Best magnification device for old eyes...

[PaulnKC 8]

All,

I am very nearsighted (between -6 and -7 in both eyes). With astigmatism. Now, in my late 50's I also have significant nearsightedness.

I thought a flip up visor - which I could wear with my glasses would be best. I purchased an OptiVisor with a flip-down loupe. But not happy at all with the visual quality.

I know you get what you pay for in optics. What is the best type of device for someone with old-bad eyes.

I have never used a regular loupe - but thinking that may be the way to go. Any of you guys (or gals) have a reccomendation?

-Paul

[Gpsluvr 36]

Try this - I have about the same eyesight and this has two lenses and a white led light for each. The light makes all the difference. Quality is excellent, too. Steve

This is on Amazon.




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[yankeedog 305]

I am 59, My peepers are not as bad as yours , I use various strength off the shelf reading glasses , depending on how close I need to get to the work.I use a bausch and lomb 10 x loupe for really small stuff.Recently I purchased a jewelers eye loop (their spelling) item 94364 from harbor freight. It isn't half bad.

[PaulnKC 8]

1 hour ago, Gpsluvr said:

Try this - I have about the same eyesight and this has two lenses and a white led light for each. The light makes all the difference. Quality is excellent, too. Steve

This is on Amazon.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Steve,

Thanks for the tip on these. I am primarily talking about something that I can use and still have my hands free for working - but this could work for inspection. Certainly cheap enough to try without worry.

[AndyHull 573]

I use a magnifying lamp. It is pretty effective, but good ones can be a little pricey.

[Nucejoe 585]

Talk to a microsurgeons secretary or even your dentist, ask what company sells them optical supplies, ask company's representative for free examination of your eyes, your eye glasses, combination of your eye glasses with the device and free trial period at home.

You pay more for just the piece at stores. Prices are not so high to shy away from.

 

[chrisdt 36]

PaulnKC....Your only a youngster...Its personal preference I know but I use a long arm microscope. I prefer it to anything else. Plenty of working space between the lens and the watch and possibly less eye strain. More expensive than most but hell you only have to buy it once.

[PaulnKC 8]

8 hours ago, Nucejoe said:

Talk to a microsurgeons secretary or even your dentist, ask what company sells them optical supplies, ask company's representative for free examination of your eyes, your eye glasses, combination of your eye glasses with the device and free trial period at home.

You pay more for just the piece at stores. Prices are not so high to shy away from.

 

Wow - I would never have thought of that. I will have to investigate this (if I don't find something more "off the shelf" first)

[vinn3 387]

the "head band magnifier"  was the choice of the industry.  your eye glasses wil fit under it.  i have used that for years.    eye doctors don't like it, but what do they know?     vin

[PaulnKC 8]

1 hour ago, chrisdt said:

PaulnKC....Your only a youngster...Its personal preference I know but I use a long arm microscope. I prefer it to anything else. Plenty of working space between the lens and the watch and possibly less eye strain. More expensive than most but hell you only have to buy it once.

I suppose age is always relative. And yes I am younger than some.

Can you share some specifics about the long arm microscope that you use?

Thanks!

[PaulnKC 8]

7 minutes ago, vinn3 said:

the "head band magnifier"  was the choice of the industry.  your eye glasses wil fit under it.  i have used that for years.    eye doctors don't like it, but what do they know?     vin

Vinn3, is this like the OptiVisor that I have? Can you give me some specifics to see exactly what you are suggesting?

[chrisdt 36]

http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/longarm.html

Have a look at these....I'm in the UK but I'm sure I have seen the advertised in the US

[PaulnKC 8]

On 3/24/2019 at 10:55 AM, chrisdt said:

http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/longarm.html

Have a look at these....I'm in the UK but I'm sure I have seen the advertised in the US

Chris,

 

Thanks - I decided to go with the Long Arm scope option. I just ordered today - so, I don't have it yet, but pretty sure I will be happy with that decision.

 

I found an AmScope (SM-1BSX-64S) that looked like a good choice. Though would have been nice to be able to look through a number of options first.

 

BTW - I tried to order something from BHER Optical, but they seem to be out of business. I was able to place an order - but haven't been able to get a response from anyone. So now going through the process of getting my money back.

 

-Paul

[eezy 34]

I have the cheap Chinese version with digital screen. It works well for me but I spin the scope 180 degrees so that I'm working off the table rather than the little base. This makes it top heavy so I have a tin of lead shot on the base to balance it.

I usually use an A4 sheet of card with a couple of datum points marked on it to place the job on so that I don't have to move tiny parts around trying to get them under the scope.

[PaulnKC 8]

6 minutes ago, eezy said:

I have the cheap Chinese version with digital screen. It works well for me but I spin the scope 180 degrees so that I'm working off the table rather than the little base. This makes it top heavy so I have a tin of lead shot on the base to balance it.

I usually use an A4 sheet of card with a couple of datum points marked on it to place the job on so that I don't have to move tiny parts around trying to get them under the scope.

Thanks Eezy,

I may flip mine 180 too - will just have to see how well it works as-is.

Definitely looking forward to seeing how well it works compared to the Visor that I have (OptiVisor).

Which, for me, is practically worthless. No working distance - and view is very distorted.

-Paul

[N0bby 4]

On 4/9/2019 at 9:34 PM, eezy said:

I have the cheap Chinese version with digital screen. It works well for me but I spin the scope 180 degrees so that I'm working off the table rather than the little base. This makes it top heavy so I have a tin of lead shot on the base to balance it.

Are you referring to something like this eezy? Cordless Digital Microscope

This looks like it might be a useful solution for me, but I can't work out what you mean about spinning the scope 180 degrees. Could you describe this further, or post a pic of your setup?

I currently use a cheap flexible magnifier with led lighting built in, which works okay - but I could do with more magnification and a solution with a screen seems a good way to go.

[eezy 34]

18 minutes ago, N0bby said:

Are you referring to something like this eezy? Cordless Digital Microscope

This looks like it might be a useful solution for me, but I can't work out what you mean about spinning the scope 180 degrees. Could you describe this further, or post a pic of your setup?

I currently use a cheap flexible magnifier with led lighting built in, which works okay - but I could do with more magnification and a solution with a screen seems a good way to go.

Yes but mine is this one. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/600X-3-6MP-USB-Digital-Microscope-4-3-Display-LCD-Electronic-HD-Video-Stand-Kit/183572621415?epid=21026543881&hash=item2abdc7e867:g:kdMAAOSwM7Fcqz8d

 

Using it as in the pic, you are working on the small base area. If you turn the whole lot around as if you are looking at the back and then turn the screen and scope  around to face you, you are not restricted to working on that small base. At that though it will be top heavy so you need to place a counter balance weight on the little base to stop it falling over. 

I also work off a piece of yellow card marked with datum lines so I can focus the scope and place tiny parts exactly in the spot under the scope.

If that doesn't help I'll have to set it up and post a pic.

(Nearly forgot to add the pics, video and battery life are excellent. Reckon my battery lasts about 6 hours)

Edited April 14 by eezy
Omission

[david 160]

PaulnKC,

I went through the same thing a number of years ago. The device that worked the best for me was definitely a microscope. Low power loupes have a decent range of focus but as the magnification increases the range of focus decreases. At 20X any head movement will throw the watch movement out of focus. Since the microscope lenses are fixed in a frame, you can examine  parts at 40X with no problems. Also, your eyes emit vapor which will fog up the loupe. I would vote for the microscope hands down.

david

[N0bby 4]

7 hours ago, eezy said:

Using it as in the pic, you are working on the small base area. If you turn the whole lot around as if you are looking at the back and then turn the screen and scope  around to face you, you are not restricted to working on that small base. At that though it will be top heavy so you need to place a counter balance weight on the little base to stop it falling over. 

Ahh... Yes, now I see what you mean! Thanks very much for taking the trouble to explain that eezy, and for the link too. That's great - I'll get one of those ordered and give it a try. You really can't have too many incoming packages from Ebay in this hobby... 

[PaulnKC 8]

14 hours ago, david said:

PaulnKC,

I went through the same thing a number of years ago. The device that worked the best for me was definitely a microscope. Low power loupes have a decent range of focus but as the magnification increases the range of focus decreases. At 20X any head movement will throw the watch movement out of focus. Since the microscope lenses are fixed in a frame, you can examine  parts at 40X with no problems. Also, your eyes emit vapor which will fog up the loupe. I would vote for the microscope hands down.

david

David,

Yeah - I received mine on Friday. I set it up over the weekend and I am thrilled with the results. Very sharp and distortion-free field of view.

I will probably have to set up a separate - lower height - table for the scope though. As the working distance and height of the scope don't match my regular work surface height. But that's not hard to solve. I am just happy that I have a really nice sharp, comfortable view to work with.

The AmScope "SM-1BSX-64S" is a 3.5x to 45x zoom with a nice bright (adjustable) LED ring light. The magnification range can be altered with accessory lenses, but I don't think I'll need to do that.

I can see where using one with screen display would nice. As you wouldn't have to have your  head positioned over the eyepieces. Which means no effect on your seated position or work surface height.

-Paul

[chrisdt 36]

PaulnKC

Glad you have found something your happy with. I use mine all the time now and rarely use a loupe. I sometimes wonder if I should have spent a bit more and got an auto zoom. Its ok when the watch is flat everything is sharp and in focus but when you stand the watch on its edge for say removing dial screws you have to wind back the focus. Ive also noticed that when using a loupe click springs fly away and you usually know the direction. Using a microscope they just 'disappear'

[N0bby 4]

Having looked at the advice and solutions here, I'm going to try a slightly different approach and see how it goes. I didn't really want to spend money on a small screen when I have big screen phones and iPads around the place - so I've ordered this wi-fi zoom microscope from Ebay to hook up to my iPad. It's 1080p too, because I noticed that most of the integrated camera/screen combos were low resolution.

When it arrives I'll report back on whether I get it set up so it's a useful tool. If it isn't, at least it'll be something for the grandchildren to play with!

[George19 4]

Glad I found this topic as I was going to order some head band style magnifiers. Definitely will be taking a look at microscopes after seeing that a lot are happy with it. I agree, the 'eye height' has to be taken in to affect with different work surfaces. With 10X plus your holding the parts in your hand, or your bending over looking at them on the bench.

I'll post also if/when I find something that works for me. Keep the thread alive, we/I need it!

 

[PaulnKC 8]

On 4/16/2019 at 8:29 PM, George19 said:

Glad I found this topic as I was going to order some head band style magnifiers. Definitely will be taking a look at microscopes after seeing that a lot are happy with it. I agree, the 'eye height' has to be taken in to affect with different work surfaces. With 10X plus your holding the parts in your hand, or your bending over looking at them on the bench.

I'll post also if/when I find something that works for me. Keep the thread alive, we/I need it!

 

George,

Glad that you found it useful.

I am with you - I think this is important info. I wish that I had found this before I purchased my visor. 

-Paul

[Nucejoe 585]

On 3/24/2019 at 6:18 PM, PaulnKC said:

Wow - I would never have thought of that. I will have to investigate this (if I don't find something more "off the shelf" first)

The point is, our eyes can adapt to the eye piece, regardless of our best option.

Even if we personally try the loup prior to purchase, our decision would be based on the information at our brains disposal at the time. Specialists know more than we do about eyes, what little feedback specialist get from us is not neccessarily correct. Try it at home, imropve our feedback.

 You emphasised having weak eyes while seeking advice. So I recommended investing in your eyes first , tools come next. Best wishes joe