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Magnifying glasses

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  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Friday, January 29, 2016 12:38 PM

Optivisor. Get one with a light. Amazon has a good selection. I just looked.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Friday, January 29, 2016 12:31 PM

I'm nearsighted, and can focus down to about 10".  Which sure isn't close enough for modelmaking.

 

I've got Optivisors in #3, #5, and #10.  I use mostly the #5.  Then the #10 for teensy work.  The #10 doesn't have great depth of field for me, but sometimes it's just the thing.  The #3 may have been a mistake--I don't recall using it.

 

I would recommend getting the "old" ones, with glass lenses.  If nothing else, they should scratch MUCH less than plastic.

 

I'll note that I easily found on Amazon reading glasses at 4.0.  Another option.

 

 

 

Ed

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, January 29, 2016 12:17 PM

Mike, pick up an Optivisor.  Nothing could be better.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • 124 posts
Posted by ss122 on Friday, January 29, 2016 12:15 PM

Hi Mike,

 

By #3 do you mean +3.00 diopter? Reading glasses you can buy over the counter are generally available in steps from 1.00 diopters to 3.00 diopters. As you get into your forties, the lenses you are born with get stiffer and gradually lose their ability to focus at near. When most people find that their "arms are too short" they start with +1.00 or +1.25 diopter reading glasses. As modellers, we need more magnification, but it's hard to see distance with reading glasses.

I have an Optivisor which I love. As Dave says, you can flip it up to walk around, but for near work the optics are excellent. I'm 62 and I use the one with the 20" focal length. If you are older you might try the 14" focal length model. I was able to try them out at my LHS.

Best of luck.

Ken (Eye doctor by profession, but I'd rather be workin on the railroad).

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 869 posts
Posted by davidmurray on Friday, January 29, 2016 11:14 AM

Mike:

I weaar bifocals, so I have a flip down visor at about 2.5-3.o times.  I got one with an adjustable head band, the new ones have an optional headlight.

This way you can flip it up to find tools, walk around, etc.

Dave

 

David Murray from Oshawa, Ontario Canada
  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Magnifying glasses
Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, January 29, 2016 11:13 AM

I guess I'm going to have to break down and get some type of magnifying glasses.  The #3 reading glasses are ok, but sometimes I need more.  I haven't started to shop around, and see whats out there, so I thought I'd ask what some of you guys use.

Thanks !

Mike.

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