Question
It is also great for checking if a stamp has been regummed or reperf’ed.. The only problem with the Radio Shach magnifier is that when viewing an object, it is inverted due to the cheap optics.. but, it is a small inconvenience to put up with when the price is so low..
Anwser
The inversion is not due to cheap optics. You seldom see a single-lens magnifer over 10X. The Radio Shack 30X “magnifyer” is actually a small microscope with an “objective” lens and an eyepiece lens to enlarge the image produced by the objective lens. Any time you have a microscope or telescope with just two lenses, you’ll have an inverted image. You either need a third lens or one or more prisms between the objective and eyepiece to give you an upright image. However, each additional lens or prism dilutes the brightness and quality of the image, so frequently microscopes and astronomical telescopes come with just an objective lens and eyepiece. Just turn the stamp upside down, and you can view it correctly. BTW, there’s a whole world of stamp microscopy in many of the engraved stamps–perhaps the best example being the 1948 U.S. 3-cent Ft. Bliss stamp, which under magnification reveals enough for several trivia contests.
Associated Telescopes On Sale Question:The clearance ad says “Visible rust, needs cleaning but will not affect function of machine.” Mine came today and I pulled the top off the crate expceting the worst. The only rust I can locate is on the metal banding holding the crate together and the nails in the crate. The machine looks fine. Now to tear it apart and rebuild it into something that functions. It’s their item 54427-0VGA http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=54427

• Anwser:Shrug..Ive got the grey version. Came from a shop that went over to Pexto as their needs increased. Works fine for me from the git go. Considering how ham handed the guys in that shop were, I know they didnt spend any time fixing it up. Gunner “This device is provided without warranty of any kind as to reliability, accuracy, existence or otherwise or fitness for any particular purpose and Bioalchemic Products specifically does not warrant, guarantee, imply or make any representations as to its merchantability for any particular purpose and furthermore shall have no liability for or responsibility to you or any other person, entity or deity with respect to any loss or damage whatsoever caused by this device or object or by any attempts to destroy it by hammering it against a wall or dropping it into a deep well or any other means whatsoever and moreover asserts that you indicate your acceptance of this agreement or any other agreement that may he substituted at any time by coming within five miles of the product or observing it through large telescopes or by any other means because you are such an easily cowed moron who will happily accept arrogant and unilateral conditions on a piece of highly priced garbage that you would not dream of accepting on a bag of dog biscuits and is used solely at your own risk.’
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