Live Stoner Chat Need a USB/WiFi microscope recommendation!

[DTOM420]

I really need to invest in a microscope to look at trichomes an bugs and things - so I can photograph them and post them. I own mostly Apple products so I need something that will work with my MacBook Pro laptop and, hopefully my iPhone. Since the iPhone doesn’t have a USB port, I thought a WiFi microscope would be the best bet.

Any suggestions on a good one? I’d prefer one $50 or less but if it’s necessary I can probably go up to $100-$125. It’s be really convenient if it was available through Amazon Prime.

@912GreenSkell @Waira @namvet25 @HushHush

 

[bushmasterar15]

I have this Plugable USB Microscope and works well for me and was under $40 shipped on Amazon. I know that @SOOTDAWG has a different one that is bluetooth but not sure of the name of that one.

 

[SOOTDAWG]

Love it.....wireless/Bluetooth/WiFi........walk to garden with iPad and scope....scope any bud I want anywhere on plant

 

[AutoWonders]

I have the Dino-Lite AM2111 and the Pro Scope EDU. I only use the Pro Scope EDU.

 

[Banjacked]

Get a clip on for the phone with built in LED light, prices should start at $5-10 for a 20x which you can then zoom in via the phone's software.

Good enough for just checking trichs and taking the occasional pic, like this one I took in seconds on my ancient, in smartphone terms, OnePlus One without zooming in

Why spend more on a fancy gadget when something a fraction of the price can do the same thing?

 

[thegavfrog]

Would this b any good just for checking trichs and a few pics?

I got a loupe as well

All for under $10 each including postage


Nuggets

 

[lunarman]

Get a clip on for the phone with built in LED light, prices should start at $5-10 for a 20x which you can then zoom in via the phone's software.

Good enough for just checking trichs and taking the occasional pic, like this one I took in seconds on my ancient, in smartphone terms, OnePlus One without zooming in

View attachment 952711

Why spend more on a fancy gadget when something a fraction of the price can do the same thing?

I have tried everything from loupes to clip on camera lenses to the USB digital scopes to stereo vision magnifying glasses like a dentist uses to lab grade Nikon and Zeiss microscopes. Clip ons for phone cameras are the worst IMO. Near useless for me. that's why you spend more to get better. But I'm an older guy whos eyes and hands are not like they were when younger.

The best by far is a proper lab grade microscope. I have a Zeiss now. Its sweet for sure. I can see everything crystal clear and I find it makes a big difference in optimal harvesting.

Loupe is second best, tied with the USB digital scope.

 

[Banjacked]

I ain't no spring chicken, and got a clip on magnifier wiith a light just so I I could see things on the bigger phone screen over the little 60x handheld scope I have. And when my eyes are too worn out for the 5.5" phone screen, it can go on the 10.1" tablet if I haven't bought some sort of digital scope which lets me put the phone/tablet down by then.

And I'm the fist to admit that I sometimes have to pop a valium to steady the hand, so it's not like I'm some young whippersnapper either in that respect, just pointing out that you don't have to pay silly money on things.

It's your choice, of course, and to many "lab grade" will be "silly money" when a $5-10 scope/macro lens does just as well for checking things. You want to take pics that can win Nat Geo Photo of the Year competitions, that's different.

 

[DTOM420]

I have tried everything from loupes to clip on camera lenses to the USB digital scopes to stereo vision magnifying glasses like a dentist uses to lab grade Nikon and Zeiss microscopes. Clip ons for phone cameras are the worst IMO. Near useless for me. that's why you spend more to get better. But I'm an older guy whos eyes and hands are not like they were when younger.

The best by far is a proper lab grade microscope. I have a Zeiss now. Its sweet for sure. I can see everything crystal clear and I find it makes a big difference in optimal harvesting.

Loupe is second best, tied with the USB digital scope.

I’m with you on the older eye thing and I’ve got quite a bit of very high-end optics; but I’m just not quite ‘there’ yet on a proper microscope. I’ve got a couple of good loupes that are just fine but I’d like to be able to photograph some things occasionally. If I have a question about trichomes or want to show someone an example or just take a bud porn picture, I wanted something that would work without breaking the bank. Once I have all of my outdoor beds finished and full of premium perfect soil, my indoor garden complete with all the do-dads on my lazy-man wish list, a complete stock of all my nutes and amendments and the Sony A7S DSLR I’ve been dreaming of for a couple years -THEN I’ll look at a serious microscope. I’d love to own one! It’s just not at the top of my need list or my want list right now. Point well taken, though!

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

I’m with you on the older eye thing and I’ve got quite a bit of very high-end optics; but I’m just not quite ‘there’ yet on a proper microscope. I’ve got a couple of good loupes that are just fine but I’d like to be able to photograph some things occasionally. If I have a question about trichomes or want to show someone an example or just take a bud porn picture, I wanted something that would work without breaking the bank. Once I have all of my outdoor beds finished and full of premium perfect soil, my indoor garden complete with all the do-dads on my lazy-man wish list, a complete stock of all my nutes and amendments and the Sony A7S DSLR I’ve been dreaming of for a couple years -THEN I’ll look at a serious microscope. I’d love to own one! It’s just not at the top of my need list or my want list right now. Point well taken, though!

I bought this little clip on lens for my phone that takes good pictures IF you can hold it steady enough.

I have a USB microscope but it is even harder to hold steady. In order to use it I clip a piece of bud off and put it on a solid surface; then I get great photos.