In general, toy microscopes use cheap optics, and you're likely to  
get frustrated with them. There are a lot of companies that buy up  
equipment from pharma and other labs, refurbish it, and then sell it  
at reasonable prices, usually with guarantees for up to a year.  
Search the internet for "used microscopes" or "used scientific  
equipment." I've had good experiences buying some equipment from this  
company: http://www.hitechtrader.com/

Or just wait around for the next wave in microscopy:
cell phone attachments!
Check it out:
http://thefutureofthings.com/news/1155/the-birth-of-the-cell-phone- 
microscope.html

Kurt


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