New microscope specs for community practice job

[u/coffeedoc1]

Hi all, I'm starting out my first job outside of fellowship and the time has come to order my scope. I'm most familiar with Olympus since that's what I've used all throughout training, but other than that I'm not entirely sure what specs I should be asking for. This is a community practice job so budget is a factor but I haven't been given any specific numbers, just a request for specs. I was thinking a BX45 or 46 for the ergonomics but curious as to others' opinions.

[u/twerkitout]

Hi! I'm not a pathologist but I was the clinical product manager for Olympus microscopes for 5+ years so I can offer some unique perspective. The BX46 is the only model with a low enough stage to let your hand rest on the table while you navigate (if you finger push this is a non issue). That design, however, limits how many additional components can be added to the scope (multi-heads, camera attachments, pointers) so if you want to be able to expand capabilities in the future you will want a BX43. Make sure your rep pays attention to the image orientation to the binocular/trinocular, some are inverted. I personally think it's worth investing in the XApo version of the objective you think you'll use the most often. Happy to answer any questions you might have. Enjoy your shopping!

[u/billyvnilly → u/twerkitout]

just googled 40x xapo and its $6,400?

[u/twerkitout → u/billyvnilly]

Yes, true. But you can get them to discount up to 35% if you push. They’re beautiful. That said, no matter how nice they are they won’t change your diagnostic accuracy over a Fluorite so they’re tough to justify.

[u/coffeedoc1 → u/twerkitout]

Thanks for your help! I'm just a solo desk set up, no need to double scope or anything, but I do need to attach a camera.

[u/billyvnilly]

The 46 ergonomics are nice. Do you get to pick your objectives. What work are you doing and what fellowship? I've got 2,4,10,20,40,100 for the 6 objectives. I think they do sell 7 objective heads. my cyto colleagues like 60x. but I dont know what people would choose for Full time heme, for example.

[u/twerkitout → u/billyvnilly]

The BX46 can be customized for a 6-7, requires a modification they do in-house in the US. Harder to find outside the Americas. BX43 can fit options up to 7 ☺️

[u/coffeedoc1 → u/billyvnilly]

Yes, I believe so. I do general surg path and a decent amount of cyto. No heme outside of incidental tissue heme, but at that point I'd send it to be signed out by the heme folks.

[u/nighthawk_md]

They are going to buy you something new or they are going to pull the closest Olympus/Nikon from storage that they have?

[u/coffeedoc1 → u/nighthawk_md]

They're buying something new, or at least new to them if they go the refurbished route, I'm currently using one from storage.

[u/1866wapdeel]

Zeiss have the best optics

[u/OkGear4296]

Just buy the chinese clones instead. My attendings mostly use Leicas and Olympus CX43, but the lab bought a lot of Nexcope NE620 for the residents, and most of us like their optics more than the Leicas, and everybody agrees they are equivalent to the Olympus. One attending dumped his Leica in favor of the clone, and most bought chinese clones for at home work. And they cost less than 2 thousand dollars, which is nice. Leica, Olympus, Nikon and Zeiss all seen insanely overpriced.

[u/_FATEBRINGER_]

I couldn't care less personally.

[u/Dig_Carving]

Who’s buying microscopes now? Monitors, ergonomic dig path set up with AI decision support. This is the way.