10X-40X is not bad, but ten times less powerful than 100-400
(100X-400X). You'll greatly appreciate the higher magnification if
you are looking at pond water. Not as inexpensive as you have seen,
but there are some reasonable prices for decent scopes at:

http://microscopeworld.com/misc/gift-ideas.htm

"sandra" wrote:

Im looking into buying a microscope for parasite ID among other things. Do
any of you have opinions on a good brand that will allow for 100-400
magnifications. I've seen some online for under $100 that magnify to
10x-40x. I haven't been able to figure out if that means 100-400? I have a
jewelry loupe that I use for examination of some of the more obvious pests
but some of my fish kept off site from my pond have a condition that I need
to investigate further with a microscope.
Thanks in advance.
sandra