Looking for a decent microscope?

Question

my main interest is using this for blood cells, plants and insects.

I am willing to spend up to $300.00 - can anyone recommend anything good?

Answer 1

The microscope below is $375 but of top quality and you could always resell it. The E-Series is the second link but I don't have any experience with it ($249). They also have the C-Series ($149) but again, no experience with it. I don't like the monoculars so I only looked at stereo. Gives you a place to start. That one for $375 is beautiful, but it may be beyond your needs and budget. You could also poke around eBay. I enjoyed looking for ya'.

EDIT: Here look at this one on eBay. Looks okay and you can upgrade the mag but they don't say who makes "Variscope" though. It doesn't look bad ($149). See if you can find a review on it. Specifications look okay.

Answer 2

Sometimes, a second-hand store can be a good source for finding quality microscopes, especially in college and university towns.

I've seen lab quality microscopes for sale at less than $50.00.

A quality microscope should consist of two eye-pieces, one at 5X and another at 10X.  The microscope should have objective lens of 4X, 10X, 40X, and 100X.  It should have a good mirror and/or built in light source and aperture adjustment.  A quality lab microscope will be over 1 foot in highest from its base to the tip of the eye-piece.  There may be extras such as a carrying case and perhaps even slides, cover slips, and small instruments.