Does anyone have a jeweler's loupe they like? I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LAX52IQ but it's difficult to use. It's hard to stay focused on a particular part of the plant.
That is why I picked up a digital microscope. My son got an EyeClops for his birthday. It is awesome to borrow and easy to use. http://www.amazon.com/Eyeclops-61081-EyeClops-BioniCam/dp/B00153C5KY
Buy yourself a good loupe. The quality of the optics is more important than the power. A good quality loupe is the Bausch & Lomb Hastings Triplet. Ten power and up will give plenty of resolution. http://www.amazon.com/Hastings-Triplet-Loupe-10x-ELP-829-00/dp/B0058ECBE6/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1425485420&sr=8-13&keywords=hastings+triplet+loupe PW
OK I'm going to try this illuminated 10x one: http://www.amazon.com/SE-Loupe-Triplet-Illuminated-MJ37801L/dp/B002E0MU7U
Woah I was told go no less than 60X and I can verify that 100X would be a lot better... I've gone through two microscopes that didn't work at all so I say go for a 60X loupe.
As someone who was a jeweler for a few years, all those hand held scopes suck for ever day use. Most every jeweler actually uses something like this for working http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000RB574Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?qid=1425499126&sr=8-6&pi=SL75&keywords=jewelers+head+loop It takes your hands out of the equation and eliminates problem holding the loop steady. As far as power, it depends on your eyes. 30x is plenty for me, and I find 60x to be too much.