Science folks:
I'm thinking of getting a microscope as a family gift this xmas. It'll be used by the grandkids (7, 12, 15) as well as some adults, so I don't want it to be a "toy". Budget is under $300 so I'm not sure what I can get with that.
What brand(s) would you recommend?
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Having owned a microscope as a kid, the most important part isn't the optics; it's the lighting for the stage. Microscope optics, while not unimportant, mean nothing if you can't provide enough photons of the correct "color temperature" and polarization, at the proper angles (including backlit).
For engendering love of science and visualization of the microscopic world, a simple handheld, portable digital wand that interfaces with a pad or phone is probably sufficient