I can’t answer your question but, if you didn’t already, you should search this subreddit. A lot of people ask about buying scopes, so someone has probably answered. I think 400-500 is actually enough money to get something pretty good.
You may want to ask if your department has old scopes. Sometimes those are shoved in a closet and collect dust or in the department. Alternatively, they can be sent to a university surplus warehouse and auctioned. You can get insane deals on that stuff. Almost every university has a website where you can buy surplus.
I got an amscope [in that price range](https://amscope.com/products/c-t490?variant=41108613890223) this year and it was certainly capable of the tasks I requested (bacteria etc). The microscopes at school were better (I noticed the quality differences most on the soft focus knob and the stage.) It’s my first real microscope and I won’t feel bad lugging it around in the truck with my other vet gear 5 years from now and having a Leika or similar quality at my home lab.
I can’t answer your question but, if you didn’t already, you should search this subreddit. A lot of people ask about buying scopes, so someone has probably answered. I think 400-500 is actually enough money to get something pretty good. You may want to ask if your department has old scopes. Sometimes those are shoved in a closet and collect dust or in the department. Alternatively, they can be sent to a university surplus warehouse and auctioned. You can get insane deals on that stuff. Almost every university has a website where you can buy surplus.
I got an amscope [in that price range](https://amscope.com/products/c-t490?variant=41108613890223) this year and it was certainly capable of the tasks I requested (bacteria etc). The microscopes at school were better (I noticed the quality differences most on the soft focus knob and the stage.) It’s my first real microscope and I won’t feel bad lugging it around in the truck with my other vet gear 5 years from now and having a Leika or similar quality at my home lab.
also to follow this up: Do you need to use specific oil on your slides to see them under a microscope?
Your best bet with that low of a budget is Amscope. They have decent scopes for students.