How much bud to cut to check trichomes?

I agree. Just get a 60x scope. You will learn how to hold a steady hand in no time. The bitch part is checking multiple spots because well, you aren't checking flat surfaces so the focus is almost always off everytime you move to another spot. You will eventually get the hang of it though once you learn to move the scope back and forth instead of trying to turn the focus dial.

If you have a camera and macro lens that's good too - it's way easier to zoom in on a still image.

They even sell cheap ones online you can clip onto your smartphone

Thanks all, looking at options online now.

i didnt bother to read the responses so someone maybe already said this, but cut off a leaf that touches a bud very close to the bud. This will stress the plant less and should give you a decent idea of the buds ripeness.

youll start to learn how many clear trichomes will give a specific sparkle and then after that they start to turn white.

theres nothing wrong with cutting off a bud, it will give you a chance to see whats going on. plus you can dry and try it to test it as well. this is why it helps to have a flat canopy so they are doing the same thing around a similar time.