Best value microscope for Spider ID

Netuser60 · #1 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 09:23 AM

Can someone provide advice on the best microscope to buy for a beginner just getting into spider ID. Ideally, under ~£250..... new or s/h

THANKS

No.9 Spider · #2 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 11:03 AM

Have a look on e*ay, there's plenty of microscopes on there that are of good quality. I'm not on my own p.c. at the mo' as I'm away from home and so don't have my shortcuts available to post on here, but a bit of googling should bring up plenty of suppliers. You should get a good example well within your budget.
Make sure also that you go for a low power microscope, you'll generally use 20x and 40x magnification and rarely up to 100x, so don't go for anything too powerful as you won't need it. Also you'll be using a light source from above for spiders.

No.9 Spider

Rossco · #3 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 01:35 PM

This one on ebay could be a bargain if you wanted to fashion a stand for it. Eye-pieces shouldn't be too difficult to get hold of:
Bausch & Lomb Stereo Zoom 6 plus microscope on eBay (end time 22-Sep-09 17:58:58 BST)

Rossco · #4 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 01:44 PM

This one could be good too, as it's an Olympus, so the optics should be very good. The only down-side is that it doesn't have a zoom:
OLYMPUS - MIRCOSCOPE IN VERY GOOD CONDI on eBay (end time 27-Sep-09 17:17:11 BST)

davecatt · #5 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 02:21 PM

Hi
alanaecology.com have a good selection of field microscopes and magnifiers, as well as other field equipment and guides.

Dave

MarkPorter · #6 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 05:07 PM

You don't need a high powered microscope for Spider id, in most cases a 10x loupe will be good enough.

With regards to a microscope, x20 is more than enough to id & sex a spider, can I suggest you take a look at the DM5 from Brunel Microscopes (follow the link below).

Field Microscopes

At £33.62+vat the optics are excellent, more than good enough for the job in mind, it's made of metal & engineering quality plastics & has a built in LED light (that actually works quite well). It's light enough to be carried in a shoulder bag or daysack.

I've been using one in the field for a little while now and you can't beat it for value for money.

However you'll soon discover that spiders don't stay still long enough, and end up using the x10 loupe for most id's - LOL

Arm yourself with the Field Guide to Spiders of GB & N.Europe by Michael J Roberts, a x10 loupe and the DM5 from Brunel and you'll be well equipped.

Cheers

Mark

Netuser60 · #7 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 09:02 AM

THANKS for everyones help!

I'm a little confused though, as I thought that inspecting spider genitalia would need something a bit more powerful. I'll be scouring the s/h ads from now on.

Cheers

No.9 Spider · #8 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 09:12 AM

I thought that years ago and nearly bought a ridiculously powerful microscope. As I've said 20x and 40x is generally plenty of magnification for spiders. As my favourite species for i.d'g are the Linyphiidae I will sometimes go toward the 100x for the smallest specimens when examining the male palps.

No.9 Spider

Lance Morgan · #9 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 10:12 AM

I bought an ex-school second hand job from an online auction site for about 20 quid. If you can try to find one with dual scopes and an electric light. it may be a little more expensive than a single scope though.