I'm not sure I'd buy one for a new price but these things are invaluable for reading small writing. I'd pick one up at a garage sale for sure. Used to use one to read tiny markings on electronic components and they work great! It is a kids microscope that plugs into a computer USB port. The jetting markings show up real big on the computer! http://www.compuvisor.com/qx5diblmicom.html
I am so old I have something similar, it has a handle for your hand to adjust the focus...... but its called a magnifying glass
one step better I use this at work. I'm not old even though my wife says I am, but I've been staring at computers long enough now that I am starting to struggle a little with my vision. This thing even has L.E.D. lights built right into it that auto-adjust for just the right amount of light. You can get them in different magnifications. This is also good for inspecting small carb parts really close up for damage. This thing will allow you to see damage that can make a big difference that you would never see with your eye. You can even use it to inspect larger parts for hairline cracks in pistons, valve stems, clutch baskets, etc.and because it has a long chord, you can use it to inspect parts right on the bike and there is no need to fumble with an extra light source. It plugs right into a PC or laptop. It's a little pricey at $240, but it comes with the software to run it. Two other options that might help someone in a pinch, especially guys in some states who work on the own stuff because their dealers are 4 hours away-it takes pictures and short video clips (no sound). So f you're having some trouble with something small, being able to do inspections and e-mail the pics or vids to your nearest mechanic might be a valuable feature. Also, because you can save the pics and vids, it gives the user a way to document the work. Don't remember what jets you used for Red Bud? Just put them in a folder on your laptop labeled "Red Bud Jetting" and bring the pics right back up. You can do this for all the different places you ride/race, or save inspection info from damage you might have sustained. One might be able to find these at a better price with some searching, or even find used ones on some computer/tech forums or classifieds, but once you have one of these, it'll be hard to live without it if you're doing carb work or other stuff. Not trying to hijack here, but I thought some might be interested in this. I use mine all the time. http://www.semicro.org/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=32
Nice link! Not sure why you think that might be a hijack, I'm just proposing an aid to people to read small things using methods they may not have thought of. I actually did not think of this, great idea!
When you are old and fat and pass young guys you don't need glasses. Example, passing your 35 year old buddy on the outside, while riding a supermoto, when you are 49 yrs old and making it stick. '' or passing them on your gixxer and making it stick when you are 50.
You're right and this was a great idea for a thread. Anytime new or otherwise unkown-to-the-masses technology can be pointed out for a practical use, it's beneficial to everyone. The proscope was my .02. We should have more threads like this. It'll be interesting to see what else pops up on this one.
This is funny you mention jets as an issue because that is exactly how I first noticed the close up vision going. I'd laid jets out on my bench the night before and I could see the sizes fine, but the very next day I had trouble. Literally overnight it was. I can still read them in the sunshine, but I keep a magnifying wand and one of these little eye loupes in the toolbox:
