USB Digitil microscope advice

Either to look at a profile of a cartridge or to use during set up of SRA, you will need to get a decent microscope. The cheapo's on Ebay are a waste of money - I eventually threw my $10 made in China microscope away.  I bought a used dino-lite microscope model AM4515ZT (retails for ~$750) and have only been using it to look at profiles of cartridges. I will say even that also requires a lot of patience and skill. To measure/set SRA, I would need a tripod/stand of sorts (based on my setup) and have not ventured that far into the pursuit.  If you're serious about wanting to use a microscope to set up a cartridge, the Wallyscope looks interesting and costs ~$1250.  Good luck.

I own a Wallyscope and it is certainly a cut above whatever you are going to find on the net. The problem is positioning and focusing the scope in a horizontal position. With a regular USB scope it will take a lot of cleverness. The Wallyscope stage makes it much easier and it has much higher magnification so you can evaluate stylus wear.

Modern cartridges are very well made. I highly suggest the WallyReference tool. It will line up most cartridges perfectly.

Mijostyn,

I know that the WallyScope is intended for determining VTA, but, I was wondering if it is also easy to use for setting proper overhang and basic alignment.  Is it easy to look at the stylus from the front for such alignment?  How close do you have to get to the stylus for the stylus to be in focus?

Thanks.  

@larryi , Yes, you can position it to look at the stylus from the front depending on the turntable. The low power lens (there are three) has to get within 1.5" of the stylus. You could use it for overhang with certain jigs but even the low power lens is really too powerful for that because the depth of field is too shallow. A 10X magnifier is perfect for overhang. I highly recommend the SmarTractor. It comes with a great magnifier and has the best layout and sharpest, easiest to read gradations of any other jig I have used. The Wallyscope is great for VTA and stylus wear. It can be used for physical azimuth alignment which may or may not coincide with electrical azimuth alignment. If it does not I would return the cartridge as defective. Every cartridge I have used priced over $2000 has been perfectly lined up. The Wally Reference with align the cartridge geometrically perfectly with little effort. Then you check things out with the Wallyscope to see if any adjustments need to be made. 

I actually have a SmarTractor, which is on loan to someone else, and the Wally Protractor.  I think the magnifier got lost, but it looks like one of those magnifiers used for examining fabric, so I can find a replacement.  I was hoping for something really easy to use that is very clear.

Thank you for your help on this matter.