Magnifier glasses - any good?

[weave]

Hi all,

My eyesight isn't too bad but the light in our house is rubbish. Was thinking of getting some of the 'lamp illuminated magnifier glasses for modellers' for the fiddly bits.

Just wondered if they are any good and should you invest high(er) price. There's a Craft Head Magnifier with light by Grendle for 13.99 on amazon but dont want to get it if its cheap plastic rubbish.

I know you prob won't know the exact product but has anyone got one of these things, do they work and any recommendations?

Thanks Weave.

[weave]

P.S. Please don't suggest brighter lights - we live in a cottage and its a marital issue! 

[longbridge]

Good question, I use an LED illuminated magnifying headset when I service locos, build and paint structures, apply transfers and dozens of other uses to do with the hobby, money well spent 

The ones I bought were not expensive at $29au or 18 quid UK money. cant see much point spending much more than that unless you want to repair watches 

[Malc]

P.S. Please don't suggest brighter lights - we live in a cottage and its a marital issue! 

I use a magnifying adjustable lamp. It clips on the edge of my bench and has a magnifying lens surrounded by LEDs. I also bought a Rolston headset with lenses and LEDs. That works well, even though I wear specs. I bought it at a show and it wasn't overly expensive. I tend to use it for really fiddly bits and the table lamp for general work.

[Southernboy]

I had a similar problem and bought a Lightcraft LC8066 from Gaugemaster - and it honestly transformed my modelling - I can work in detail like I never could before.

I think one advantage to desk magnifiers over the 'headband' type is you can move it nearer or further from the subject matter in order to get different degrees of magnification ... depending on what you are working on.

[EtchedPixels]

Hi all,

My eyesight isn't too bad but the light in our house is rubbish. Was thinking of getting some of the 'lamp illuminated magnifier glasses for modellers' for the fiddly bits

They certainly help for some stuff. For just brightness you can also get some very good standing or desk lamps nowdays that use the modern efficient bulbs (so you can stick a really big daylight bulb in without it cooking)

[Bikeracer]

This thread prompted me to get something,don't know if it's just old age or what,but my new specs this year have me struggling a bit for close up work so I've ordered one of these.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390249450298

Allan

[scotsoft]

I also have the Rolson magnifier headband and I find it a pain fitting the correct combination of lenses to get the magnification I need.  Once set up it is OK, just watch when you look away from the job you are doing as the magnification can make it feel your eyeballs are popping out.

What I use more than the headband is an illuminated desk magnifier.  I agree with Southernboy where he writes "I think one advantage to desk magnifiers over the 'headband' type is you can move it nearer or further from the subject matter in order to get different degrees of magnification ... depending on what you are working on."

cheers John.

[Caz]

Just been shopping and called into my local Lidl and they have a great magnifier set for 6.49 Euro.  It's called a Powerfix Profi+ Magnifier with LED lights.  Has a really good large LED illuminated lens and bar with crocodile clips for holding items plus holder for your soldering iron, nice little thing and a lot better than the one I have been using.   

[silly moo]

I have an illuminated desk magnifier and a couple of pairs of the inexpensive reading glasses you can buy at chemists of differing magnifications.

I'd be lost without them. I read somewhere that the older we get the more light we need to see close up.

[Newportnobby]

I can't see what the problem is

I read somewhere that the older we get the more light we need to see close up.

Looks like I need a searchlight then :'(

[Cimmerian]

I've just started using an opti-visor for my modelling (I do a lot of aircraft and tank modelling) and it really has made a huge difference. I used to use a magnifying glass on a stand with the little arms that held things but found it didn't give me enough room to work properly.

[daveg]

Just been shopping and called into my local Lidl and they have a great magnifier set for 6.49 Euro.  It's called a Powerfix Profi+ Magnifier with LED lights.  Has a really good large LED illuminated lens and bar with crocodile clips for holding items plus holder for your soldering iron, nice little thing and a lot better than the one I have been using.   

That sounds good Caz

We don't have a Lidl yet,. Planning permission given but who knows when that will become reality. At that sort of price I may ask a mate who has a store near his place.

Dave G

[Paul B]

I read somewhere that the older we get the more light we need to see close up.

I know not a magnifying lamp, but while being 'taken' round Ikea the other weekend by SWMBO, I managed to get myself a new lamp for my work table -

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/40370283/

I find I like (or need? ) plenty of light when I work, and this adds a fair bit and at close range too!

[daveg]

Caz's LED lamp is on fleabay for £19.95!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Powerfix-Precision-LED-Magnifying-Glass-BNIP-UK-SELLER-FREE-P-P-/180749959500?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2a1589814c

Dave G