One of the most daunting tasks we growers have is checking the trichomes for ripeness. Without the aid of about 100x magnification, it is very hard to discern the color of the trich heads.
Many, including myself have learned how to effectively use the little pocket microscopes sold by Radio Shack and similar, but many find them very hard to use and get used to.
In '08 the BioniCam video microscope was released that is basically a kids toy used for educational purposes. These little camera/video units are great fun for kids, but the also come in very handy for the cannabis grower.
These units are not real easy to use or get used to either, and in fact I had used mine a time or two and put it away forgetting that I even had the thing. But I just found it again and decided to show it off.
It definitely has a learning curve before one becomes proficient with it, but once you figure it out it can take some amazing shots.
It has 3 zoom settings, 100x 200x and 400x
It can take still shot, as well as video.
The unit comes with a 32MB thumb drive that you can simply plug into your USB port to download the shots or video.
It also has a basic AV connection allowing the unit to display shots on a TV monitor.
Runs on batteries and be taken anywhere.
The downside is that they run about $95 USD.
To use them properly, you need to have an area set up to take shots. You will need to be able to see the screen well and have a steady hand when focusing the manual focus apparatus. (The focusing of this unit is very hard to get used to...BUT, it will work if you get the hang of it...the higher the magnification, the harder it is to get a clear shot)
I did not take my time with these, and just ran into the garden and snapped a few shots. Trust me that you can make some very fine pictures that are worthy of showing if you have things worked out well.
http://www.eyeclops.com/
*NOTE: Eyeclops has another unit very similar that is only $40, but it is very limited on what it can do, and has no flash drive.
100x
200x
Many, including myself have learned how to effectively use the little pocket microscopes sold by Radio Shack and similar, but many find them very hard to use and get used to.
In '08 the BioniCam video microscope was released that is basically a kids toy used for educational purposes. These little camera/video units are great fun for kids, but the also come in very handy for the cannabis grower.
These units are not real easy to use or get used to either, and in fact I had used mine a time or two and put it away forgetting that I even had the thing. But I just found it again and decided to show it off.
It definitely has a learning curve before one becomes proficient with it, but once you figure it out it can take some amazing shots.
It has 3 zoom settings, 100x 200x and 400x
It can take still shot, as well as video.
The unit comes with a 32MB thumb drive that you can simply plug into your USB port to download the shots or video.
It also has a basic AV connection allowing the unit to display shots on a TV monitor.
Runs on batteries and be taken anywhere.
The downside is that they run about $95 USD.
To use them properly, you need to have an area set up to take shots. You will need to be able to see the screen well and have a steady hand when focusing the manual focus apparatus. (The focusing of this unit is very hard to get used to...BUT, it will work if you get the hang of it...the higher the magnification, the harder it is to get a clear shot)
I did not take my time with these, and just ran into the garden and snapped a few shots. Trust me that you can make some very fine pictures that are worthy of showing if you have things worked out well.
http://www.eyeclops.com/
*NOTE: Eyeclops has another unit very similar that is only $40, but it is very limited on what it can do, and has no flash drive.
100x
200x
