Stylus Wear Question

Been playing records since the 1970's. Brush dirt off the stylus after every side. If it sounds good it is good. 

Murphy's law: Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.

Millercarbon's Corollary: Turntable testing expands to fill the time available for listening to music.

Lots of good information.   Thanks all.

Best to get a microscope, but it takes some time getting used to. I bought a Dino-Lite AM4515zt on Ebay for $250.  I still can't take the really nice high resolution pictures like some of the ads here on Agon, but its good enough for me to see the wear - more practice required, I guess. When you send in the cart for an inspection, with shipping/insurance, costs can add up.  Also, some may not send you a magnified image and you'll just have to take their word for it - not worth it IMO.

Ortofon does very little for you.  When I was having issues with my Anna cartridge, they basically said the same thing where a trade-in was the only option. A bunch of wahoos, if you ask me.

from my experience, the key to a good picture with a USB microscope is an adjustable but rigid stand to reduce vibrations and ease the movement into the correct position.  
I haven’t found a great one yet…

  the Replicant 100 can be used for 2000 hrs at least.

@chakster   for a long life of the stylus and to obtain a minimum wear we must advise that it is also important to clean well the records, even better if washed with record cleaning machines.