Can anyone suggest a good portable microscope to use in the field? I'm interested in exploring on-the-spot starch testing to help assess tree health and would need at least 10X power. The Magniscope, and the Macroscope look like good possibilities. Of course, there's the preliminary work of testing trees of different species in various states of health to calibrate things, but it seems that it would be worth the effort.

So if anyone has any advice on portable microscopes, field starch testing, or even a good source for IKI stain, I will appreciate it a whole bunch. A chemist friend loaned me a Sigma-Aldrich catalogue to look through.

Thanks to all,
Tom

Reply to post by Tom Watson, on April 27, 2001 at 16:00:10:

I've used several types of magnifiers over the years. The most useful in the field I find is a simple hand lens. I carry both 10x and 16x, and like the latter one best. It is larger, easy to use, and the extra magnification is great for aging eyes.

I've been using the Macroscope for about 15 years. Mine is one mag- 25x. I think there is a zoom version available. While the higher magniciation is sometimes helpful, I find I seldom need it in the field. I do use it a lot for examining and measuring core samples. The measuring reticule is fantastic.

There are other, higher-priced microscopes, but for field use in general arboriculture they are seldom needed. The dissecting and compound microscopes on my desk handle the more demanding needs.

Have you read the file on Starch Testing on this site? (See Tech Reports page)