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Astatic D104M6B

Mine has held up for several months with the new switch. The original switch was scratchy from the box.

You need a small iron to replace the switch (and a pair of cheaters). It's tiny.

I prefer the 575, but not by much.
 
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Cheaters, ha!

I’ve had bifocals twenty years. No substitute. Just understand that prescription must reflect the distance expected. (I replicate reading distance).

Progressive (invisible) is worth the expense.

As no man’s pair of eyes are exact matches one to another, other subtle corrections can be attended.

Eyeglasses are an emotional problem. Not the warranted tech aspect (all can better their perceptions past age 43).

Now, for bench work, there is different set of parameters. Where backlit magnification (non-reflective) comes in.

Your dentist is the example.

Bench lamp-magnifiers (as above) are the thing.

No end of uses. Carburetors, firearms, etc.

The hardest bullet to bite is correct seating. Think, “production line”.

.
 
I’m carrying one of these around with me. Guess I’m hoping to find a magic solution (did get NOS switch, it not installed).

Anyone else come close to reliable operation?
Once that cheap ptt switch is replaced then it becomes pretty reliable. The cheap switch works if you lube it really often but even then they're really scratchy and at times don't engage well. It becomes an annoyance really quick when in the truck and you're just trying to use the dang thing like you expect to.
 
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I have nothing but 80’s - 90’s models. I have yet to have any trouble out of the 5-6 I have. I did mess with a newer one for a bit, and I didnt have any trouble after I sprayed deoxit, but there is a good chance the victory wis short lived. Another station around here was having issues a few months back with one being scratchy after about a weeks use. (RIP, Tom) He passed not long after, so no chance to try anything on it.
 
Try to find an RD104 with a flat (not puffy) foil decal on the front. No guarantees, but that might likely be a much older model. I missed a few in the last few months on fleabay.
 
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