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Feickert analogue protractor....Owners impressions

I'm contemplating the purchase of this brand of protractor.

Over the years I have relied on a good friend to mount cartridges and set up the few tables that I have owned in the past.
Relying on someone else to do this was for good reason.

I would never make it as a watch maker or any other profession that requires a fine touch and skill with steady hands.
The time has come where I will have to do this totally on my own.

My question to you owners of the Feickert protractor is what is your experience with it regarding ease of use and accuracy compared to other protractors?

Secondly, the disk has strobe markings for speed set up, does the Feickert package come with a strobe light for the $250. selling price?

I asked these question of a dealer sent via a e-mail and have not received a reply as of yet.

Thank you for your replies.
stiltskin
jtimothya
612 posts
 
Wouldn’t you be defeating the purpose of a custom protractor by changing the spindle to pivot distance as an adjustment?

My admittedly limited and possibly flawed understanding is that pivot-to-spindle distance + overhang = a spot on the arc of a protractor designed for a specific pivot-to-spindle distance, 233.15 on the SME V. The way to adjust a cartridge in an SME V/IV is by moving the entire arm via its sled. If by moving the tonearm via the sled I cause the stylus to perfectly trace the arc on a protractor designed for the tonearm, doesn't that equate to proper setup? If I follow that method, is my cartridge not aligned correctly? (Genuine question, not rhetorical).

Tim
mjglo
127 posts
 
Tim,
Proper setup is probably what sounds good on the SME and as pointed out by Thom your effective length probably matches what the spec should be. "I suspect he's getting such good results with a Wally because his cartridge's stylus position closely matches SME's design assumptions, and therfore his tonearm's effective length is close to specification"
I just thought I'd bring up some other points as food for thought. I have not yet decided which way to go for a set up tool.
One other point, I think some of the changes we make are so small as to not be detectable from one to the other by using the arc, even with a magnifying glass they might look the same, so probably sound the same.

Mike
smoffatt
205 posts
 
Hi all, this had been one of the better post i have seen in a long time.
Very unbias. No "war". No "ditch your SME it's crap and buy a Phantom or ditch the Phantom and buy a Triplanar".
Congratulations to all and most particularly Thom Mackris at Galibier.
As far as overhang adjustment with the SME, you must move the base to adjust it and as a result, you are changing the spindle to pivot distance. DON'T SWEAT IT. This is how ARA designed it and there is no other way around it, unless you want to take a hacksaw and "chisel" slots in the headshell of a $5000.00 tonearm. Again, this is an awesome thread.......
stiltskin OP
499 posts
 
This post to date is approaching 2,200 views, someones reading it.
Here's an opportunity to drive home, AGAIN, this subject of proper set up and enjoyment of vinyl playback.

There is helpful guidance for the novice and some veterans of this hobby.

Stay tuned....
stltrains
845 posts
 
I am using WallyTracktor Universal and it delivers the results needed for precise tone arm setup. Most arm type arcs are included in the design. A group or club of analog heads could make good use of this fine phono arm tool.
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