microscope - great view for under $5!

I've read that some people have trouble getting a good view of trichomes with the Radio Shack pocket microscopes due too unstable support. Because there is a huge population of cheap bastards on RIU I quested for a scope that would satisfy those empty pockets and the need for stability.

I picked one of these up at a department store for $3.50. Although it works best using the base you don't have too. I prefer to snip just a bit of frosty leaf and use one of the included slides. It magnifies 40x and you can get a great view with minimal adjustment.

Here's an amazon link for a bit more:
http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Science-Adventures-Microscope-Building/dp/B000239E1Q

Seriously. This thing is awesome.

I have one of the Radio Shack ones. It was ok, but a little difficult to get in close and focus on-plant. Then I found one like this:




There are tons of them on eBay for under $3. What's great about these is you don't really need to focus it. The little black part can be pulled in and out to focus but you don't really have to. just move the microscope into the bud and it's like moving it through a forest of trichs, you focus by moving around. It's really great. I bought one, then ordered 10 more.

Here's one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Loupe-Magnifyin...299?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25604548c3

same here i bought one and then ordered 5 more, they work really good and the light is a big plus.

i paid under 6 bucks with shipping.

Take it from me and The Knuck, if you buy this microscope, buy a bunch from the get go. They're cheap enough, and you'll want to give some away and have spares.

I use the radio shack hand held scope. I love it. It allows me to look deep inside the bud. Once you set the field where you get the magnification you want you can move from one bud to another with ease and no adjustment. A couple years ago I also picked up a USB microscope for examining after harvest buds and during the cure process. To each their own I guess, but you gotta love the science.