I've found that the drug store reading glasses are the best fix for seeing the fine details that I like to work on, and the price is right too. I do a lot of very fine detail work, so I understand what you're going through. Right now, I use a pair of 3.0X but I'm considering going to a higher magnification soon. It's much easier to find a source of the higher magnification online. (up to 10x).
gmpullmanI'll add photos later of the magnifying visor.
First, I'm not REPLACING my OptiVisors with this setup but it is a good option for those that may not have a magnifier headset. I bought it to mainly use the highest magnification lens which I've found works very well for that.
Overall:
Magnifier Overall by Edmund, on Flickr
The USB charger plug-in:
Magnifier USB by Edmund, on Flickr
The two LEDs illuminated:
Magnifier LED by Edmund, on Flickr
There are several adjustments and the lens moves toward or away from your forehaed plus the lenses are easy to swap out. The headband is easily switched to the temple arms. The lens quickly flips up out of the way if you want to use your regular glasses.
I have tried 'knockoff' Obtivisors shown at train shows and such and they are of poor quality and will probably frustrate you with blurry magnification. So far I like these — in addition — to my several other 'true' OptiVisors.
Good Luck, Ed
I use Optivisor with glass magnifying lens. They are more expensive than the plastic lens, but they are better. They work well with my bifocals.
I have tried cheaper ones and they work, just not as well. Same for the magnifying glass on moveable arm.
This is one case where I recommend spending the extra money since I use them all the time even working on the layout.
Paul
maxmanEd, did you get the battery or the rechargeable type?
I got the rechargeable one. I have a few other devices that charge through a USB-c cord so it makes things easier. I have a bunch of those 'wall-wart' USB adapter things around the house so I don't have to look far for one.
For additional lighting at the bench I picked up one of these, too (also USB rechargeable):
Task Light planB overall by Edmund, on Flickr
https://a.co/d/9m3xOJJ
Note that it has a strong magnetic base but it won't stand up well on a non-ferrous surface thus I have it stuck to a 1" x 1½" chunk of cold rolled steel. Even though I have good overhead lighting I always seemed to be working in my shadow. This little light cures that.
Task Light planB by Edmund, on Flickr
I'll add photos later of the magnifying visor.
Regards, Ed
I also use an Optivisor, but for really small items I use a loupe, which is basically a short plastic tube (about an inch long) with a magnification lens for viewing some very small items...you simply stick it gently into your best eyeball socket, and then squint hard enough to keep it from falling out as you're viewing small items, such as grabirons or very small decals on freight cars.
Cheers, Wayne
Water Level Route There's always a good magnifying glass, but that takes a hand away from using it on your project. You can find Optivisors for around $50. Appears they work with glasses. What is "reasonably priced" in your mind?
There's always a good magnifying glass, but that takes a hand away from using it on your project. You can find Optivisors for around $50. Appears they work with glasses. What is "reasonably priced" in your mind?
I can confirm that. I've worn an Optivisor over my glasses for years. Works fine, lasts a long time.
Ed, did you get the battery or the rechargeable type?
The description says that the weight is 1 pound. Seems heavy, or is that the total weight of everything included?
I had all the different head gear, didn't like them, found them anoying with either folding down or zooming in different magnifications. Magnafying lamp worked great for when I had better vision but later not as much unless I needed extra help. What I ended up doing is getting glasses at the $ store in varius magnifications and a few online for extream magnification and a glasses rack. I can grab the magnification glasses I need and grab a higher one when needed. Cost was cheap and any that got damaged were easily replaced and I have magnification up to 6X.
I've been a user of Optivisors for years. I have two, a #5 and a #7 and my wife has two (that she 'borrowed' from ME!) for her sewing, embroidery and crocheting.
Recently I began the task of locating the tiny, and I DO mean tiny, dimples that locate the drilling points of the Walthers passenger cars. Locating these in order to make a more pronounced center punch mark for drilling was beyond the scope of the #7 lens of the Optivisor. There are six of them in this view:
Trap Door by Edmund, on Flickr
I considered buying another lens, a #10 diopter which is now going for $40. but instead I decided to try out another system. This is what I purchased:
https://a.co/d/hNnExK9
I didn't have time to photograph it but suffice to say I'm very pleased with the device. It comes with regular eyeglasses temple frames but these can be snapped off and replaced with a headband. The LED lights arent overly bright but they DO provide just enough additional illumination. The nosepiece takes a little getting used to but once you have it set in place it is comfortable and you can adjust the lenses so that you can use your normal vision or slightly angle your head to look through the magnifying lenses.
The lenses are clear and easily snapped in place to change magnification.
FRRYKidWhat I was thinking was a set of visors that mount on your head and can flip out of the way when not in use but I have no idea how well they work.
That's what an Optivisor does. I have used my Optivisor for years and it has served me well. Recently I purchased a set of 1.75x reading glasses. They work much the same way that the the Optivisor does but they are much lighter. They also work at a slightly greater distance than the Optivisor does. I found that recently I have had to hold things much closer to my face in order for the Optivisor to focus clearly.
I don't suggest investing in the LED system that Optivisor offers. The illumination is very poor. I attached a headband style head light to the top of my Optivisor with a couple of small screws and the light is much more focused.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
The other possibility is that it was the decal set. I was working with a Champ decal set that was all white letttering (GN hopper set). I almost wonder if the set itself was causing the problem. I hadn't the problem with any other set yet.
What I was thinking was a set of visors that mount on your head and can flip out of the way when not in use but I have no idea how well they work.
Bifocal glasses did not help me. When you get them they have a specific spot where they will give optimom vision. I think that spot is normally where you would want to be reading a book unless you ask for something different.
Anything else will either be too close or too far.
Hello All,
I too wear glasses; single vision for distance (nearsighted) +2.25 correction.
My near vision is average- -no need for bifocals yet.
However, working on the small parts in HO has always been a struggle.
I looked at the magnifying glass on a desk lamp arm with a ring light but I've got nowhere to mount it.
Instead, I purchased a pair of "Mighty Sight LED Magnifying glasses."
These are available at Amazon and cheaper if bought in pairs.
At first, I was skeptical.
The lenses have a claimed magnification of 160% and have two (2) LEDs, one on each arm.
No batteries are required as you charge them through a USB port with the included cable.
I wear them without my glasses.
It took me a little time to get the focus range right. Too close or too far and they don't work.
There is a sweet spot for vision and the two (2) LEDs put out plenty of light.
It's a relatively inexpensive option that works for me on those occasions when my natural sight and a headlamp don't cut it.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I have a magnifying lamp I bought at a local electronics place for something like $18, although it was about 20 years ago. It's a desktop stand with a large magnifying glass surrounded by a circular flourescent tube. It both magnifies and illuminates, so I find it's helpful for soldering small parts and particularly for painting items like Jordan vehicles, to illustrate how long I've had it. It's hands free and large enough that it doesn't get in the way.
On a second note, I too had bifocal anxiety and resisted getting them for years. I carried around both a pair of everyday glasses for distance and stronger ones for computer stuff, reading and things. After I finally gave in and got bifocals, I asked myself, "Why didn’t I do this sooner?" They're great for me and basically I only wear those now.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Your smart phone camera, zoom in to read. No good when assembling but it works in a pinch.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Water Level Route You can find Optivisors for around $50. Appears they work with glasses.
You can find Optivisors for around $50. Appears they work with glasses.
Rich
Alton Junction
NVSRR My magnifier is mounted on an arm. It also has light on it. shane
My magnifier is mounted on an arm. It also has light on it.
shane
I have a similar setup, found it at the HobbyLobby in the model section. Works well enough, hope it helps!
You can get readers that clip on regular glasses for quite cheap.
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Mike
Got yet another one for my Forum friends. As of late, I have found that I am having problems trying to read some of the smaller numbers on my decal sheets when I'm decaling my HO scale railroad equipment. (I am working on a covered hopper at the moment and have a boxcar, two reefers needing renumbering and a caboose in the winter queue.) At least according to my last eye exam (earlier this month), I am not in need of the dreaded bifocals as of yet. My glasses are such that they are quite thick due to extreme myopia and astigmatism. What would be the best reasonably priced optical aid to make it easier for me to read the small numbers in dimensional data and end number decals which seem to be where I am having the problem at the moment and would keep up with vision changes and would work with my glasses? As usual, any assistance that can be provided would most welcomed.