If you want to count a large number of samples, a very easy and inexpensive way is let the cells settle in a 96 or 384 well plate, take images, and then use CellProfiler (free software) 

www.cellprofiler.org/

to count cells in the stack of images.   
We use a robotic microscope to take the images, these are expensive, but unnecessary unless you have a lot of plates

We also sometimes use an Accuri C6 flow cytometer for counts of suspension cultures, but this is overkill if you just want to do counts

Richard Gomer
Professor
TAMU Biology
ILSB    MS 3474
301 Old Main Drive
College Station, TX  77843-3474
979 458 5745


________________________________________
From: DICTY [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Damer, Cynthia Kay [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2013 2:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [DICTY] cell counter

Dear Colleagues,

I am interested in buying an automated cell counter.  Does anyone have any advice about what kind to buy for use with Dicty cells?

Thanks!

Cynthia

Cynthia K. Damer
Professor
Biology Department
Brooks Hall Room 229
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
(989) 774-3455