Optivisor suggestions?

i have 2 magnifiers.  1 of them is a cheap set, made in China, that comes with 5 lenses and has an LED light.  It's the same as this from Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.com/Magnifier-Illuminated-Magnifying-Interchangeable-Replaceable/dp/B0769LQPGZ/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?crid=CSLVCXPFUZBD&keywords=hobby+magnifying+glass+with+light&pd_rd_i=B0769LQPGZ&pd_rd_r=97a28d97-40e3-474e-b578-c839c10e045b&pd_rd_w=0anDV&pd_rd_wg=O59Nq&pf_rd_p=5c5ea0d7-2437-4d8a-88a7-ea6f32aeac11&pf_rd_r=KJHPJ6K4W179K1P15R3N&qid=1548175044&sprefix=hobby+magn%2Caps%2C475

There are a few different brands, but I think they are all made in China, most likely from the same manufacturer.  So, just look for the cheapest price.  With the batteries for the light, it's a little heavy so a bit uncomfortable when worn for long duration.

The other magnifier is from Tamiya with 3 lenses.  This does not have lights but is a bit more comfortable for me, being lighter:

https://www.tamiya.com/english/products/74092magnifying_visor/index.htm

Lens quality of both are good, but be careful not to scratch them.  Wipe them clean with a micro fiber lens cleaning cloth.  As for lights, I much prefer having bright desk lamps as the small LED bulbs of the magnifier provide only a little illumination.

Good luck hunting for a magnifier that works well for you!

You'll get lots of opinions based on others personal preferences.

I have an actual "Optivisor". It has #4 lenses, which is 2X magnification. It does not have a light, but I model under task lighting that I can move around as needed.

I've probably had the thing 20 years and should get new lenses that aren't scratched up.

I like it because I wear glasses full time in order to see, and the Optivisor fits right over them. I know a lot of folks who don't wear glasses like magnifying readers from the drug store for modeling, but my prescription is such that it wouldn't work.

My . If you try them out in the store before buying, whatever one works for you is the best. One other item will help. Your lighting. I have a 4' shop light mounted 18" above the bench with 2-4' LED daylight bulbs. That might be too bright for some and not enough for others but it's just right for me. I also use an optivisor with 3 lens. Sometimes I use a pair of drugstore 2x glasses or a swing out light with a magnifier and light depending on how my eyes are on any given day. So, the moral of this is "Whatever works for you".

Jim  

I bought a cheap, Red Chinese knock-off Optivisor about ten years ago at a show, for ten bucks. It's probably the same as or similar to the visors you find at Harbor Freight.

As soon as I used it, I wished I had bought one five years before.

As far as the quality goes, it's sufficient, but it's probably worn out faster than the original might have.  The plastic on the visor has worn around the screws holding the lenses and the loupe in place, and in trying to reattach them, I would up losing the springs that hold the second lens in place.  So mine has just one magnifier in it.  Still works, but when I eventually replace it, I think I will get a genuine Optivisor.  I will also get one with lights.  My bench is well-lit, but it would be nice to have some lights aimed along my line of site to the pieces I work on.

fox

My . If you try them out in the store before buying, whatever one works for you is the best. One other item will help. Your lighting. I have a 4' shop light mounted 18" above the bench with 2-4' LED daylight bulbs. That might be too bright for some and not enough for others but it's just right for me. I also use an optivisor with 3 lens. Sometimes I use a pair of drugstore 2x glasses or a swing out light with a magnifier and light depending on how my eyes are on any given day. So, the moral of this is "Whatever works for you".

Jim  

 

Cool, thanks for the suggestions - and yeah, I need a good desk lamp of some sort - good point about finding a lighter optivisor and just using a good lamp. 

Another thought.... MicroMark has a swing arm dest lamp, LED, with a center magnifier.  That might work for you as well. I think it is around $60.00

goldhammer

Another thought.... MicroMark has a swing arm dest lamp, LED, with a center magnifier.  That might work for you as well. I think it is around $60.00

 

Well, I recently got an expensive optivisor and a ton of modeling supplies as part of a trade for building a model. After trying both the cheap and expensive one, I still like my $3 one from Harbor Freight. I’ve had it for at least 12 years and still works like the first day.

I do not use the attached light but fluorescent daylight bulbs above my work bench. And I wear trifocals with my optivisor.  

If you wear glasses, here is another option:

https://www.amazon.com/KIKAR-Clip-Magnifier-Interchangable-lenses/dp/B00DC1CLJM/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_rp_0_3/130-6892549-4973347?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00DC1CLJM&pd_rd_r=988f8dcf-b454-453a-acc3-668702e31ed3&pd_rd_w=JhJiM&pd_rd_wg=Ywu3t&pf_rd_p=2f64e549-0497-4586-8c63-7905e90fd6a2&pf_rd_r=AMEMKH3KER9KQPGMJ37P&psc=1&refRID=AMEMKH3KER9KQPGMJ37P

I use it in conjunction with my readers. I find it the most comfortable of all the options that I have tried, including the Optivisor.

For me, comfort is everything. When you are at the bench for hours, I want something that won't dig into my head, nose, ears, whatever. Regarding the lighting, my opinion, an external light source is the best way to go. I recently changed from a desk lamp to using a hanging Led light fixture. That thing floods my bench with light, and it has really helped me to see details.

Just my two cents.