mpcluever

Recipes 

Microscope is on it's way and I'm looking at hemocytometers and there's a wide variety in prices out there and just wondering if anyone knows much about them. Are they all pretty standard as far as spacing of the lines and the volume it holds? One place I read said that the slides are supposed to be a little heavier than a standard coverslip. Any input would be great. Thanks!!

CycloneinCarolina

Recipes 

Well I work with cells in a biology lab (grad student nerd) and hemocytometers are pretty simple. Just get the cheapest one because they are all do the same thing.

If there would be a case of differing lines and differing volume between models they will give you the appropriate calculations in the instructions (don't think they do though). For example mine in the lab uses 10 microliters and gives me a factor of 10^4 cells in a certain counting area.

senaVZ

Recipes 

I would get the cheapest one you can find that's not disposable. They should come with instructions but if they don't, then they're probably the standard counting area and use 10^4 (as mentioned above) times your average cell count. I've used standard coverslips in case you break the one that came with the hemocytometer. It shouldn't affect your input volume, just be sure that you center it.

passedpawn

Recipes 

You want to buy an "Improved Neubaur" type. I believe they all have the exact same pattern. You won't need more than a couple of cover slips. The slips are very thin, but I've never broken one. You can see a picture of mine here, as well as a lot of other info and pics: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/pics-yeast-under-my-new-scope-273342/#post3371061. I bought it off ebay for about $30 I think.

There are better counters with brighter lines, and also with small wells that make adding your sample easier. At least this is what I've been told. I have had zero problem with mine.

__________________
Now there's some take delight in the carriages a rolling
and others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
but I take delight in the juice of the barley
and courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early

beerbeer95648

Recipes 

Yep, that's the one you want. Bought mine from Cynmar. http://www.cynmar.com/ProductDetail/01200123_Darklined-Hemacytometer-Specialty-Cell-Counter

passedpawn

Recipes 

Here's the one I bought, same seller I'm sure ("USA Seller!"). Most of them are coming from overseas.

$22 shipped. 2 coverslips.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Improved-Neubauer-Hemacytometer-Counting-Chamber-/180512548686?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0762 e74e

When you want to get into slants, plates, etc, you can get everything you need from beerbeer's link above, Cynmar.

__________________
Now there's some take delight in the carriages a rolling
and others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
but I take delight in the juice of the barley
and courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early