Glasses & magnifying devices

rgray

Active User
H-M Supporter Gold Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2012
Messages
1,307
My old eyes aren't getting any better. I use old timer "readers" most all the time now. 1.5's work pretty well for me.
But when I want to see something better that I'm working on in the lathe/mill I grab some 3.5's so I can get a better view. Problem is sometimes it's hard to get my face close enough for a good focus. I know I could simply hold them away from my face and get the distance right or grab a magnifying glass.
But I have been into the dentist a couple of times lately and noticed the loops they wear. I have plenty of eye loops also but the dentist is working with them at a long focal distance so that intrigued me.
It took me a bit to find them. Key search word being dental makes it easy."Long focal length eye loop" got me nothing.
So a set of Bosh & lomb's starts out about $500.00....ouch. Chatted with my hygienist and she said she had $2000.00 into her's with rechargeable lights vs corded battery pack light. Double ouch.

So I'm starting out with these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-D...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

And so far I like them. Takes some adjusting to get the bino vision right. I decided to skip the light part, they are available with the light for about $20.00 more.
The light would be more effective on regular loops as by the time you get it close to the work for focus and get your head down there to see there is no light left.
With the long focal length loops the machine light is unobstructed so light so far is not a problem.

I do a lot of head nodding...like with bifocals as much of the time I am loking not through the loops. Now if I just had 1.5 lenses on the main glasses I'd be set.

My wife saw them and laughed and laughed...then took a picture with her cell phone and who knows who she's sending that to. .I don't care...they work for me.
 
Have you ever looked at OPTIVISOR?

I have one.
I didn't realize they were available in different focal lengths.
I obviously got the wrong focal length for what I wanted to use it for.
I just searched for a lens like my dental loops I'm not finding a 3.5 with that focal length though for the Opti.
 
Try searching for "loupe.

Google actually corrected my spelling for me. What would I do without them.
My son used to get some great deals on ebay by searching with misspellings (most wouldn't find those listing)
But then ebay got good with spell correction also. So that was the end of that and a bonus to the seller who couldn't spell.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Z2V
At 79 I also need vision help. I read with 1.5X and repair clocks and mini machine with 3.5X. I have 3 Optivisors and several similar of different brands, even one with flip down and interchangeable lens. I don't use them because they keep slipping no matter how tight. I guess if I were bald they would work better. I like the afore mentioned because they have a working distance of about 16 inches. I also like that they have nose pads keeping the lens in place. For under $40 I'll give them a try. I hope I can deal with binocular system.
 
Optivisors are OK, but focal length at higer mag is a problem, and limited magnification is also an issue. The dental telescopes (that is, Gallilean telescopes) work well, but good ones are expensive. The dental assistant versions -cited- are at best OK; Chinese QC is iffy. I've tried all of these. And more.

Best answer I've seen is a camera and display screen set-up. No need to get your nose right into the work, the camera is small and can magnify just fine. With a 10-15 inch screen, visibility is no problem.
 
I looked into the dentist-type items; Design for Vision is one supplier. They're fixed-distance,
though, and have to be custom-fitted.

More friendly, is the videocam/monitor used as a magnifier like
(about 8.5 minutes in). If my thrift-store digital cameras can
do real-time video output, there's a spare analog flatscreen monitor set aside for this. Finding the right
video CABLE to connect an old model digicam, is a challenge. Distance from the moving parts AND closeup
viewing: what a combination!

My longer-term plan is to wallmount a stereo microscope in the cleanest part of the shop, not taking
up any table space, just on an arm so it can swing over the bench. Kind of a gantry-mount stereozoom.

The status quo is one of those headstrap lens things, because my loupes aren't easy to keep
in place, and there's never enough hands.
 
That would be ideal if there were enough room for a camera let alone room for a monitor. Not a lot of room on a Sherline.
 
I looked into the dentist-type items; Design for Vision is one supplier. They're fixed-distance,
though, and have to be custom-fitted.

More friendly, is the videocam/monitor used as a magnifier like
(about 8.5 minutes in). If my thrift-store digital cameras can
do real-time video output, there's a spare analog flatscreen monitor set aside for this. Finding the right
video CABLE to connect an old model digicam, is a challenge. Distance from the moving parts AND closeup
viewing: what a combination!

My longer-term plan is to wallmount a stereo microscope in the cleanest part of the shop, not taking
up any table space, just on an arm so it can swing over the bench. Kind of a gantry-mount stereozoom.

The status quo is one of those headstrap lens things, because my loupes aren't easy to keep
in place, and there's never enough hands.
Thanks for the link, that was great.
 
Back
Top