Radio Shack microscopes....discontinued....

Justme- · 03-24-2008, 04:01 PM

I went to a Shack I was passing by the other day and lucked into their last $10 microscope (for honing), on sale no less! Turns out they have been discontinued!

The woman was very nice and even check the computers to tell me that I was purchasing the last one in the region (I'm in MA), and she didn't know anything regarding a replacement/redesign etc.

So, if you're not in my region and have been on the edge for one, now may be the time...I hope they're replacing it with something comparable...there is a different design on their website- maybe that will be the replacement...but on sale is on sale!

Wildtim · 03-24-2008, 04:17 PM

Hopefully someone else makes something similar. Might check Toys-R-US or better yet an educational toy place and mybe find something.

Figures find a useful product and they discontinue it.

Seraphim · 03-24-2008, 07:49 PM

Similar item:
http://http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1328

Wildtim · 03-24-2008, 08:27 PM

hang onto that link! The newbies will need it soon.

Philadelph · 03-24-2008, 09:37 PM

I went to a Radio Shack in RI and asked if they had them- the guy had to dig one out of the back. No matter, there are plenty on Amazon around $10. Just do a search for "mini microscope" or whatever.

They Call Me Blockhead · 03-25-2008, 01:45 AM

A search for "pocket microscope" yielded a number of the 60x-100x scopes in the same price range, and a handful more 30x ones (surprisingly, for more).

Justme- · 03-25-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Similar item:
www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1328

Edited link to correct.

Hmm, looks exactly like the RS scope down to the plastic "case"

jockeys · 03-27-2008, 03:10 PM

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/9c42/

think geek still has 'em, exactly the same, at their usual ridiculous markup

2Sharp · 03-27-2008, 04:17 PM

This is what I use and it does a great job.

Silb3r · 03-28-2008, 04:48 AM

For those of us newbies, what is the model/name of the Radio Shack scope?

-Michael

paulo · 03-28-2008, 06:56 PM

I got one last week at the Radio Shack in Revere MA (Northgate Mall), had no idea they were being discontinued... but it *was* the only one on the rack.

Man, what a tool! I put dings in one of my Wapi's by accidentally striking the faucet in my bathroom basin, and using the microscope allows me to see *precisely* the progress I'm making grinding out the dings. For me, I'm having to use my DMT 600 grit diamond benchstone *a lot* more than I thought I would to work out the dings. But, at least I am seeing as I go along what's happening, and I won't remove more metal than I absolutely have to. And I've learned a very good lesson: DON'T DING YOUR RAZORS!

I don't think anyone should hone *without* a lit 60x microscope now that I have one! Thanks to Howard at the MA Get Togetha for plugging them incessantly!

D2T · 03-28-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silb3r

For those of us newbies, what is the model/name of the Radio Shack scope?

-Michael

This is just a guess but: Illuminated Microscope

They Call Me Blockhead · 03-29-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D2T

This is just a guess but: Illuminated Microscope

That's the one.

Yeah, a ten minute conversation with Howard has given me entry into the world of honing like never before. (Those dings... man... at least I can blame it on being a newb)

freebird · 03-30-2008, 08:51 PM

may be a dumb question, but I'll ask it anyway.
Wouldn't a jewelers loupe work as well?

Bruce · 03-30-2008, 09:09 PM

If memory serves, the Radio Shack gem works at 60-100X and a loupe will max out at about 10x.

D2T · 03-31-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce

...a loupe will max out at about 10x.

The loupe I use is a 30x. Still a far cry from 60-100x

Justme- · 03-31-2008, 04:45 PM

And a Loupe is not illuminated- this illuminates from the top so you can see without needing to hold a flashlight AND the razor, AND the loupe.....

Agreed- Thanks Howard for opening my eyes to the need for this too!

Paulo- I understand, while I have avoided the faucet, this did let me see just how many of my blades had undiscovered irregularities and nicks hiding in the edges...

D2T · 04-01-2008, 03:56 PM

If you guys go to Radio Shack and can't find any of these I think I may have found a suitable substitute:

This.

I haven't tried one, but it looks almost the same. also uses an LED where I think the radio shack uses a normal bulb (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Huskysibe · 04-01-2008, 05:42 PM

I picked one up at my local Radio Shack last night, they had 2 left and they were $10.99. If anyone wants one let me know and I will get them and ship them to you.

Billy

D2T · 04-11-2008, 03:34 AM

I went to Radio Shack a few weeks ago and picked up one of these microscopes. Finally tried it out for honing and I must say it's worth every penny!

It has definitely helped advance my relatively newb-ish honing skills. Being able to check the blade every step of the way allows me to reach a shave-ready edge much quicker than I had been able to. The jeweler's loupe is adequate, but the additional lighting and magnification the microscope offers makes honing much much easier.