Stylus microscope

[jamus]

I know that there is a sticky'd diy thread about stylus microscopes. I am more interested in buying a relatively cheap plug and play usb microscope. There are a lot of different models to choose from, and a lot of bad/conflicting reviews.

I have read about the use of usb microscopes on AK before, but I don't believe any brands/models were ever mentioned. Can anyone vouch for a specific usb microscope?

 

[jamus]

Another completely unrelated question:
Is there anything special about deoxit as a contact cleaner (for jacks/contacts, not pots)?

Hardware store stuff $5.69
http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/i...67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I8618888?Ntt=contact+cleaner

Deoxit $26.50
http://www.long-mcquade.com/product...Hosa/DeoxIT_-_Contact_Cleaner_Rejuvenator.htm

 

[JonL]

I believe the consensus is that for serious stylus examination, a USB microscope just won't cut it. Perhaps there are some that cost hundreds of dollars, but from what I've read the cheap ones you see on ebay are about good enough to see if the diamond is still there and relatively clean.

I've made a stylus microscope a la the sticky. I searched for a while until I finally found a good scope at a tag sale for $25. I spent another $20 or $30 on an eyepiece to give me the right magnification. I haven't made a permanent lighting solution yet, but just with a halogen desk lamp I was able to see what I needed to see. I haven't tried a cheap USB scope, but I'm skeptical that it could do the job.

 

[ggrey]

I purchased a USB digital microscope off ebay for $50 delivered (from China). It included basic software for snapping photos. The stand is flimsey and makes focusing and placement difficult. I have no alternate quality lighting (other than the LEDs on the microscope).

Here are my first few pix. I have a long way to go, but I can at least view my stylus for the first time at (to be honest I do not know what magnification I am focusd in on), but I can clearly (almost) see the diamond...worth every penny!!!

Also, the last photo is a skip on one of my favorite albums. Not much I can do, but at the least I can see what the skip looks like......

 

[Russellc]

Read the sticky...it explains why this idea wont work well.

Russellc