Stylus Wear Question

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.

Dear @stringreen  : In the last 2 months did you listen, on LP tracks that you know very well, some anomalies that you never listened before?

If not then you have not to worry about but by the contrary then the JC advise is the best one.

A microscope can serve to you as for just some fun and nothing more because you are not an expert for can say by sure that the stylus tip has something " wrong " but some cartridge anomalies not necessary could come because the stylus tip degradation but from the cartridge suspension too and this you can determine in any way.

The Windfeld is very good performer and maybe you can take advantage through Ortofon to own the Ti that's even better.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

@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.