opti visor?

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.

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

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, 

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.  

  

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.

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.

 

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.

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