head worn magnifiers

[cheechi]

I don't really know the right term for these, but pretty sure by the title you know what I mean. for example

I assume from the typical prices either I'm not finding a higher end version of these, or there isn't one. Being something that jewelers and electronics techs need at least occasionally, I'm sure there is a high end market for them. I don't need a high end set, I'm looking for more of a 'best of the cheap ones' or 'cheapest of the best' type thing.

If anyone has a nice set where did you get them and about what did you pay? Any brand recommendation would be great too. My current set cost $7.99 and are functional but not really 'nice'.

Thanks.

 

[rockwithjason]

Most jewelers use loups. I have a set i bought from all electronics years ago, no complaints

 

[wmm2]

I don't really know the right term for these, but pretty sure by the title you know what I mean. for example

I assume from the typical prices either I'm not finding a higher end version of these, or there isn't one. Being something that jewelers and electronics techs need at least occasionally, I'm sure there is a high end market for them. I don't need a high end set, I'm looking for more of a 'best of the cheap ones' or 'cheapest of the best' type thing.

If anyone has a nice set where did you get them and about what did you pay? Any brand recommendation would be great too. My current set cost $7.99 and are functional but not really 'nice'.

Thanks.

I took a watch repair class a few years ago. The recommended magnifier was the Optivisor. I don't remember what I paid for that, but it's on Amazon for about $40. The lenses are replaceable. Downside to that is they come out a little too easily. Adjustable headband, but I have trouble getting it as snug as I'd like. US made (at that time at least). It's not perfect, but overall, I'm pleased with mine. I also recall seeing the brand at Bill Goodman's.

 

[Davefr]

Get a Donagon Optivisor with your choice of glass lens. Add a zebralight.

 

[cheechi]

Thanks Jeremy. That's one of the things I was thinking about when looking at them yesterday whether I needed to focus more on distance or zoom. You have two, but how easy would it be if I got one visor and multiple lenses to swap them?

 

[lazer50]

I use one all the time and did the cheap pair too.the last pair i bought was from hobby lobby and has 2 flip down strength lenses.and has lights on both sides using triple a batteries.i paid around 25 for mine.but there surely some available online too.

 

[Ign]

I've got what looks like an Optivisor but I thought B&L makes them. Love it, I use it to carefully deburr and file light radii into small acetal pcs

edit: commonly avail thru Enco (ok, was) and MSC

 

[SantaAna12]

Get a Donagon Optivisor with your choice of glass lens. Add a zebralight.

Dave,
Is the Zebralight an addon?

Did you purchase the white attachment part seperately?

 

[Davefr]

Dave,
Is the Zebralight an addon?

Did you purchase the white attachment part seperately?

You can buy lighting add-ons for Optivisors but they're absolutely terrible. (ie ancient LED technology with bulky battery packs.)

I added the Zebralight H502W. It's a neutral white/floody that uses a single AA battery. It's an excellent headlamp. (neutral and flood is important)

http://www.zebralight.com/H502w-L2-AA-Flood-Headlamp-Neutral-White_p_141.html

All you really need is a nylon hose clamp to mount it to the Optivisor brim and you can adjust it any way you want.

 

[SantaAna12]

Nice!

Thanks!

 

[wmm2]

Thanks Jeremy. That's one of the things I was thinking about when looking at them yesterday whether I needed to focus more on distance or zoom. You have two, but how easy would it be if I got one visor and multiple lenses to swap them?

They can be swapped very easily, but the pricing may not be worth it. On Amazon, the replacement lenses were about the same price as the whole unit. If you want to try different magnification, maybe get one of each. Also, mine came with a detachable swing down magnifier that increases the power. That's another possibility.

 

[Git]

Carson Optical Pro Series MagniVisor

Comes with a led light and 4 different lenses. The lens are real easy to change or just flip up out of the way

$27
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007CDJKM2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[machine_punk]

+1 on the Optivisor. I paid right at $35 at Enco. US-made, if I remember correctly.

They are great.

Generally, the higher the magnification, the closer you have to be to the object (that is, buy the visor for the distance you will be working). If the first set of lenses isn't quite right, you can get just the replacement lenses for the optivisor.

I prefer a bright lamp for lighting, instead of mounting a light on the visor.

I don't have a lot of patience for swapping lenses out...if I needed 2 different distances, I'd have 2 visors (but, that is just me...I'm working on a serious collection of grinders, because I hate swapping discs for different tasks).

KDub

 

[bczygan]

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=dental+magnifier