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Anyone used a USB microscope to align cartridge?

I am both short and long sighted and its getting harder for me to visually align stylus especially using the MintLP protractors which require a 10x LUPE to be done right. I have seen USB Microscope camera's on eBay etc and some of them go for about $30 while others can run to about $400. All of these USB mmicroscope camera's claim magnification from 10x-200x and beyond. Was wondering if anyone has tried using these to align cartridges and what models you would recommend. The cheaper ones seem too cheap to be true and the more expensive ones should be fine but these offer magnification from 50x or higher and I am thinking this is too high for the prupose of cartridge alignement. Any comments or inputs would be appreciated.
ddriveman

Showing 3 responses by stanwal

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stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I know exactly what you are talking about; 20 years ago I use to align cartridges for fun, now it is a real pain. At the same time the cult of PERFECT ALIGNMENT has ascended to make us all feel guilty if we don't spend hours on it. I am willing to settle for PDC alignment myself; sometimes I get it very close but I don't obsess about it. So those of you with failing eyesight or short attention spans take heart, you are not alone.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I should have added that I find a magnifying visor to be a great help, if sometimes awkward to use. On other occasions the small battery lights that attach with a headband make repairs a little easier.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
The thing I really like about the Graham arm is that you align the cartridge by mounting it in the arm tube, then putting the tube on its back and placing the alignment gauge over the cartridge. So you are looking DOWN at the stylus THROUGH the alignment gauge.It is like viewing a standard protractor from underneath. Despite my admitted defects of vision I was able to get an alignment that was checked first by my tech friend with a microscope and then by another friend who has a Fozgometer or whatever, that new fancy gadget. Both of them thought it was as close as practical; i.e., any further effort would probably make it worse. So if your eyes have seen better days and you are considering a new arm then this is a virtue of the Graham to remember. I am not connected to them except as a user.
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