Magnifying light

[Cobra5150]

My light I use at work finally broke. Well I think someone on an off shift broke it. Last week I used it and everything was fine and today part of the clamp is broken and will not hold position very well. What is a better replacement? When I first got this one I had to replace many of the bulbs as a lot of them were blinking. I've had this thing for 7-8 years so it's served it's purpose. It's no longer available but would like to upgrade to a better quality as it didn't focus too well unless you had the part directly in the middle.
Also I've considered a wearable lighted magnifyer but think that would get uncomfortable after a while. Sometimes while soldering the lamp would get in the way.

 

[bherren]

I purchased the small desktop LED that harbor freight sells with the intent of finding an older USA metal one on craigslist, estate, etc. That was about 2 years ago and so far no luck. The LED is nice but fluorescent is also still available in new if you prefer. It seems to me that the lower priced options have very cheap articulating arms and "glass". Glass in quotes as I am not sure...scratches very easily. Anyway, I know that is not much help but I would check local craigslist before purchasing new.

 

[4xdog]

I have an ooold magnifying lamp -- from one of the main brands (I'd need to go downstairs to remind me of which one). It had a broken base when I got it. Turns out all the needed parts were still available from the OEM.

Probably worth checking the same on yours, Cobra5150, before you hunt a replacement you might not like as well.

 

[Jagmandave]

My light I use at work finally broke. Well I think someone on an off shift broke it. Last week I used it and everything was fine and today part of the clamp is broken and will not hold position very well. What is a better replacement? When I first got this one I had to replace many of the bulbs as a lot of them were blinking. I've had this thing for 7-8 years so it's served it's purpose. It's no longer available but would like to upgrade to a better quality as it didn't focus too well unless you had the part directly in the middle.
Also I've considered a wearable lighted magnifyer but think that would get uncomfortable after a while. Sometimes while soldering the lamp would get in the way.

I have one just like this that I've had for about 20 years, still works and of course as I've gotten 20 years older too I use it now more than ever!

 

[RTM]

Mine is about 12 years old. I hate the magnification feature. It has a very "good" spot, the rest is cruddy. I use a small folding linen tester for anything that needs very good magnification, and a small microscope for serious stuff.

I have a good Donegan Optivisor that I use for saw sharpening, soldering, etc where I expect to do real precise work, not just glance at something.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OV96IY8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Good lights are cheap, good magnifiers are not.

 

[Cobra5150]

It’s been over a month so I guess I need to update. As RTM says good magnifiers are not cheap, he was right about that. I ended up getting one from OC White. It was under $400 total but the difference is amazing. No more of that small sweet spot in the middle. I can’t believe I put up with that cheap one for so many years. This one has a directional feature where I can use some or all of the lights but mostly just use all of them.

 

[bob15]

I had an Electrix Illuminated Magnifier and it's OK (gave it to my Dad). I think the magnification is too high, but I never changed it to a less powerful lens that I have; instead it was replaced by an old OC White Magnifier that I dumpster dove for. I prefer the OC White, though if I change the lens on the Electrix, I might feel different.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought one at Hobby Lobby and used a 40% off coupon. It's helped get many splinters out on my hands.

 

[knobby]

Vintage Luxo here built like a tank and with a ebay surplus X2 lens I have 1.75X and 3.5 magnification choices. Old school industrial art IMHO.

 

[RTM]

. I ended up getting one from OC White. It was under $400 total but the difference is amazing. No more of that small sweet spot in the middle.

What power (diopters?) did you end up with?

 

[Davefr]

Also I've considered a wearable lighted magnifyer but think that would get uncomfortable after a while. Sometimes while soldering the lamp would get in the way.

I had one of these magnifying lamps and absolutely hated it. Always in the way of your work, never the right magnification, never the right focal length, hogs precious bench space and just an overall PIA to use. I tossed it with no regrets.

I highly recommend a glass lens Donagan Optivisor and attach a warm/floody Zebralight. It's a marriage made in heaven!! If you need different magnification levels just swap lenses. I've never found it uncomfortable to wear.

Don't buy those add on Optivisors LED kits. They're total garbage. (i.e. ultra primitive Rev 0 LED technology). Use the Zebralight with a rechargeable battery. I love this setup.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

I've quite a bit of soldering to do on a project shown below and 10 years ago wouldn't have even considered a magnifying lens, but here I am ...fortunately all the joints are pretty big so that helps, but my eyes are not what they used to be.

~120 pins on the perimeter to be de-soldered to separate the two boards and harvest the parts I need. Repeat on another example to insert the harvested parts and repair the damaged ones, then re-solder the perimeter pins back together so 250 de-solder joints and ~150 re-solder joints (not putting the donor back together!).

Donagan
OC White
Electrix

Anything else I should be looking at? I'm just a hobbyist so won't be using it daily for years, but would rather spend more on a quality product that I'll appreciate using than something cheap that I'll regret.

Not particular to a bench mounted one or a head mounted one at this point. Used bench mounted ones before, never tried a head mounted one.

 

[ezriderga]

I don’t use a magnifying light often but when I need one I use the one on my iPad or iPhone.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

I don’t use a magnifying light often but when I need one I use the one on my iPad or iPhone.

That works for something quick and easy (and one handed) but on 400 solder joints it could be a little tough?

Maybe a phone stand or something or maybe a USB camera then I can display it on a 24" screen?

Hmmm

 

[macgee]

I use mine daily many times over, couldn't live without it after having one.
I have an old Luxo and a Danzor. I even double/triple up the mag. by placing a lupe on top of the mag.

Once you start using a good mag. lamp, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

I've been eyeing this one on Amazon but not sure how good it is, has a ton of reviews?

A good one is worth the money if it gives you a large, wide even view and good lighting.

https://www.amazon.com/Brightech-LightView-2-25x-Magnifying-Glass/dp/B019R1FDEA/ref=bmx_6?pd_rd_w=9qniQ&pf_rd_p=c56dadeb-1250-4595-be05-dacedfb0eeb2&pf_rd_r=TPQQVDX726036XA071S8&pd_rd_r=496b6e8a-4c20-4ef5-a69b-8513cf07731b&pd_rd_wg=Pr0o6&pd_rd_i=B019R1FDEA&th=1

For me, this is the difference with and without the Magnifying lamp:

 

[casmurbax]

Thanks to Duker I bought this one off of Amazon Warehouse last year.

My only complaint is that it is a fluorescent, I wish it was LED, like the one that was recently posted on AWD thread. I see them on AWD deal thread every so often.

I swear by it now.

 

[RTM]

That works for something quick and easy (and one handed) but on 400 solder joints it could be a little tough?

Maybe a phone stand or something or maybe a USB camera then I can display it on a 24" screen?

Hmmm

How about one of those endoscope cameras or microscope for iPhone. Just make sure they focus close enough, mine is 4”. Missed that bit


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L3QXR9Z/?tag=atomicindus08-20