head-band magnifiers

Re: head-band magnifiers

Don Orr

I have a clip-on magnifier the goes on my glasses like the clip-on/flip-up sunglasses. I use it for saw sharpening mostly and they work well @ 3x magnification. My wife found them at a fabric/craft store-maybe Joann's. No experience with a band type.

Yes! The ONLY...

Brian Roberts

one worth buying.....and I have 3 of them....is the OptiVISOR by Donegan Optical.

ONLY the Glass lens Optivisor....Donegan sells others BUT .......IMHO....they are not the way to go.

Add the OptiLOUPE also!

Check it out here:

http://www.doneganoptical.com/products/optivisor

Search on-line for best price.

If you get a cheaper one....don't ever try an OptiVISOR....cuz then you WILL kick yourself for having bought the cheaper one!! LOL

Re: head-band magnifiers *LINK*

Ed Davidson

Bonnie Kline introduced me to these inexpensive headband magnifiers many years ago, and I've been wearing them ever since. Very lightweight, comfortable and easy to move up and out of the line of sight...link below




MagEyes

Re: Yes! The ONLY...

Keith Newton

You are right about not wanting to use the cheaper ones. I've had the Opti for about 30 years, + a couple of cheaper Harbor Freight sets. I'll spent 15 minutes looking for the Opti when it's misplaced even with the other in my hand.

Mine has the 5 lens, which is fine for sharpening and some detail carving, but I wish I had something less for more things. 8" focal distance is a bit close for lots of work.

What is your favorite power, and how do you use it?

Re: head-band magnifiers

Hugh

I use a magnifier for tying flies. It is a set that clips on my reading glasses. They flip up when not needed. The only problem is that you get close to the work. Go check a fly fishing place. I believe they cost less than $20. I bought a set for my fly fishing vest as I can not see the eye on a size 20 hook to thread the leader through the eye. The name of Carter seems to ring a bell.....but not sure.

Hugh

Re: head-band magnifiers

James Heaston

Have you tried the safety glasses with the bi-focal?

There are several brands out there. Like said before you probably won't like the cheap ones. I don't!

Ditto  I love that headband

Re: Yes! The ONLY...

Chuck Engstrom

I have two OptiVisors, a #2 and a #3. Often wear the #2 over my glasses when turning, the #3 to see the smaller items. #5 would be way too strong and close in for me, though I have one.

Best deals I've are on eBay.

Re: Yes! The ONLY...

William Duffield

I agree. I can highly recommend the OptiVisor. I don't know what kind of work you are doing or how much your eyesight has degenerated, so I can't recommend a specific magnification. Anecdotally, I use a #3, over my reading glasses, with my work 12" to 15" from my nose.

The only annoyance I have with my OptiVisor is trying to wear it with my headlamp. I have to put the OptiVisor on first, and then I can't flip it up without taking off the headlamp, and the headlamp doesn't fit well. Leaving it down makes it difficult to find and pick up any tool farther than a couple feet from my head.

I appreciate being able to wear it without taking my glasses off. If I had to take my glasses off, I wouldn't be able to use it in the shop, due to eye safety isssues.

Re: Yes! The ONLY...

Brian Roberts

I have a 5 and a 4....and never wear them "with" any glasses.

I'd like something for myTrend powered shield

Keith Newton

Have any of you seen anything that could be worn with that?

Lots of my fine detail work is done with abrasives, which brings it in close. When I'm just wearing a mask, some always gets around, plus the warm breath leaking in under my eye glasses really like to collect dust quickly especially in cooler weather.

Re: Ditto  I love that headband -- me too.

Re: Yes! The ONLY...

Donna Banfield

I have both the Opti-Visor and Mag-Eyes. I use the Opti-Visor when doing carving and piercing, because that extra plastic part over the top of the lens toward the forehead helps with any dust that could migrate beyond my prescription safety glasses. And all carving and piercing is done at a dedicated station in front of a carver's dust collection. But stuff still migrates. They are heavy though, and I had to add a washer between the plastic thumb screw and the head band, because after a couple years of use, they would no longer tighten.

I bought the Mag-Eyes to use for airbrushing and fine line woodburning. As already stated, they are very light, and because they aren't used around abrasives, but only in the room for finishing, airbrushing and woodburning, the lens remains clear.

For anyone who has never tried a magnifier - do it. I didn't know what I couldn't see, until I finally saw what I couldn't see!!

Re: head-band magnifiers

Steve Kniffen

I have a set of the Harbor Freight headband magnifiers and I use them occasionally. If I'm at my work bench I use the Magnifying LED work light from Rockler (http://www.rockler.com/magnifying-led-work-light) which is magic for reading the instructions on glue tubes or something. They put it on sale for half price 2-3 times a year too.

Several years ago, I started getting my bifocals made so the reading portion is focused at arm's length. This makes them ideal for working on the computer, reading my speedometer, radio, and GPS, and for doing work on the lathe. I had to special order them and sent more than one pair back for remake because they didn't believe I really wanted what I asked for, but I did.

Now, whenever I get new glasses, I get a new pair of prescription bifocal safety glasses. They are comfortable and I can see out of them while protecting my eyes. They work under a face shield (yes, safety glasses are required under a face shield) and I can wear them with my respirator. This was the best solution for me.