Our Dark Field Microscope Recommendation
DON’T BUY A MICROSCOPE UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THIS VIDEO
WE RECOMMEND THE NGS2020 RANGE OF
DARK FIELD BLOOD ANALYSIS SYSTEMS
We have looked at the specifications, price and quality of dark field microscopes currently available on the market. The ten reasons for recommending this system in lieu of other dark field microscopes are:
- Convenience: it is easy to set up, transport (if needed) and operate.
- Reliability: These dark field microscopes are constructed from high quality, durable materials, ensuring a high degree of reliability and a minimum amount of downtime. Many cheaper brands save costs by using inferior materials, which result in excessive wear and tear of the essential components, ultimately resulting in the microscope breaking down and requiring extensive repair. Some brands even utilise cast iron to manufacture the gears in the focusing mechanism. This leads to early breakdown and failure of these essential components.
- Easy Maintenance: The systems are easy to maintain and perform with minimal maintenance. Should there be a need to replace any parts, they are inexpensive and in stock. Due to the modular design, parts can usually be replaced by the practitioner themselves. This ensures the minimum amount of downtime.
- Designed for Live & Dry Blood Analysis: This range of darkfield microscopes have been designed specifically for live & dry blood analysis by the experts in the field. This means that there are no unnecessary features, and that all the components have been carefully selected to ensure optimal performance in live & dry blood microscopy. These LED darkfield microscopes are equipped with a powerful 9W LED light source, providing the necessary level of illumination required for professional darkfield analysis. The camera setup is set to the correct settings to allow for the different lighting conditions in live blood (brightfield & darkfield) and dry blood (brightfield).
- The software is user-friendly, allowing the user to focus on the analysis of the sample, rather than the operation of the system. Still images can be taken and videos can be recorded with a single click. Images and videos are automatically saved without requiring the analyst to save them individually.
- Highest Optical Magnification: These microscopes achieve a total magnification on the viewing screen of 4000X, which is at the limit of what can be achieved with optical microscopes. This is a unique feature of these microscopes and has been added to allow the best conditions for live blood analysis. The system provides 4X higher magnification on the viewing screen than through the eyepieces. This means that when we use the 40X objective we have 400X through the eyepieces and 1600X on the screen. In microscopes where the magnification through the eyepieces is equal to that on the screen the result is that the cells appear smaller on the screen. This is not ideal because you’ll have to use the 100X objective to get close enough to the cells to assess them properly. Usually the 100X objective is not as clear as the 40X objective and requires oil (which means you’re not able to switch back and forth between 40X and 100X, making the analysis process quite difficult). The added benefit with the higher on-screen magnification is that a massive 4000X magnification is achieved on the screen when using the 100X objective.
- High Quality Optics: The optics are based on Nikon specifications and design. The microscope itself is manufactured under strict quality controls in a factory in Japan that has been manufacturing laboratory and surgical microscopes for more than 40 years.
- High Intensity Illumination: For high quality illumination in brightfield and darkfield, the NGS2020 range of microscopes are equipped with high-intensity light sources. Available options include: 9W LED (equivalent to 100W halogen), or 50W halogen. The 9W LED is the light source of choice for detailed darkfield examination, as it offers higher intensity illumination and a longer lifespan than the 50W halogen system.
- Dark Field (Oil) Cardioid Condenser: To ensure sharp and flawless darkfield images, where the full spectrum of darkfield anomalies will be clearly visible, the system features a high-end cardioid oil immersion darkfield condenser. This specialised condenser uses mirrors to form a hollow cone of light with its focal point in the plane of the specimen. The specimen is therefore illuminated by peripheral light. The background is black as the direct light from the condenser passes around and not through the objective. This provides the required degree of contrast, as we see only the jet black background and brilliant white light from the specimen. This level of clarity is not possible with low illumination systems.
- Experience: Dr Okker, our course tutor, has personally been involved in teaching live blood microscopy for more than 20 years, and uses live blood analysis in his own practice. As a result, we understand microscopes not only from the perspective of a microscope supplier, but more importantly, from the perspective of an experienced live blood analysis practitioner.
The NGS2020 range of blood analysis microscopes that we recommend offer the best quality setup at the best price possible.
The image quality is comparable to the high-end dark field microscope brands, without their high price.
Dr Okker, our course tutor, has been using these microscopes in his own practice for 20 years, and has found them to be the best systems for professional darkfield microscopy.
The microscopes are manufactured in Japan in a factory that specialises in the manufacturing of microscopes for laboratory and surgical use and has over 40 years’ experience in producing reliable and durable systems.
Finding a product of high quality at a competitive price is becoming increasingly difficult due to the large number of products from China.
These dark field microscope systems are priced competitively and feature very high-quality optics.
The price of the NGS2020 Live Blood Analysis Microscopes:
(Prices are in USD) Click here for currency converter
The microscope packages include everything required in a microscope to practice live & dry blood analysis at its full potential. Global shipping by DHL is standard on all the microscope packages.
Warranty: The equipment is guaranteed against mechanical faults (damage due to negligence excluded) for 24 months from date of installation.
Please contact us to arrange a call to discuss your requirements.
Why LED illumination is superior:
- LED lamps have a very long, maintenance-free lifespan of up to 25 years.
- LED lamps provide pure white light, not subject to a change in colour as they age (commonly seen in halogen systems).
- LED lamps also do not produce any heat and are more efficient.
- The LED illumination produces more brightness than halogen systems, which is ideal for darkfield.
- LED illumination is more compact than halogen, making them less bulky than halogen systems.
The benefits of HD imaging:
There is a growing demand for HD imaging in dark field microscopy since monitors and cameras are becoming more commonplace. HD imaging allows the user to connect a large HD viewing screen, which allows for optimal visibility of all anomalies in practice. Although the file sizes of the captured images are larger in size with HD imaging, the resolution is extremely good. HD imaging allows the user to zoom in without excessive pixelation. The HDMI-USB camera provides a frame rate of 60 frames per second at full-HD resolution. This is important to ensure a smooth video during analysis, and care should be taken to avoid HD cameras that provide HD imaging at frame rates below 30 frames per second.
High Definition Imaging System
The HD imaging system is the imaging system of choice when the best quality video is required. Ideal for use on modern HD display monitors, the HDMI-USB camera represents the latest in digital imaging technology, specifically developed for microscopy. The video signal is transferred via two separate video outputs: one via USB to the user’s computer or laptop, and the other via HDMI to a separate monitor. The HDMI-USB camera is ideally suited to live and dry blood analysis imaging, as its unique auto-exposure function and ultra-fine colour engine ensures perfect colour reproduction.
Resolution: Full HD (1920 X 1080) at 60 Frames Per Second.
Includes image processing software to allow the user to view the live video feed on a computer / laptop, take still images, and record videos.
Compatible with Windows and Mac OS.
Standard Definition Imaging System
Not all microscope cameras are suitable for darkfield. Our standard definition digital camera utilises the latest Sony Exmor sensor, which has high sensitivity and low noise, ensuring optimal performance in fluorescence, darkfield, as well as brightfield microscopy applications.
Resolution: 1280 x 960 (at 60 Frames Per Second)
Includes image processing software to allow the user to view the live video feed on a computer / laptop, take still images, and record videos.
Compatible with Windows and Mac OS.
The HDMI-LED + AOL Microscope System
Normal Laboratory Microscope
A blood sample using a 40X objective with one of our systems looks like the picture on the left. On the right is the same 40X objective on a normal laboratory microscope.
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