Zerostat: Old is Gold?

I have my original Empire static gun, which I probably bought in the late 1970s.  Still seems to work, although I have read that there are parts inside these things that eventually wear out ("Good for 10,000 LP sides!").  

I would only buy used if there was some way to verify they still functioned correctly.

This is one of those devices that makes you wonder if some non-audio equivalent is out there that does the same thing at a fraction of the price.  Something like drum gels or Magic Erasure instead of Onzow Zerodust.

And... Amazon to the rescue:

https://www.amazon.com/TOOGOO-Cylinder-Elimination-Discharger-Anti-Static/dp/B00KBQCHZO/ref=sr_1_7?i...

Now we need someone to try one of these and see if it works!  

To Gromitinwa and the OP:  I apologize if you found my response to be offensive.  I was only having fun.  I use a white Zerostat that I bought in England in 1972, still to this day.  I often wonder whether it still works, because when I do occasionally get a static electricity effect, there is the possibility that the charge built up while the LP was in play or because of my body transferring a charge to the LP at the instant I touch it after play.  A charge can accumulate on one's body, especially on a wool carpet, just by that act of walking up to the turntable.  This is why, short of making an actual scientific analysis of the Zerostat, the question is problematic.  I wager most of those who have responded to say that their old Zerostat works just fine, or not, are basing their opinions on experience with playing LPs, not on measuring charge.

@bondmanp 
For $3 I will throw one in the cart of the wife's next Amazon order!

Well, I guess I will have to "bite the bullet" and pony up $40 or so for a used Zerostat gun.  Why they sell for so much use is one of those many audio mysteries I will probably never understand and just have to learn to accept.

It should be easy to determine that the things are working by taking a small piece of styrofoam and rubbing on your shirt to give it enough charge so it will stick.  If you zap it with the gun, it should drop to the floor immediately.

Lewm:  Your response came off as merely pedantic to me.  I was surprised to hear you meant it to be amusing.  In any case, audio related subjects are serious matters as they involve our sense of well being, sanity and self worth.  Blue vs Red, whether Zerostat guns or other concerns are very much are very much "trigger" issues these days and should be treated carefully so as to not provoke endless debate.

Hifiman5:  I bought a CD once.  They are a big scam.  They only have  music on one side.  I only buy LPs.  But thanks for the suggestion.

@andysf   What?  Must be some humor there but I must be too tired to appreciate it...big day entertaining relatives. 😳