Adjustable magnifying glasses

Amazon and eBay are full of magnifying headsets *LINK*

Dick Coers

This is what I use, love the light.


https://www.amazon.com/Carson-MagniVisor-Head-Worn-Magnifier-CP-60/dp/B007CDJKM2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=DNYVPBNH5K33&dchild=1&keywords=magnifying+headset+with+led+light&qid=1598554693&sprefix=magnifying+%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-5

Re: Adjustable magnifying glasses

Henry Higginbotham

From your description of lenses extended out on a frame, here's one possibility:

mageyes.com

There are many options available . . .

Yonak

. . . as the other answers attest. I recommend not skimping on this item as cheap lenses can be frustratingly imprecise, right when you need clarity.

Re: Adjustable magnifying glasses

John in NM

I've used a couple pairs of Galilean optical magnifiers mounted on frames, basically $50 versions of what your dentist uses (theirs are vastly more expensive and probably better).

These things are all over Amazon, and are pretty useful once you are used to them. They are not adjustable as far as I know, usually a fixed focal distance and magnification, good idea to measure your comfortable working distance before shopping as there are different options (and convert to mm, as most use metric specs).

Worst thing I've found about them is that they are a little tricky to sync to both eyes, you need to get the pupilary distance right (they are adjustable), then get the angle of each optic right for the distance, and then kind of train your eyes to overcome any irregularities (your eyes are amazingly able to do this... or maybe your mind, either way its incredible).

On the whole I like them better than optivisors, while admitting that both have their advantages. For the ~$50 price, I'm not sorry to have to do all the fussy bits.

The adjustment is for your diopter (correction)

Jim Matthews

As mentioned above, the focal length of these magnifiers are fixed.

They're designed for working at close quarters, as on a jeweler's bench.

It's the field of view (how wide) that limits their utility.

Narrow fields of view require a bright light source.

I have a fully adjustable set that is like looking through a straw and a cheapo visor that is heavily worn from use.

Re: Adjustable magnifying glasses

John K Jordan

>>>I've used a couple pairs of Galilean optical magnifiers mounted on frames, basically $50 versions of what your dentist uses (theirs are vastly more expensive and probably better).

I think my dentist said her's were normally around $900 but she got them for a discount at a dental convention. They look like a pair of loupes on a frame, long focal distance. There is apparently (no pun intended) a huge difference between the high quality devices and the "cheap" versions all over amazon.

I've never looked through them - all I have is several types of the cheap magnifiers.

Re: Adjustable magnifying glasses

William Duffield

I have an OptiVisor brand magnifier that I like a lot. It is light and comfortable, and fits over my progressive prescription glasses, for extra magnification and more variable focus distance, and so I can just flip the Visor up when I need to walk around the shop or find something more than a couple feet away from my nose. However, it doesn't have a light, and the lenses are not quickly swapped for different magnifications. OptiVisor's strategy is to sell you a different visor and set of lenses for each magnification you require.

I also have one similar to the one Dick recommends, but the light on mine is not very bright. I use it if I have worn my OptiVisor into the house, taken it off and forgotten it there.

I also have an inexpensive headlight with rechargeable LiIon batteries that provides very good light, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016Q8G9OU. I have yet to figure out how to hybridize it with either one of my magnifiers, and it doesn't really work to wear both at the same time. If anyone has figure out a kludge that would make them work together, I would appreciate it.

Re: Adjustable magnifying glasses

John K Jordan

>>>I've used a couple pairs of Galilean optical magnifiers mounted on frames, basically $50 versions of what your dentist uses (theirs are vastly more expensive and probably better).

I think my dentist said her's were normally around $900 but she got them for a discount at a dental convention. They look like a pair of loupes on a frame, long focal distance. There is apparently (no pun intended) a huge difference between the high quality devices and the "cheap" versions all over amazon.

I've never looked through the good ones - all I have is several types of the cheap magnifiers. I like one that has interchangeable lenses but don't remember the name.

Re: Adjustable magnifying glasses *LINK*

Yonak

I've got a cheap pair with interchangeable lenses I got at a show. I use them rarely.


https://www.ebay.com/p/1700346422

Re: Adjustable magnifying glasses

John in NM

Yes, the dentist's versions are very expensive and much nicer to use. With some fussing, the cheapies I've tried are quite usable though and seem to be a good alternative to simple lenses like Optivisors that require you to get really close up. I don't know as I'd pay much more than $50 for them, but I'm not sorry to have tried them out.