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opti visor?

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  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: galt, ca.
opti visor?
Posted by dirtball on Thursday, February 5, 2009 1:14 PM
  Hello all. Especialy us "sight challenged " modelers. OK, I admit it. My sight isn`t getting any better. I use a magna light and wear glasses(far sighted) Was wondering what kind you use and what ower. Also were is a good place to get them. I tried Michals but they dont carry them. Looking for help. As allways, thanks in advance..........Harv
"I once shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I`ll never know!"
  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Piscataway,NJ
Posted by jtrace214 on Thursday, February 5, 2009 1:17 PM

I bought mine at my LHS,if yours don't carry them maybe they can order them for you or I know Micro-Mark carries them. They are a little expensive but a great company to deal with and carry stuff I never saw before.I just wish they still had a store as I only live 20 mins. from them but I still gotta go through the mail lol...

John

the pic to the left is my weekend condo lol

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by namrednef on Thursday, February 5, 2009 2:06 PM

 

Myself and others here swear by our optivisors! You should never have to spend more than $20 for a decent one. Even Harbor Freight (Chinese) has them in various powers. Micro-Mark, Home Depot.....etc. You can pay over $30 depending on your needs.

My most treasured tool.

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Thursday, February 5, 2009 3:33 PM
Just remember that those Optivisor copycats are not equal to the original. I've taken the short route to save a buck on reading glasses...you know the $2-$3 ones on the discount rack...I found that they gave me headaches and my eyes tired faster. So I spent a few dollars more to get the more expensive ones...the optics were much better and there were no side effects. Same goes for Optivisors...the optic and the headband are where the differences lay. Nothing worse than a blurry and distorted view with a vice clamped to ones head to help make modeling enjoyable...my vote is for the original Optivisor...accept nothing less.

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: SE Pennsylvania
Posted by padakr on Thursday, February 5, 2009 6:31 PM
I bought a knock off from ModelExpo, $20.  Haven't had any problems (e.g. headaches), but then I rarely have them on for more than a half hour or so.
  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by I make stuff on Thursday, February 5, 2009 8:06 PM

TO be honest, I looked at the Harbor Freight ones, they had a couple options on the website, but the local store had only one option, and the optic was a plastic and the focal point was very close to my nose.

Fastforward to the LHS, actually a train place, and they had every model optivisor, I settled on a #7, I think it's a 3x, the lower numbers were not enough, the #10 was far too much, and again the focal point was very close to my eyes.

I noticed that you can order the other lenses and switch them out, and they are glass lenses.  I folded some teeny photoetch, and let me tell you, I can't believe I waited so long.  It's GREAT.

I paid about $40, I consider that a bargain just in the time I already used them.  

  

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Thursday, February 5, 2009 9:20 PM

So, are the Opti-Visors easy to use? I'm far sighted, so the tiny PE on my 1/72 Sherman tank is a little bit of a challenge. I'm thinking of getting an Opti-Visor, but I'm concerned that it'll be hard to get used to.

Regards, 

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Piscataway,NJ
Posted by jtrace214 on Thursday, February 5, 2009 9:52 PM

They are not hard to get used to at all, when I bought mine I think about a year ago. I put it on and wondered how I built before getting them. Just dont forget their on and walk away from the bench to go to the head thats interesting lol....

John

the pic to the left is my weekend condo lol

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Westerville, Ohio
Posted by Air Master Modeler on Thursday, February 5, 2009 9:57 PM
I got mine from an Ebay store called Hobbyntools for about $25.00 and well worth it. I use it for ever aspect of model building I do. Opti-Visor's are priceless tools for any modeler no matter what your eye vision may be. And YES they are as easy to use as putting on a baseball cap.

Rand

30 years experience building plastic models.

WIP: Revell F-14B Tomcat, backdating to F-14A VF-32 1989 Gulf Of Sidra MiG-23 Killer "Gypsy 207".

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: galt, ca.
Posted by dirtball on Friday, February 6, 2009 2:42 PM
  I want to thank you all for your replies. Much apreciated! I will be checking aroun for one. Which power do you all use?............Harv
"I once shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I`ll never know!"
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Inland Northwest
Posted by Summit on Friday, February 6, 2009 3:03 PM

Harv -  I use a 3x for most general work, sometimes I combine it with my "old man" readers. I aslo have a 7x I got for painting 1/72 pilot figures. Brings them in real close..

Donegan Optivisor is about the best brand on the market IMO Thumbs Up [tup]

Sean "I've reached nearly fifty years of age with my system." Weekend GB 2008
  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by namrednef on Friday, February 6, 2009 3:40 PM

 

Mine is a Donegan also........rescued from some idiot ready to toss it in a dumpster because of a lost lense screw! I believe it's a 3X.....sometimes I wear glasses underneath, but it also has an eye loup that might be a 7X....(fortunately I haven't needed it yet!)

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: South Central Wisconsin
Posted by Daywalker on Friday, February 6, 2009 4:30 PM
I also use the Donegan brand, very nice product.  I use a 5X and a 3X lens, depending on what I am doing. 

Frank 

 

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: galt, ca.
Posted by dirtball on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 1:24 PM
  First, I want to thank all of you for your very helpfull input. I purchased a Donegan this last weekend at the LHS (20miles away) and it seams to work pretty good. I found , though, its kid of useless when used with my magna lamp, but rather replaces it. It does have the glass lenses and is the 5x. So we`ll see (haha) what happens..............Harv
"I once shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I`ll never know!"
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Posted by Dennis Smith on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 5:19 PM

 

One last note; You're family will probably laugh at you when you use these goofy things.  They will tell you that you look like a real 'nerd.'   However, I guess we are what we are. . . let them have their fun, we doSmile [:)]

  • Member since
    February 2003
Posted by Jim Barton on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 9:55 PM
Mine goes up to 3X, which is pretty good for me. Unfortunately, it's got a built-in pair of little lights that are totally useless as they don't shine on the work. When I need that extra bit of light, a hiker's headlamp works quite well instead. The light and the Opti-Visor (or something similar; I don't know exactly what brand I have) are a couple of those things that usually just sit unused on the workbench for months at a time, but when I want one or the other...or both!...

"Whaddya mean 'Who's flying the plane?!' Nobody's flying the plane!"

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Carmel, CA
Posted by bondoman on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 10:19 PM

I have the Donegan also, but I didn't know that until I just now went and looked at it. I guess it's 4x- it has a raised "4" on the lens piece. I've owned it since way before this line of hobby, when I was a serious model railroader in N scale (1/160!!!).

Over the years I've replaced the tightening knobs at the temples because they come off and get lost to the carpet monster, but that's about it.

I'm a four-eyes anyways, with bifocals, but don't need the lower part of my own glasses with the visor, which is great (more in a minute).

I saw this thread and it struck me; I cannot think of a tool I own that has by itself so increased my abilities, except maybe my airbrush, but that's just technology, and expensive too. What I mean is that I could not do the same task without as I can with, by a really BIG difference. I always wear it now when I model, flip up/ flip down.

One time I had a particularily obnoxious client who kept arguing contract terms well into the phase where I was  working and billing. So I called him and went over to his office to go over the contract; pulled out the old O/V, put it on and sat down at the conference table. It certainly broke the ice and cost a lot less than bringing my lawyer along.

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 9:39 AM

And they are fun on Halloween when you open the door for little kids...

Marc  

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 8:57 PM

Donegan for this guy too (not sure how long I've had 'em, but it's been a while). The lens says "3" on it. Not sure what power that is, but combined with my glasses, it works great.

Shock [:O] Now THAT'S scary, Marc!!!

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Northern California
Posted by trexx on Thursday, February 19, 2009 8:01 PM

Oh meee gawd!

HOW MANY FINGERS AM I HOLDING UP?

 HA!

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by I make stuff on Friday, February 20, 2009 2:21 PM
 wing_nut wrote:

And they are fun on Halloween when you open the door for little kids...

 

Wall-E?

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Piscataway,NJ
Posted by jtrace214 on Saturday, February 21, 2009 6:51 AM

Thats scary looking Wing,remind me not to go to the other side of town fo Halloween lol... Never looked at them from that view very funny looking.

John

the pic to the left is my weekend condo lol

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Cottonwood, AZ
Posted by nico86326 on Monday, August 24, 2009 10:43 AM

 HawkeyeHobbies wrote:
Just remember that those Optivisor copycats are not equal to the original. I've taken the short route to save a buck on reading glasses...you know the $2-$3 ones on the discount rack...I found that they gave me headaches and my eyes tired faster. So I spent a few dollars more to get the more expensive ones...the optics were much better and there were no side effects.

Im with Hawkeye. I use 2.0 power reading glasses from the pharmacy at Walmart. Think I paid about 15.00 for them. They work just as well for me. 

Nico

 

 

Mein Leben für mein Land. On the Bench: Academy Tiger 1 Early.. Fully detailed.. and pain in the butt
  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: North Carolina
Posted by Back to the bench on Monday, August 24, 2009 4:06 PM

I have been using the Optivisor (lowest power) and have been happy with them. They are easy to flip up out of the way when you don't need the magnification. I look really nerdy because I wear a terry cloth sports head band under the existing headband for comfort. Love the picture wingnut, now I know why my daughter laughs at me when I am modeling. She says it reminds her of the old guy in Toy Story that does the restorations Big Smile [:D] I was intrigued by the dental loupes that are out there, but not enough to lay out the cash to try them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Surgicial-Loupe-2.5X-Dental-Dentist-Dentistry-Loupes-_W0QQitemZ270318056603QQcmdZViewItem 

Gil

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 5:21 PM
 nico86326 wrote:

 HawkeyeHobbies wrote:
Just remember that those Optivisor copycats are not equal to the original. I've taken the short route to save a buck on reading glasses...you know the $2-$3 ones on the discount rack...I found that they gave me headaches and my eyes tired faster. So I spent a few dollars more to get the more expensive ones...the optics were much better and there were no side effects.

Im with Hawkeye. I use 2.0 power reading glasses from the pharmacy at Walmart. Think I paid about 15.00 for them. They work just as well for me. 

Nico

 

 

Same here but I bought mine a few years back from Harbor Freight. They were about $5 a pair and I was worried about optical quality but they are very good. I am impressed. I have two pairs, one is 1.5x and the other is 2x I think. 

I just looked at their site and I don't think they sell them any longer though. 

 

 

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 10:36 PM

Th Donagan IS the Opti-visor it's completely worth the $30 somthing dollars. I personally prefer the # 4 lens ( which is actually a 2X lens ) they break down like this:

Item No. Focal Length Magnification
LX-314 Inch 1.75x Power
LX-410 Inch 2.00x Power
LX-58 Inch 2.50x Power
LX-76 Inch 2.75x Power

I agree the #10 is too much magnifacation to really work. That $20 copy at hobby-expo is ok,unless you've ever tried one of these babies.  Here's a link to the maker:

http://www.doneganoptical.com/optivisorlx.php     

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by batai37 on Sunday, September 6, 2009 1:38 AM
In addition they also make an LED light that you can attach to it...very useful when you need concentrated light in a specific place. I also have an optional loupe, good for when I need to get in really close.
  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: atlanta, ga, usa
Posted by qarloclobrigny on Saturday, September 12, 2009 3:42 AM
i've used donegan opti-visor for 25 years, and still have my original pair. i also bought another set in a higher power, gettin older you know. the glass lenses last forever. use em at work as a jeweler, use em at home for everything! i use the #4 and #5 and have the little loupe attachment for both.
thark you, stupid warhoons
  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Coastal Maine
Posted by dupes on Thursday, October 1, 2009 4:27 PM

Looking at picking one of these up this week - about time, right?

So is the 2.5x magnification sufficient for working with tiny PE and stuff? Was thinking the 2.75x might be the way to go, but the 6" focal point seemed pretty tight to me - you're working DIRECTLY in front of your face at that point it would seem.

Any suggestions?

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Thursday, October 1, 2009 6:19 PM
 dupes wrote:

Looking at picking one of these up this week - about time, right?

So is the 2.5x magnification sufficient for working with tiny PE and stuff? Was thinking the 2.75x might be the way to go, but the 6" focal point seemed pretty tight to me - you're working DIRECTLY in front of your face at that point it would seem.

Any suggestions?

~Dupes ~ See my suggestion in my well produced post above?  # 4 lens (X2 magnifacation)    -->>is all I use ~ The 10 inch focal length feels natural to me.I've tried the #5 and it was near as good, maybe I'd just gotton used to not hunching over. I barrowed a friends #10 for one tedious job, but forget that, break out the electron microscope !  I'ts just too uncomfortable, and I'm not doing oil paintings on the head of a pin. #4 lets me see each scratch as I sand or file, it's plenty of magnification for my 1/35 scale work ~ You may be one that likes the #5, but try measuring how far your eyeball is off your bench when you do detail work, probably a bit more than 6 or 8 inches, yes?

Indy

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

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