for these questions we just need to copy and past 100 URLs of this exact question asked, lol.
you know you can seaarch questions and find the info you'll read below without waiting for new ppl to make new respones to an old question.
trichomes,
pistils,
density....
need a 30x magnification to assess trichomes. probably the most consistent metric to determine harvest point, but not perfect, either.
pistils vary more by genetics but at least half will have color. some may even be coiled up/retracted at end, in addition to the illusions of them shortening as the calyx plumps.
density is somethign i check when i know harvest is imminent. My last little test to make me feel comfortable and also to limit how often i do it to 1 or 2 times. I'll gently feel the density of nugs and make sure they are robust.
Try early, middle late timing (whole spectrum)... you don't know what you like until you try it yourself. Alcohol makes some ppl tired andn others energized. Never know who a chemical will impact your particular body chemistry even if vast majority feel something similar.