Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

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Jimbo
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Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#1 Post by Jimbo » Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:05 pm

I’ve narrowed down my search to the T400A-30W. Two posts pointed me in this direction. One post said something about 20W halogen for dark field like the T490’s was enough, but barely.
I saw one person got a 1W led on the advertised 3W scope. These two things led me to the 30W halogen.
Is 30W halogen too much for a noob to handle? Will I end up cooking the little critters and melting homemade patch stops?
Anyone own this scope?

Jimbo
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#2 Post by Jimbo » Sun Apr 11, 2021 11:26 pm

On the other hand, I know the T490 is an excellent scope with great reviews , so maybe I’m overthinking the situation?

InstantMochiii
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#3 Post by InstantMochiii » Sun Apr 11, 2021 11:32 pm

In all honesty, I don't know either... I feel like the T490 is pretty good, and I don't know what level of control you would need for the halogen bulb. Then again, it's pretty bright, has 'daylight' light, and easily replaceable, the only con is that it heats up. But then, the LED is not as bright (for darkfield) and is not as easily replaceable... But it doesn't heat up, which is a major factor for me. So yeah, maybe I'm overthinking these two too? Agh- T_T Someone help us D:

LouiseScot
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#4 Post by LouiseScot » Sun Apr 11, 2021 11:37 pm

Jimbo wrote:
Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:05 pm
I’ve narrowed down my search to the T400A-30W. Two posts pointed me in this direction. One post said something about 20W halogen for dark field like the T490’s was enough, but barely.
I saw one person got a 1W led on the advertised 3W scope. These two things led me to the 30W halogen.
Is 30W halogen too much for a noob to handle? Will I end up cooking the little critters and melting homemade patch stops?
Anyone own this scope?
AmScope say it's 'force cooled' - not sure if that means it's noisy! You can diy a variable LED of whatever brightness on most scopes so I wouldn't let that concern you too much. Have you looked at the T490B - it's supposed to be a 'workhorse'. I see Amscope has a near half price sale on at the moment - maybe a good time to get one of their better scopes?

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

ScienceMatters
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#5 Post by ScienceMatters » Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:55 am

Jimbo wrote:
Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:05 pm
Is 30W halogen too much for a noob to handle? Will I end up cooking the little critters and melting homemade patch stops?
Anyone own this scope?
I own this scope and I was very happy with it as a beginning microscopist. 30W is not that much, you will definitely not be melting darkfield stops unless you make them out of chocolate. :) For reference, my Olympus BHS and many others have a 100W bulb. That one will cook things faster. But the Amscope takes a long time to dry the slide out, and they tend to dry out naturally after an hour or two anyway. You can use the slider to adjust the intensity, so you can keep it lower for brightfield and turn it up for darkfield. The “forced cooling” they refer to is a cooling fan, which does seem to help keep things cooler. The fan speed automatically goes up as you increase the lighting intensity. It’s pretty quiet except at the highest slider setting, and then it’s definitely an audible whir but not deal-breaker loud.

Here are a couple of unedited pics I took in the first weeks of owning this scope using a simple iPhone adapter. At lower magnifications, you get great results. With the higher power objectives, you don’t get the same resolution as you would from a more expensive scope, but that’s why they cost more. As the scope gets fancier, required knowledge increases and things can feel a lot more “fiddly.” The Amscope is great for beginners because you can start looking at things without a lot of expertise or effort. I eventually outgrew it, but I’m glad I started out with it. And glad I had the 30W bulb.
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BramHuntingNematodes
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#6 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Mon Apr 12, 2021 2:26 am

those are good pictures certainly, but I must admit I am not at all impressed with the design. It appears as if the bulb is directly underneath the stage which is about the worst place for it to be. A fan might help with heat, but I would worry about very small vibrations blurring the image. It doesn't take much, and I take great pains to isolate my scopes from vibration to think about strapping a fan directly under the stage. The BH, which I guess the Amscope is aping, had an external lamphouse for 30w bulbs.
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination

Jimbo
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#7 Post by Jimbo » Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:52 pm

Wow! Thanks all for responding.
InstantMochii, it appears we are on the same quest!! Both interested in the same scopes and with the same doubts and fears. It should be interesting to see how we fare when we make our final decision.
LouiseScot, the sale price on the T490A dk is SO tempting! I wish the 400A had more reviews.
ScienceMatters, yours is the only review of the 400A and it pulls me in that direction. Nice pictures! Did you ever notice any vibration?
BramHuntingNematodes, I hadn’t thought about vibration affecting the images. I wonder if I would even notice since I am totally new at this.
My money should be available on Wednesday. Let’s see if I can actually decide, or flip a coin!?

viktor j nilsson
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#8 Post by viktor j nilsson » Mon Apr 12, 2021 5:53 pm

Are Amscope microscopes ever NOT on sale? I sure have never seen them being sold at the "list price". Here in Sweden, that type of false marketing is illegal. But clearly not in the US. Is the current "sale" price really any lower than usual? I don't keep tabs.

Red_Green
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#9 Post by Red_Green » Mon Apr 12, 2021 7:49 pm

viktor j nilsson wrote:
Mon Apr 12, 2021 5:53 pm
Are Amscope microscopes ever NOT on sale? I sure have never seen them being sold at the "list price". Here in Sweden, that type of false marketing is illegal. But clearly not in the US. Is the current "sale" price really any lower than usual? I don't keep tabs.
From the purchases I have made I have noticed that what I end up paying in total (shipping, tax, currency conversion, customs etc.) almost always equals out to what the "normal listing price is".

So if something says it costs $890 normally but is on sale for $450 as an example. The actual price is $890 and the sale price is just there to make you think your getting an excellent deal when in actuality you are really paying full price.

I don't agree with it but whatever.

ScienceMatters
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#10 Post by ScienceMatters » Mon Apr 12, 2021 8:07 pm

Jimbo wrote:
Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:52 pm
ScienceMatters, yours is the only review of the 400A and it pulls me in that direction. Nice pictures! Did you ever notice any vibration?
I never noticed any image-affecting vibration, but I did not attempt to take pics of small things at high magnifications (e.g. diatoms with the 100x objective), which would have shown that. At that level, the shutter in my iPhone camera would also likely have been an issue.

The half-price “sales” have been going at Amscope for a long time. In the U.S., the only adder is sales tax and maybe shipping. I seem to remember getting free shipping.

LouiseScot
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#11 Post by LouiseScot » Mon Apr 12, 2021 8:28 pm

The Netherlands-based Amscope UK only have a few items slightly discounted (from their limited catalogue). A T490B isn't being discounted and the current price is £342.99 compared to the apparent discounted US price of $339.99. Amscope UK do free shipping to the UK over £75. If I only had to pay $339.99 I'd just get one as a spare :D (£342.99 = $471.40)

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

Jimbo
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#12 Post by Jimbo » Tue Apr 13, 2021 4:12 pm

I guess I could buy T400A-30W, go right to the 100X-oil and look for vibration. That’s a hard way to get an answer.
First: I don’t plan use the 100-oil at all, or rarely.
Second: If it did vibrate and I was dissatisfied there is the hassle of returning one scope while waiting for a new one to arrive. Anyone ever had to return an Amscope? Do you go through them or Amazon?
Third: Zero info on the web about the 400A-30W. I called Amscope to inquire about the difference in series number, 400 vs. 490, but they weren’t helpful. It looks like they were introduced in 2012 so any they have on the shelf are only 9 yrs. old. Maybe it just didn’t sell and that’s why no reviews?.

LouiseScot
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#13 Post by LouiseScot » Tue Apr 13, 2021 6:03 pm

Jimbo wrote:
Tue Apr 13, 2021 4:12 pm
I guess I could buy T400A-30W, go right to the 100X-oil and look for vibration. That’s a hard way to get an answer.
First: I don’t plan use the 100-oil at all, or rarely.
Second: If it did vibrate and I was dissatisfied there is the hassle of returning one scope while waiting for a new one to arrive. Anyone ever had to return an Amscope? Do you go through them or Amazon?
Third: Zero info on the web about the 400A-30W. I called Amscope to inquire about the difference in series number, 400 vs. 490, but they weren’t helpful. It looks like they were introduced in 2012 so any they have on the shelf are only 9 yrs. old. Maybe it just didn’t sell and that’s why no reviews?.
I just did a search for a T400A-30W but couldn't actually find anything on AmScope. It came up on Amazon as 'currently unavailable'. TBH why buy a T400A when you can get a T490B? The 30W illumination isn't a good reason. You can easily unscrew the illuminator from the base and fit your own light source - 3W LED, 10W LED, white light or monochrome, or just a mirror illuminated with a halogen source via a mirror.

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

Jimbo
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#14 Post by Jimbo » Tue Apr 13, 2021 8:48 pm

You may have tipped the scales, Louise. Besides the wattage issue, I can’t get an answer from Amscope about the “400” series. The “490” is such a success why take a chance?
I can’t wait to be observing and not dithering about what scope to get ! I’m hoping to find a stentor or hydra ASAP. I think they are both incredibly cool. I grabbed some algae and water from my aquarium a while ago and “fed” the sample an oat flake. We have a derelict koi pond in our back yard that the birds and neighborhood cats frequent. There must be some protists in these samples!
OK, so now it’s the 490B. Will I vacillate yet again? Stay tuned!!

InstantMochiii
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#15 Post by InstantMochiii » Tue Apr 13, 2021 10:48 pm

Jimbo wrote:
Tue Apr 13, 2021 8:48 pm
Will I vacillate yet again? Stay tuned!!
The fact that I related to this so much hurts- lol

InstantMochiii
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#16 Post by InstantMochiii » Tue Apr 13, 2021 10:51 pm

LouiseScot wrote:
Tue Apr 13, 2021 6:03 pm
Jimbo wrote:
Tue Apr 13, 2021 4:12 pm
I guess I could buy T400A-30W, go right to the 100X-oil and look for vibration. That’s a hard way to get an answer.
First: I don’t plan use the 100-oil at all, or rarely.
Second: If it did vibrate and I was dissatisfied there is the hassle of returning one scope while waiting for a new one to arrive. Anyone ever had to return an Amscope? Do you go through them or Amazon?
Third: Zero info on the web about the 400A-30W. I called Amscope to inquire about the difference in series number, 400 vs. 490, but they weren’t helpful. It looks like they were introduced in 2012 so any they have on the shelf are only 9 yrs. old. Maybe it just didn’t sell and that’s why no reviews?.
I just did a search for a T400A-30W but couldn't actually find anything on AmScope. It came up on Amazon as 'currently unavailable'. TBH why buy a T400A when you can get a T490B? The 30W illumination isn't a good reason. You can easily unscrew the illuminator from the base and fit your own light source - 3W LED, 10W LED, white light or monochrome, or just a mirror illuminated with a halogen source via a mirror.

Louise
Can you please elaborate on how I would go about unscrewing the illuminator and fitting my own light source?

InstantMochiii
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#17 Post by InstantMochiii » Wed Apr 14, 2021 12:20 am

Jimbo wrote:
Tue Apr 13, 2021 8:48 pm
You may have tipped the scales, Louise. Besides the wattage issue, I can’t get an answer from Amscope about the “400” series. The “490” is such a success why take a chance?
I can’t wait to be observing and not dithering about what scope to get ! I’m hoping to find a stentor or hydra ASAP. I think they are both incredibly cool. I grabbed some algae and water from my aquarium a while ago and “fed” the sample an oat flake. We have a derelict koi pond in our back yard that the birds and neighborhood cats frequent. There must be some protists in these samples!
OK, so now it’s the 490B. Will I vacillate yet again? Stay tuned!!
Heyooo~ I found this one thread while I was procrastinating, and someone got the T490B-LED! They included pics and one of them is with a homemade darkfield filter, and ngl- it looks kinda awesome~ Just wanted to tell you~

https://www.microbehunter.com/microscop ... 24&t=12208 <--- link

Now, I have to convince my parents =_= The struggles of being a middle-schooler... I can't even use the money I earned myself, smh- lol

LouiseScot
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#18 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:03 am

InstantMochiii wrote:
Tue Apr 13, 2021 10:51 pm
LouiseScot wrote:
Tue Apr 13, 2021 6:03 pm
Jimbo wrote:
Tue Apr 13, 2021 4:12 pm
I guess I could buy T400A-30W, go right to the 100X-oil and look for vibration. That’s a hard way to get an answer.
First: I don’t plan use the 100-oil at all, or rarely.
Second: If it did vibrate and I was dissatisfied there is the hassle of returning one scope while waiting for a new one to arrive. Anyone ever had to return an Amscope? Do you go through them or Amazon?
Third: Zero info on the web about the 400A-30W. I called Amscope to inquire about the difference in series number, 400 vs. 490, but they weren’t helpful. It looks like they were introduced in 2012 so any they have on the shelf are only 9 yrs. old. Maybe it just didn’t sell and that’s why no reviews?.
I just did a search for a T400A-30W but couldn't actually find anything on AmScope. It came up on Amazon as 'currently unavailable'. TBH why buy a T400A when you can get a T490B? The 30W illumination isn't a good reason. You can easily unscrew the illuminator from the base and fit your own light source - 3W LED, 10W LED, white light or monochrome, or just a mirror illuminated with a halogen source via a mirror.

Louise
Can you please elaborate on how I would go about unscrewing the illuminator and fitting my own light source?
Hi there

Well I don't have an actual AmScope myself but I'm assuming you can unscrew the illuminator-thingy as I can with my Swift380T. Here is a pic of my Swift with a 3W blue-violet (415nm) LED mounted on an aluminium heatsink (a bit overkill, perhaps, but it does get warm). The Swift illuminator is removed and sitting on the right of the scope. I can just screw it back in. The 1W LED in the base is not touched. The blue violet LED is powered by a variable 3-12v psu and a constant current buck converter as an LED driver. Above the LED is a thin piece of translucent plastic which is just being used as a diffuser. Above that is an iris diaphragm and a glass hemisphere. It can be moved slightly to one side of the condenser centre-line to give oblique lighting. I have other LEDs and light sources I can use, as well as a small 45 deg mirror which can be illuminated by a tungsten lamp or whatever. An incandescent light source might be better for colour reproduction - if you're fussy! I'm into monochromatic light at the moment! Have been exploring it's use to maximise resolution.
Hope that's useful and informative.

380T_Blue-violet.jpg
380T_Blue-violet.jpg (49.82 KiB) Viewed 4800 times

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

LouiseScot
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#19 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:33 pm

Here's a 50W halogen spot lamp (gets hot!) and a small mirror (I have a bigger one, if needed)

50W_Halogen.jpg
50W_Halogen.jpg (38.1 KiB) Viewed 4756 times

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

Jimbo
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#20 Post by Jimbo » Wed Apr 14, 2021 2:30 pm

Wow! Nice work on both set ups. I love the way you figure out a problem. A lot of us aren’t as willing to take something apart. Kudos!

LouiseScot
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Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#21 Post by LouiseScot » Wed Apr 14, 2021 2:32 pm

Jimbo wrote:
Wed Apr 14, 2021 2:30 pm
Wow! Nice work on both set ups. I love the way you figure out a problem. A lot of us aren’t as willing to take something apart. Kudos!
It's just the plastic part that I've unscrewed from the base... :)

Louise
A Nikon CF plan 20x; A Swift 380T; A DIY infinity corrected focus rail system with a 40x/0.65 Olympus Plan, a 10x/0.30 Amscope Plan Fluor, and a 20x/0.75 Nikon Plan Apo

Jimbo
Posts: 86
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Location: N. Central Illinois

Re: Decision: Amscope T400A-30W Any thoughts?

#22 Post by Jimbo » Wed Apr 14, 2021 2:50 pm

InstantMochii,
I think it’s great that you’re getting started in this hobby at a young age. I hope your parents and you come to a mutual compromise. The scopes we are both interested in are really really good entry level scopes, from what experienced folks on this forum have told me.
I’m 69 years old and wondering WHY I didn’t start this hobby sooner? All those cloudy nights when I couldn’t do astronomy, I could have been looking inward .
“Too soon old, too late smart!”.

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