Stylus For Gauge - Do I really need one?

You can always use a $25 Shure gauge like I do. You need to fine tune your tracking force and VTA by ear, anyway. If you're not constantly changing cartridges or arm wands, just use the Shure to make sure you're not accidentally way over the manufacturer's maximum tracking force, and follow Lloyd Walker's advice for fine tuning your turntable setup.

And, yes you do need a tracking force gauge of some description.

If you want an inexpensive stylus force gauge, get the Shure model - - probably about $20-25 bucks. It's pretty darn accurate - - although not as precise as the fancy digital models.

You most definitely need a VTF guage. If you want to buy the last one you'll ever need, check out the one offered by member Ans for $95. I have no interest in this guage other than being a very happy owner of one. The Shure is a good way to go if you're using high compliance cartridges, but the results can be off. This can be a problem with higher end cartridges. Just my opinion.

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I would second Dan's recommendation for the Stylus Force Gauge at $ 95.00.
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Here is the link on Audiogon that you can copy and paste into your browser (I did not know how to make the link able to click on and go directly from this post (anyone care to educate me on how to do that in the future ?)
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http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accstwek&1158166832
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Rgds,
Larry
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What does a high compliance cartridge have anything to do with the Shure's accuracy?