USB microscope recommendation

SeleniumFalcon

I'm in the process of repairing my turntable system and while everything's apart I thought I might check out stylus wear on my cartridge. Has anyone done this using a USB microscope that is Mac compatible? Thanks!

xschop

Is it a Gram-positive or Gram-negative stylus?

SeleniumFalcon

Hopefully it's not coated in peptidoglycan I would say Gram-negative. But, then again I track it at around 2.0 grams so it could be considered gram positive.

Irrenhaus

SeleniumFalcon wrote: »

I'm in the process of repairing my turntable system and while everything's apart I thought I might check out stylus wear on my cartridge. Has anyone done this using a USB microscope that is Mac compatible? Thanks!

Hi,

I have used Dino Lite for many years at work they have Mac software and many models.

https://www.dinolite.us/download/?gad_source=1

They start cheap and up from there.

https://www.amazon.com/Dino-Lite-Digital-Microscope-AM2111-0-3MP-Magnification/dp/B00GA9QJQY/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2WOR1Z23FI1N7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IOa3ONbhiIva_tCQNVgPUwn3mDSeYWAji7Iwpdzz9U3i8IjU7VjzE3Xi4axvFPQcYgTfdmiG2S4V_ieY-5wOrl0ByIUOtMgybsicYtK7czerldNyDZrnPY-7CIqeI7zMb7MFTRoyXJYdSzMH0Au6JWWEIiPxTHoy3ZTOidlZAYOO3vMupR3uk4T_EIKy95TfGVgRrAPwVesAqlWQ7Z-AeNhHNtshloLaJQZFAWePXXM.a9DIUB8-Xci1cNx87fZESNlW9TN_221RpEX1KSrWheM&dib_tag=se&keywords=dino+light+microscope&qid=1725989178&sprefix=dino+light+mi,aps,164&sr=8-9&th=1

Cheers

txcoastal1

I wonder if something like this would work for you

https://www.sandmarc.com/pages/microscope-for-iphone

SeleniumFalcon

Thanks, @Irrenhaus and @txcoastal1 for the suggestions, I ordered one this morning from Amazon. It looks very similar to the one you suggested with a display screen and side lights. I should get it tomorrow and will show the results.

txcoastal1

Nice 👍

SCompRacer

I have one similar to that but a different brand name. I had to go to school for lighting techniques.

Irrenhaus

Cool.

skrol

Those look a but nicer than the little Celestron that I picked up in a thrift store for $20. https://www.celestron.com/products/handheld-digital-microscope-pro

I've used it for stylus inspection and my kids used it for looking at bugs and stuff.

jdjohn

SeleniumFalcon wrote: »

I have that same exact model. If anyone wants to really do a deep-dive on stylus evaluation imaging, here is a thread on Vinyl Engine with 95 pages to nerd-out on https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=92996&start=1128 The absolute best images are actually captured through DSLR cameras, with very sophisticated telephoto lense setups, and post-processing 'stacked' imaging; the depth-of-field is so shallow at higher magnifications, pros will take several images at different focal points, and then 'stack' them together to give the object an overall in-focus appearance.

But, for the rest of us, just wanting to take a quick look at stylus health, these USB microscopes will do. Here is a pic of how mine is set up:

By the way, the yellow tack stuff you see on the desk is helpful for securing the stylus or cartridge, especially when you want to set it upright - just stick the cartridge pins into the yellow tack.

Here, you can see how I have the gooseneck lights pulled down onto the platform (with a rubber band), in order to get left/right side lighting on the stylus.

That side lighting is important for capturing the reflection of the contact patches on the diamond. Since the contact patches wear at a 45 degree angle. the side lighting of the bottom of the stylus allows those reflections to shine up into the lens, giving a bright appearance, like here:

The old Shure SEK-2 stylus microscopes had a similar side-lighting configuration.

Obviously, the larger (and brighter) the reflections, the bigger the contact patches are, indicating more wear. If the contact patches appear to be touching in the middle, that means the patches have worn into a chisel point, and are riding in the very bottom of the vinyl grooves, like a plow - not good.

Alternatively, the side lights can be turned off, and using only the ring light from the lense (directly above the bottom of the stylus), the patches will have a darker appearance, like here:

The light from the ring light, coming from directly above, gets deflected off to the sides, giving the patches that darker appearance.

And finally, from the front of the stylus, the patches can be seen as flat spots on either side (forming a chisel, over time), like here:


Of course, just checking for gunk buildup is much easier and simpler to see. But for checking stylus wear, hopefully the above tips will help folks be able to view the contact patches better.

SeleniumFalcon

Great information, I was having trouble wrangling the two lights to the correct position, the rubber band is helpful. Are the LED's around the lens supposed to come on? I don't think mine are, I just get the two side lights.

jdjohn

There's an adjustment wheel/knob on the right side of the screen monitor for the lense light.

SeleniumFalcon

Perfect, thanks!

xschop

Gotta ask, what is the ideal angle of the stylus point?

jdjohn

Ideal angle? Well, the grooves in the record are at 45 degrees, so that's how the wear patches should develop. If the patches ever connect, you end up with a 90 degree chisel point, but we don't want that to happen!