AmScope T680

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LouiseScot
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AmScope T680

#1 Post by LouiseScot » Mon May 02, 2022 7:19 pm

Was just wondering if anyone had an AmScope T680? I was thinking of getting one as a second finite conjugate scope. It seems basically ok, on the face of it. Not sure whether the 'Kohler' Illumination is true adjustable Kohler - no info on AmScope site or the manual.

Thanks

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: AmScope T680

#2 Post by LouiseScot » Mon May 02, 2022 11:13 pm

I guess not... The forum seems unusually quiet? Did I miss something?

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

lorez2
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Re: AmScope T680

#3 Post by lorez2 » Tue May 03, 2022 3:24 am

I think you are making a lateral move.

I know nothing about your circumstances so I can say only what I would do, if I had a limited budget.

I would save my $$ for a Nikon E series or and Olympus BX. Quality to price ratio is very good and there are tons of accessories available.

I just happen to have a couple of spares (wink, wink)

lorez2
Nikon 80i

LouiseScot
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Re: AmScope T680

#4 Post by LouiseScot » Tue May 03, 2022 8:58 am

lorez2 wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 3:24 am
I think you are making a lateral move.

I know nothing about your circumstances so I can say only what I would do, if I had a limited budget.

I would save my $$ for a Nikon E series or and Olympus BX. Quality to price ratio is very good and there are tons of accessories available.

I just happen to have a couple of spares (wink, wink)

lorez2
Thanks but I just want to get a second, cheap finite scope that I can use my current decent 160mmm objectives on.
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

apochronaut
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Re: AmScope T680

#5 Post by apochronaut » Tue May 03, 2022 12:14 pm

When it comes to swapping objectives from one microscope to another, unless you are using huygens eyepieces, you need to consider the optical system as a whole. If you have as you say, decent finite corrected objectives that you want to use in another stand, then why buy an entire new microscope? Just buy a good empty second hand stand from someone that knows what they are doing. I would seriously consider lorez's offer, if I were you.
I recognize the security regarding buying a new microscope, even if the construction might be sub standard, so if you are fixed on that I would contact a Chinese broker or even the manufacturer of that stand and buy a stand only. I'm pretty sure that Bestscope can supply you with one of those and unlike Amscope, they actually provide service if needed.

LouiseScot
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Re: AmScope T680

#6 Post by LouiseScot » Tue May 03, 2022 1:06 pm

apochronaut wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 12:14 pm
When it comes to swapping objectives from one microscope to another, unless you are using huygens eyepieces, you need to consider the optical system as a whole. If you have as you say, decent finite corrected objectives that you want to use in another stand, then why buy an entire new microscope? Just buy a good empty second hand stand from someone that knows what they are doing. I would seriously consider lorez's offer, if I were you.
I recognize the security regarding buying a new microscope, even if the construction might be sub standard, so if you are fixed on that I would contact a Chinese broker or even the manufacturer of that stand and buy a stand only. I'm pretty sure that Bestscope can supply you with one of those and unlike Amscope, they actually provide service if needed.
I had thought about getting an Optiphot and I've seen one on Ebay UK but it would be about the same cost as the T680A (incl shipping and import duty). Not much difference really. I also don't want to mess about too much - life is too short! It's just for a handy 2nd scope so that I could maybe have one set up just for darkfield or something.
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

apochronaut
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Re: AmScope T680

#7 Post by apochronaut » Tue May 03, 2022 2:03 pm

LouiseScot wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 8:58 am
lorez2 wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 3:24 am
I think you are making a lateral move.

I know nothing about your circumstances so I can say only what I would do, if I had a limited budget.

I would save my $$ for a Nikon E series or and Olympus BX. Quality to price ratio is very good and there are tons of accessories available.

I just happen to have a couple of spares (wink, wink)

lorez2
Thanks but I just want to get a second, cheap finite scope that I can use my current decent 160mmm objectives on.
Louise
I thought the above was the goal?

BramHuntingNematodes
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Re: AmScope T680

#8 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Tue May 03, 2022 2:18 pm

If you already got all the optics yeah you could get an old b&l or Spencer scope from the brass era tons of cheap df condensers floating around for those and the feel of using one is superlative. A Zeiss standard would be a good way to go too as the fit some very nice cardioid condensers that you can find and shouldn't be too expensive as a stand only
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination

Greg Howald
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Re: AmScope T680

#9 Post by Greg Howald » Tue May 03, 2022 2:49 pm

Hi. The t680 is a nice scope but for the money the t660 is a better one with its 30mm eyepieces.
Greg

LouiseScot
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Re: AmScope T680

#10 Post by LouiseScot » Tue May 03, 2022 3:04 pm

BramHuntingNematodes wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 2:18 pm
If you already got all the optics yeah you could get an old b&l or Spencer scope from the brass era tons of cheap df condensers floating around for those and the feel of using one is superlative. A Zeiss standard would be a good way to go too as the fit some very nice cardioid condensers that you can find and shouldn't be too expensive as a stand only
Hi
I want something similar to the T680A and with 160mm optics https://amscope.com/products/t680a?vari ... 7570208943
BestScope may do something similar but most of their gear is infinity corrected, plus it's hard to find specific items on their web site (I don't have the patience!), and there probably wouldn't be a world of difference anyway. I already have an AmScope dry DF condenser. I don't want to mess about with old scopes though had considered an Optiphot as they obviously work fine with Nikon CF objectives though any other generic 160mm scope should do also. I originally posted to see if anyone had a T680 just to check if any particular problems with it, but clearly nobody on here that's seen my post does have one to comment about!
Thanks
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

BramHuntingNematodes
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Re: AmScope T680

#11 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Tue May 03, 2022 3:58 pm

I'm sure it would be perfectly adequate it appears as though it has a field lens and iris. I would only think about the 30mm eyepiece model if you are certain you can fit compatible 30mm eyepieces.
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination

LouiseScot
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Re: AmScope T680

#12 Post by LouiseScot » Tue May 03, 2022 4:08 pm

BramHuntingNematodes wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 3:58 pm
I'm sure it would be perfectly adequate it appears as though it has a field lens and iris. I would only think about the 30mm eyepiece model if you are certain you can fit compatible 30mm eyepieces.

30mm EP model??

This seems to be the nearest BestScope model but Kohler illumination is optional and I've no idea what the price would be, or the delivery time (I suppose I'd have to enquire...) https://www.bestscope.net/bs-2052at-bio ... icroscope/

Of course, if anyone in the UK can do me a trinocular Optiphot in good working condition and for about 500 quid, I might be interested! :)

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

BramHuntingNematodes
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Re: AmScope T680

#13 Post by BramHuntingNematodes » Tue May 03, 2022 4:35 pm

The t660 mentioned by Greg, to whom I would defer in any matter of practical experience with Amscope scopes.
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination

apochronaut
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Re: AmScope T680

#14 Post by apochronaut » Tue May 03, 2022 5:48 pm

You have to communicate with Chinese brokers or factories to find out what they can offer, not just try to navigate websites. The websites are not fully representative mostimes.
The brokers get preferred pricing from the factories, so can sell items at very good prices and factories sell only what they produce. Some factories will sell units but in my experience all brokers will sell units.

The Chinese industry is quickly converting to infinity correction except for older tried and true designs destined for their domestic scholastic needs. They have a lot of kids.

Even the Amscope model you are looking at is virtually obsolete in China having been modified to infinity correction based on the 180mm Olympus reference system. It is a Chonquing or CNOPTEC microscope and a single unit with 5 infinity corrected objectives and a trinocular head is about U.S. $340.00 F.O.B. Shipping would likely be about 150.00. They would likely sell a stand without optics.

There is an older kind of Labophot clone still available with a choice of 160 mm or infinity optics too. I am pretty sure again that they would sell just the stand but you would need to be careful to really specify the 160mm version. Company is Altion and the model is L1800. Possibly made by YueJi Optics.
http://www.yujie.com/products_show_en.php?temp_cpid=138

LouiseScot
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Re: AmScope T680

#15 Post by LouiseScot » Tue May 03, 2022 6:01 pm

apochronaut wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 5:48 pm
You have to communicate with Chinese brokers or factories to find out what they can offer, not just try to navigate websites. The websites are not fully representative mostimes.
The brokers get preferred pricing from the factories, so can sell items at very good prices and factories sell only what they produce. Some factories will sell units but in my experience all brokers will sell units.

The Chinese industry is quickly converting to infinity correction except for older tried and true designs destined for their domestic scholastic needs. They have a lot of kids.

Even the Amscope model you are looking at is virtually obsolete in China having been modified to infinity correction based on the 180mm Olympus reference system. It is a Chonquing or CNOPTEC microscope and a single unit with 5 infinity corrected objectives and a trinocular head is about U.S. $340.00 F.O.B. Shipping would likely be about 150.00. They would likely sell a stand without optics.

There is an older kind of Labophot clone still available with a choice of 160 mm or infinity optics too. I am pretty sure again that they would sell just the stand but you would need to be careful to really specify the 160mm version. Company is Altion and the model is L1800.
I notice a number of the BestScope stands seem to have options between finite and infinity optics. Presumably they just have a tube lens which they can include, or not? I couldn't see anything like the AmScope T680A on the Cnoptec web site. Where do you get your info from? I'm not about about to spend half of my life trying to dig out info and pricing on these somewhere in China scopes!
Thanks
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
Posts: 1167
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:51 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: AmScope T680

#16 Post by LouiseScot » Tue May 03, 2022 6:06 pm

BramHuntingNematodes wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 4:35 pm
The t660 mentioned by Greg, to whom I would defer in any matter of practical experience with Amscope scopes.
Oh ok, that's a slightly different, more expensive model, with a 'larger format body' but only has a quad nosepiece. Not sure if it would be worth the extra.

Thanks

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

apochronaut
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Re: AmScope T680

#17 Post by apochronaut » Tue May 03, 2022 8:30 pm

Your microscope is at least sold by ( not sure if made by) Fenghua Good Brother Lighting. They have a microscope export subsidiary, Ningbo Medpro Instruments Co. Ltd. Model is a variation on their BM 400T, customizable somewhat, including phase contrast and epi fluorescence. That is probably who Amscope is buying it from.

LouiseScot
Posts: 1167
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Re: AmScope T680

#18 Post by LouiseScot » Tue May 03, 2022 8:54 pm

apochronaut wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 8:30 pm
Your microscope is at least sold by ( not sure if made by) Fenghua Good Brother Lighting. They have a microscope export subsidiary, Ningbo Medpro Instruments Co. Ltd. Model is a variation on their BM 400T, customizable somewhat, including phase contrast and epi fluorescence. That is probably who Amscope is buying it from.
That's interesting but not helpful to me.
Thanks anyway
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

Phill Brown
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Re: AmScope T680

#19 Post by Phill Brown » Tue May 03, 2022 9:54 pm

I'm in Devon and wondering what to do with a spare Labophot 2.
This is one of the many with a failed internal PSU and is too big to be a practical doorstop.
Best guess is to add a couple 4mm banana sockets and hook it up to one of those cheap DC regulated lab PSU.
All in would be less than £150.
Then there are options for G4 LED, UV IR 50w or whatever.
Labophot 2 has a lot of options and spares.
Not trying to add another project though. Watson microsystem 70 can be picked up for not a lot in the UK,they are RMS and are properly made.
The focus system alone makes Nikon feel a bit cheap.
I only have a Euromex ichinascope, it's hard not to notice they didn't think it was worth bothering with a half decent slide clamp.

apochronaut
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Re: AmScope T680

#20 Post by apochronaut » Tue May 03, 2022 11:02 pm

There you go. Right in your Bailiewick, too! How is your d.i.y. D.I.C. project going?

LouiseScot
Posts: 1167
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Location: Scotland

Re: AmScope T680

#21 Post by LouiseScot » Tue May 03, 2022 11:40 pm

apochronaut wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 11:02 pm
There you go. Right in your Bailiewick, too! How is your d.i.y. D.I.C. project going?
?
DiC project is waiting for me to be in the mood to get back into it.

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
Posts: 1167
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:51 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: AmScope T680

#22 Post by LouiseScot » Wed May 04, 2022 8:48 pm

Greg Howald wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 2:49 pm
Hi. The t680 is a nice scope but for the money the t660 is a better one with its 30mm eyepieces.
Greg
The T680 has a quintuple nosepiece :p 30mm EP's don't seem a biggie to me - I easily fitted a 1.25" (31.75mm) camera in place of one of the 23mm EP's on my Swift, and I'm more interested in imaging than viewing. However, out of interest, do you happen to know what tube lens they put in the T690, which seems to be the infinity version of the 660?

Thanks

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

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