esocid's Journal: Should I depend on my former professor for a recommendation

Since August I've been in a graduate program in Florida working on what I thought would be research that interested me. It turned out that my duties were misrepresented, as were the perks. Any talk of travel is now apparently reserved for PIs and senior researchers, and what I am doing in the lab is not in line at all with my background. My professor even mentioned "sort of talking me into it." He and I have decided it is best for both of us to "end the semester on a high note," so to speak but seem to have ended the professional relationship positively. I am still in the lab for the remainder of the semester and will finish out my contract.
My question lies in should I depend on my soon-to-be former adviser for a recommendation? I only ask this because of what seems like some fishy treatment. The lab is divided into two rooms, one with really expensive equipment, and one with not so expensive equipment. It appears I am no longer trusted to have access to the expensive room when the lab manager is not present, who shuts and locks the door between them. While I understand protecting ones investment it is insulting to get a very clear message of "we don't trust you anymore." My weekly meetings seem to have ceased as well. While I do not slack on my work, it has taken me some time to get a handle on the lab techniques, as I had no previous experience. I am going to continue going about my work and hope that I can further the project and at least salvage a professional contact out of this as well, but beyond using a friend to fake a job reference call, how should I determine if it will help or hurt me to have him as a reference?