Amscope.

[daviscfad]

You guys think this will be ok for searching varieties or should I be going a different direction?

http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-TRINOCULAR-STEREO-MICROSCOPE-3-5X-90X/dp/B004U3MMMC/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1390263387&sr=8-11&keywords=trinocular+microscope

[Scott99]

Looks pretty good to me... I don't think you'd ever need 90x magnification though. I'd say you'd generally never need to go more than 45x.

[daviscfad]

I have looked for the 45x ones but the ones I have seen cost more. Are you guys overly satisfied with your amscopes? Or would you spend your 400 else where?

[jhcons]

Seems a little strong. For that amount of money you can get a setup that is made for us. Talk to Ray before you make any purchases. You would hate to buy something that you are displeased with after you learn more. I speak from experience. I tend to jump in before I test the water. But seriously PM RAY JIM

[Maineman750]

For searching, I use a 10X loupe along with a 14x for fine work. Ray is definitely the go-to guy for photography set-ups.

[jhcons]

I missed the entire question and I do apologize!! I still use the same scope I bought in 1999 for 329.00 bucks and that works perfect for me. I was thinking about photography when I posted my earlier post. Again I do apologize. JIM

[DCW]

I have the same model without the boom stand, which costs $50 less. I am a very happy with it, but still use my eschenbach 20x loupe out of habit. Use the scope to get a better look at the maybe pile. Just trying to take better pics. Bought the adapter for my Nikon, and I can't seem to focus.
I do find this scope to be super clear. Don't forget to buy some high quality lighting

[2bits]

I have that AMSCOPE trinocular microscope without the boom. Then I use a 3 Megapixel Tucsen Microscope camera with USB interface and look at everything on my 26" Computer Monitor. Never look through the microscope manually. Having said that, if I were to do it again I would find a cheaper monocular microscope and buy a microscope camera. You should be able to piece something together for $400.00 total. Looking even through a stereo microscope for any period of time is exhausting.