@karl_desch , absolutely right. If you do not have an adequate stand with Vernier control all you will see is a shaky mess but there are reasonably priced digital microscopes sold with decent stands.
There is also some truth to what Raul says. You need to know what you are looking at and for. Early on wear is hard to see and your lighting needs to be perfect to see it. You will have to spend several hours learning to use the microscope. If you are mechanically inclined it should not be a problem. Alignment problems are easy to see. I always take a picture of the stylus when it is new so I can compare profiles. It is easier to spot wear this way. I also use the microscope for setting VTA. This is the only thing I look at with the stylus mounted otherwise always remove the cartridge for examination.
With clean records styli will last a long time. Given the huge range of record hygiene I think it is folly to try and predict how long a stylus will last in any given situation.
There is also some truth to what Raul says. You need to know what you are looking at and for. Early on wear is hard to see and your lighting needs to be perfect to see it. You will have to spend several hours learning to use the microscope. If you are mechanically inclined it should not be a problem. Alignment problems are easy to see. I always take a picture of the stylus when it is new so I can compare profiles. It is easier to spot wear this way. I also use the microscope for setting VTA. This is the only thing I look at with the stylus mounted otherwise always remove the cartridge for examination.
With clean records styli will last a long time. Given the huge range of record hygiene I think it is folly to try and predict how long a stylus will last in any given situation.