Looks cheap enough at $2, until you see the $6 shipping charge. Still inexpensive, I guess.
I bought and tried the 40X loupe that was mentioned on another post, but found that I couldn't get close enough to the stylus and body when placed on the record. It wouldn't focus at that magnification unless I got real close, so that was a waste of time.
I wound up going back to my basic magnifying glass that focuses about 5" away, and making visual azimuth adjustments from there. This mirror think may be easier though.
It is a bit persniketty, but I'm surprised you couldn't get it to work, Bob. I have both a 40x and a 30x loupe, and they are
extremely effective.
Yes, you do need to get very close to the item under scrutiny. With these lenses, it is about one inch. The range of focus is very narrow and precise in that if you are off by even a tiny fraction, there is no clarity. But it is easily achieved by just moving in and out till it "locks in".
Also, to properly view the stylus you do need to get the lens slightly below the record surface, and you need VG lighting.
Try this.....
To check VTA:
I just place stylus on very outer edge of the record, and view the stylus head on from the side. There should be nothing that prevents you from getting close, and from getting the lens slightly below the record surface.
To check Azimuth visually:
For this the stylus must be viewed head-on from the cartridge front, but the record surface actually prevents getting the lens low enough to see the stylus in the groove. I simply wedge a credit card between the platter and a record, and make it protrude out to where the headshell passes when the arm is moved toward the armrest. This allows the lens to get below the record / cc surface. Then I simply drop the stylus onto the cc, and get a real good look at it from the front.
In all cases you need to
(1) get very close,
(2) get slightly below the record surface,
(3) have really good lighting. My table is by a wall of windows....bright natural light works great.
If you can achieve all these things, the clarity is great and it is
very easy to see the actual stylus angle in the groove.
PS: even if you can't use it to check stylus angles, that loupe is excellent for getting a real good look at stylus and cantilever condition on an unmounted cartridge. Really good for getting things super clean too!
