I AM NOT A MORON, but

MrFishy

Well-Known Member
Hi -
I broke down and bought one of those Radio Shack mini-microscopes about 2 hours ago and I'm having trouble seeing much of ANYTHING. When I have been able to focus, I can see slightly milky trichs, but I have a piece of the bud leaf between the clear, bottom plastic piece of the scope and the main body . . . and I'm causing abrasions on my buds (won't be returning this scope!) Is this how it's used? I can't be mangling my buds trying to see them. Please someone, what's the trick? I've tried a bunch and am sick of touching the buds with the scope. Somebody hep me!
:blsmoke:
 

weedyoo

Well-Known Member
yo i bought this scope it sucks but until i can find a better one i cut a leave then placs that on a flat surface. but i can not get the thing to get closes or focius wish i never bought it.good luck
 

MrFishy

Well-Known Member
yeah, I've used loupes forever, (10X 20X 30X) but was kinda hoping this $12 toy was gonna be as utile as many on these forums have suggested. My eyes are going (I'm old) and I wanted to check the trichs for real . . . not just look at all the shiny crystals, as these loupes have afforded me.
I had a real telly back a while, but can't find it. Had to clip a piece for that, too. If i wanted to clip my crop for testing, I wouldn't need to see it.
Oh well . . . another lesson learned.
Piece of crap, for me anyway.
I don't know why some RIU folks rave about this tool. "It looks like a rain forest" my a*s!
What it looks like is that I'm scraping trich heads off trying to get this P.O.Sh* adjusted!

How can folks base their harvest scheme on a glimpse of one piece of leave when there are 50 tops on one plant?
 
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fdd2blk

Well-Known Member
yeah, I've used loupes forever, (10X 20X 30X) but was kinda hoping this $12 toy was gonna be as utile as many on these forums have suggested. My eyes are going (I'm old) and I wanted to check the trichs for real . . . not just look at all the shiny crystals, as these loupes have afforded me.
I had a real telly back a while, but can't find it. Had to clip a piece for that, too. If i wanted to clip my crop for testing, I wouldn't need to see it.
Oh well . . . another lesson learned.
Piece of crap, for me anyway.
I don't know why some RIU folks rave about this tool. "It looks like a rain forest" my a*s!
What it looks like is that I'm scraping trich heads off trying to get this P.O.Sh* adjusted!

How can folks base their harvest scheme on a glimpse of one piece of leave when there are 50 tops on one plant?
i have tried a few and hate them. they say to "just grab the bud and press it into it". no thanks. :evil:
 

LaneMeyer

Active Member
They're not easy to use and it takes a *very* steady hand. I found that I had to turn off the fans as well. Any movement from the plant and forget about it.

You don't want the plant between the plastic and the lense. Also, make sure it's at its lowest magnification setting.
 

MrFishy

Well-Known Member
You don't want the plant between the plastic and the lense. Also, make sure it's at its lowest magnification setting.
Now THAT'S the kind of info I am/was seeking . . . I hyperventilated and broke a sweat last night trying, in vain, to steady my shaky hands. The detached retina I had repaired probably doesn't help either!
:blsmoke:
 

VictorVIcious

Well-Known Member
I ordered a 30x jewlers loop, actually bought 2 cause shipping was free if your order was more than $25.00. The focal point is much easier with that then with that 60x to 100x from Radio Shack. So, I do have an extra one you can borrow> VV
 

Bienvenue

Active Member
uhm I have the same scope and it works just fine. take 2 or so small clippings from the leaves of the buds of interest. you know the ones. set them on the table using tweezers and you are all set.

i'm not saying this is the most desirable technique. but it works great. and if you can manage to control your urge to look at trichromes >1 a day. it really isn't going to affect your photosynthetic capacity. i am talking about snip-its the size of 2 pencil erasers... just a thought. happy viewing
 

MrFishy

Well-Known Member
uhm I have the same scope and it works just fine. take 2 or so small clippings from the leaves of the buds of interest. you know the ones. set them on the table using tweezers and you are all set.

i'm not saying this is the most desirable technique. but it works great. and if you can manage to control your urge to look at trichromes >1 a day. it really isn't going to affect your photosynthetic capacity. i am talking about snip-its the size of 2 pencil erasers... just a thought. happy viewing
Looks like I'll have to clip if I'm gonna use this POS. Already had/have a real microscope, but was hoping for a miracle, I suppose. See, I'm dealing w/50? tops (on the same plant canopy) and don't trust a couple clips to represent the all-over situation.
:blsmoke:
 

patjack

Well-Known Member
this is so funny!

only reason is because I just bought one 3 days ago and I also can't see shit! it is probably my fault as usually I have drank a beer or 2 or 3... and smoked up before hand, but even when I get to see something by the time my eyes focus the leaf/bud or my hand moves! Mine is 60 to 100 times and I think I would do better with a hand held magnifying glass at about 5 times strength...
wow this thread made me laugh
 

MrFishy

Well-Known Member
I think i figured out a less-intrusive approach to focusing. Gently take the bud and surrounding growth in your. Assuming your not too green at growing, you know how much you can "hold/touch" it without causing any damage, or only minimal damage. Then you can lean in and use the thumb of the holding-bud (thumb on top, pinkie down) hand as a guide to your distance from the object and slowly move scope down until you can see.
Worked for me, tho I don't know if I've explained it clearly.
 

MrFishy

Well-Known Member
I think i figured out a less-intrusive approach to focusing. Gently take the bud and surrounding growth in your left hand. Assuming your not too green at growing, you know how much you can "hold/touch" it without causing any damage, or only minimal damage. Then you can lean in and use the thumb of the holding-bud (thumb on top, pinkie down) hand as a guide to your distance from the object and slowly move scope down until you can see.
Worked for me, tho I don't know if I've explained it clearly.
I have since discovered a couple of more tricks. Stick to the 60X. Adjust focus using something besides your growing flower, like your stash, something tiny . . . your penis?
Anyway, focus so that you can see the object with the bottom of the scope as far away as possible. This seems to be around 1/2". THEN, employing the thumb rest from quote/above, lean in and look. It feels better knowing you're not carelessly molesting your trichs.
I'm MUCH steadier seated above the object than standing above it. I think most of you will be too.
And finally, maybe, reverse hands if you're a lefty.

This is how to use this "easy-to-use" Radio Shack Mini-Microscope more effectively. Works for me anyway.
:blsmoke:
 
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