Microscope in budget?

[alastairduncan]

Thank for your help, btw im looking to setting between 1mm-2,5 mm stones the smallest.. my budget is around 300$ USD .
This week i bought donegal opt visor but im thinking if a microscope would be better as investment.

The optivisor will still be useful to you even if you have a microscope. For simple settings you may get away with the optivisor but for the smaller stones you will need a greater magnification than you will get with the optivisor. You will need to go the Chinese route these may suit the bill to start off with:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32847074588.html

it comes with a couple of barlow lenses.

This one is cheaper but you will need a 0.5 barlow lens which will give you a greater working distance. 155-165mm

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32846480110.html

You may have to modify the stand(turn it around and screw it to the bench) a little but it should do a great job.

You can add an articulating arm later when you can afford it.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32977134987.html

You will also need to factor in delivery, customs etc.

The model I've recently purchased is this one:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33000718102.html

This is a video review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZqCsk0kGm8

It comes with a load of stuff which is not essential to the working of the microscope. You can also buy the items individually and build up the microscope to suit.