Re: Moving from Used to New...


Gary G <see.signature@bottom> wrote in message
news:bp2vm25iq95pbatthrcf92t4s193thcjtg@xxxxxxxxxx
On 30 Nov 2006 13:07:51 -0800, vc94545@xxxxxxxxx wrote:


Kevin Cunningham wrote:
If I were in your place I would look long and hard at both
the Nikon 50i and
the BX-41 Olympus. Nikon has some real advantages but
either 'scope is
sooooo good that it all evens out. The real point is who
would you buy
from? A good dealer or factory rep is what you need. Who
ever can give you
the time you need to decide is the person you want to go
with.

Kevin,

Thanks for the advice. I'll take a look at the models you
mentioned.

Another poster recommended the Olympus BX-51. I downloaded the
data
*** from Olympus' web site and it looks like the 51 is a
much higher
end model than the 41. Are the prices of the 51 still in my
price range
given a reasonable initial configuration? I think the PLN
series or
UPLFLN-PH series objectives will suit my needs without getting
into the
expense of APO objectives, which I really don't need.

On another note, I can't seem to find price lists for any of
the big
four anywhere on the Internet. Do the manufacturers hold
prices that
close to the vest? I'd like to evaluate whether I can
reasonably afford
things like DIC before I call a dealer.

How to find a good dealer? Are there any out there who will
even give
the time of day to an amateur wanting to buy just one scope
(as opposed
to a buyer from a medical school looking to equip a whole
lab)?

The BX-41 has a fixed nose piece. The BX-51 does not. It also
comes
in two flavors--transmitted only and T and reflected.

You do not say where you are geographically located. Oly has
consolidated their sales to specific locations for specific
regions.
I use Bob Cummins in Northern CA. However, Southern CA is a
different
outfit.

McBain--which may have different spelling corresponding to the
form give--is in Southern California. I have dealt with them on
parts and have no complaint. Someone
who does industrial equipment has had favorable results on cash
purchases. But if the OP
can wait to find a biotech auction in the area, he may have
reason not to discount completely the idea of a used purchase
much as he can test to his heart's content with most auctioneer's
as long as he qualifies himself by personable seriousness.
Otherwise, I would call any of the industrial or university
purchasers in the area who might use the equipment and ask for a
3 minute consultation with the right department about equipment
that one might want to employ when engaged in serious academic
researches which they would be more than familiar with. In the
middle of an engaging chat it would be likely that a favorable
flow would also produce leads on satisfactory dealers and,
perhaps, discussion of the discount arrangements that one might
shoot for.

Regards,

Edward Hennessey

I have no history about why they would not treat you like any
real
customer. Their service is excellent, their systems are
excellent and
very trouble-free. I personally would not buy Leica or Zeiss
LMs. I
do not have experience with Nikon LMs.

gg


Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com


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