing. Otherwise, not bad if the top portion is repairable since it has the LWD phase condenser and probably three of the four objectives are phase. Here is a similar one on ebay for $188+46, which has a trinocular head and only two objectives but is in working order.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121866615587?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

[charlie]

I saw the missing items but the ebay listing that you posted seems to show it isn't worth much even complete. I guess it ain't a Zeiss, eh Charles?

[Charles]

They usually go for around $500-750, so the ebay one is a nice deal...but I already have a complete one with both LWD BF and Phase, all objectives and mechanical stage.

[KurtM]

I gotta agree, those things normally go for much higher prices. It's somewhat rare to see phase contrast on them, and even more seldom seen is the mechanical stage. I don't have an 1820, but do have a very complete 1810 with phase contrast and mechanical stage. I would recommend holding out for a mechanical stage for anyone hot to get one of these, and I think they're pretty decent especially if you're patient and get it under $300.

The 1810, seen below, pretty much eliminates any possibility of a trinoc head, unfortunately, so that's a big advantage of the later 1820.

[einman]

I have had 4 Biostar 1820 and currently have one in emaculate condition. It is an incredible scope. Like all AO's don't be deceived. They are highly undervalued.

I sold the previous 3 1820's I had for $500-$750. All had phase/contrast.

I have been watching the one on E-bay just to see how long before someone snatches it up.

[Charles]

I've been watching it too and have been temped to give them an offer. It is the cheapest of the BioStars listed from $188-1500: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=mi ... r&_sacat=0
and looks the best. You would need the 20X and 40X, both which are LWD and have correction collars. Now if you could combine the one on UW Swap and this $188 scope, you would have a nice $500-1000 scope...tempting.

[apochronaut]

There are some known issues with these but they aren't insurmountable. A common problem, is that the correction collars often get set in a lab for a certain thickness , which is the standard dish or plate used in that lab and it never gets moved. They become seized, however they are fairly easy to un-seize.

The two high power objectives, the 20X and the 45X ,whether phase or not, are based on the same design and they are achromats.The only plan achromats used on them were a 4X and a 10X. Like all AO made microscopes, as Einman points out, you are getting more for your money, especially at some of the prices, you see them offered at. That L.W.D. phase condenser , alone, is a steal for the money.

However, despite having that condenser, it is likely it contains only the 10X phase annulus because only one of the objectives offered is a phase objective.
the # 1017 is a 4X planachro
the # 1211 is a 10X dark phase planachro.
the # 1215 is a 20X .50 L.W.D. achromat with a fixed working distance of 1.0mm ( no correction collar)
the # 1218 is a 45X .66 L.W.D. achromat with a correction collar graduated between .4 and .8mm.

so there is a bit of a mis-match in capacity, between the two high power objectives.

[charlie]

That L.W.D. phase condenser , alone, is a steal for the money.

It sold for $101. Like the Zeiss that I looked at (It too sold for a bit over $100 too at a SWAP auction), the condenser was worth more than the sales price.

[Charles]

Charlie, It still has 12 hours to go.

[charlie]

oops

$113 - The same guy won it as got the Zeiss that I bid on.

[Dale]

THIS http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-O-Biostar-Inv ... Track=true
is what I want to bid on. (thanks for link,Charles). My only concerns are no spec's on the objectives, and the lack
of a mechanical stage. Not knowing what obj's it has prevents me from knowing what I would need to add, and
if they are ever available. I have asked for pix and details.
Einman, do you think $100 is a fair shipping price.
Dale

[Charles]

Ideally you would want it to have:
1217A (LWD Phase 20X with correction collar)
1219A (LWD Phase 40X with correction collar)

The other objectives like a Plan 4X and Plan Phase 10X you would have no problems getting and you already have them on your AO 10.

I may have spare 20X and 40X objectives mentioned above if you need them. I'll see if I can find them.

[Dale]

Hooray, I won the auction, scope should be here in few days.
I also won the 1810 parts scope just to get the mechanical stage.
Kurt!!! Why didn't I get the measurements of the stage? It is as big
as the left runway at Boeing Field!! I'm thinking of putting my other
scopes on the stage, and racking left or right for stereo-inverted- or
upright microscopy!!
Dale

[KurtM]

Kurt!!! Why didn't I get the measurements of the stage?

Finally -- somebody with worse memory problems than me!! I was out of town and couldn't provide measurements for you, remember?

I'm home now, but only briefly; I strike out once again on Thursday, won't be back till late May. Spring and fall are always my busiest times of year.

Pro Tip: Serve dinner on the stage next time you have guests, it makes for excellent conversation.

[Dale]

I didn't expect you to supply dimensions from out of town, I could have estimated
from the many photographs I had. The only thing critical was the front to back.
It was shipped in one piece. It is far more precise than I expected. I'll have
to post a picture of this zoo. I'll be in Nashville in a few weeks.
Y'all take care now, heah.
Dale