Reddit mentions: The best lab handheld digital microscopes

I had a toy microscope as a kid -- it was a fun idea but not so good since seeing truly small things well requires more budget. I'm now in a business where microscopy is critical and have some nice hardware I can use to see truly small things, but there's a lot of fun in looking at larger objects. This can be done with cheap hardware and I use an older pen-style scope like what you posted even for "serious" business-related work (https://www.amazon.com/Supereyes-Portable-Microscope-Endoscope-Magnifier/dp/B0066H7H1Q ). These come with software a lot of the time but it's maybe not very good, so I use something called "SharpCap" which is meant for astronomy but is actually just an easy program to display USB camera images in real time so it works nicely for USB camera microscopy. I'd recommend getting this kind of setup (USB camera that plugs into a computer for display) since the display will be nicer and my instinct is that 80 dollars/euros is too little for a microscope/display/storage/stage that will work to anyone's satisfaction.

I found this one on Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/Opti-Tekscope-Microscope-Advanced-Definition-Industrial/dp/B0184CCOY0/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=usb+microscope&qid=1567129440&s=gateway&sr=8-10 ). It has LED lighting (important for illuminating objects from the top) and looks solid, with metal construction that seems nicer than the one I have. Something like this would plug into a computer and display in real time, allowing you a large working distance from the object while being steady enough to watch the screen while focusing. There are lots of them like this for sale, some with higher magnification, but I think anything like along these lines would be a great toy microscope.

I know this is late, but I'll answer anyway. I'm a 14-year-old. A few months ago I did chores and saved for a compound microscope. It is my prized possession and has inspired me to dabble in AP biology on my own time. I believe if your child is already inspired by the wonderful world of microscopy, the type does not matter, as long as it works well. Although, if you combine it with slides and accessories/stains to prepare your own slides, your child could learn more about lab skills. This would be ideal for kids who can be delicate with such instrument, as microscopes of any kind require optics in satisfactory condition. There is a microscope made of sturdy cardboard that I briefly looked into called the Foldscope. It's not digital, although you can put a phone up to the lens. Because it is small, it is portable. I don't have too much knowledge on the digital ones because I don't have one. the most popular one on Amazon looks to be this one. It is important to note that digitals will only look at the surface of the specimen, so if you're looking at, say, the cells of red onion membrane, you'll need a bottom light like that on a compound microscope. They are also constrained by USB cables. Choosing the right one for me was time-consuming since I wanted a cheaper one but also a high-quality one. It took maybe a full day of research to decide. I think children (me included) want the highest magnification possible. Some companies will say they have 2000x magnification, but in reality, the image is enlarged without increasing the resolution of the image. If you zoom in on a picture, it does not become more detailed. Be wary of this when looking at the specs. I realize most of this information is not about digital microscopes but I thought I could contribute.

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When to harvest. So first off, get yourself something to take a really close look at the trichomes. I just ordered this usb microscope https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WD843ZM?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image and its only $20, well worth it for all the other stuff you can zoom in on too, but now let's look at those trichomes. As they grow and start appearing they will be clear, they will then turn white over the weeks of flower and then turn amber and brown by the end of flower. Each of these colors has massive effects on the trichomes and how the high will feel. Clear/milky white will give a more alert, energetic, uppity high. While amber/brown give a more sedated, narcotic type of feel. If you want a more energetic high, harvest while they're milk white. For a more sedated high, harvest at amber. If you want a mix of both, keep an eye on them as they transition from milk white to amber and harvest when you're comfortable with them. It's not recommended to harvest with clear trichomes, or many of them at least, and by the time they get dark brown they will actually start to fall off and you DO NOT want that. Lastly, make sure you flush your plants for a week or 2 at the end of flower to get the nutrients out of those buds. And be sure to let them dry slow, this will yield the best results. I'd recommend to dry trim in order to keep the buds drying slower

These are my suggestions - feel free to ask more questions if you need anything!

Read these guides (not by me) - I wish I had had something like this when I started: http://homegrow-pro.com/quantum-board-build-grow-tent/ And this one: http://homegrow-pro.com/the-3x3-grow-tent-setup/

The links and suggestions below are oriented for Canadians, so feel free to ask for alternatives.

Essentials

• Grow Tent: 3 ft x 3 ft x 6 ft is the size you'd probably want. This is the one I bought: https://www.amazon.ca/VIVOSUN-Hydroponic-Observation-Window-Growing/dp/B01DXYMKIO
  
• Light: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Pre-assemabled-Kingbrite-2019-newest-samsung_62123342418.html?spm=a2700.icbuShop.41413.14.161358f6VLfhlM This light is a fantastic LED quantum board that is very easy to assemble - I got the 3000K one with the epistar, but this one has the better CREE version
  
• Fabric Pots: Head to Amazon and grab yourself a 5-pack of 7 gallon fabric pots https://www.amazon.ca/VIVOSUN-Gallons-Thickened-Nonwoven-Handles/dp/B00TF9E9PY/
  
• Also get yourself a saucer (you can get this at any garden store) and a pot elevator for each pot (pot elevator example: http://amazon.ca/Gro-Pro-725675-Level-Elevator/dp/B01J37FHF8/)
  
• Soil: Get yourself a bail of Pro Mix HP with mycorrhizae (it's cheap, reliable, and hard to overwater) from Canadian Tire, Rona, any store really and get also a bag of earthworm castings. Cover the bottom of your fabric pot with the castings (2-3 inches deep) https://www.homehardware.ca/en/20l-organic-worm-castings/p/5025712
  
• Nutrients: Gaia Green Dry Amendments (All Purpose and Power Bloom) Mix the All Purpose in with your Pro-Mix HP and then top dress your "soil" every month, changing it to Power Bloom during flowering https://www.canadiangardensupply.com/gaia-green-all-purpose-4-4-4.html https://www.canadiangardensupply.com/gaia-green-power-bloom-2-8-4-power-bloom-2-8-4-2kg.html
  
• Ventilation: Get the AC Infinity Cloudline T4 - it's absolutely worth it. Then purchase a 4-inch carbon filter and 4 inch tubing from Amazon (branding doesn't matter for these two things) https://www.amazon.ca/AC-Infinity-CLOUDLINE-T4-Ventilation/dp/B06ZXWN3BG https://www.amazon.ca/AC-Infinity-Dual-Layer-Aluminium-Ventilation/dp/B071LHCFZ8 https://www.amazon.ca/VIVOSUN-Australia-Charcoal-Pre-filter-Included/dp/B01DXYMBU6
  
• Timer: You can go cheap on this, but also consider a smart timer (like a Wemo) https://www.amazon.ca/Insight-Switch-Enabled-Compatible-Amazon/dp/B00EOEDJ9W
  
• Seeds: Jahseeds.ca - Canadian breeder, amazing beans, amazing price! Go with feminized seeds for your first round. https://jahseeds.ca/shop?olsPage=t%2Ffeminized-seeds
  
  
  Extra accessories
  
  
• 2 fire extinguishers (one for just outside tent, one for outside the room, where the tent is located)
  
• Pruning shears (seperate ones for trimming live plants and ones for harvesting) https://www.amazon.ca/Pruning-Gardening-Straight-Stainless-Precision/dp/B076HL5JJM
  a lighter (for sanitizing)
  
• a set of tweezers, for planting your sprouted seed
  
• some garden gloves
  
• rope ratchets for your lights
  
• zips ties for protecting things
  
• binder clips (for low stress training)
  
• plant ties (soft rubber and wire kind)
  
• watering can
  
• two pairs of measuring spoons for dry amendments
  
• a clip on fan and rotating fan (for air circulation over and under the canopy)
  
• markers and a pack of tag plant markers for identifying plants
  
• soil moisture https://www.amazon.ca/Soil-Moisture-Sensor-Meter-Hydrometer/dp/B014MJ8J2U
  
• paper towels (for germination)
  
• Bucket Head Wet Dry Vacuum Powerhead Lid for 19 Litre (5 Gal.) Multi-Use Buckets great for gathering up the excess water and tipped soil) https://www.homedepot.ca/product/bucket-head-wet-dry-vacuum-powerhead-lid-for-19-litre-5-gal-multi-use-buckets/1000666690
  
• 3 five gallon buckets (1 for the buckethead vacuum and 2 for extra water reservoirs) and two lids
  
• 3 surge protector power bars
  
• Various AC power extension cables
  
• 1 trellis net (for ScrOG training)
  
• USB microscrope (used to check the trichomes at harvest - if you want you can also get an adapter so it plugs directly into your smartphone, as opposed to plugging it into a computer) https://www.amazon.ca/Jiusion-Magnification-Endoscope-Microscope-Compatible/dp/B06WD843ZM
  
• 62% Boveda packs for curing
  
• Mason jars for curing and storage
  
• hanging rack for drying (you can substitute this for a hanger and some plant ties)
  
• Duct tape
  It's a little more expensive at the start, but this setup will pay for itself within two harvests.
  
  
  With this setup you can expect to yield between 8 to 10 oz every run (even with autos), once you grow accustomed to the cycle.

The three finger test is a great test, but only once you have properly calibrated your fingertips against a knife that is truly sharp. If you don't know what a sharp knife feels like on your fingertips, it isn't going to be a whole lot of help here.

Until you get to that point, here is a much better guide:

http://knifegrinders.com.au/Manuals/Sharpness_Chart.pdf

Also, while a 8x - 10x jewelers loupe is certainly helpful, one of these is much more helpful:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078N34WZR

And one of these is much more helpful still:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE

Saved this comment from a fella in micro grocery to start my set up

These are suggestions - feel free to ask more questions if you need anything.

Read this guide - I wish I had had something like this when I started: http://homegrow-pro.com/quantum-board-build-grow-tent/ Read this guide too: http://homegrow-pro.com/the-3x3-grow-tent-setup/

Essentials

• ⁠Grow Tent: 3 ft x 3 ft x 6 ft is the size you'd probably want. This is the one I bought: https://www.amazon.ca/VIVOSUN-Hydroponic-Observation-Window-Growing/dp/B01DXYMKIO
• ⁠Light: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Kingbrite-240W-samsung-lm301h-288v3-quantum_62120261175.html?spm=a2700.7803241.0.0.31d73e5fhFxf6a This light is a fantastic LED quantum board that is very easy to assemble - I got the 3000K one with the epistar
• ⁠Fabric Pots: Head to Amazon and grab yourself a 5-pack of 7 gallon fabric pots https://www.amazon.ca/VIVOSUN-Gallons-Thickened-Nonwoven-Handles/dp/B00TF9E9PY/
• ⁠Also get yourself a saucer (you can get this at any garden store) and a pot elevator for each pot (pot elevator example: http://amazon.ca/Gro-Pro-725675-Level-Elevator/dp/B01J37FHF8/)
• ⁠Soil: Get yourself a bail of Pro Mix HP with mycorrhizae (it's cheap, reliable, and hard to overwater) from Canadian Tire, Rona, any store really and get also a bag of earthworm castings. Cover the bottom of your fabric pot with the castings (2-3 inches deep) https://www.homehardware.ca/en/20l-organic-worm-castings/p/5025712
• ⁠Nutrients: Gaia Green Dry Amendments (All Purpose and Power Bloom) Mix the All Purpose in with your Pro-Mix HP and then top dress your "soil" every month, changing it to Power Bloom during flowering https://www.canadiangardensupply.com/gaia-green-all-purpose-4-4-4.html https://www.canadiangardensupply.com/gaia-green-power-bloom-2-8-4-power-bloom-2-8-4-2kg.html
• ⁠Ventilation: Get the AC Infinity Cloudline T4 - it's absolutely worth it. Then purchase a 4-inch carbon filter and 4 inch tubing from Amazon (branding doesn't matter for these two things) https://www.amazon.ca/AC-Infinity-CLOUDLINE-T4-Ventilation/dp/B06ZXWN3BG https://www.amazon.ca/AC-Infinity-Dual-Layer-Aluminium-Ventilation/dp/B071LHCFZ8 https://www.amazon.ca/VIVOSUN-Australia-Charcoal-Pre-filter-Included/dp/B01DXYMBU6
• ⁠Timer: You can go cheap on this, but also consider a smart timer (like a Wemo) https://www.amazon.ca/Insight-Switch-Enabled-Compatible-Amazon/dp/B00EOEDJ9W
• ⁠Seeds: Jahseeds.ca - Canadian breeder, amazing beans, amazing price! Go with feminized seeds for your first round. https://jahseeds.ca/shop?olsPage=t%2Ffeminized-seeds

Extra accessories

• ⁠Pruning shears (seperate ones for trimming live plants and ones for harvesting) https://www.amazon.ca/Pruning-Gardening-Straight-Stainless-Precision/dp/B076HL5JJM
• ⁠a lighter (for sanitizing)
• ⁠a set of tweezers, for planting your sprouted seed
• ⁠some garden gloves
• ⁠rope ratchets for your lights
• ⁠zips ties for protecting things
• ⁠binder clips (for low stress training)
• ⁠plant ties (soft rubber and wire kind)
• ⁠watering can
• ⁠two pairs of measuring spoons for dry amendments
• ⁠a clip on fan and rotating fan (for air circulation over and under the canopy)
• ⁠markers and a pack of tag plant markers for identifying plants
• ⁠soil moisture https://www.amazon.ca/Soil-Moisture-Sensor-Meter-Hydrometer/dp/B014MJ8J2U
• ⁠paper towels (for germination)
• ⁠Bucket Head Wet Dry Vacuum Powerhead Lid for 19 Litre (5 Gal.) Multi-Use Buckets great for gathering up the excess water and tipped soil) https://www.homedepot.ca/product/bucket-head-wet-dry-vacuum-powerhead-lid-for-19-litre-5-gal-multi-use-buckets/1000666690
• ⁠3 five gallon buckets (1 for the buckethead vacuum and 2 for extra water reservoirs) and two lids
• ⁠3 surge protector power bars
• ⁠Various AC power extension cables
• ⁠1 trellis net (for ScrOG training)
• ⁠USB microscrope (used to check the trichomes at harvest - if you want you can also get an adapter so it plugs directly into your smartphone, as opposed to plugging it into a computer) https://www.amazon.ca/Jiusion-Magnification-Endoscope-Microscope-Compatible/dp/B06WD843ZM
• ⁠62% Boveda packs for curing
• ⁠Mason jars for curing and storage
• ⁠hanging rack for drying (you can substitute this for a hanger and some plant ties)
• ⁠Duct tape

It's a little more expensive at the start, but this setup will pay for itself within two harvests. With this setup you can expect to yield between 8 to 12 oz every run, once you grow accustomed to the cycle.

At 100x you'll see individual cells, but erythrocytes are really small, and 400x is ideal. For pond life, larger microorganisms like paramecium might be viewable, but euglena for example will be small with minimal detail.

You could try the Carson microbrite, I have one, but I know it's quite limited as a student microscope: (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LAX52IQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_M8PBCb65642MJ)

The OMAX M82ES has great features and produces great images, costs considerably more though and realistically is only good to 400x (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LAX52IQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_M8PBCb65642MJ)

Hope this helps get you on the right track!

If you want to get photos of planets, then you actually won't need to spend much at all. You can buy a device that is similar to a webcam that will fit into a 1.25" eyepiece and will record a video that you can process into a good picture. Here is an example of what I'm talking about. For less than $200, you can get started. Before I had a tracking EQ mount, I would realign and take bursts of video while the subject was in frame, up to about 2000 frames(which takes approximately 1.5 minutes) and then process them in a free program called Registax. This process is easier if you have a GEM that is tracking and you can keep the planet in the frame the whole time. With this setup, I managed to capture This picture of Saturn that I took on the night of Easter. A DSLR is great for DSO's and of constellations and the such, but planets are better captured by something like the NexImage5 that I linked, or you can even modify a webcam to have a 1.25" barrel that will fit into your eyepiece.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I was able to get an ok picture of M42 without an equatorial mount, but I did have a manual equatorial wedge, by taking about 100 pictures at 1/3 of a second in RAW format and stacking them in Deep Sky Stacker, which is a free program. I don't know the focal length of the maximum exposure for your scope, but you can use the rule of 600 to figure it out(400 for a crop sensor). My scope has a focal length of 2000mm, so the max before I begin to see field rotation is 1/3 of a second. 600/2000=.3 seconds or 400/2000=.2 seconds for a 1.5 (Nikon) crop frame sensor.

Video is going to be your problem, most cheap scopes won't do a very good job, depending on what you're looking for.

I've been using one I got off Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ or similar, there are several identical ones from different brands there). Picture quality is OK, good enough for basic work, but it doesn't seem like it would do video well (though it can).

A few example pictures:

https://imgur.com/J49ZBFM

https://imgur.com/ocAlHr6

https://i.imgur.com/N90jTHI.jpg

Not great, but decent magnification and perfectly acceptable for basics (could use some better lighting). That's going to be your baseline, and at $40 you're pretty limited (you can probably pick up a version of that for a bit under $40 if you look around).

Anything past that and your price is going to pop. The one /u/Thebillyray linked is a similar but slightly better option, but at twice the price. Anything higher quality than these will start to push you well over $100.

I don't own one yet but I've got my eye on this one since I want something fairly inexpensive and easy to use for my first purchase:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE?psc=1&redirect=true

It's only 2mp and uses a flexible arm to hold it instead of a sturdy, straight stand so not sure how great is for photography. I think I'm going to use it mainly for viewing a lot of coins vs. photographing a few ones so might fit the bill.

But if I'm being honest, I hope I can get cool pics as well :)

Crystals aren't magical because of hocus-pocus ghost magic, but because they are a macroscopic manifestation of the microscopic interactions between chaos, order, and growth. The magic they give is fuel for creativity/curiosity (same thing,) the most powerful force in the universe. Many natural objects provide such enrichment, pretty much all, but crystals have a unique ability by virtue of being physically manifested fractals.

Rule #1 of magic: the physically mundane is the most profound, the metaphysical is the most mundane. Ghost shit is normiesville.

For the low price of $12.99 with free shipping you can purchase a Carson Microbrite Plus pocket microscope and reap all the rewards of observing the microscopic for the price of a fast food meal. But that's not all, observing the cosmos directly with a telescope, binoculars, or even the naked eye will give you incredible boons as well. Explore and observe your world on all levels and you will find limitless beauty and inspiration. Naturalism, it isn't just for nerds anymore.

Dove from Carson is so sexy. *_*

Sure - was 20 dollars off amazon. This is the best quality pics I've gotten with it so far, bit hard to focus just right but 1000000 X easier than a hand held loupe that drives me nuts trying to hold it still close up to a bud. With this I just cut a small sample, bring it inside, set the cam over it and plug the usb into my mac. View the feed using an app store app called quick cam - or can even use photobooth but i think that degrades the video quality a bit

Note: with this usb scope, it might look like the trichs are clear on the outside, but it's more of a reflection / due to the white background and bright light. Notice how the trichomes in front of the actual green plant matter are cloudy - it's because the green contrasts, while the outside trics over the white look clear, they are almost certainly not so.


Link to product: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N4K22OA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's a great telescope for lunar and planetary imaging! Pick up an imaging camera like Celestron's excellent NexImage 5 plus a decent 2x barlow and you'll get pretty great results for about a $200 investment.

If you were thinking more about deep space, long-exposure stuff, that's a no-go. But it's a seriously great telescope otherwise.

Yes.

But it's not about the camera nearly as much as it is about lenses. For example, you can get a Canon 65mm macro lens that reproduces the images 5x bigger than lifesize. (In other words, 5x zoom). Next, you can 'crop to zoom' meaning you can just take the middle of your image to zoom in more.

A top-of-the-line professional digital camera these days is 36MP or 50MP (full-frame, or medium format, respectively). Consider that your average facebook photo is, what, 0.5 megapixels? You can zoom in quite a lot with cameras like that by just cropping and still have an acceptable image.

Also, there are digital microscopes like this one that offer 20x to 200x zoom.

http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Handheld-Digital-Microscope-Pro/dp/B00CMJ1I08/

Their image quality is far lower than that of a professional digital camera with a macro lens, but they are in fact digital cameras.

Now, you might say: "Yes, but they accomplish this by using a lens with a large magnification. I meant just using the digital camera itself." All digital cameras need some sort of lens in front of the sensor to focus light, just like a normal camera; just like any microscope. (They don't necessarily have to be lenses, you could use mirrors and other things as well.) So it's less about the high resolution of the sensor and more about the lens, but a high resolution sensor does help to letting you crop to zoom.

Those picture are so perfect to watch how amber glandes are !

That rockstar is almost 80% amber - 20% milky !
Really nice macro !

If anyone would like to see their buds up close like that, i got Carson 60x-120x for cheap
https://www.amazon.ca/Carson-60X-120X-Lighted-Pocket-Microscope/dp/B00LAX52IQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521695650&sr=8-1&keywords=carson

Work super great , lots of fun ! Maybe not for taking picture with ur cellphone (can be done but better get a 30x-60x like this one for picture :https://www.amazon.ca/Zorvo-Jewelers-Loupe-Illuminated-Magnifier/dp/B01MEEEXET/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1521695747&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=60x+jewel )

Okay, here it is. I guess it's more than I originally remembered, but is on sale for ~200. We brought these to the USA Science and Engineering Festival back in October and they proved to be fantastically durable enduring two days of kids handling them. Like I said, we were looking at termite guts, and were able to see protists and spirochetes very well with it, but were not at high enough magnification for real bacterial observation. It can even record video of what you're seeing. We were very impressed with the quality of these low-cost microscopes.

My only gripe is the image quality (there's definitely better quality but more expensive options) but it's not unusable by any means.

Other than that, it's nice having a huge "viewfinder" and being able to snap pictures without trying to hold a camera and loupe. I find it's easier to take a picture (or several) then analyze it/them later, that way I can pull them into Lightroom or similar and adjust the lighting to get a better look at what's going on.

• Laser Pointers - My top recomendation. They are fun to use at night if the person aiming them is mature enough not to point it at stupid things. They can be used for presenting stuff, but I have never found them to be needed for that. I like shiny bright stuff and my pets do too (even fish).
  
• Hand Held Microscopes - This is the one I got. What you get for the price is really pretty amazing to me. Other idea might be the ones that attach to your phone camera, but I've never tried that. The Carson handheld microscope is not professional quality, but for under $15, wow. Things that I've looked at: scratches on my electronic screens, leafs, dead bugs, cat hair, my skin, other peoples skin, textile, printed image quality, currency, and rocks. The quality is not the same as a microscope and you need to be really still or rest the scope on something. I can only use it at the lowest magnification without complaining. The benefits are it's portability and cheapness. Some people are not as interested by this.

Oh you noticed? awesome! Well I've been in the process of starting up a YouTube channel for the past few months and needed a place to film, since I'm constantly building and inventing crazy things. I ended up settling with an unused room in my house. I filled the room with some IKEA tables, 5 3D printers, electronics testing equipment (signal generators, lab bench power supplies, signal modulation hardware, oscilloscopes), followed by all of my electronics stuff in boxes full of my RC hardware (propellers, FPV equipment, lipo battery connectors, brushless motors), passive electronics components, varieties of LEDs, raspberry pis, arduinos, software defined radio hardware, RF antenna hardware, and all my tools (some are hanging, many still in boxes). Anyways, when filming soldering, a macro lens could only get me so far. So I decided to get the most recent andonstar soldering microscope since the resolution is really adequate and it can record video as well as images, which has worked out really well. Progress in releasing the first couple of videos has been really really slow since I work a full time job in a lab and volunteer helping college students with robotics, as well as doing some consulting for bachelors and masters Capstone projects.

I have that $10 phone clip on microscope that you see a lot of on amazon. It actually works well. Shows amber. have a nice phone screen is so much better than a loupe - just need to steady your hand. its not really a digital microscope. Its just a 60x lens that you put in front of your phone cam lens and you use your phone to zoom in. it gives me the best view of trichomes out of all the devices I have, including an old lab grade ziess microscope. and the LED light does not mask out amber.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0748FMBNC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the one that causes me issues. going to send it back. And it has built in zoom and is a true digital scope.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Looking close for sure, but it’s hard to say from just the picture.

Get yourself a jewelers loupe or a usb micro-scope like this one —

Wireless Digital WiFi USB Microscope 50X To 1000X Magnification Mini Handheld Endoscope Inspection Camera with 8 LEDs with Metal Stand, Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android Smartphone, Mac, Windows https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PVMRZQH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qDJXDb8ASFQDX

This is honestly the best way. You can try to estimate by color, pistils, and time...but you’ll never really know until you look at the trichomes.

This one is pretty great:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00XNYXQHE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510971757&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=usb+microscope&dpPl=1&dpID=41NWME3Ne%2BL&ref=plSrch

You plug it into a laptop. Has great range and takes great photos.

This is basically what I picked up. Just a cheap Chinese-made digital microscope with decent reviews. It only came with software on a mini-disc thing and... well I don't have a cd-rom anyway (whatyearisit.jpg) but luckily it works mostly plug-and-play with the default 'camera' program on windows. It's hard to get a good placement with nothing moving, magnification set properly, etc. but I really wanted to be able to check my trichomes (and my hand lens really wasn't cutting it). Worth the $20 for sure!

That's some good looking flower I'd say they're close but the only way you're going to be able to tell when's the perfect time to harvest is by looking at the trichomes with a loupe. You can get one on amazon for ~$10.

I have this pocket microscope 60x is even almost too much because you get a very narrow view of the flower, I have to move it around a lot, but you can definitely clearly tell what stage the trichomes are at with it

You might have already made your decision, but one of the best tools I've bought is this $13 microscope - it takes all the guesswork out for me. Great looking plant!

​

*Edited to include the UK link on Amazon

I just got THIS USB Microscope from Amazon today. No complaints from me. I am not sure how accurate the color with this thing is but it seems to give me a clearer glimpse of the trichomes than those little 60x magnifiers that go for 10 dollars on amazon. It even has a button on the back that you press to snap pictures instread of having to click on a mouse or on the phone screen. Oh yeah, the coolest part about this microscope is that it can also plug in directly to an android phone/tablet and be used on the phone!

Anyway, this is my first grow and i would like to get a second opinion on my trichomes. It appears I have a lot of cloudy trichome heads and i THINK it may be time to harvest. Would appreciate you guys' inputs.

AND THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE HELPED ME GET THIS FAR!!!!

I used a cheap macro clip-on for my phone. I ordered one for like 6$ on amazon as a small set containing 3 different types...

Something like this:
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01I9J21WI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also ordered a cheap USB Microscope but that needs to be connected to a laptop, but it has some good magnification, but a VERY limited field of depth.

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00N4K22OA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For the USB one...

To check out some shots look here:
https://growdiaries.com/diaries/1387-try-number-2/week/8120

Hope that helps

P.s.: usable shots with the USB one were obtained by cutting of a popcorn bud ;)

link it’s 15$ for one (when i bought it, they had a 2 for 20$ deal) but still well worth it. The perfect tool for telling exactly when your harvest is ready.

Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Flexible Arm Observation Stand for Windows, Mac, Linux (2MP, 250x Magnification) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oXpMAbACVS1BF


It doesnt zoom... At least how im using it but it does have a focus which is nice. Easy to use and take pics. I dont use the stand it comes with, just hand held

Celestron Handheld USB Microscope via Amazon


solid for its price :) so far i'm happy. I've been zooming in on everything like fingers, markers, hand sanitizer, etc.

Here ya go! 🤘🏻

• works great for the price! (Hardest Part is keeping it Steady 🤣🤣 )
  
  
  Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope, Mini Camera with OTG Adapter and Metal Stand, Compatible with Mac Window 7 8 10 Android Linux https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_iXqXCbZSFT3VH

I'm happy using this one. Plugs into a usb port and takes up to 200x photos and videos.
I also use it to view compost tea microbes, so I know my brew is alive and correct. Plus viewing springtails under a scope is super cool looking.

Plugable USB 2.0 Digital... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XNYXQHE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I own this one. The manual focus takes a bit to perfect and the post is not long enough to get anything bigger than a small cent in the frame (I bought a dowel to extend the crap out of it and can get Morgans and bigger in the frame now), but it takes some amazing shots. Will need a light ring setup in order to photograph slabbed coins but all in all it is a really good microscope.

That's looking pretty good, I'd invest a little in something like a Jewelers Loupe to look at the trichomes and not cut and dry till they're all cloudy, I prefer a fair amount of amber trichs before I cut and cure.

http://www.amazon.com/Grow-Room-Microscope-Handheld-Magnifier/dp/B01D96ERFU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1465083995&sr=8-3&keywords=jewelers+scope
I bought one of these on geek or wish for like $5.

Thank you. Its this one https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Microscope-Flexible-Observation-Magnification/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486744202&sr=8-1&keywords=plugable+usb+microscope

Pretty damn good for 35 bucks id say. The flex part is metal, and the suction cup is really sturdy. No need to hold it in your hand and try to be super steady, or take "bud samples". I just suction cup it to the wall next to the plant, push it up against a bud and then adjust the focus ring. It also has adjustable LED lights, and the software is excellent. Its probably made in China, but the software and tech support is all american, and very legit

Hey man, didn't catch you in the chat. My bad.

You gonna harvest the Cheese? I can't see it past day 29 man. I wouldn't be surprised. Nirvana are very shit and i've had plenty of seeds turn out to be runts. Probably about 60% i'd say!

If the loupes are not working for you then consider a USB microscope? This is a good branded one but you could a cheap Chinese one if you want a budget one.

Really great plants man and a nice fat full tent for a first grow. What plant is your favourite would you say? Also, how you finding that light? First grower here using that one I think.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PVMRZQH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just got this in. Wifi Compatible, pretty easy to use. Pictures are way better with a stable surface though.

I think it’s this one but I’m not 100%. There’s a few users in this sub that have posted some pretty amazing pictures using those and it isn’t expensive either

It's pretty awesome. I was on the fence until I actually tried it out. So much easier than a jewelers loupe.

plugable microscope

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_e3vFDbHQEP90Q

That and an old Win Laptop. Love the device!

​

Edit:



Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope, Mini Camera with OTG Adapter and Metal Stand, Compatible with Mac Window 7 8 10 Android

I have the binocular Amscope, and a middle-of-the-road digital microscope that comes recommended.

I much prefer the Amscope by a large margin. The digital scope is great for putting an image up on a monitor, or recording, or taking photos, bit it has latency, motion blur, and rolling shutter distortions.

For my daily driver of assembling electronics, the Amscope is the winner.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LAX52IQ?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2

I bought this 2 years ago and used it successfully with 2 harvests.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004SD76/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1525838527&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=fiskars+scissors&dpPl=1&dpID=311tbl6Gx4L&ref=plSrch

I'm a big fan of fiskars, and these are priced great as an add on item.

Hello Henry, i use this USB Scope (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veho-Magnification-interpolated-flexi-stand-measurement/dp/B002JCSCYI) and it works perfect on my mac book pro, you just download the drivers from their website for free. hope this helps

Good question! Something cheap, can't remember if Amazon or eBay, I'll go look...

So, it was a bit over a year ago, and the Amazon link goes to a different and more expensive unit. This one looks to be pretty much the same as the one I have (these are cheap Chinese items), and the only difference is that I mounted mine on a little desktop camera tripod to make it easy to set up different objects and put them in proper focus.

Nice video! We did a science fair project using a cheap endoscope on amazon to get a similar zoom level. It's a ton of fun to see things up close!

Here's a (non affiliate) link to the one we used, there are a ton of similar ones too: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WD843ZM

Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals, looking through the sample pages this seems to have great pics and good info.

I find myself still going back to my 30 yo Golden Guides or other Field Guides for IDs on various creepy crawlys and plants.

This USB Microscope looks really cool too.

in the top center of the first macro shot you can still see clear trichs. I would wait and in the mean time order a cheap usb microscope for like 15 bucks off amazon to get a better pic

That is awesome that your gal wants to share in the hobby! I've been contemplating my own yeast ranching operation and on several times have nearly bought this microscope. Since it takes pictures and I'm lazy, it seems like it would be fairly easy to export the pictures and have a computer do the counting for you.... plus, yeast pictures would be instant karma.

The scope I used has a 250x magnification and I could see the russets and eggs easily. I don't recall seeing poop, but I don't think I was looking. Yes, you can see dead russets -- they look just like live ones but don't move.

Under my handheld 30x scope the mites looked like little worms and I could not see eggs. I think I mentioned that I used this scope -- it looks like there are some cheaper ones available now.

Edit: Here's my post from 5months ago when I had russets. At the bottom are pics and videos that I took with the usb scope. I can't remember if I had it at 250x or not with these close ups. Here is a pic of russets and eggs. You can see that the eggs are spherical and shiny. Not to be confused with sessile glands seen here and here.

This is the one a lot of people on Reddit tend towards. It's not perfect, but it's pretty good for the price! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This one. It's fun. You can't focus, only zoom. But it takes great shots and is cheap.

Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope, Mini Camera with OTG Adapter and Metal Stand, Compatible with Mac Window 7 8 10 Android Linux https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zzCMBbJX09JJK

Ok good, your title made it sound like you didnt have a loupe.

I just got this USB scope, havent used it for harvest yet but it took some awesome picks of my bubble hash.

Do you know what strength magnification would be needed to see the microbes? Literally looking at amazon right now lol. Do you think this would work?

I have this one and it is pretty neat.

This one is a little better though and still cheap.

Same, I had a 60x joulers loupe but it never felt right, so i picked up one of these

Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope, Mini Camera with OTG Adapter and Metal Stand, Compatible with Mac Window 7 8 10 Android https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YIPkDb1RVJGFW

Have taken some awesome pics with it, plugs in to your phone too

The best and only true way to tell is to get something similar to this.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WD843ZM/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3RWIXDOQ27037

I'm guessing this would work as well.
http://www.instructables.com/id/10-Smartphone-to-digital-microscope-conversion/

I just hooked up this one for the first time tonight. Seemed pretty easy to get good shots of the trichromes.
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Microscope-Flexible-Observation-Magnification/dp/B00XNYXQHE

I played with something similar to this for an old job. They're pretty cool but not quite as good as a regular microscope.

I was able to see all of the tiny security features on my driver's license like microscopic letters on the ridges of mountains.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5x-uCbPZ7VPE4

I bought that one. Nothing special and I don’t know shit about microscope but after getting it really close and playing with the settings this was about the best I could do. I have no idea what I’m doing though. Lol

yea, keith is who i bought my first jnat from. hes incredibly knowledgable and alot of what i know is learned from his site. i literally learned to hone w/ jnats from a method he told me.

if you arent getting edges that are similar to what pros are giving you off a 12k then ill give you a few tips:

for starters i heard you have to lap a bit off the 4k/8k sides because they are a bit harsh to start(dont own one so im not 100% on this) but if you dont already have a good loupe or a pocket microscope get one. after you get the bevel set(this is really where it all begins. it has to cut hair along the length of the bevel) make sure you remove all scratches from your previous hone. after the 8k you should have a very polished bevel. you will need to know what to look at though so its going to take some practice. hit your 12k and do about 20~ or so x strokes, only enough weight to keep the razor on the hone. then check the bevel. if it looks rough still you needed more work on the 8k. your 12k edge needs to be highly polished with no large scratches and definitely no chips. id say if you cant get that look off your 12k within 30 x strokes, you didnt spend enough time on the 8. best of luck.

it really just takes a good bit of practice. to start with dont worry about overhoning. thats a load of shit anyway. as long as you arent doing uneven amount of strokes on each side and developing a burr then dont worry about overhoning. tbh stroke counting is kind of pointless anyway. i only say 20-30 as a general guideline it may take less it may take more. let the scratch pattern dictate where to go.

I use a 30x/60x loupe with LED lighting. Super cheap and does a fine job. Loupe $11 now, same as when I bought it.

For coins or anything I need a finer, more stable look at, I use a 60x-120x LED-lit microscope. Microscope $13 now, bought it for $6.60 a couple years ago.

I bought a pocket microscope, but its a double A battery instead of a USB, and it does a better job of showing the actual trichome heads clearly than any other handheld I've had.

http://amzn.to/2sYh4xD

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Veho-VMS-004-Discovery-Microscope-Magnification/dp/B002JCSCYI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318002424&sr=8-1 Gettem whilst they're hot. It's honestly great: http://twitter.com/#!/Periphereality/status/122318269637070849/photo/1

Pic of a bees eye. (I got it in the sale for the price listed above)

And that's the best pic you could get? Lol link it so I don't buy that one. I'm looking at getting this one or this one. I've seen much better shots from the 2nd one that someone posted on here. If you aren't happy with it maybe return it and try out a celestron, I wouldn't hang onto it for $80 if I wasn't happy with the performance, there are other options out there.

A single pixel consists of one red one green and one blue sub pixel. Together they make a single pixel.

Get a pocket microscope from amazon.

Something like this

https://www.amazon.com/Carson-MicroBrite-60x-120x-Microscope-MM-300/dp/B00LAX52IQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1502395056&sr=8-3&keywords=pocket+microscope

It's quite amazing down there.

I got this and it didn’t break the bank. Also, it’s super fun to look at other stuff.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carson-MicroBrite-Lighted-Pocket-Microscope/dp/B00LAX52IQ

I recommend grabbing that dude, check your bud under a microscope. It's definitely worth doing so you don't smoke bad bud!

Absolutely! And thank you. :)


Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope, Mini Camera with OTG Adapter and Metal Stand, Compatible with Mac Window 7 8 10 Android https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Q.7pDbXATTQT2

Number 1: What is a "Crafle"?
Number 2: Make sure it is a real Crafle. There are a lot of fake Crafle's running around. It is one of the more commonly made fakes and there are numberous versions. Take the Crafle out of the sleeve and ensure that it feels like a normal card (compare it to another rare from the same set, preferably a known real Crafle, or another land). Also, use the light test, it is the easiest one to do. A jeweler's loupe or a small microscope would be good too.
Number 3: Seriously? I would trade in some goyfs for a Crafle any day of the week. Crafles are on the reserved list and will likely only go up. Goyf is practically on the "print 'til you can't cash in anymore" list.

Just got this one, its great and easy to use.

I'd recommend getting a usb microscope over a jewlers loupe.
They run about $30 but are much easier to see with and take pictures.

Since i bought this one my jewlers loupe has been gathering dust:
Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope, Mini Camera with OTG Adapter and Metal Stand, Compatible with Mac Window 7 8 10 Android https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HlX1Db121Z8WJ


Ps, if you check my profile the last pic i posted was taken with mine.

Better than the loup, you can get a 40x-1000x microscope that plugs into your cell phone for about $22 on Amazon. Ill try to find a link. Its great.
Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope, Mini Camera with OTG Adapter and Metal Stand, Compatible with Mac Window 7 8 10 Android Linux https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JM2VCbZAWYAF3

Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope, Mini Camera with OTG Adapter and Metal Stand, Compatible with Mac Window 7 8 10 Android Linux
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WD843ZM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The stand it comes with isn't the best quality, but the software and lens itself are great for the price.

Looks like edema. Typically means you're watering too much. The pepper plant cant get rid of the excess water, and you end up with those bumps on the undersides of the leaves, in particular close to the stems.

If you want to be sure, get a cheap handheld microscope, like this one: link.

The 'cure' is typically watering less. Unfortunately, I'm growing hydroponically, so that's not really an option for my case, but if you're growing in soil, water less - don't let it dry out completely - but peppers do well in soil that is a bit on the dryer side.

This one works well for me. Connecting to and viewing on my phone is nice.

Digital Portable Android USB Microscope Otoscope Endoscope Inspection Camera with 10-200X Magnifier for Kids, Student, Household, Support Mac Windows PC Android https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IEFGC5E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IOMcAb6N13SB8

i like a nice chilled couch lock, great for films and munchies..

I got a cheap cam from amazon its abit dodgy while plugged in to your phone.. seems to disconnect alot, but seems ok while plugged in to your pc.

This USB Microscope: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Beautiful, crystal clear images.

Have both. 1st one much more user friendly


Check this out at Amazon.com
USB Microscope, Teslong Portable Multi-Function Soldering Magnifier Camera with 10-200 Magnification IP67 Waterproof for Android, Mac and Windows PC https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IV0TV50/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_AdeBCbPY8WZJ1


Check this out at Amazon.com
Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope, Mini Camera with OTG Adapter and Metal Stand, Compatible with Mac Window 7 8 10 Android Linux https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_CceBCbTYPT346

It works reasonable well, but it isn't completely free of issues. The focus wheel is kinda janky, the focus depth could be better, but it gets the job done. When you move the material to the left, it will move in the viewer to the right. Kinda weird, but one gets used to it.

Bottom line: There are better ones, but this thing gets the job done.

(German Link) https://www.amazon.de/Carson-MM-300-MicroBrite-Plus-60x/dp/B00LAX52IQ

The same one /u/sleepyminion has other folks hooked on. It's really great, especially for the price, but I can't get gold to show up in the correct color yet. As you can see in this picture, it looks more like a nickel.

Here's the link to the microscope

Carson Microbrite Plus

I got one of these about a year ago, probably the best $12 I ever spent. Of course you can't see microscopic life or anything like that, but I was and am still blown away by the details I can see with it. I suppose it's not what you're looking for, but still a cool little gadget.

I did some searching last week to find the answer to the same question. I used this digital microscope: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had a little difficulty getting clear pictures at first because it was pretty much impossible to prop the camera in the right position using the provided stand - there's really nowhere to rest a plastic base like that above a plant. Also, the camera is by default in 640x480 resolution and the picture quality was crap, but when I turned it up to the max of 1600x1200 there were severe image wobble issues from any movement whatsoever due to the camera using progressive scan. I grabbed my old camera tripod (a Quantaray QSX 9002TM) and found that by unscrewing the male fitting from the detachable baseplate, I could screw the bottom of the flexible camera arm into the baseplate and have a tripod mounted digital microscope, which worked perfectly. I just brought my laptop into my grow room and used the app supplied with the camera and the "take photo" button on the back of the camera to take those pictures.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N4K22OA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
XCSOURCE 20X-800X 8 LED USB 3D Digital Zoom Microscope Endoscope
This is the microscope. For $18, its not top quality. The focal point is inside the clear plastic area, I had to shove the nug about 1/2 inch up inside it. I may take a hacksaw to it. But for the price, its rather amazing.

👌🏼 I got this one...

Seesi WiFi Microscope USB Digital... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PVMRZQH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Stunted growth with twisted, blistered leaves...it could be broad mites or russet mites. You need a 60x scope to identify them. If you don't have one, this is a great little scope: https://smile.amazon.com/Plugable-Microscope-Flexible-Observation-Magnification/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521478377&sr=8-3&keywords=usb+microscope

It's worth checking anyway. If it is broad mites or russets, and not a deficiency, you don't want them spreading to your healthy gg4s.

Hi there. I'm using a usb microscope. It does a pretty good job.

You can get any USB microscope then grab a usb-microUSB adapter.

I have this one and its pretty good and comes with the adapter already.

Jiusion 40 to 1000x Magnification Endoscope, 8 LED USB 2.0 Digital Microscope, Mini Camera with OTG Adapter and Metal Stand, Compatible with Mac Window 7 8 10 Android Linux https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_t0lvDbZGHJR1H


I have it, works great.

It's a $20 usb microscope that I bought on amazon. For the price it takes great photos!


https://www.amazon.com/Jiusion-Magnification-Endoscope-Microscope-Compatible/dp/B06WD843ZM?ref_=Oct_CABSellerC_2742273011_1&pf_rd_p=0e0fdee8-f97d-5962-9e6b-930f433270f2&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-5&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_i=2742273011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=PGC2MGEHRNK5YEDZ2MXF&pf_rd_r=PGC2MGEHRNK5YEDZ2MXF&pf_rd_p=0e0fdee8-f97d-5962-9e6b-930f433270f2

Thanks you for the detailed reply. I ended up ordering #1 and this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0797PPX8D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9moBDbJ4PXZ3R.

I am not sure if it will give me the extra height I will need, but your idea of simply raising the scope higher by placing books underneath the stand should work just fine. I am excited to try out this new setup next weekend.

Carson MicroBrite Plus 60x-120x LED Lighted Pocket Microscope https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LAX52IQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rHyLDb5X9M3W7

Check this cheap and works super well usually snip a little sugar leaf

It's just a cheap little guy from Amazon. I love playing around with it, though. Here's a very small album of other stuff I've looked at so far: https://imgur.com/a/ofHno

Here are some of my favorite things to do:

1. Listen to Music (especially psychedelic/trippy music)
   
   
2. Watch Nature Videos (Heres a great one following a closed ecosystem of some micro life paired with some tasty classical music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsUkQGY8vR0)
   
   
3. Play an instrument
   
   
4. Lay on the floor and stare at the ceilings/walls with the lights off
   
   
5. Take showers (Feels absolutely orgasmic)
   
   
6. Look at things with this surprisingly amazing cheap microscope https://www.amazon.com/Carson-MicroBrite-60x-120x-Microscope-MM-300-x/dp/B00LAX52IQ/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1540931635&sr=8-9&keywords=microscope.
   
   And a lot of other things, but those usually come from just me going with the flow of whatever is happening!

I was here to ask the same question. I'm gonna order one of these and hope it works out. Recommendations welcome if anyone knows anything about digital microscopes.

I bought this little digital microscope from Amazon. Best $30 purchase I've made.
https://www.amazon.ca/Jiusion-Magnification-Endoscope-Microscope-Compatible/dp/B06WD843ZM

Instead of a loupe get this. Nothing beats being able to take a good picture of the goodness.

It was my microscope and I'm a she* lol :)
and this is the exact one I got.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014YNGCK/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

I was skeptical how a microscope that cost less than the jar I had would work but I'm very surprised. It can plug into computers and androids. I recommend it for anyone who wants to take a closer look at the life inside your jar.

https://www.amazon.com/Jiusion-Magnification-Endoscope-Microscope-Compatible/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=microscope&qid=1572091142&sr=8-7

I went with one of these :

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LAX52IQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the tips. I think this will be much easier for me

>In the next few days I'll upload a couple more of my collection!

Please do. I'd be interested in seeing more posters posting, say, a whole gallery of their collection even if on a throwaway for security reasons.

I'm trying to get around to photographing my own collection, but I'm not happy with the lighting conditions that I have. May have to buy some cheap-ish USB microscope for the task, something like this.

I just got this one and I'm happy with it. I've seen it recommended a lot here

Take a look at a bud under a microscope. If you don't have one, you can get a 120x for like $15 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LAX52IQ

If the trichomes are amber and/or cloudy then it's harvest time, but if they're still clear then give it more time.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WD843ZM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 pretty cool lil gadget. Worked with my samsung S7.

Sure thing. Its called Plugable USB 2.0 Microscope for about 35 bucks. If you want to start seeing things at a cellular level I've heard you need about 400x. My 2 year old daughter loves looking at the images the USB scope makes and I won't lie, it's kind of fun to do! I recommend it to anyone who is tired of trying to use a jewlers loup. For about 35 bucks I feel like I'm getting something that isn't pro quality but should last a little while.


https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Microscope-Flexible-Observation-Magnification/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1498244149&sr=1-4&keywords=usb+microscope

there are many Good USB microscopes for $20

Like these

https://www.amazon.com/CISNO-magnification-Microscope-Endoscope-Magnifier/dp/B01F4R1GCY/

I’m trying to write a reply that doesn’t look like a bot wrote it 😂
It’s a really cheap all in one microscope camera. Didn’t expect it to work so well, the link is this : https://www.amazon.ca/Jiusion-Magnification-Endoscope-Microscope-Compatible/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_image

I just got this one 2 weeks ago. Works great!
Dimensions 5.4 x 5.1 x 1.9 inches
Item Weight 7 ounces

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F4R1GCY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

---

^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

I just got this one from Amazon. It's a bit of a pain to try to do it while holding the scope in your hand but I just cut off a tiny piece of bud leaf and put it on the table which works out great.

If you like it, mind sharing what scope you bought? I've been thinking about this one.

This is the one I was thinking about:

Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Flexible Arm Observation Stand for Windows, Mac, Linux (2MP, 250x Magnification) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sZxMAbRBC4P1P

It’s a bit cheaper on amazon.com, but there are plenty of others if you just search for USB microscope, then pick something with 4 stars or better

Yes, it is on a stand and has a built in light that can be adjusted to be brighter and darker. It is this one to be specific.

https://www.amazon.com/Carson-MicroBrite-60x-120x-Lighted-Microscope/dp/B00LAX52IQ. This is the one I have and it love it

Carson Micro Brite Plus 60X-120X... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00LAX52IQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Best bang for your buck IMO

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2425596

https://www.amazon.ca/Carson-60X-120X-Lighted-Pocket-Microscope/dp/B00LAX52IQ

edit:
I have now realized I way over engineered my original design, here is a single print design that works just as good: http://imgur.com/a/ORnYA

Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Flexible Arm Observation Stand for Windows, Mac, Linux (2 MP, 250x Magnification) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FelACbRY5NNM9 This is what I use, it is easy to store has magnification capability lights up and you can even tap the end of it to capture the image to your computer. Insane how well you can see.

Just purchased this guy a few weeks ago and it works like a charm.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F4R1GCY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://imgur.com/jbkEV9w

> Jiusion Magnification Edoscope

Thanks!

This one?

https://www.amazon.com/Jiusion-Magnification-Endoscope-Microscope-Compatible/dp/B06WD843ZM

Thanks! I got a cheapo $35 USB microscope on amazon! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNYXQHE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But i order this yesterday, gonna make great picture
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LAX52IQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a digital microscope I got for Christmas last year that's awesome. This one.

Here are some pictures.

this is what I use
It’s hard to use but it’s cheap and it’s pretty decent

I really like these celestron usb scopes . The image quality is good for the price and they are robust enough to take a beating.

+1 for the shot!

Something like this im guessing?

Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Flexible Arm Observation Stand for Windows, Mac, Linux (2MP, 250x Magnification) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BOs8AbNR9TNR1

Fun-Home Left Angle USB 2.0 Micro Male to USB Female Host OTG Adapter for SamSung i9100 i9300 With Power Features https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013ENUF0Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6Ps8Ab9RAYPP4

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vaultmicro.camerafi

A while back a user mentioned this one and his pictures where awesome! Not sure about video though.

Yea...I got this one about a month ago. http://amzn.to/1R96gCl It ain't bad, but I think I wish I got yours.

Someone posted what I use but deleted their comment so:

​

Tweezers: https://www.amazon.ca/Hakko-3-SA-Non-Magnetic-Microelectronics-Applications/dp/B00FZPEWI6/

I use a hot air station: https://www.amazon.ca/WEP-858D-Soldering-Station-Suitable/dp/B0055B6NGE/

Pcb Holder: https://www.amazon.ca/Circuit-Holder-Adjustable-Soldering-Repairing/dp/B075DCBR24/

Microscope to find bad joints and loose solder balls: https://www.amazon.ca/Plugable-Microscope-Flexible-Observation-Magnification/dp/B00XNYXQHE/

Solder paste: https://www.digikey.ca/products/en/soldering-desoldering-rework-products/solder/262?FV=ffe00106%2C2dc186b&quantity=0&ColumnSort=-1000009&page=1&pageSize=25&pkeyword=solder+paste

I like these to clean paste or flux https://www.amazon.ca/MG-Chemicals-Tapered-Cotton-Length/dp/B008OA8488/

Conical Tip for small pin fixing https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/578-ETS

Beveled tip for drag soldering if needed https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/577-EW-511

ST-Link-v2 (programmer) https://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/stmicroelectronics/ST-LINK-V2/497-10484-ND/2214535

​

What I do is put a glob of paste on a piece of paper and dip the syringe tip lightly to make a smaller glob hang off the tip, then place the small glob from the tip on the pad I'm doing. I know this isn't the right way but its the easiest I've done.

​

When the pieces are in place I set the hot air to 450ish and lower air flow so it doesn't blow pieces off the board. When the solder solidifies most the time everything gets aligned to the pads (capacitors will randomly stick straight up but is fixed by poking it with tweezers)

​

I start with Ic's then check under the microscope for bridges or loose solder balls. then resistors/caps. Double check again for anything wrong and if its good program it with the st-link. Once thats good I put on the pots/buttons/leds

​

For faceplates, I tried at first to 3d print them. Didn't look the best, made it look cheap. So I just order faceplates when I order the pcb's now. They cost a lot but I want them to look nice when done.

Another guy posted a macro shot of a leaf a while back, I don't remember the name of the thread, but it had a picture of a spider mite running around. He used this one. It's probably better than the ones on ebay for 10 USD.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N4K22OA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Check this out. Pretty amazing for the price. I can vouch for it:

http://i.imgur.com/C2wBGec.jpg

This microscope, pretty solid for only $35

This is what I bought, and it works amazing

https://www.amazon.ca/Jiusion-Magnification-Endoscope-Microscope-Compatible/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?keywords=usb+microscope&qid=1568238852&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzUDBRUkExNUJGUkFEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzUzMTMzMkpNNEpBWVRGVUxHRSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTEwNjQ4VkhXSFVQUU9LVDEzJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Just a cheap usb microscope I got off amazon Cisno USB Micro scope the stand is crap for the most part and focusing takes some getting use to, but I didnt want to spend a lot. It takes pretty decent pics and video though so can't complain to much.

​

u/dan_cantin giveaway

I used a pocket microscope to take this image of a counterfeit wurmcoil engine if it is of any help. This card failed the light test as it was black core paper though. Also if you look at the holostamp with something that powerful you can see letters in the logo spelling wizards.

Your cards sound like variance in printings though

Multimeter (Fluke 115 is slightly over budget, TekPower TP9605BT has smartphone integration)

Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Iron (IIRC, Louis Rossmann uses this)

HP Scientific Calculators (RPN, tactile feedback, but also a battery hog, buy rechargeables).

Casio FX-115S (most powerful calc for FE Exam)

BLF A6 flashlight (quite programmable and modifiable)

Raspberry Pi

Pluggable microscope

Technical pens.

Nothin' fancy, just this microscope from Amazon :)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WD843ZM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here you go

I cannot take credit for it's discovery. A recent post on this sub, is where I saw it. A redditor posted what it was and so I bought it immediately. Awesome product for $30.

XCSOURCE 20X-800X 8 LED USB 3D Digital Zoom Microscope Endoscope Magnifier PC Video Camera with Stand TE071


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N4K22OA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QTKNDbPVBM32B

Definitely worth the money IMO.

You need a better microscope. I use a USB one. You could still go another week. My first time growing it.

https://www.amazon.com/Carson-MicroBrite-60x-120x-Lighted-Microscope/dp/B00XJINDX6

https://www.growweedeasy.com/basics

Have fun!

Yeah I topped it once then LST until side branches reached the height of the mains, then I flipped. It was almost 2 months of Veg.

Actually, I found it on my phone:

Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Flexible Arm Observation Stand for Windows, Mac, Linux (2MP, 10x-250x Magnification)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apap_dwpi9qxssqNVA

Toss that loupe and get one of these units:

https://www.amazon.ca/Jiusion-Magnification-Endoscope-Microscope-Compatible/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=yo_pop_d_pd

$3O CDN and it works amazing. Download an app, plug into your phone, get amazing pics.

I'm sick of making myself blind squinting into the loupe. This unit is worth every penny.

For $20 you can answer this question yourself. Buy a cheap digital microscope like this one on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jiusion-Magnification-Endoscope-Microscope-Compatible/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=digital+microscope&qid=1558272403&s=photo&sr=1-1

Use it to go look at what your donor region looks like and compare that to the areas you are worried about.

Which one is that? The one I have works quite well. It's a little bit hard to take pictures with because you have to be completely still, but you can definitely see the color of your trichomes, insect poop, etc.

I am also interested in a microscope/camera combo. Here is one I found on Amazon. Anybody used this?http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Deluxe-Handheld-Digital-Microscope/dp/B004QF0A1Y

Here, https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Microscope-Flexible-Observation-Magnification/dp/B00XNYXQHE/ref=sr_1_3?crid=HGH89Q6RURKC&keywords=plugable+2.0+digital+microscope&qid=1556128697&s=gateway&sprefix=Plugable+2.0%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-3. That is the one I prefer. There is also this one, https://www.amazon.com/Koolertron-Microscope-Magnifier-Illumination-Intensity/dp/B016ICHOQ6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=HGH89Q6RURKC&keywords=plugable+2.0+digital+microscope&qid=1556128738&s=gateway&sprefix=Plugable+2.0%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1 . The second is better and more powerful with higher res, but more expensive.

Use this Carson Microbrite Pocket Microscope.

You just take it and look at the green mana symbol on the back of any magic card. If there are 4 dots in the shape of an L then it is real (this is called the green dot test). Fakes will have a scattered pattern. This is what I use to verify my high dollar amount purchases. It is pretty good.

Here is what it looks like.

(This is an actual pic I took w my phone.)

Those are a bit better. Can you get me the T in "The Gathering" on the back? It has a very unique printing pattern.

I got a similiar loupe to this: https://www.amazon.com/Grow-Room-Microscope-Handheld-Magnifier/dp/B01D96ERFU/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1526326799&sr=1-8&keywords=60x+loupe

This is probably not the quality you're looking for but a field microscope is what you're looking for like this

There's only one way to know when a plant is actually finished it's optimal growing phase and it has NOTHING to do with it's size or it's colour or it's shape as all of that varies due to genetics and growing environment conditions. Get yourself a handheld 30x+ Microscope (every grow store sells them) and look at the trichomes. When they are 66% amber and 33% clouded the plant is done adding weight and terpene production. If they are still clear and glassy looking it's got some time to go.

That's not to say you can't take it earlier or later if you prefer, but it's not ACTUALLY done until it's done.

Get a loupe for like $10 on amazon and check your trichomes.

I have this one.

grabbed this microscope of Amazon. 250x zoom 2MP for like 35 bucks

Thanks! - http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-44340-Digital-Biological-Microscope/dp/B0014YNGCK/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1280404877&sr=1-4

Thanks! I used this usb microscope

Thanks! https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B06WD843ZM?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

It's a really cool area. I made this print for my brother who works a lot with electronic design, the resolution of the microscope is pretty insane. Linky

I'm also using a pi for monitoring and making timelapses. I was finally able to catch a grow 100%, I'll post that timelapse in a few days.

The microscope is this one. Trying to make a timelapse with the microscope is basically impossible, you'd need to refocus it constantly and if there is ANY wind, the bud will move slightly, and throw the image off. It's not super easy to get a clear picture of a larger area like the one I posted.

$20 on Amazon. I wish the MP was higher though - I guess I can’t really complain for 20 bucks ha

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WD843ZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rOmuDbE04KPES

I'm on the wrong side of 50 so I've got the reading glasses, magnifier on a stand and phone camera to zoom in (Pixel2, great cam). But per tool creed, the want for more outweights the need for few.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.ca/Celestron-Handheld-Digital-Microscope-Pro/dp/B00CMJ1I08

Sample pic of one of my old precision drivers: https://i.imgur.com/obZ1PM2.jpg