Bluesman, your question is tough to answer. Part of the answer is "how large is your monitor?"

The question I have about this device is: are the optics and magnification 'good enough'. For my purposes "good enough" has the following parameters.

1. I can clearly distinguish the differences in the scratches between different "grits'. Let's call Aoto a medium great and the nakayama a fine grit. I want that difference to "jump out".
2. I can very clearly see whether i have reached the edge or not and whether I have a wire.
3. I can see the scratch features that cause the distinctions between stone types that we describe as "soft" or "smooth" or "harsh".

I short, I want to be able know from looking what kind of shave I will get and thus improve my honing skills.

With this device I am not there. What I need to discover is whether the 'not there' is device or user deficiency.