As far as I am concerned neither Carson model will work easily for viewing Trichomes. Mine is better in the sense of its magnification range but for looking at buds isn’t any easier than the other one.
The one I use for trichs is this
Look up what @garrigan62 posts.
He has made his own super soil for some time and has some great stuff to read.
Here is also a thread to look through…
Would rather grow outside as well.
Google outside grows and thinning some good vids out there on you tube. Basically removing from the inside up through for good air flow is what I’ve seen there.
Great looking plants.
I think the buds on the reveg would need to be removed as I don’t think that will revert…just the new growth and all.
With your years of gardening this should be a relatively quick trip to get up to speed on things.