New stereo microscope under 2000€

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imkap
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New stereo microscope under 2000€

#1 Post by imkap » Tue Dec 06, 2022 3:44 pm

What would be the best buy option for a stereo microscope with an illuminated base for 2000€ or less?
It is not for me, I'd buy it used... :D
A friend needs a new one with a warranty, they need one at their marine biology lab, to look at fish entrails and eating habits...

I never looked into the new market, and never tried a new microscope.
I've seen the new Evident Olympus SZ51 sell for a bit more with an illuminated base. Maybe a less renowned brand is good?

Thanks

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blekenbleu
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Re: New stereo microscope under 2000€

#2 Post by blekenbleu » Tue Dec 06, 2022 5:15 pm

A marine biology lab would seem to be better served by a microscope with local service support than a random warranty.
Such a service may have refurbished units available.
Metaphot, Optiphot 1, 66; AO 10, 120, EPIStar, Cycloptic

Scarodactyl
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Re: New stereo microscope under 2000€

#3 Post by Scarodactyl » Tue Dec 06, 2022 5:26 pm

Yeah, there is probably a local dealer, maybe ex-olympus/ex-nikon who will be hooked up with accu-scope/unitron, meiji, view solutions etc, all the whitebox companies (and Meiji, who are mostly not whitebox) that don't ask for exclusivity and give reasonable margins. It won't be as cheap as buying direct from China but should have some sort of warranty and/or service contract.
Last edited by Scarodactyl on Sun Dec 11, 2022 12:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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imkap
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Re: New stereo microscope under 2000€

#4 Post by imkap » Tue Dec 06, 2022 5:36 pm

There is a dealer of Olympus microscopes, but they are not very happy with them and their prices are a bit over the top. They have a new lab and need one simple microscope there. In other labs they use powerful scopes. I think a dealer with a warranty within EU should be good. They want a new one. I'll tell him about Meiji, they should be a bit less expensive than Olympus. Never looked through one, so I don't know. They should be ok?

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Meiji microscopes

#5 Post by ZodiacPhoto » Sat Dec 10, 2022 5:00 pm

I have a compound Meiji at home, and we use stereo Meij's at work.
They are great scopes, still made in Japan, build like a tank, and image quality is great.
Meiji EMZ stereo microscopes are popular among jewelers, engravers, and electronics repair crowd.
Very solid choice, less plastic than today's big 4, and way better than anything coming from China in comparable price range.
While I understand the desire (or maybe a requirement) to buy new, you can get a much better, CMO - type microscope for that price, that will outlast some new designs.

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Re: New stereo microscope under 2000€

#6 Post by Alexander » Sat Dec 10, 2022 5:18 pm

2000 Euros will buy a new Zeiss Stemi 305.

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Re: New stereo microscope under 2000€

#7 Post by PeteM » Sat Dec 10, 2022 5:32 pm

I'll second the praise for a Meiji EMZ. In addition to very good optical quality, they are among the most robust and reliable stereo microscopes available. Affordable supplementary objectives are available to increase the working distance or increase the magnification.

The one limitation is that they are not a CMO design. Very roughly speaking (and I'm guessing at European vs. US prices), the Meiji might be in the 1000 Euro range and an equivalent (magnification, working distance, and field number) CMO stereo microscope 2000 Euro up. The latter should be a bit brighter and with better contrast - and with the possibility of adding a range of objectives, including plan apos (at still higher cost).

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imkap
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Re: New stereo microscope under 2000€

#8 Post by imkap » Sun Dec 11, 2022 10:37 am

I thought Zeiss is more expensive, just realized one can make an account on their page and see the prices. The trinocular 305 with a base and gooseneck LEDs costs 2800€, that should be good, although a bit over the budget.

Meiji looks great, but I didn't find a dealer in EU. If anyone knows one please send.

They must buy new, as they have some rules to follow about buying stuff. Used would be better, but it isn't an option unfortunately...

Scarodactyl
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Re: New stereo microscope under 2000€

#9 Post by Scarodactyl » Sun Dec 11, 2022 12:49 pm

In Europe Euromex sells actual Meiji scopes under their branding (Z series), as well as cheaperChinese made Meiji clones (stereoblue).
They also have the CMO Nikon smz clones that every dealer carries of course.

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Re: New stereo microscope under 2000€

#10 Post by Alexander » Sun Dec 11, 2022 1:20 pm

imkap wrote:
Sun Dec 11, 2022 10:37 am
I thought Zeiss is more expensive, just realized one can make an account on their page and see the prices. The trinocular 305 with a base and gooseneck LEDs costs 2800€, that should be good, although a bit over the budget.
https://pulchlorenz.de/mikroskope/stere ... o-lab.html

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imkap
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Re: New stereo microscope under 2000€

#11 Post by imkap » Sun Dec 11, 2022 5:00 pm

Alexander wrote:
Sun Dec 11, 2022 1:20 pm
imkap wrote:
Sun Dec 11, 2022 10:37 am
I thought Zeiss is more expensive, just realized one can make an account on their page and see the prices. The trinocular 305 with a base and gooseneck LEDs costs 2800€, that should be good, although a bit over the budget.
https://pulchlorenz.de/mikroskope/stere ... o-lab.html
Thanks, this is great. I forwarded this link. Trinocular and a Zeiss, it must be good. He needs to wait for the funds to be approved, probably in January, hoping that the prices won't go up by then...

Euromex Z series are more expensive than Olympus (Evident) or Zeiss, I didn't expect that.

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