Buy microscope without stand

[kaevee]

I am considering buying a Simul-Focal Trinocular microscope with double arm boom stand.

http://www.amscope.com/3-5x-90x-simul-focal-stereo-zoom-microscope-on-boom-stand-with-an-led-ring-light.html

The cost of shipping to India is coming to $335(half the price of microscope). The total cost including shipping comes to $1K+ which exceeds the import limit of $750 allowed for Individuals.

I am wondering if it is practical to buy only the Microscope head with accessories and build boom stand locally? This will save me the cost of shipping heavy boom stand and keep the total cost under $750 limit.

Venkat

[wasyoungonce]

Kaeeve, if you seperate the buy you incurr more postage charges, which would be prohibitive.

Maybe you can buy direct: .

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/2100001?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.VnmlYw

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/300856?spm=2114.12010108.0.0.6400UK

http://stores.ebay.com.au/precisionworld/

http://stores.ebay.com/impers-scopes?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

I'm also looking at similar scope to you...saving my pennies!

Brendan

[kaevee]

Kaeeve, if you seperate the buy you incurr more postage charges, which would be prohibitive.

Maybe you can buy direct: .

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/2100001?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.VnmlYw

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/300856?spm=2114.12010108.0.0.6400UK

http://stores.ebay.com.au/precisionworld/

http://stores.ebay.com/impers-scopes?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

I'm also looking at similar scope to you...saving my pennies!

Brendan

Brendan,

Thanks for the links. I did checkout precisionworld and luckyzoom, but not others. I am somehow keen on sticking to Amscope(precisionworld) as their ebay shop has 99+ rating. Further, members on this forum have suggested Amscope's trinocular models.

The price of microscope I linked is same on Amscope online store and also precisionworld ebay store. But, our government has a rule (has its own reasons, which I find valid) not to allow imports over Rs. 50,000/- without valid import/export license. The cost of microscope plus shipping is exceeding the limit. I have following options

1. Split the purchase into two to overcome the limit. As you pointed out, I end up paying at least $125 more for shipping which is counter intuitive.

2. Buy the microscope head and source the stand locally. But, I don't know whether the design of stand is proprietary or not. If not, probably I can try to source locally. If proprietary, I have to make one myself.

I thought of checking on the forum if someone has built a stand.

Venkat

[wasyoungonce]

Venkat...those aliexpress scopes are the same as Amscopes. 

At your limit you will have to split the post/cost.

Brendan

[kaevee]

Brendan,

This following looks very tempting, but the I am worried about the quality and performance.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/FREE-SHIPPING-3-5X-90X-SIMUL-FOCUSR-SINGLE-BOOM-STAND-ZOOM-TRINOCULAR-STEREO-MICROSCOPE-56LED/300856_32663003912.html?spm=2114.12010615.0.0.aXGrkB

Venkat

[wasyoungonce]

Yep good buy...same quality as AMscope...they are the same item!

That's a "simulfocus scope", very nice indeed, you can focus the camera and bifocal at the same time!  Also gives for lights and a 0.5X and 2.0X barlow!  Very nice and fully featured ....you have to ask is it a little too much for your needs.  Only you can say.

Many users here go for the SE400 type scopes.  However they do not appear to have barlow lenses available and are not variable power.  You have to change eyepieces to change power.  That said...they are cheaper!

http://www.amscope.com/5x-10x-binocular-boom-arm-stereo-microscope-light.html

As said I'm also in the market and are looking at binocular vari-power 7~45X with .5X Barlow etc.  I'm not convinced I need trinocular image ability.   Still I'm a litttle short on cash so still pondering.

Good luck.

Brendan

[Harb]

I am pretty sure I couldn't live with "Precision optics" that were named "Lucky Zoom" 

[kaevee]

Many users here go for the SE400 type scopes.  However they do not appear to have barlow lenses available and are not variable power.  You have to change eyepieces to change power.  That said...they are cheaper!


Brendan

SE400 looks interesting. Thanks for pointing it out. I can buy one for the cost of shipping the trioncular simul-focal microscope. I will check it out today.

[kaevee]

Many users here go for the SE400 type scopes.  However they do not appear to have barlow lenses available and are not variable power.  You have to change eyepieces to change power.  That said...they are cheaper!


Brendan

SE400 looks interesting. Thanks for pointing it out. I can buy one for the cost of shipping the trioncular simul-focal microscope. I will check it out today.

I decided to go ahead with Amscope SM-4TPZ-144-3.5X-90X Simul Focal. The cost of shipping is pretty steep, but I had very few options.

http://www.ebay.in/itm/401247515425

I expect it to be delivered today.