optivisor / 1:700 scale

I wear glasses sometimes. An optivisor works just fine over them.  I have a 2.5X lens, which works fine. I would think that, or perhaps a 3X lens would be just fine.

I also have two eyes that take radically different prescriptions.  I have bifocals and using them for modeling is not ideal.

I tried some high diopter (high magnification) reading glasses, and lo and behold, they work fine!  I assume that with enough diopters I still have enough accomodation to even out the differences in the eyes.

Go to a drug store or discount store and go to the rack of reading glasses.  Take along a card or something with fine print, and try several pairs of reading glasses, with the card held at a comfortable working distance, till you find something that works. I find about 1.5 to 2.0 diopters works for me, but you need to experiment.  Dollar stores sometimes have them too, at cheap prices.

I find strong reading glasses almost as good as an optivisor or similar, but at much cheaper prices.  In fact, I have been thinking, at my next eye exam, to get the optometrist to give me a prescription for a close working distance. I suspect single vision closeup glasses will be as cheap as an optivisor and more comfortable to wear.

One time I also optimized a set of reading glasses by buying two sets- one optimum for my left eye, on for the right.  I picked ones with the same frames, so I could use the one eye's lenses from one in the other frame.  But, as I say, when I went to even higher power, the eye accomodation seemed to take over and work okay without all that trouble.

I use a lighted, bench-mounted magnifier.  I've tried both an optivisor and reading glasses, but never felt comfortable with them.

Mark

I used to use a lighted magnifier when needed but, as I got older (now 71), it didn't seem to work as well. Went to the drugstore and got a pair of 2.5x reading glasses. They have worked great for about the last 8 or 9 years. I think I might try out a pair of 3.0x the next time I'm in the store as things seem to get a little blurry once in a while. If they work, I'll be OK for the next 8 or 9 years (I hope).

Jim

I am reading this not because I want to but because I have to. Sigh ...

RedCorvette

I use a lighted, bench-mounted magnifier.  I've tried both an optivisor and reading glasses, but never felt comfortable with them.

Mark

My bench-mounted magnifier is one of those fluorescent lamps with a circular bulb  and the magnifier in the middle, on positionable arms.  The big problem I have with it is that if I jiggle the bench just a little, with the high magnification the jiggle is magnified too, and it almost makes me seasick!  I use it when I need extreme magnification, with my reading glasses on too.  But the jiggle means I can't work for any extended period looking through it, and so it is just for occasional extreme work.

I too need optics to work. My eyesight since about 6 years old was 20/600 in both eyes. I could read the fine print if I put the book on my nose. 10 years ago I had eye surgery to remove cataracts and they implanted corrective lenses. Now I'm about 20/10. If I can touch it I can't read it. So, I have the big heavy circular magnifier light on the bench. And a pair of fake Optivisors with multiple lenses. They work great but sometimes get me seasick if I'm moving too much. Yes they can be used with glasses. Of which I have a set of bifocals for reading and a number of cheap Dollar Store ones to use at the bench. What I use depends on what I'm doing and how much magnification I need. At the age of 62+ I'm still building 1/700 a lot. I like 1/350 better but I can build things small enough that I can no longer handle them. I just work until my eyes start to bother me and then watch TV or go to the garage to work in wood for a while to let the eyes relax a bit.

For cheap reading glasses or optivisors something in the range of 1.5+ to 2.5+ should work. The higher the power the shorter the focal length. Anything above 2.5+ means you will be working about 4 inches from your nose. Not a comfortable position for long.

Thanks to everyone. Its helpful to know what works, what doesn't  and the experiences others have had. I really appreciate it.

Thanks again,

Jack

I use reading glasses with my contacts lenses for normal work and add a circular florescent with a built in magnifier for really close detail work. The contacts, reading glasses and lamp/lens combo works well.

Thanks.

Contacts don't work for me so I'm stuck with glasses but several here have mentioned the reading glasses. I may try them.

 

jack

 

 

my eyes are all screwed up and i have a very short "boresight" range plus a right eye dominance issue. i have tried magnifiers and my computer glasses. note these are just for the computer because my prescription is too stong to read with. i have ended up with no glasses and sticking my nose in the model. the boys in my model ship building workshop call me squint. i may try the reading glasses. also when i do pe cutting and airbrushing i slip on my safety wraparound glasses