I don't know if it is just me, but I really can't see my ends well enough to tell if they are split or not. ???  Maybe when my hair is longer I will be able to see them better.  I have reached the age when my arms are too short for me to read anything without my glasses :-[ and seeing split ends on my fine, rather short hair seems hopeless right now. :P

I've found a bright light helps in finding split ends.  Also having a contrasting, plain colored background to look at.  I use a dark background (towel) so I can see my blonde hair.  A dark haired person would use a white background.