Need help choosing first Microscope.

[Negi]

Hello,
First of all I am new on this forum. Although I have visited quite a few times, this is the first time I am actually posting a thread, so please bear with me.

I need help choosing my first optical microscope. I currently use a cheapo digital microscope with inbuilt screen but this doesn't cut it anymore.

So, where I live, there aren't brands like Amscope. Most brands available are from Chinese manufacturers like Mechanic, YCS, Relife, Kaisi etc.
It seems like they all have similar models like "7050" such as :

1. Kaisi 37050
2. Mechanic D75T
3. Mechanic MC75T
4. YCS 7050x

What I am wondering is, are they all the same thing or they actually have differences? I find that Kaisi is the most affordable out of those mentioned, and YCS being the most expensive. Will I regret going with Kaisi?

Their price difference is not much but I have to buy lots of other equipments as well, so every dollar counts right now.
Any help is appreciated before I make a final decision. Thank you.

PS : If this is the wrong forum, please move to the appropriate place.

[jfiresto]

For what will you be using the microscope? What will objects will you be looking at? How will you light them? Will you be taking photos or streaming video? How good do either need to be?

Since you mention them, what is the price difference between the Kaisi and the YCS, which have, respectively, 10X/20mm-FOV and 10X/23mm-FOV eyepieces?

[Negi]

Mostly computer parts and phone repairs, occasional arduino stuffs.

I am currently a hobbyist but plan to do more in the future.

I know very little about microscopes in general, I don't even know which specifications to look out for and what to avoid.

For what will you be using the microscope? What will objects will you be looking at? How will you light them? Will you be taking photos or streaming video? How good do either need to be?

Since you mention them, what is the price difference between the Kaisi and the YCS, which have, respectively, 10X/20mm-FOV and 10X/23mm-FOV eyepieces?

[jfiresto]

If you are not in a hurry, if I were in your shoes, I would research microscopes and discover your requirements. If this is not fun, you are probably not doing research. 

I don't know your situation, but locally we have microscopy groups who meet, typically monthly, to talk about and use microscopes. One near me meets at a local university who provide a classroom full of them, though if you wish to bring you own, they are fine with that too.

If there is an engineering school nearby, it would not surprise me that you could find someone who would be happy to talk about and show you what they use – and let you try some of their equipment to decide what does and does not work for you. Most universities are always looking for good students, so being a prospect is not a disadvantage.

[thm_w]

You might be able to find some made in India options as well.

Kaisi 37050 - 7x to 50x - 10x22 eyepiece
Mechanic D75T - 7x to 50x - 10x22 eyepiece
Mechanic MC75T - 7x to 45x - 10x20 eyepiece
YCS 7050x - 7x to 50x - 10x23 eyepiece

Spec wise the YCS is slightly better, but all of them are basically going to be about the same, other than the MC75T which looks to have worse eyepiece + zoom range.

What I would look for is what stand it comes with, if it works for you. And if it comes with a 0.5x barlow lens, this will reduce the zoom from 7x to 50x to 3.5x to 25x, which is probably more comfortable range to work in.

Many existing microscope threads here you can read.