Other Microscope Choices
The bottom line is the QX5 is the least expensive digital microscope on the market, making it attractive to purchase several for a classroom or for a parent to buy as a birthday present. There are several scopes that are used as handheld microscopes (Proscope, Dino-Lite, MiScope, Scope-on-a-Rope). Probably all of these will generate similar images, so the choice may be style of use and price. Then there is a jump to get a higher quality microscope- one will glass objective lens and with better illumination systems, but these will be >$500-$1500 for a decent compound microscope or dissecting scope with a digital camera (see some options from Carolina Biological).