microscope?

Not sure what forum this belongs in so I'll ask here and move it if I'm instructed too.

I'm about 5 weeks into my 12/12 and wanting to see my trichomes I bought an expensive (like $80) little hand held microscope.

Is there a trick to using these? I can't see how I'm suppose to hold the bud and the microscope steady enough to get a clear visual of the trichomes. Am I suppose to cut off the bud to look at it? I can get a really clear visual for about half a second before even the slightest movement messes it up.

Is there a trick you guys use to see the trichomes color change?

Thanks

Clamp or rest the microscope - that's it. Maybe get two books and nearly put them together and rest the scope edges on the books. Put the weed sample underneath and should work. Use something under the pot to raise or lower to focus. There are lot's of other ways. Just think about it a bit.

Just cut off a couple very small samples, take them to a table and lay them out. Some of the pocket microscopes have a plastic "spacer" that you can rest on a flat surface above your sample. If you want something handheld to use without cutting samples get a jeweler's loupe.

Agree with BWG707. If you want to be able to check trichs on actual buds instead of on leaf samples, get a loupe. With a bit of backlighting, it is relatively easy to see trich color. Crappy pics, but you can get the idea.






R2T

Your only wanting a scope to tell you tris color. save that expensive scope for samples off the plant. get a handheld scope or a loop to speed up the process of direct plant viewing.


Blessings,

JP

I have a high power scope too. Best to mount it on a flex arm that you can clamp to the container. Then you can just position it all over the plant and once you get close, pull the bud up to the scope. If you don't want to go to that trouble, just pull a sample, and place it on a black back ground. The clear trichs come through better and you will see the amber color if present.

This is an AK47 through 60X zoom. My microscope goes up to 200X but I rarely look that close. I have a hand held 60X I use for spot checking.

Wow, thanks. There are some great suggestions here. I might go to Home Depot today and look for a flex arm. I'll let you know how it works out.

I have a USB 150x microscope but mostly use my 20X / 40X dual loupe.... but the USB microscope is great for taking pics

my issue with USB microscopes is the clarity is only as good as your video card and monitor....I have an old system and the colour representation is not as true as the loupe