P-Mount experts..what do I have here???

[N. Abstentia]

I recently picked up a Denon table with a P-Mount cartridge (hey, $40...figured why not?!). It was advertised with 'Shure Needle, hardly used' which I thought was cool as I was prepared to get a table and buy a new Shure to install anyway. I just assumed it also had a Shure cartridge...I actually didn't think about it.

So I get it, and it does have a Shure needle, and it does look hardly used. However, the cartridge is Realistic, and it has RXP3 on the side. So what the heck? It LOOKS exactly like the Shure I was eyeing at http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merc...ct_Code=SHEC05 which is why I assumed it was a Shure cartridge also.

So, is this Realistic a pile of crap with a Shure needle stuck on it? It sounds okay, but I have no problem replacing it if I can do better with an Ortofon 310 or the above mentioned Shure.

Did Shure make these for Radio Shack or something? See attached pic!