Any alternatives to using a microscope to check trichomes??

[Fluke]

So, I've recently lost the use of a microscope as my partner is moving home for a month or two and she's bringing her microscope.
I was just wondering if any of you ingenious growers have come up with a way to check your trichomes without a microscope.
I've heard of people using the laser lens from an old cd player but I'm not sure how effective that is.
Do you think if I took a pic with my digital camera and zoomed in on my computer work??
Any idea's are very welcome.

Thanks.

 

[Jesusbuiltmygro]

They sell handheld 100x microscopes on ebay for 10 dollars, don't waste your time being innovative and instead innovate your way to 10 bucks and buy one.

The handheld, IMO, are the best for this type of 'field work'. You don't need an expensive slide microscope. Order it now and you'll have it in a couple days.

NO way a digital camera zoom will work. You need at least 30x I'd say, but like I said 100x on ebay all day long for cheap.

Something like this is what I mean

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-60X-100X-Li...66:2|39:1|72:1205|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50

 

[DonkeyPunch]

Check out this thread... Thundurkel's 252w Fluoro Frenzy

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=110000

Thunderkel uses a canon powershot in macro mode - forgot which one but it's in the thread - some of those pics are very easy to see the trics in... I am sure other cameras probably have the same feature. (I know jack shit about photography so might be wrong on other cams doing it, but his works kick ass for it)

 

[tommyboi_420]

fluke

fluke

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2179604 got one very cheap and works just fine all you need is 2"AAA's" and your good to go....also check out the"Customer reviews"....on the scope..lol....here a nother one i got and works awesome and really cheap for what it does http://www.amazon.com/Eyeclops-6108...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1231240675&sr=8-1 100x-400x and takes nice pics of the tris and easy to load up on your puter.....hope this helps...tommy

 

[ajc0k]

a dispensary in san francisco was checking out bud my friend was selling them with a Dinolite connected to a LCD. was way cool, just twist to adjust the resolution and zoom, then walla, and have a high def macro of your budz.
pricy but pretty cool!!
http://www.minresco.com/dinolite/dinolite.htm

 

[FreezerBoy]

The RS scope is inexpensive and well worth it. The BioniCam is a cruddy, PITA, piece of crap that I adore when I'm done (it's a real love/hate item) Prices fluctuate greatly, sometimes dropping to $20. At $20, I recommend it. $40? Not so much. $80 (msrp) forget it.

Jewelers loops are another possibility. Can't recall if single or multi-lens is preferred but, you'll want a magnification of 30X.

 

[RockyMountainHi]

As I pondered your question, a thought came to me,,
If you can get really REALLY small,,,,,,,, you can get under them and look up.


Shine!

 

[JackTheGrower]

As I pondered your question, a thought came to me,,
If you can get really REALLY small,,,,,,,, you can get under them and look up.


Shine!

I did that once but I got stuck and my "Help me " "help me" crys went unanswered. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14pIrRclWTY

 

[ScrubNinja]

I was just wondering if any of you ingenious growers have come up with a way to check your trichomes without a microscope.

Smoke them I've yet to hear a complaint about this method.

But seriously, I did just pick up a 30x loupe, and I would advise stronger if you don't have great eyesight. Maybe 40 or 50x if they make those. Ages ago I bought a small magnifying thing with an led but it was 100x or so and just impossible to use on a plant in it's natural state, too much movement (I didn't think about snipping a small portion of bud leaf off at the time)

My camera has a super macro mode and 18x optical zoom and all that but I find it's not enough to accurately inspect the trichs for colour. Great for trich shots in general though.

 

[Noc]

I've heard of people using the laser lens from an old cd player but I'm not sure how effective that is.

The following is a description of how to make a DIY scope using a CD lens, in conjunction with a mobile phone camera.

Afternoon all,

I just made my own trich scope, and i thought id share it with you all because it works so well.

All you need is a mobile phone with a half decent camera (mine is 2 mega pixel) and the lens from an old broken cd player, you can probably find one anywhere??

I ripped the whole lens module bit out of the cd player, just wrench it out with a screwdriver.

Then carefully prise the lens off, i used the point of a sharp stanley blade, but be carefull, the lens i have is plastic and will scratch easily.

Then just stick the lens over your phones camera lens with a couple of tiny sausages of blue tac or playdough or whatever and voila, you have a scope with built in camera!!

The lens has one flat side and one concave side, it needs to be stuck with the concave side facing the camera lens and the flat side facing away from the phone.

My phone has quite a bright light right next to the lens so its like an illuminated scope!!!!

The original post, complete with pics, is located here, although the forum has been down for a couple of hours so the link may not work for a while. Hopefully it works again by the time you read this, since downtime is a rarity for that site.

 

[Fluke]

thanks for the hasty replies guys. I think I'll just purchase one of the above mics listed.
The last one we bought was close to 200 euro.
And to be honest it wasn't really worth it.
Thanks again.

 

[Fluke]

a dispensary in san francisco was checking out bud my friend was selling them with a Dinolite connected to a LCD. was way cool, just twist to adjust the resolution and zoom, then walla, and have a high def macro of your budz.
pricy but pretty cool!!
http://www.minresco.com/dinolite/dinolite.htm

I use these in work occssionally. Maybe I could buy an old one from them??

 

[charlesweedmore]

i bought a 100X microscobe from dealextreme.com for 7 bucks and free shipping !

 

[Bumble Buddy]

I used to use a microscope to for selecting harvest time, now I go by aroma and the macroscopic plant attributes- bud ripeness and yield. Aroma is a more reliable indicator of psychotropic effect than trichome color IMO; The nose knows

 

[LolaGal]

Radio Shack pocket microscope only $12. It does the job for cheap. Lighted.

I want the Eyeclops toy badly!!! Right now it's $36 at Amazon... cheapest I've seen it in months. I'm waiting for $25, but it may never get that low...

It's $60 at Wally World... way too high..

 

[rasputin]

Jewelers loops are another possibility. Can't recall if single or multi-lens is preferred but, you'll want a magnification of 30X.

The loupes aren't bad but they are less than ideal. You can get a tight, close shot but you gotta have a steady hand and even still, the viewable area is so small that it helps to have a bit of a bigger tool. The LCD's on eBay look like good deals, I might check them out. I like the loupe but just saying, it's small and to get a nice, close-in view you gotta work the lens right.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Great hands on review. I've never tried one but the 60X setting on the RS scope always left me thinking that 30X would be the optimum magnification which is a common magnification for loupes. Tight enough to see colors, yet still see a large(r) field of trichs.

Do they make Sherlock Holmes sized magnifying glasses at 30X? Best I've seen is 10X.

LCDs on eBay? More info please.

 

[StrainCollector]

A droplet of water on a clear film/sheet of plastic,

-If that helps anyone, feel free to help me out too! I need a 250w hps. lol-

 

[Tanuvan]

I'd say 30x jewelers loupe. IMHO it is hard to see with those little 100x microscopes the field of view is too small. If you are trying to look at the trichomes on a plant with that microscope, and you move out slightly, you completely lose focus.

I have also seen pics of people's macro shots and you can clearly see the trichome colors.

If all else fails, I'd go for finding the mushrooms that Alice ate, and see about squeezing underneath the trichome.