Olympus BH2 vs Zeiss Primo Star

[Harold]

I ordered what looked like a nice BH2 from Ebay. Should have known better. It arrived with a badly gummed up and gritty focusing mechanism that only move d the stage intermittently. Needless to say, it's on it's way back to the seller. So I'm still in the market for a good, non-Chinese microscope I like the versatility of the BH2, but after that first unpleasant experience, I'm wondering if I might be better served by something still in production. I've located a Zeiss Primo Star at a doable price with PLAN objectives (4x, 10x, 40x, 100x oil). So I'm asking which of these two would you recommend?

Thanks.

[Scarodactyl]

The Zeiss Primostar is made by Motic in China. It's not terrible but it's an intro scope with limited upgradeability, unlike the BH2 where all manner upgrades are possible (but often or usually prohibitively expensive depending what you want).

[lorez2]

If you are interested in building a scope I have a variety of BH2 stands, bodies and components. Let me know if you are interested.

lorez

[farnsy]

If you are looking in the price range of a primo star or lower, I don't think you will find anything that is simultaneously (1) not Chinese (2) currently in production (3) good quality.

Actually, I take it back. A lowish-end Olympus like the CX31 would be made in the Philippines and probably compares with a primo star. Is made in the Philippines ok with you?

[Gatorengineer64]

Why does currently in production matter? I doubt you will wear out the objectives or eyepieces and the only wear item is the bulb.... You can get a heck of a lot of used scope for 1000-1500......

[farnsy]

That's a good point. I suggest considering a used scope that is compatible with current generation objectives, but is not actually current generation. Any infinity corrected Nikon (eclipse e400 or something) or Olympus (BX or CX), for example, will have plenty of compatible parts around, including on the new market if you want. They are expensive, but not crazy expensive.

[Hobbyst46]

A used BH2 has an important advantage relative to most other used AND NEW microscopes: There are detailed and high quality repair manuals, written by MH forum member Carl Hunsinger, and available from the Alan Wood site.

[mrsonchus]

I ordered what looked like a nice BH2 from Ebay. Should have known better. It arrived with a badly gummed up and gritty focusing mechanism that only move d the stage intermittently. Needless to say, it's on it's way back to the seller. So I'm still in the market for a good, non-Chinese microscope I like the versatility of the BH2, but after that first unpleasant experience, I'm wondering if I might be better served by something still in production. I've located a Zeiss Primo Star at a doable price with PLAN objectives (4x, 10x, 40x, 100x oil). So I'm asking which of these two would you recommend?

Thanks.

Whereabouts are you, if you're in the U.K. I'm about to list my beautiful Olympus BX50 with just about any add ons you need except DIC as I never could afford it!

[75RR]

Whereabouts are you, if you're in the U.K. I'm about to list my beautiful Olympus BX50 with just about any add ons you need except DIC as I never could afford it!

Have you upgraded again?

[mrsonchus]

Whereabouts are you, if you're in the U.K. I'm about to list my beautiful Olympus BX50 with just about any add ons you need except DIC as I never could afford it!

Have you upgraded again?

pm sent

[Harold]

Seems the consensus is to go with a used BH2, and the reasons for doing so all make good sense to me. Thanks for helping me make up my mind. At this point, the question is less about what t get and more about getting it from a reliable source.

[deBult]

Note, most scopes on E… -not being serviced regularly- have gummed gear (they are 40 years old). Relative ease to fix though.

If you are in the USA reach out to Carl Hunsinger, his hobby is refurbishing BH2 scopes, he may be able to get you one.

If you are in mainland Europe I may have one for you.

Send Carl’s e-mail via PM.

[carlh6902]

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to inquire about a refurbished BH2.

Carl Hunsinger

[Harold]

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to inquire about a refurbished BH2.

Carl Hunsinger

Carl,
Thanks for reaching out. I think I'm pretty well set. Found a trinocular BH2 from a vendor who has been very helpful. Do you have access to any photo adapter for such a scope?

Thanks