February 13, 2008
Guidelines For Buying Old Microscopes
A basic microscope – old or new, can be a lot of fun as well as provide educational value. A used microscope is generally sold in perfect working condition, even though it is old. It can be procured at a much lower price as compared to a new one. It is sold after rebuilding the damaged or worn-out parts, and usually has a one year guarantee on it. However, it is advisable to know the market reputation of the seller, as well as gain some prior knowledge about the components if planning to buy a second-hand one.
Advantages Of Buying An Old Microscope
- They are much cheaper as compared to a new microscope – about 50-60% cheaper. Thus, the best deal if there is a limited budget.
- The gadget is sold only after properly renovating the old components, and servicing the other parts. They are sold in complete working condition after minute testing, and also have a warranty attached.
- They are very much in demand in schools and educational institutions, where the demand for microscopes is high, and rate of replacement is also quite high.
- Old microscopes do not have any fixed price – depends on the prior usage, features and present condition. You can bargain freely over the price.
Increase The Functionality of Your Microscope By Using Accessories
A basic microscope is a complete equipment in itself. Nevertheless, its functional variety can be increased by incorporating some accessories into the basic old model. An old microscope will have the fundamental components such as the eyepiece, optical system, batteries, power source and so on. You can load your instrument with accessories and make it function just like one of the latest models. Such accessories include magnifiers, glass slides, culture kits, micrometers, cameras, USB, fluorescence detectors etc.
Where To Buy An Old Instrument From
Second hand instruments of a reputable brand are easily available in the market, as they do not easily get damaged. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you might get hold of a refurbished instrument at an extremely reasonable price. The Internet is a very good source to search for second-hand microscopes. Before buying a microscope, analyze the optics component, which is the most important part of the instrument. That should be in good working condition. If you are an amateur in this field, then take the help of an experienced professional while purchasing a microscope. It is always recommended not to buy a secondhand instrument from any type of educational or research institution, as the probability of damaged parts is very high there. Since it might have been used by so many people, the functionality of components is also questionable.
Buy From Authorized Dealers Or From The Internet
The price of a refurbished instrument ranges from $80 - $150 for the common compound microscope; and from $800 to more than $7500 for the advanced clinical ones.
The best idea is to buy old microscopes from authorized dealers, who will give genuine parts to maintain their market reputation. Since they are operating in a competitive market, the prices will also not be sky high.
If you are unable to get hold of a seller, then the Internet is the next best option. It gives you the opportunity to look for sellers in other places, including other countries. So, you are not geographically constrained to one place. Buying via the web is convenient, but you will have to satisfy yourself with just visual images. Thus, it is advisable to deal with reputed companies who will not take you for a ride. If the seller has a return policy in case of damage or breakage, then great! It signals that the dealer is serious and means business while dealing with old microscopes.
