Refurbished Discount Microscopes: Advantages and Limitations
Refurbished microscopes can be an excellent alternative to brand new units, primarily because they are sold at a fraction of their original price, with most sellers and retailers selling them for about 20 – 60% of their original price. Refurbished discount microscopes are sometimes referred to as reconditioned microscopes and are often the choice of students and hobbyists who prefer not to invest too much on an optical microscopy system.
What are refurbished microscopes?
Refurbished microscopes, unlike plain used microscopes, are units with some parts replaced with new ones. This is often done because used microscopes often have damaged or old parts, although the unit itself is still in good to excellent condition. Refurbished microscopes are rebuilt to look and function like brand new units.
Sources of refurbished discount microscopes
Refurbished discount microscopes are often used or secondhand microscopes which have been sold by their previous owners. These include students and hobbyists looking to replace their old units or individuals who no longer have a use for their microscopes, such as students who have already graduated from school. It is also possible to find old microscope units being phased out en masse by companies and other industrial sources. Surplus units are also common in the refurbished market, all of which are in good working condition.
Uses of refurbished discount microscopes
A refurbished microscope, while used or reconditioned and priced at a discount, still offers decent use as a complete optical microscopy system. They are popular purchases for certain institutions such as schools and for individuals who are home schooled or those who use microscopy as a hobby. Refurbished discount microscopes are rarely purchased and used for research purposes. This is because refurbished microscopes are often preferred in environments where damage to the instrument is most probable.
There are different types of microscopes that are offered as refurbished discount units, including light compound microscopes, stereo microscopes, metallurgical microscopes, surgical, biological, polarizing and industrial, among others. This allows end users numerous choices when it comes to specifications, type and pricing. They are often sold by authorized repair centers and by the manufacturers themselves.
Advantages of refurbished discount microscopes
The main advantage of refurbished microscopes is their discount price. They also have nearly the same usability as a brand new unit or a unit with the original parts. There are also some refurbished microscopes that have been stripped down by the repair center and then rebuilt with several enhancements and attachments not found in the original unit. It is also possible to obtain refurbished microscopes that have been hardly used by the previous owner. Some refurbished microscopes are also of high quality in terms of materials and design and very often, their features may still be regarded as current, able to compete decently with newer units.
Disadvantages of refurbished discount microscopes
Since some refurbished microscopes are used microscopes, it is often difficult to say how many previous owners have already used them. Furthermore, it is even more difficult to determine the kind of care and attention used on the units by their past owners. Some microscope owners, for example, sell their old microscopes because of some damaged part that they find rather impractical to replace or repair. Very often, some microscope specialists recommend that refurbished microscopes coming from schools and other educational institutions should be avoided because they are often the units with the most damages.
Another limitation of refurbished microscopes is that it is often difficult to use the latest technology on them, especially in older units. Enhancements such as illumination and apochromatic color, which offers color correction, are sometimes difficult or impossible to attach. This often limits the usage of the unit. Furthermore, some upgrades are merely cosmetic, designed to make the instrument look better with a few paint jobs, corrections and parts replacements.
Buying refurbished discount microscopes
Some people encourage potential buyers to be wary of purchasing refurbished discount microscopes from online auctions, especially if the unit is a research type featuring numerous sophisticated functions without advice from a microscopy specialist. The discount price often attracts buyers to obtain the unit, disregarding any possibility that it may not be the best choice for their particular requirement.
It is also important to inquire about any warranties that come with the product. Don’t expect refurbished discount microscopes to come with the same warranty period (usually 10 to 15 years) that accompany brand new units. Most resellers or retailing companies sell refurbished discount microscopes with a one year warranty, although there are some that offer more. When buying refurbished microscopes, make sure the warranty is in place and that you yourself have tested the unit. It is also important that you know which parts have been replaced, an important matter in case the instrument breaks down.